Annual General Meeting

Introduction What is the constitution? - (Legal definition) It is a contract among the member inter se, each member is bound by and entitled to the benefits conferred by the constitution as amended from time to time - In essence they are the rules that govern the running of CSS

Why the amendments Why do we have to amend the constitution? - For the smoother running of CSS - To address concerns among the community - All constitutions change from time to time (e.g. the Spore constitution has been changed many times in the last 40 years

Amendment 1 Article VII 1.i. An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year within a period of not less than 30 days BEFORE and not more than 50 days after the opening of the first term of the Academic year. - The amendments are to insert the word BEFORE

Reason for Amendment 1 This is to allow the OPTION for AGM to be held before Uni opens Doing this will allow for more time to transition

Amendment 2 Article VII – Pertaining to Notice of Meeting The honorary General Secretary shall see each member of the society receives in writing not less than TWO WEEKS’ notice of such a meeting. Changed to The honorary General Secretary shall see each member of the society receives notification of the Annual General Meeting at least TWO WEEKS’ before such a meeting.

Reasons for Amendment 2 It is impractical to demand that the notice is passed in writing The main protection offered is that members are aware of the meeting and therefore as long as that protection is still offered (which it is since there is still a requirement) then there is no reason to stop the amendment La Copnagine de Mayville v Whitley [1896] 1 Ch 788 held that the requirement for notice to be “in writing”

Amendment 3 Article XI Any amendment shall to the constitution shall be made at an Annual General Meeting Changed to Any amendment shall to the constitution shall be made at an Annual General Meeting or at an a Extraordinary General Meeting.

Reasons for Amendment 3 - This greater flexibility to change the constitution especially, not just only at the AGM which is held only once a year - The protection offered in the requirements needed to change the constitution at the AGM or the EGM (extra ordinary meeting) are the house

Changing the Constitution Amendments to the Constitution shall be carried ONLY if at least HALF of the Ordinary members present at the meeting shall have voted in favour of them You will get to vote on each amendment, a vote will consist of a show of hands, since every member is entitled to one vote there is no need for a poll

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO - You are required to consider what is the best interest of the community at large and then upon reflecting upon that you will come to a conclusion as to whether or not you wish to support the amendments - The counting of hands will take place shortly.