NTU Pride - The Nottingham Trent University LGBT Society


Home		Constitution 1. Mission Statement The aim of the NTU Pride Society is: 1.1 To provide a safe and supportive community for LGBT students and staff at Nottingham Trent University. 1.2 To offer support and advice on any issue to anyone who requests it. 1.3 To reflect and express the views of our members within NTU and NTSU and the LGBT community. 1.4 To provide regular socials and a variety of events which meet the needs and wishes of our members. 1.5 To organise and run a range of campaigns that raise awareness of a particular issue or help to resolve it. 1.6 To work together with local and national LGBT organisations, including the NUS LGBT campaign. 1.7 To maintain and promote Nottingham Trent University and the Nottingham Trent Students Union as an active, LGBT friendly and diverse institution. 2. Definitions ‘The Society’ means the NTU Pride Society, being part of the Nottingham Trent Students Union. The ‘Union’ is the Nottingham Trent Students Union and the ‘University’ means The Nottingham Trent University unless otherwise stated. ‘Members’ means those students, staff and individuals that are registered as a member and who have paid the membership fee. An 'affiliated member’ of the Society is any person who attends the meetings or socials but who has not paid a membership fee. 3. Equal Opportunities All members will be treated as equals, regardless of their gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, ethnic background, race, religion, culture, language or any other reason. This list is not exhaustive and will be in line with the NTSU and NTU Equal Opportunities Policy. 4. Status The NTU Pride Society is a Society within the Nottingham Trent Students Union. The Society will abide by the NTSU Constitution and unless otherwise stated, the decisions of the Union. 5. Liabilities No individual member or collective of the Committee or Executive shall be held personally liable for any injury or death to members, or any loss or damage to members’ property while participating in Society events. If damage occurs to any vehicle during a society trip the driver (or hirer) will not be held individually responsible and repair costs will come from Society funds. 6. Membership 6.1 Due to the inclusive role of the Society membership is open to all, including students and staff regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, race or religion. 6.2 Any student, staff or alumni member of the University will be entitled to full membership. Membership is also open to any member of the National Union of Students or another institution where a reciprocal agreement is in place between the two Unions. Any student or member of staff who is not a full member shall be termed as an affiliated member. 6.3 The right to refuse membership at any time rests solely with the Committee of the Society. Should such a decision be taken, no explanation need be given. Appeals can be made to a closed meeting of the Committee. 6.4 Upon application for membership all members agree to the terms laid out in this document. 6.5 All members (and affiliated members) are to respect confidentiality of meetings, other members and affiliates. Failure to do so will result in immediate expulsion from the Society and/or deletion from the online community. In use of the society Forum members must also respect the identities of those posting and any defamatory material related to individuals will be removed, and those posting such material may be temporarily suspended or banned from using the Forum. 7. The Committee 7.1 The Committee whose role it is to govern the society and promote and develop its aims. The Committee will execute all decisions of the Society whether made by Committee Meetings, General Meetings, Annual General Meetings and Emergency General Meetings or by some other form of agreement. 7.2 The Committee will act as a voice for the Society at any meeting of the Students Union or University they are required to attend. 7.3 No person, including but not limited to the Committee members, who is in a position of trust during a Society event, trip, social, meeting, private meeting or any other activity will abuse this position in order to take advantage of another member or associate. Breach of this trust could result in expulsion from the Society, banning from attending future events and possible further action. 7.4 The Committee should be made up of seven permanent members existing in the posts of: President Male Co-ordinator Female Co-ordinator Secretary Treasurer Social Secretary Welfare & Campaigns Secretary 7.5 The Committee shall be made up of full members of the Society only. 7.6 The Committee shall meet at least twice a term. 7.7 Decisions made by the Committee require a majority vote of the members and affiliated members present. 7.8 All members of the Committee hold a valid student card at the Nottingham Trent University. 7.9 The Officers of the Committee 7.9a The President shall 7.9a1 preside over the Committee and all meetings and ensure they are structured and effective. 7.9a2 be responsible to the Union Executive for the performance and duties of the Society. 