OUR CONSTITUTION

 

1. Name

The official name of the society shall be: Cambridge University Filipino Students Organisation ("Cambridge University Filipino Students Society").

 

2. Aims

The aims of the Society shall be to: Foster the intellectual, moral, cultural, physical, educational, social, and general well-being of every member, and to this end promote the Philippines, its history, people, culture, traditions, and values in the University of Cambridge (the “University”), the United Kingdom, and the rest of the international community.

 

3. Powers

In order to achieve its aims, the Society may: Organise, initiate, encourage, develop, support, assist, provide, manage, operate, and contribute to programs, projects, courses, events, and enterprises that promote educational, professional, artistic, literary, cultural, charitable, religious, philanthropic, civic, humanitarian, environmental, social welfare, character building, youth development, health, sport, medical, scientific, and research, objectives, endeavours or activities. Raise funds, and receive contributions where appropriate, to finance its activities. Open bank accounts, and take out insurance. Make rules for its members, and determine the rights of said members in the Society. Publicise and promote its activities. Partner and work with other groups, organisations, and societies within and outside the University. Take any action that is lawful that will help it fulfil its aims.

 

4. Membership

Membership of the Society shall be open to all Filipino members of the University and to any member who has an interest in the Philippines and the Filipinos’ social, political, and/or cultural life. Applications of non-University members shall be treated as special cases and will be assessed and decided upon by the Executive Committee. There shall be an annual fee for membership which shall be determined by the Society from time to time. The Society may offer Life Membership and Honorary Membership on such terms as it may decide. The Executive Committee may expel any member whose conduct seems likely to bring the Society into disrepute. Such expulsion shall be subject to confirmation at the next General Meeting of the Society.

 

5. Meetings

a. The Society shall hold an Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) during each Academic year. The AGM shall be held in the first half of the Michaelmas Full Term. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote at any General Meeting. The time and venue will be announced by the Executive Committee through a written notice given to the members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled AGM. The election of the members of the Executive Committee, the approval of the minutes of the last AGM and the Society’s Accounts for the preceding year, and such other matters that may be necessary, shall be taken up during the AGM.

b. An Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”) may be held at any time during Full Term. It shall be held in Cambridge and may be called by the Executive Committee or at the written request of at least five (5) members. Twenty-one (21) days written notice shall be given to members before an EGM is held. An EGM shall have the same powers as an AGM.

c. The President or in his or her absence the Vice-President shall take the Chair at any General Meeting. In the absence of the President and Vice-President the meeting shall elect a Chairperson for that meeting. The quorum for a General Meeting shall be five (5) members and a written record of every General Meeting shall be kept.

 

6. Election of the Executive Committee

The members of the Society's Executive Committee shall be elected at the AGM. Nominations may be made in writing to any Executive Committee member at least seven (7) days before the AGM. All members of the society are eligible for nomination to an Executive Committee position by any other member of the society. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Two (2) persons shall be appointed during the AGM to count the votes. These two (2) persons should not be candidates for any Executive Committee position. The Single Transferable Vote System shall be used to count the election results.

 

7. Management

a. The day-to-day management of the Society’s affairs shall be in the hands of the Executive Committee, which shall normally be elected at the AGM.

b. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and any other officers elected during the AGM, provided that, a majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall be full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students of the University.

c. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be chaired by the President or in his/her absence by the Vice-President. If neither the President nor Vice-President is present, the remaining members shall elect a chairperson for that meeting. The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, but in no case less than three (3) members, and a written record of each meeting shall be kept. d. There shall be a Senior Treasurer, who shall be a resident member of the Senate or other person approved by the Junior Proctor. The Senior Treasurer shall be appointed by the elected members of the Executive Committee and shall be ex officio a member of the Executive Committee.

 

8. Finance

The Society shall maintain a banking account with a suitable bank or building society to hold the Society’s funds. It shall be the responsibility of the Junior Treasurer to ensure that monies received are properly accounted for and that the Society’s financial records are kept in good order. 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. 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. For as long as the Society shall be Registered with the Junior Proctor, it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to ensure that the Society complies with the requirements for Registration as a University Society.

 

9. Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any member to the Executive Committee. The proposals should be submitted in writing and given to any Executive Committee member. Any amendments to the constitution may only be made in the AGM after a majority vote has been made and that at least one quarter of the Society's membership is present at the AGM. A majority vote is defined as number of votes which is greater than fifty percent (50%) of the members present during the AGM.

 

10. Dissolution

The Society may be dissolved at a General Meeting provided that at least twenty-one (21) days written notice of the intention to dissolve the Society has been given to the members. At least two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting at the General Meeting must vote in favour of the motion for Dissolution for it to be effective. 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.

 

This constitution was adopted by the members present at the AGM held on October 19, 2013.