Constitution of the Cambridge University United Nations Association (CUUNA)

1. Name

1.1 The name of the society shall be Cambridge University United Nations Association, hereinafter referred to as “the Society”.

 

2. Objectives

2.1 To gain more support for the spirit of the United Nations within the University of Cambridge (hereinafter referred to as the University) and youth in the local community

2.2 To educate and promote greater understanding of the role, functions and potential of the United Nations, its agencies and its Charter, with special attention to the Millennium Development Goals.

2.3 To further the ideals, principles and objectives of the United Nations and empower youth and students to become involved in its realization, reform and development.

2.4 To act as a forum for students to network and socialize

2.5 To raise awareness of international affairs.

2.6 To provide students with events that endorse Section 2.1-2.5 with:

2.6.1 Opportunities to meet with United Nations personnel and other distinguished speakers.

2.6.2 Opportunities to participate in campaigns, charity events and academic trips.

2.6.3 Opportunities to participate in Model United Nations and other events organized by external organizations and societies.

2.6.4 Assistance in putting their views into action such as finding internships and advice on any future careers relating to the United Nations.

 

3. Membership

3.1 Membership of the Society is open to all members of the University and any others who agree with the objectives of the Society.

3.2 There shall be an annual membership fee which shall be determined by the Society from time to time. Upon payment and on approval from the Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as ExCo), membership shall be granted.

3.3 All members shall have the right to attend, speak, propose motions and vote at any of the Society’s General Meetings.

3.4 The Society may offer Honorary Membership on such terms as it may decide.

3.4.1 Honorary Members do not have to pay membership fees, have the right to participate in all the Society’s activities, but cannot vote at any General Meetings nor are eligible for offices in the Society.

3.5 The ExCo reserves the right to refuse, suspend or expel membership if it thinks appropriate and necessary. Expulsion shall be subject to confirmation at the next General Meeting of the Society.

3.6 There shall be no refusal of an application for membership on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or political views.

 

4. Executive Committee

4.1 The ExCo shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Junior Treasurer, General Secretary, Social Secretary, Campaign Officer, Web Officer, and Publicity Officer and Editor who shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (hereinafter referred to as AGM). The regulations of the election are described in Section 7. The responsibilities and duties of the ExCo are set out below.

4.1.1 President must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.1.1 Be the primary representative of the Society on all formal occasions.

4.1.1.2 Ensure that group decisions are carried out and should be the inspiration and driving force of the Society.

4.1.1.3 Keep abreast of everything that is happening within the Society and the United Nations Association.

4.1.1.4 Co-ordinate and actively participate in all activities of both the ExCo and the Society as a whole.

4.1.1.5 Prepare the agenda and chair every ExCo and any other formal meetings whenever possible.

4.1.2 The Vice-President must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.2.1 Support the President and take on the President’s responsibilities in their absence, unless otherwise stated by the President. This position shall be left vacant if less than 7 people have been nominated for election.

4.1.3 The Junior Treasurer must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.3.1 Be responsible for all financial aspects of the Society including appropriate use of the Society’s funds and assets.

4.1.3.2 This includes, upon approval from the ExCo, reimbursement of any money spent by ExCo members on businesses of the Society from the Society’s funds, provided that valid receipts for those expenditures have been provided.

4.1.3.3 Keeps an official receipt book for subscriptions and an up-to-date record of the Society’s finances.

4.1.3.4 Prepare an annual report of revenue and expenditure to be presented at the AGM for ratification.

4.1.3.5 Seek donations and sponsorship for the Society.

4.1.4 The General Secretary must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.4.1 Be responsible for all the Society correspondence and administration, including liaison with the UNA head office and other branches. All mailings, newsletters, fundraising and campaign updates are sent via the General Secretary for distribution.

4.1.4.2 Be responsible for taking minutes of all meetings and decisions as well as keeping up-to-date membership records.

4.1.4.3 Keep all official records for the Society.

4.1.5 The Social Secretary must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.5.1 Be responsible for the organization and publicity of social events.

4.1.5.2 Be responsible for preparation of suitable venues to host any talks, conferences or similar events.

4.1.5.3 Maintain good order at these events as well ensuring that safety issues are satisfactorily addressed.

4.1.6 The Campaign Officer must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.6.1 Be responsible for the coordination of campaigns.

4.1.6.2 Maintain good order at these events as well ensuring that safety issues are satisfactorily addressed.

4.1.6.3 Be responsible for liaison with other organizations, societies and the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on matters relating to campaigns in line with the objectives of the Society.