7.9a3 represent the Society and Committee at Union meetings. 7.9a4 oversee the organisation, management and the role of the Society. 7.9a5 lead the Committee and Society in the development of an action plan and ensure that it meets the Mission Statement and Equal Opportunities guidelines. 7.9a6 to ensure that the Society’s activities are organised within the relevant guidelines of the Society, Students Union and University. 7.9a7 maintain, update and enforce the Society’s constitution. 7.9a8 have the right to perform any function of the Society. 7.9a9 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9a10 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9b The Secretary shall 7.9b1 collate and keep up to date with all Society records. 7.9b2 take the minutes for any AGM, EGM, and GM and store these for future reference. 7.9b3 be responsible for all correspondence to and from the Society, and distribute the information accordingly. 7.9b4 facilitate the dissemination of information about the role of the Society, it’s events and existence throughout the Students Union, University, the wider community and the members. 7.9b5 be responsible for all Society promotion and publicity information and the updating of Society notice boards. 7.9b6 be responsible for maintaining the Society’s mailing list and sending of general emails or newsletters to those persons subscribed. 7.9b7 ensure that the privacy of all members or affiliated members is maintained at all times. 7.9b8 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9b9 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9c The Treasurer shall 7.9c1 supervise and oversee the management of all Society finances. 7.9c2 ensure that all membership fees are collected and paid into the Society accounts. 7.9c3 approve all purchases and payments in conjunction with the Student Activities Officer of the Students Union. 7.9c4 to communicate with the Students Union on all matters regarding the Society budget. 7.9c5 keep records and up to date of all income and expenditure of the Society. 7.9c6 ensure that all payments are made when due. 7.9c7 provide the Committee with updates of the financial position of the Society and report of the Society accounts at AGMs. 7.9c8 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9c9 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9d The Male Co-ordinator shall 7.9d1 act as a representative for all male members and affiliated members of the Society. 7.9d2 liaise closely with all male members and ensure the Committee is aware of their opinions, views, wishes and needs. 7.9d3 work together with the Female Co-ordinator to act as a joint representative of all members who do not feel classified under male or female. 7.9d4 work with and report to the Social Secretary to ensure that regular social events are held that are suitable for, and appeal to, the male membership. 7.9d5 work with and report to the Welfare & Campaigns Secretary to ensure that the welfare offered and campaigns run are suitable for the male membership. 7.9d6 be a person of any gender, sexuality or gender identity. 7.9d7 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9d8 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9e The Female Co-ordinator shall 7.9e1 act as a representative for all female members and affiliated members of the Society. 7.9e2 liaise closely with all female members and ensure the Committee is aware of their opinions, views, wishes and needs. 7.9e3 work together with the Male Co-ordinator to act as a joint representative of all members who do not feel classified under male or female. 7.9e4 work with and report to the Social Secretary to ensure that regular social events are held that are suitable for, and appeal to, the female membership. 7.9e5 work with and report to the Welfare & Campaigns Secretary to ensure that the welfare offered and campaigns run are suitable for the female membership. 7.9e6 be a person of any gender, sexuality or gender identity. 7.9e7 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9e8 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9f The Social Secretary shall 7.9f1 devise ideas for, and plan social events in conjunction with the Society Committee and members. 7.9f2 organise regular socials and maintain interest in these events. 7.9f3 plan and co-ordinate annual events for the Society. 7.9f4 co-ordinate events for Welcome Week aimed at attracting and integrating new and returning members of the Society. 7.9f5 monitor and budget all event costs with the assistance of the Treasurer 7.9f6 publicise all social activities to the membership with the assistance of the Secretary. 7.9f7 liaise with the Male and Female Co-ordinators to ensure that events meet the wishes of, and appeal to, the entire membership. 7.9f8 ensure that a number of non-alcohol based events or socials take place each year. 7.9f9 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9f10 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.9g The Welfare & Campaigns Secretary 7.9g1 organize and maintain the provision of welfare and support services within the Society. 