To interpret this constitution it must be considered in total and in relation to the constitution of Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[1]TITLE The Society shall be known as the Cardiff University Students’ Union Labour Students Society.
[2]AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aims and objectives shall be:
[2.1] To promote social justice
[2.2] To promote worker’s rights
[2.3] To campaign for a Labour government in the Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament, UK Parliament and for local Labour party representatives at council level.
Please note: Cardiff Labour Students constitutionally reserves the right to refuse to campaign for candidates who hold views that may contradict Labour Party policy on minorities and/or the Cardiff University Student Union Code of Behaviour policy, and/or views which are ruled by the committee to be sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or classist. The decision to officially withdraw campaigning for a candidate shall be made on a case by case basis, followed by a committee vote. Repercussions of this decision are to be taken by committee. The committee vote shall be the final vote, unless new information comes to light or there is another election/campaign.
[2.3 a] Members will aim to campaign in marginal and key constituencies wherever possible.
[2.4] To include Cardiff Labour Students in wider Labour Party activities on a regular basis
[2.5] To take a full and active role within Welsh Labour Students, whilst respecting the autonomous decision making of the society. We assert the right to organise our members as a separate entity with our own campaigns.
[2.6] To adopt a close working relationship with Cardiff Young Labour, including organising joint campaigns and socials.
[2.7] To adhere as a society to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015) passed by the Welsh Government.
[3]AFFILIATION
[3.1]The Labour Students Society will be affi liated to Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[4]STUDENTS’ UNION
[4.1]The Labour Students Society shall form part of Cardiff University Students’ Union, and as such, will adhere to all the rules of the University, the Students’ Union Constitution, the Students’ Union Social Policy and Activities Laws, and rules laid down herein.
[4.2]Changes to these rules will be made in accordance with the Students’ Union constitution procedures for amending the Students’ Union constitution.
[4.3]Representatives from the Labour Students Society shall attend the following meetings:
1. Societies Council
2. Cardiff University Students’ Union AMM
3. Any other meeting called within the Students’ Union constitution that requires the attendance of Society representatives i.e. an EGM The number of representatives required shall be outlined in the societies tier criteria.
[4.4]The Societies Team reserve the right to veto any activities of the Labour Students Society should they feel it contravenes any Students’ Union policy, or places an undue risk on the individuals involved.
[5]MEMBERSHIP
[5.1]May consist of any ordinary member of the Students’ Union wishing to participate in and further the aims and objectives of the Labour Students Society.
[5.2]At the discretion of the Labour Students Society committee, members of staff, alumni and associate members of the Students’ Union may join the Society.
[5.3] The Labour Students Society shall maintain an active membership of not less than 20 ordinary members (registered students) of the Students’ Union.
[5.4]The membership fee shall be determined by the Committee and approved by the Societies Team annually.
[5.5] All participants in society activity must be registered members of the Labour Students Society and the Guild of Societies.
[5.6] Members’ details will be held by the Students’ Union in line with the Data Protection Act.
[5.7]Student members are entitled to: Join and participate in any activity organised by the Labour Students Society , subject to funding, skill, experience and availability. Attend, address and vote at any general meeting of the Labour Students Society . Attend any committee meeting of the Labour Students Society and, at the discretion of the committee, be granted speaking rights. Hold a position on the committee of the Labour Students Society.
[5.8] Non-student members are entitled to: Join and participate in any activity organised by the Labour Students Society , subject to funding, skill, experience and availability. Attend and address any general meeting of the Labour Students Society. Attend any committee meeting of the Labour Students Society and, at the discretion of the committee, be granted speaking rights.
[5.9] The Labour Students Society will operate on a basis of inclusion, therefore, no member will be discriminated against in line with the Equal Opportunities Policy. The society is open and welcome to members of all genders identities, sexualities, races and religions, and open to all disabled members. We are proud to have a diverse membership and want our members to feel safe in their identities within the society. Members will be treated equitably within the society by all fellow members. Labour Students operates a safe space policy at all of its events. sexist, racist, anti-Semitic*, Islamophobic, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or harassing comments will not be tolerated and will result in you being removed from the event. By registering for our events you agree to this code of conduct both at this event and on any online platforms.
[6]THE COMMITTEE
[6.1]The committee is responsible for the day to day running of the Labour Students Society in accordance with the aims and objectives in [2].
