Union General Meeting (21st Feb 2006)
A Reformed Constitution
Proposed by: Grace Fletcher-Hall
Seconded by: Rose Rickford
This union notes:
1. The Constitution
2. The Students’ Union “Year of Reform” Project, incorporating
a. The Students’ Union Governance Review
b. The Students’ Union Online Elections Feasibility Study
c. The Students’ Union Strategic Plan
3. That both the NUS and our financial advisors believe that our trustee board is currently too large.
Societies
4. That, when compared to Athletic Union Clubs, our Societies are under-resourced with only one voluntary position to support them.
5. That charitable societies currently have no specialist support within the Union.
6. The Membership Related Grant (MRG) and Supplementary Grant Application (SGA) processes for Societies funding
7. That as a result of these processes our societies are often left without sufficient funding until the Spring term and that often the money for allocation runs out before all societies requests have been heard.
Elections
8. That vote in Executive Elections, students must have an NUS card and either vote on campus, Kings Manor or apply for a postal ballot
9. That elections cost the Union over £6000 annually.
This union believes:
1. That the current governance structure does not allow for efficient operation of the Union
2. That our proposed constitution includes a governance structure that does, whilst ensuring genuine representation
3. The need for reform to ensure that the Students’ Union remains an active political, representative and campaigning movement.
Societies
4. That a new Societies and Communications Officer would provide much needed support to Societies, and help to continue the advances made in Union communications over the past three years
5. That a new Student Development and Charities Officer would provide much needed specialist support to Charitable societies – including some coordination of activity on campus
6. That the change to advance budgeting in our proposed constitution will ensure that funding is fairer and distributed by the first day of term.
Elections
7. That online voting in elections could increase participation and make elections more accessible to off campus and distance learners
8. That online elections would save the Union approximately 66% of its election budget
9. That our proposed constitution strikes a balance between paper and online voting by allowing a choice between the two.
This union resolves:
1. To revoke all previous Constitutions of the Students’ Union
2. To pass the constitution attached to this document (viewable online <a href="http://www.yusu.org/union/docs/Constitution14-02-06.pdf">here</a>), and to cause this Constitution to come into effect on the twentieth day of March.
This union further resolves:
1. To cancel elections for RAG President, Student Action Officer, Treasurer, Societies Officer, Campaigns Officer, Education Campaigns Officer and Communications Officer
2. To hold by-elections for Policy and Campaigns Officer, Student Development and Charities Officer and Societies and Communications Officer by the fifth week of the Summer Term
3. That the current RAG President and Student Action Officer should share the position of Student Development and Charities Officer until the end of their term in office
4. That the current Services Officer should take the position entitled Services and Finance Officer until the end of his term in office
5. That the Executive Committee should fulfil the role of Societies and Communications Officer until the first day of the Summer Holidays.