7.9g2 work together with Student Support Services to ensure that LGBT welfare is provided to all students. 7.9g3 work with the website administrator to maintain the online welfare provisions. 7.9g4 organise and oversee all campaigns run by the Society and those in conjunction with the NUS. 7.9g5 lead all such campaigns and work with the entire committee to ensure they are implemented successfully. 7.9g6 liaise with the Male and Female Co-ordinators to ensure that all campaigns are suitable for the entire membership. 7.9g7 ensure the Society remains inclusive of all members and students, and does not discriminate against any individuals. 7.9g8 liaise with the entire Committee and decide the Society’s stance when supporting political organisations. 7.9g9 decide on the political and sociological direction of the Society through close work with the President, Male and Female Co-ordinators. 7.9g10 perform any duty mandated by the Committee, GM, AGM or EGM. 7.9g11 hold the posts for a period of one year unless elections are organised by the Committee. 7.11 All Committee members should have the opportunity to expand and build up on their positions to provide more services and initiatives for the membership. 8. Annual General Meeting 8.1 AGMs will be held once a year in February or the time allocated by the Students Union. 8.2 New Committee membes for the Society will be elected at AGMs wherever possible and will take over the running of the society from the beginning of each academic year after working with the old Committee to understand the running of the Society. 8.3 All students and staff of NTU and members or affiliated members of the Society who hold a valid student or staff card can vote at AGMs. 8.4 The President or Secretary shall receive matters to be discussed at AGMs and prepare agendas for these meetings. 8.5 All members of the Committee are expected to attend these meetings. If a Committee member is unable to attend, apologies must be sent to the President and Secretary at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting. 8.6 Decisions made through votes at AGMs cannot be overturned by the Committee. 8.7 The AGM, the GM and the EGM are the supreme bodies of the Society. 9. Emergency General Meeting 9.1 EGMs can be called by: 9.1a A majority vote of a quorate Executive meeting 9.1b OR by the request of one third of the members of the Society 9.2 All students and staff of NTU and members or affiliated members of the Society who hold a valid student or staff card can vote at EGMs. 9.3 The President or Secretary shall receive matters to be discussed at EGMs and prepare agendas for these meetings. 9.4 All members of the Committee are expected to attend these meetings. If a Committee member is unable to attend, apologies must be sent to the President and Secretary at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting. 9.5 Decisions made through votes at EGMs cannot be overturned by the Committee 9.6 The AGM, the GM and the EGM are the supreme bodies of the Society. 10. General Meetings 10.1 GMs are to be held at least once a term. 10.2 All students and staff of NTU and members or affiliated members of the Society who hold a valid student or staff card can vote at GMs. 10.3 The President and Secretary shall receive matters to be discussed at GMs and prepare agendas for these meetings. 10.4 Decisions made through votes at GMs cannot be overturned by the Committee. 10.5 The AGM, the GM and the EGM are the supreme bodies of the Society. 11. Finances 11.1 All finances and funds of the Society shall be held the Students Union in the two accounts in accordance with the Students Union rules. 11.2 No single Committee member will be able to withdraw funds. All withdrawals must be signed for by the President and the Treasurer. 12. Constitution 12.1 Constitution amendments and alterations must be ratified at AGMs, GMs or EGMs. 12.2 Alteration or amendments can only happen when a majority of the meeting agrees. 12.3 Quoracy is at least twice the amount of members as those present from the Committee. 12.4 Quoracy can be waived at an AGM, EGM and GM by a unanimous vote of the members present excluding the Committee. 12.4 Changes to the Constitution have immediate effect. 13. Society Closure 13.1 In the event that the Society is disbanded or closed down, or fails to recommence activities at the beginning of a new academic year, all property that is owned by the NTU Pride Society shall be passed back to the Union. 13.2 All correspondence that is received to the Society shall be redirected to the Student Activities Officer to deal with appropriately. 13.3 The responsibility for provision of LGBT-specific welfare information and student support will pass to the Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer. 13.3 The Union will become responsible for ensuring, to the best of their ability, that a new Society is set up that follows similar aims to those of NTU Pride. 13. Approval This document is for the running of the Society and is signed by the members of the Committee, elected by the members and affiliated members of the Society.
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