Arts Group Constitution
Aim
The Arts Group is a Students’ Union representative body for UK FE and HE institutions and faculties with a specialist interests in the Arts. Its aim is to research, report, and act on a local, national and international level on issues of importance or common interest to students of Arts subjects and their Students’ Unions. It also aims to offer support and information to members of Arts Group and provide an opportunity for lobbying in conjunction with organizations such as the NUS.
1. Membership
a) Membership of The Arts Group shall be representatives from those Students’ Unions and Associations of FE and HE institutions who specialize in the Arts.
b) Membership at any given point shall be documented in point 7 of The Arts Group Constitution.
c) Each Students’ Union shall have one vote on The Arts Group.
2. Meetings
a) There shall be a minimum of 3 meetings of The Arts Group per year
b) A handover meeting shall be held in the month of July to which incoming Students’ Union Officers shall attend with the outgoing Students’ Union Officers.
c) A Secretary, or in his/her absence another selected person present, shall take the minutes of any meetings.
d) Any decision shall be acted on by the Chair of that meeting unless otherwise stated in the minutes.
e) Quorum for all meetings shall be 50% of voting members (1 vote per Union/Guild). In the event of a decision been taken where there is a tie the status quo shall be maintained.
f) As well as voting members, other Officers may attend from each member Students’ Union.
g) Any external observers to the meeting shall be permitted to attend, or not, at the sole discretion of the meeting.
h) Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
i) Voting shall be by secret ballot for elections and when otherwise requested.
j) Notice for each meeting should be given at least two weeks before the meeting in addition to the calendar agreed at the handover meeting. All business should be distributed to member Students’ Union at least three working days prior to the meeting.
3. Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional amendments shall always be tabled and will require acceptance by a 2/3 majority of the meeting.
4. Elections
a) Elections for Officers of The Arts Group shall take place at the Handover meeting.
b) The incoming Students’ Union Officers shall be the electorate for the Officers of The Arts Group.
c) The Arts Group Secretary or in his/her absence another selected member shall be the Returning Officer.
d) All other outgoing Officers of The Arts Group shall normally assist with the running of the elections as Assistant Returning Officers.
e) No individual standing in elections shall be the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer.
f) Voting in elections shall be by secret ballot.
g) Elections for the Chair, the Secretary and the Vice Chair & Media Officer shall be counted by the Alternative Vote process.
5. Officers
There shall be the following Officers of The Arts Group
a) Chair:
Shall Chair meetings of The Arts Group
Shall act as public representative
Shall produce press releases in consultation with the membership
b) Vice Chair & Media Officer
Shall maintain The Arts Group website
Shall be responsible for disseminating press releases
Shall be responsible for coordinating any other press issues
Shall chair meetings in the absence of the chair
c) Secretary:
Shall request items for and circulate the Agenda for meetings
Take and circulate minutes for meetings.
The Chair in consultation with the membership can create ex officio officers to lead a campaign.
6. “Arts”
The Arts Group welcomes prospective members from a variety of creative subjects which for the sake of convenience may be referred to under the “Arts” heading. The Arts Groups seeks to represent and count amongst its members those from institutions and faculties delivering art, design, performance and other creative areas. Institutions and faculties do not need to solely deliver arts course, but should define as specializing in the Arts to be members of The Arts Group.
7. Current Affiliated Members (Paid*)University of the Arts London Students’ Union
University of the Creative Arts Students’ Union
Bath Spa Students’ Union
Newport Students’ Union
*Other members payment currently pending.
