CONSTITUTON of THE COMPUTER SOCIETY


Proposed constitution, written by Ger Maguire

Preamble:

We, the students of the University of Limerick, who share a common interest in computing, have united to form this society, in an endevour to promote the use and enjoyment of computers within the University, by all students including those for whom it is not an accademic requirement. To this end we shall employ the use of the computing skills, knowlege and resoures of the society, computer based information services, combining both the practical and the entertaining, to bring computers to the masses.


Article 1:

Officers of the Society.

The committee shall consist of the following:

(a) President;
(b) Treasurer;
(c) Public Relations Officer ( henceforth called P.R.O.);
(d) Secretary;
(e) Systems Administrators;

Article 2:

Duties of the Officers.

2.1 : The President shall be the chief representative ot the society and shall chair all meetings of the committee and all weekly meetings of the general assembly. The president shall have the casting vote except in matters pertaining to himself. Shoul d the president be absent for any reason, his position for that meeting shall be filled by the next in line according to the order stipulated in Article 1.

2.2 : The Treasurer shall oversee the keeping of accounts and budgeting. Responsibility rests with the treasurer in relation to the preparation of the society's budget for the Students Union. A bank account shall be opened in the name of the society, t he account shall require the co-signature of the treasurer and the president. The duties of the treasure shall also include those of business liaison officer. He/she will be responsible for obtaining sponsorship and equipment, and creating and maintaining links with computer based businesses.

2.3 : The Secretary shall be related to all correspondance related to the affairs of the society. He/she shall be responsible for the annoncement of committee meetins. He/she shall duly record the minutes of both committee and general assembly meetings , these shall be ratified at the following meeting.

2.4 : The Public Relations Officer ( P.R.O.) shall be responsible for the advertising of all meetings and functions of the society through all means possible. The publicising of events shall be aimed at the university community as well as the wider com munity. It is imcumbant upon the P.R.O. to report to the Students Union newspaper, to local and where appropriate to national press. The office of P.R.O. shall have the responsibility of organising all receptions held by the society, aided where necessary by other committee members.

2.5 : The Systems Administrator shall be held responsible for the maintainance and administration of the aforementioned system, all accounts held therein, and for the issuing of accounts to new members at the request of the committee. He shall be respo nsible for the notification of the committee in regard to any breeches of the code of conduct within the system.

2.6 : The committee of five members shall have equal voting strength to other members. Responsibility and their allocation are flexible and members are expected to act in any capacity deemed necessary by the committee.


Article 3:

Election of Committee.

3.1 : All elections shall be by secret ballot.

3.2 : The system of 'Majority Election' shall be used.

3.3 : All members of the society have the right to run for a position on the committee provided that they fulfill the requirements as specified in Article 3.4.

3.4 : Candidates must:

(a) be members of the University of Limerick.
(b) be paid firt degree members of the Computer Society. (c) not have held the same office for more than 3 years.

3.5 : To seek election as President, Treasurer, P.R.O., Secretary, Systems Aministrator and Sums Students Union Information Officer, each candidate must have 4 nominations by first degree members of the society, one of these by a committee member. Thes e must be presented to the outgoing secretary at the announcement of elections.

3.6 : The elections shall take place towards the end of Michaelmas term when the A.G.M. is called. All first degree members shall recieve a ballot sheet in tune with the list of membership held by the secretary. All positions available shall be on the one ballot paper and the chosen candidate's names will be written by the member upon this paper. The votes shall be counted and the names of the successful candidates will be declared the same day.

3.7 : Should any position become available for whatever reason e.g. Co-operative Education, a bielection shall take place.


Article 4:

Standing Orders.

The following standing orders may not be suspended:

4.1 : Each speaker shall address him/herself solely to the chairperson i.e. President or order stipulated in article 1.

4.2 : The chairperson shall ensure that all sides of the debate are heard, that each speaker gets the respect he/she deserves and that the meeting is conducted in an orderly fashion.

4.3 : The secretary for each meeting of the committee shall collect beforehand the motions for discussion. On this information he/she shall write up an agenda and circulate it prior to the meeting.

4.4 (a) : Every motion must be seconded by a first degree member.
(b) : Every motion shall be opened for discussion after its proposal.

4.5 : Only one motion shall be in the floor at any one time.

4.6 : Amendments must be relevant. They may not seek to negate it directly.

4.7 (a) : If there is no discussion, the Chairperson may inquire whether there is any opposition and if not, shall declare the motion carried.
(b) : First degree members only are eligible to vote.

4.8 : The following proceedural motions may be moved :

(a) a motion that the question now be put;
(b) a motion that the question not be put;
(c) a motion that the motion be postponed to another time or meeting;
(d) a motion of no confidence in the Chairperson;
(e) a challenge to the Chaiperson's ruling.

4.9 : A point of order shall have precedence over all other business, except the act of voting (unless it refers to the act of voting) . It must relate to procedure or conduct of the meeting.


Article 5 :

The Privileges Tribunal.

5.1 : The tribunal shall be responsible for determining the degree of privileges that members have.First degree members shall have full voting rights and access to all facilities provided by the society. Second degree members shall have access to those privilages accorded to them by the tribunal at its own discretion.

5.2 : The tribunal shall hear all cases resulting from actual or suspected breeches of the Code of Conduct.

5.3 : The tribunal shall consist of the elected committee.

5.4 : Locus Standi to bring such charges resides with any member of the society who recives support from a simple majority of the General Assembly.


Article 6:

Constitutional Amendments.

6.1 : Any prosed amendments to this constitution or to the standing orders herein contained may only be enacted at an A.G.M. or an E.G.M.

6.2 : The society may be called to an E.G.M. by a 2/3's majority of the voting General Assembly meetings.

6.3 : Proposed amendments must be handled to the secretary one week before any such general meeting and seconded by a committee member.


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