Proposed charter amendments
In response to some of the issues the committee have faced this term; and during the previous term which contributed to the society's dormancy, the chair (Patricia Thomson) with the support of the officers of the committee (Will Brazier and Mark Lindley-Highfield of Ballumbie Castle) has drafted 5 proposed changes to the the OULS charter.
The purpose of these changes is to prevent similar issues occurring in the future, improving the society's offering to its membership and preventing the society from becoming dormant again.
Please read the 5 changes below before casting your vote in the election.
1. Posts, Officers, and Meetings
Officers and committee members may also be appointed by the Committee but all OULS members must be invited to submit nominations in advance of such an appointment. Unless a new committee member role is implemented to facilitate affiliation with another entity: society; club; or otherwise, within the university or external, in which case the representative of the entity i.e. Head of; or contact within; may be appointed by the committee to occupy the new post without nominations being open to all OULS members, providing they themselves are an OULS member.
2. Removal of an Officer or Committee Member
An Officer or a committee member who is suspected of misconduct by 2 or more Officers of the committee; or is found to have an inactive membership due to unpaid fees; may be suspended from their post immediately with access to all OULS accounts revoked pending an investigation; following the support of 2 Officers in writing. Misconduct including wrongful, improper, or unlawful conduct breaching the society's aims and standards.
3. Absent Officers and Committee Members
The disappearance without notification of an Officer or committee member for a period of 4 weeks classifies as misconduct enabling the Officers of the committee to follow the guidelines of suspending an Officer or Committee member. Another officer can fulfil the post until the person resumes their position, or the vacancy is fulfilled upon their removal. In the absence of the chair, the vacancy must be filled by the Vice-Chair. A letter or email should be sent to the officer or committee member requesting they make contact with someone in the committee within the next 4 weeks. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the committee without a vote at a Quorate meeting or
assembly. Officers of the committee reserve the right to extend the deadline if it is within the society’s aims to do so.
4. Remits
The Committee will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for health, disability or other reasons; for any Officer or Committee Member upon their request to uphold equality, diversity and inclusivity. However, if such requests affect the person’s ability to fulfil their duties, another Officer or Committee Member may be appointed to share or overtake some or all of the responsibilities, on a temporary or permanent basis to ensure the society’s offering to its membership is not negatively impacted. The Officer or Committee Member will not be removed from their post, enabling them to continue to participate in committee meetings and decisions.
5. Discretionary spending
In the absence of either the Chair or the Treasurer due to the role being vacant, another Officer namely the Vice Chair or Secretary can jointly authorise small pieces of spending instead. In the event only one Officer role is occupied, they may authorise small pieces of spending (up to the value of £300 per item and not exceeding £300 per year).
The current OULS charter can be viewed by clicking here