[6.2]The committee shall collectively, along with their own job roles, be responsible for upholding the Cardiff University Students’ Union policies and procedures.
[6.3] The announcement of the new committee shall be made following an election, the dates of which are at the discretion of the committee.
[6.4] Committee nominations must be open to every society member and all members must have the opportunity to vote anonymously via the Student Union website in the committee election, other than for the four liberation positions for which a notice of ‘only self defi ning members of this liberation are eligible to vote’ will be shown.
[6.5]Committee positions must be resided by members who are current students at Cardiff University.
[6.6]The Labour Students Society committee shall have a minimum of three roles, a President , Secretary and Treasurer at any one time.
[6.7]The duties of each of the Committee members shall be as follows:
President: Acting as the principal officer, spokesperson for the society and key contact with Cardiff University Students’ Union, the President leads and co-ordinates the Society, committee and members. They shall be responsible for the planning, organising and chairing of committee meetings and for protecting the interests of the Society in accordance with its aims and objectives.
Secretary: The Secretary’s prime function is to administrate the running of the Society and committee, keep accurate records and communicate with the committee and society members.
Treasurer: The Treasurer oversees and monitors the financial affairs of the Labour Students Society, ensuring that Cardiff University Students’ Union Financial Guidelines are adhered to.
[6.8] Additional committee members shall include:
Vice President: This position deals primarily with Comms, and supports the President and rest of Committee in its endeavours.
Social Secretary : This officer is responsible for the organisation of social events within the society, ensuring that they are accessible to all, and that the code of conduct is enforced during these events. Furthermore, they are responsible for the running of the Labour Students Society social media accounts.
BAME Offi cer : BAME here is defined as Black and Minority Ethnic. This officer leads on the issues and campaigns of BAME caucus. BAME caucus is open to anyone who self-defi nes as BAME. They are responsible for the BAME voice in the society, including across social media platforms.. They should work alongside the committee to ensure wherever possible we have a BAME voice at all events (e.g. no all white panels). They should be in contact with the national, and Welsh BAME officers to coordinate campaigns. They should provide opportunities for BAME caucus to meet at least once a year.
Disabled Students Officer : This officer leads on the issues and campaigns of the Disabled Students caucus, consisting of all self-defi ned disabled students, including those physically disabled, with learning disabilities and/or with mental health issues. They should work alongside the committee to make sure all events are accessible to our disabled members, and provide opportunities for the disabled caucus to meet. LGBT+ Officer: The LGBT+ Officer will represent on the executive committee all society members who self-identify on the LGBT+ spectrum, including people who defi ne as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, asexual, panromantic, intersex, queer and any other minority sexual orientation or gender identity. The LGBT+ Officer will organise LGBT+ caucus meetings for LGBT+ society members throughout the year. The LGBT+ Officer will work with both LGBT+ members and the rest of the society in promoting/representing LGBT+ issues.
Women’s Officer : This officer is responsible for gathering the views of any member of the society who self identifies as female, and to ensure those views are adequately represented and voiced. This offi cer represents, and is open to listen to any concerns regarding the issues that may affect any self-identifying female member, to raise awareness of these issues, and to work alongside the committee to ensure these agendas are met.
Campaigns and Membership Offi cer : This offi cer is responsible for overseeing campaigning, coordinating with the constituency party (and other CLPs when necessary) to organise campaigning as well as Labour Students Society and WLS (Welsh Labour Students) campaigns. They are the fi rst point of contact for members, working to recruit and engage membership by ensuring events are accessible to all, in coordination with the liberation offi cers.
[6.9] A vote of ‘no confi dence’ in a committee member must be submitted formally in writing by a society member to the entire committee and the Societies Team. This is to be voted on in an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) called by the committee with at least two weeks’ notice. A minimum of half the society’s membership must be present and the motion must be passed by two thirds of those present. The decision of this vote is subject to appeal by the committee member through the Societies Executive Committee.
[6.10]A change in committee roles must be passed at an EGM before nominations open.
[6.11]The committee shall have the power to appoint appropriate sub-committee.