4.1.7 The Publicity Officer and Editor must be a full-time student of the University who shall:

4.1.7.1 Be responsible for advertising and publicity of the Society’s events both within and outside of the University. This includes designing and printing publicity material.

4.1.7.2 Be in charge of a sub-committee which issues the Society publication.

4.1.7.3 Represent the Society to maintain frequent contact with other organisations.

4.1.8 The Web Officer shall:

4.1.8.1 Manage all matters concerning information technology including responsibility for maintenance and regular updating of the Society’s official website.

4.1.8.2 Provide technical support for any Society events.

4.2 A Senior Treasurer shall also be appointed by the ExCo to audit the Society’s accounts each year. Such a person must be a resident member of the Senate or an individual approved by the Junior Proctor.

4.3 The majority of elected members of the ExCo shall be full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students of the University.

4.4 The ExCo must ensure that the Society complies with the requirements for registration as a University Society as long as the Society shall be registered with the Junior Proctor

4.5 Meetings of the ExCo shall be chaired by the President or in their absence the Vice-President. If neither the President or Vice-President is present, the remaining ExCo shall elect a Chairperson for that meeting. The quorum for a meeting of the ExCo shall be three members and a written record of each meeting shall be kept.

 

5. Sub-committees

5.1 The ExCo has the power to establish and dissolve any sub-committee at any time.

5.2 The ExCo may appoint sub-committees for the organization and co-ordination of specified events of the Society.

5.3 Sub-committees possess such powers as may be granted to them by the ExCo, but no sub-committees shall have the power to establish or dissolve other sub-committees.

5.4 The term of office of any sub-committee shall be for a period as may have been defined by the ExCo at the establishment of the sub-committee, or as the incumbent or any later Executive Committee may decide. It would not automatically be terminated by the election of a new ExCo.

 

6. General Meetings

6.1 The Society shall hold an AGM each academic year in Cambridge during Lent Full Term. At least fourteen days written notice shall be given to members before the AGM.

6.2 The attendance of the full ExCo at the AGM is compulsory.

6.3 The AGM shall approve:

(a) Minutes of the last General Meeting

(b) Society’s Accounts for the preceding year

(c) Elect the ExCo for the year ahead and conduct such other business as is necessary.

6.4 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be held in Cambridge at any time during Full Term. It may be called by the ExCo or at the written request of at least ten members, whereby the ExCo must hold the EGM within fourteen days the notice is received. Members must be notified at least seven days before an EGM is held.

6.5 An EGM shall have the same powers as an AGM, but shall only discuss the matter for which the meeting was called.

6.6 General Meetings shall be chaired by the President or in their absence the Vice-President. If neither the President or Vice-President is present, the remaining ExCo members shall elect a Chairperson for that meeting. The quorum for a General Meeting shall be five members and a written record of every General Meeting shall be kept.

 

7. Elections

7.1 Any member shall have the right to nominate any other member for the election.

7.2 Candidates for election to office must be proposed and seconded by two other members. All candidates for election will be required to write a brief statement of their aims and objectives in running for the office. Before the AGM, the ExCo shall send to each member a list of candidates and their statements. All candidates shall present speeches at the AGM which will be followed by questions from the attending members.

7.3 Re-Open Nominations (RON) shall be a candidate in all elections.

7.4 Voting shall be by secret ballot and if there are more than two candidates for a post, voting shall be by Single Transferable Vote.

7.5 In the event that less candidates are elected than positions offered, an EGM will be called by the incumbent ExCo for a second election within two weeks of the AGM.

 

8. Financial Matters

8.1 The Society shall maintain a banking account with a suitable Bank or Building Society to hold the Society’s funds.

8.2 The Senior Treasurer shall make arrangements for the Society’s Accounts to be properly audited, either by himself or herself, or by some other person approved under University Ordinances.

8.3 The Senior Treasurer shall not be liable for any financial debt or other obligation of the Society unless he or she has personally authorised such a debt in writing.

 

9. Amendments to constitution

9.1 Any member of the society may propose amendments to this Constitution.

9.2 The Constitution may be amended at a General Meeting subject to a simple majority of the members present.

 

10. Dissolution

10.1 The Society may be dissolved at a General Meeting provided that at least twenty one days written notice of the intention to dissolve the Society has been given to the members. At least two thirds of those present and voting at the General Meeting must vote in favour of the motion for Dissolution for it to be effective.

10.2 Any motion for Dissolution of the Society shall provide that assets remaining after all liabilities have been met shall be transferred either to another Registered University Society, or to the Society’s Syndicate.