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Constitution of the Computer Society
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 academic requirement. To this end we shall employ the use of the computing skills, knowlege and resources of the society, computer based information services, combining both the practical and the entertaining, to bring computers to the masses.
Section 1: Membership of the Society
Article 1The Computer Society membership is composed of:
- Staff and Alumni of the University
- Students studying at the University of Limerick
- Students who have transferred from the University or University graduates
There are two categories of membership of the Society: Ordinary Member and Life Member.
Article 3
An ordinary membership is obtained by payment of an annual membership fee levied by the committee of the Society.
Article 4
Life membership is bestowed on recipients for life, where it is deemed by the committee that they have made a significant contribution to the development of the Society.
Section 2: Administration of the Society
Article 5The committee shall consist of the following:
- (a) President
- (b) Treasurer
- (c) Public Relations Officer (henceforth called P.R.O.)
- (d) Secretary
- (e) Two Systems Administrators
The President shall be the chief representative of the society and has overall authority for promoting the society within the University and locality and for overseeing all society events. He/She shall chair all meetings of the committee and all meetings of the general assembly. The president shall have the casting vote except in matters pertaining to himself/ herself. Together with the Treasurer the President is jointly responsible for the financial affairs of the Society. Should 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.
Article 7
The Treasurer has overall responsibility for the maintenance of the society accounts and is jointly responsible for those with the President. 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, the account shall require the co-signature of the treasurer and the president or a system administrator. The duties of the treasurer 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.
Article 8
The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondance related to the affairs of the society. He/she shall be responsible for the annoncement of committee meetings. He/she shall duly record the minutes of both committee and general assembly meetings, these shall be ratified at the following meeting. The secretary is also charged with keeping an accurate record of all current members of the society.
Article 9
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 community. 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.
Article 10
The Systems Administrator shall be held responsible for the maintainance and administration of the computer system, all accounts held therein, and for the issuing of accounts to new members at the request of the committee. They shall be responsible for the notification of the committee in regard to any breaches of the code of conduct within the system.
Article 11
The committee of six 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.
Section 3: Election of Committee
Article 12All elections shall be by show of hands or, if there is objection to this by any member, by secret ballot.
Article 13
The system of 'Majority Election' shall be used.
Article 14
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 15.
Article 15
Candidates must:
- (a) be members of the University of Limerick
- (b) be paid ordinary members of the Computer Society
- (c) not have held the same office for more than 3 years
To seek election as President, Treasurer, P.R.O., Secretary, each candidate must have 3 nominations by ordinary members of the society, one of these by a committee member. These must be presented to the outgoing secretary at the announcement of elections.
Article 17
The elections shall take place towards the end of the Spring term when the A.G.M. is called.
Article 18
Should any position become available for whatever reason e.g. Co-operative Education, a bielection shall take place.
Article 19
The two systems administrators on the committee are appointed by the current System Administration Team.
Section 4: Standing Orders
Article 20Each speaker shall address him/herself solely to the chairperson i.e. President or order stipulated in article 1.
Article 21
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.
Article 22
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. Article 23
Every motion must be seconded by two ordinary members.
Article 24
Every motion shall be opened for discussion after its proposal.
Article 25
Only one motion shall be in the floor at any one time.
Article 26
Amendments must be relevant; They may not seek to negate it directly.
Article 27
If there is no discussion, the Chairperson may inquire whether there is any opposition and if not, shall declare the motion carried.
Article 28
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
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.
Section 5 : The Privileges Tribunal
Article 30The tribunal shall be responsible for determining the degree of privileges that members have. When deciding privileges, the tribunal has the power to revoke membership in cases of serious offences, used at its own discretion.
Article 31
The tribunal shall hear all cases resulting from actual or suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct, as well as cases of members who bring the society into disrepute.
Article 32
The tribunal shall consist of the elected committee and systems administrators.
Article 33
Locus Standi to bring such charges resides with any member of the society who recives support from a simple majority of the general assembly.
Section 4: Constitutional Amendments.
Article 34Any 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.
Article 35
The society may be called to an E.G.M. by a 2/3's majority of the voting general assembly meetings.
Article 36
Proposed amendments must be handled by the Secretary and presented to each member of the Committee at least one week prior to the date set for the meeting and must be seconded by a committee member.
Article 38
The constitution should be annually reviewed by the committee at the AGM.
