Zambia Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Governance Manuals
The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) under Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Section is responsible for monitoring, supervising and facilitating local level governance structures to support the implementation of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 that provides Community Resources Boards (CRBs) to be formed from representatives of the Village Action Groups (VAGs) through a democratic process. In accordance with the Bottom-UpCBNRM Approach, chiefdoms are divided into zones which are referred to as VAGs being the “building blocks” or the implementing structures of the CRBs. The CRB Formation Guidelines describe the required structure of the CRB and the period for which it is elected is specified in the Act. Organizing and managing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CRB is one of the responsibilities of the Board.
The AGM is the most important formal event for a CRB and is essential for good governance and ensuring that the VAGs are informed on the CRB affairs in a particular financial year and participate in the making of important decisions. It needs to be planned and conducted carefully. This manual provides guidance on what should be expected at an AGM.
Annual General Meeting is a meeting which is held once a year that provides an opportunity for the CRB membership to participate in important decisions regarding the governance of the CRB.