[6.12] Elections shall take place without direct campaigning. Candidates shall have the opportunity to submit a manifesto on the SU website and the link to these will be shared via email and social media by the outgoing president. This shall be the only election campaigning allowed, candidates contravening this will be asked to remove offending material and asked not to do so again and could be suspending from standing if did not comply based on a majority decision of the committee with the casting vote held by the President. Any committee member participating in the election will not be able to vote on the decision.
[6.13] In addition to the committee roles set out above, the Labour Students society will elect a club representative to sit on the committee of Welsh Labour Students in the same time frame as other Welsh Labour Students committee elections. This representative can be a committee member or ordinary member, and will be allowed to attend any committee meeting of the Labour Students Society and, at the discretion of the committee, be granted speaking rights.
[7]COMMITTEE MEETINGS
[7.1]Committee meetings shall be held regularly, as required.
[7.2]Quoracy for committee meetings is two thirds or three committee members, whichever is the greater.
[8]GENERAL MEETINGS
[8.1]General Meetings, to which all members are invited, shall be held as and when necessary.
[8.2] There shall be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) held to discuss the activities of the society throughout the previous year and to approve the constitution of the Labour Students Society in compliance with the rules of the Students Union.
[8.3]At least two weeks’ notice of a General Meeting shall be given by the Secretary to all members and Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[8.4]Constitutional amendments can be passed at any General Meeting by two thirds of those present or by more than half of the membership, whichever is the lesser. Amendments will then require ratifi cation by the Societies Team.
[9]FINANCE
[9.1]The Labour Students Society’s fi nances must be administered in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Guild of Societies and Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[9.2]In the event that the Labour Students Society is no longer able to carry out its activities, and thus folds, all assets and debts will revert back to Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[9.3]Under no circumstances will Labour Students Society funds be distributed amongst members.
[9.4]The society may not enter into any contract or other legally binding arrangement without the permission of Cardiff University Students’ Union.
[10]COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS PROCEDURES
[10.1]Informal complaints against the Labour Students Society or any of its members shall require the Labour Students Society President to be notifi ed in writing. The Labour Students Society committee shall consider the complaint and may uphold or dismiss the complaint and may be entitled to take suitable action.
[10.2]Complaints and reports of alleged misconduct shall be reported to the Labour Students Society President. The Labour Students Society committee shall consider the report and shall consider the following courses of action Verbal or written reprimand and/or; Suspension of any or all membership privileges and/or; Termination of membership of the Labour Students Society and/or; Referral of complaint to the Students’ Union Complaints or Discipline Procedures
[10.3]An appeal against the outcome of a complaint or report of alleged misconduct should be submitted to the Vice President of Societies & Campaigns.
[10.4]The initial complaint or report of alleged misconduct should be forwarded to the Vice President of Societies & Campaigns for consideration if: The Labour Students Society Committee feel unable to consider the complaint without bias, or; The complainant feels the complaint or report will not be considered without bias
In this case, an appeal against the outcome of a decision shall be sent to the Students’ Union President.
[ 10.5] At all times, members of a Labour Students Society must adhere to the Cardiff University Student Union Code of Behaviour, as well as the following. Any breaches of good order shall be dealt with by the committee and if necessary forwarded to the Students Union. The following actions shall be deemed as breaches of good order:
● Any comment or behaviour that is offensive or that appears to cause offence to someone based on their identifi ed gender
● Any unfair treatment based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability that may lead to feelings of exclusion or upset
● Making comments which are seen to question or attack the validity of any person’s gender identity or sexual orientation, which refer to someone with gender pronouns/names which are different to the gender pronouns/names they have asked to be referred to by, which defi ne someone’s role in the society on the basis of their gender or comments which deny the absolute right of all LGBT+ people, in the society or beyond, to be treated equally and with respect.
● Use of derogatory language with the intent of undermining someone based on their sexual orientation or identifi ed gender.
● Making comments or actions which are felt to question or attack the validity of someone’s disability, including physical, learning or mental health and/or ableist comments
● Making comments or actions or behaving in a way which would make it harder for a disabled student to participate in a Cardiff Labour Students activity or the society as a whole or denying the right of all disabled students within the society or beyond to be treated equitably and with respect
● Making comments which are seen to question the legitimacy of a person’s status as an ethnic minority. Making anti-Semitic* comments. Using anti-Semitic* slurs. Using racial names by which to refer to someone of colour. Using racial slurs.
*The constitution uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism.