Bonn-Stèidh
Constitution
Glasgow University Ossianic Society Constitution
1. NAME
The society shall be called Comunn Oiseanach Oilthigh Ghlaschu or its equivalent in English, Glasgow University Ossianic Society.
2. MOTTO
The society shall have as its motto "lean-sa dlùth ri cliù do shinnsre."
3. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the society shall be:
[a] to promote the Gaelic language within and out with the University;
[b] to encourage the discussion of subjects of interest among members of the society;
[c] to promote social intercourse among members of the society; and
[d] to promote the learning of Gaelic through the medium of conversation classes within the University.
4. MEMBERSHIP
[a] Ordinary membership shall be open to all matriculated students of the University, and to all past students of the University.
[b] Associate membership shall be open to non-students.
[c] Honorary membership may be conferred by the society, by resolution of a General Meeting, on any person who has rendered singular service to, or brought honour to the Society. Any person nominated for honorary membership must be free of debt to the Society.
[d] Ordinary and Associate membership until the end of the relevant academic year shall be effective from the date of payment of the appropriate subscription fee.
5. SUBSCRIPTION FEES
The annual subscription payable for membership shall be determined by the Committee at the commencement of each academic year.
6. OFFICE-BEARERS
The Office-Bearers of the society shall be-
[a] the President, who shall be responsible for co-ordinating the activities and affairs of the society, shall represent the society, and shall chair all Committee and General Meetings of the society.
[b] the Vice-President, who shall assist the President in the execution of his/her duties, and shall deputise for the president in his/her absence.
[c] the Secretary, who shall record and keep all minutes of meetings of the society, and who shall be responsible for all correspondence.
[d] the Treasurer, who shall be responsible for the financial affairs and accounts of the society, and who shall produce an accurate statement of the society's financial status upon request of the Committee, or any member of the society.
[e] the Membership Secretary, who shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of the membership of the society.
7. HONORARY OFFICERS
The Annual General Meeting of the society may appoint the following honorary officers of the Society, who shall hold office during the currency of the relevant academic year;
[a] the Honorary President;
[b] the Honorary Bard, who shall present one of his/her own Gaelic compositions in poetry or prose to the Society during his/her term of office.
[c] the Honorary Piper, who shall perform at one society function during his/her term of office.
8. COMMITTEE
[a] The activities and affairs of the society shall be managed by a Committee, which shall consist of the Office-Bearers of the society, four ordinary members of the society elected by the Annual General Meeting, and two first-year members of the society co-opted by the committee in the Martinmas term.
[b] The Honorary Officers shall be ex-officio members of the committee, and as such shall have no voting rights.
[c] The Committee shall have unlimited powers of co-option.
[d] Committee members shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.
[e] A majority of Committee members shall constitute a quorum.
9. GENERAL MEETINGS
[a] There shall be an Annual General Meeting held on a convenient date in the Whitsun term. Such a meeting...
[i] shall receive and consider a report from each Office -Bearer;
[ii] shall elect Office-Bearers, Honorary Officers and ordinary committee members for the next year;
[iii] may confer Honorary membership in accordance with Article 5;
[iv] may consider and vote on any Amendments to the Constitution; and
[v] may transact any other competent business.
[b] An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the President; by decision of the Committee; or by signed request of not less than six members, stating the purpose for which it is requested. Such a meeting may transact any competent business.
[c] All society members shall be informed of the date, time, place and agenda of any General Meeting no less than seven days in advance by way of notice on the Celtic department noticeboard, or by newsletter.
[d] At any General Meeting, eleven ordinary members, including a non-Committee member, shall constitute a quorum.
[e] Only ordinary members of the society shall have the right to vote in meetings.
10. COMPETITIONS
The society on the recommendation of the committee shall hold a Gaelic Literary Competition and a Piping Competition.
11. BYELAWS
The society shall have the power to determine and enact by resolution of a General Meeting such byelaws as may be necessary for the good running of the society.
12. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
All meetings of the society shall be conducted in Gaelic as far as possible.
13. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
[a] The constitution may only be amended by resolution of a General Meeting, with two-thirds of those present and eligible to vote in favour of the amendment
[b] Any such amendments should be proposed and seconded by members of the society and presented in writing to the President at least fifteen days before the relevant General Meeting. The President shall include the proposed amendment in the notice informing members of the agenda of the General Meeting.
BYELAWS
1. The President shall chair meetings of the society, whom failing the Vice President, whom failing the Secretary, whom failing the Treasurer, whom failing the Membership Secretary.
2. In regard of points of order and in the interpretation of the Constitution, the Chair's decision shall be final.
3. The Chair shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.
4. Any correspondence or bookings on behalf of the Society, claiming to represent the views or interests of the society, must be approved by the committee. Any member infringing this rule may be censured by decision of the committee alone.
5. Any quorate General Meeting may censure any member by a majority vote for actions held to misrepresent the Society and its views, to bring the Society into disrepute or to involve the Society in actions outwith its objects.
6. Any member who has been censured three times or more shall be expelled from the Society and shall be ineligible for future membership.
7. The Accounts of the Society shall be examined by two members other than the Treasurer before they are presented to the Annual General Meeting.
8. No Byelaw may be suspended without the agreement of two-thirds of ordinary members present and voting.