Constitution of the Neuadd Rathbone Junior Common Room

 

Part One: General

 

  1. This, the constitution of Neuadd Rathbone Junior Common Room (herein referred to as the JCR), shall take effect from 6th May 1997 and from this time supersede all other constitutions.
  2. The JCR of Neuadd Rathbone is its members in association.
  3. All members have the right to use the facilities of the JCR.
  4. All elected officers shall be residents of Neuadd Rathbone.
  5. All members of the JCR shall be responsible for all JCR debts and decisions.

 

Part Two: Officers

 

  1. The JCR committee shall consist of:
  1. All members of the committee are responsible to the Senior Student and to their members.
  2. They shall exchange information relating to their jobs with each other.
  3. They shall attend weekly committee meetings.
  4. They shall be responsible for the collection of the JCR fees.
  5. They shall be resident to Neuadd Rathbone for the purposes of arranging Welcome Week.
  6. They shall make a verbal report at JCR meetings if required to do so, and answer questions concerning their jobs.

 

Part Three: Job Definitions

 

  1. Senior Student
    1. Shall chair all JCR and committee meetings.
    2. Shall ensure the fulfillment of the functions of the other elected officers.
    3. Act as official press officer.
    4. Maintain the Senior Student’s file.
    5. In case of a dispute, interpret the constitution.
    6. Shall compose a letter to be sent to all Fresher’s in September.
    7. Negotiate on the JCR’s behalf with:

                                                               i.      All college committees.

                                                             ii.      All relevant members of the JCR.

                                                            iii.      The Warden and the Tutors.

                                                           iv.      Trade Union officials.

                                                             v.      Elected officers of UCNW Students Union.

                                                           vi.      Other heads of halls and shall all attend all committees relevant to them

    1. Attend Senedd Meetings.
    2. Attend General Meeting’s of the Student’s Union.

 

  1. Deputy Senior Student
    1. Shall be prepared to deputise at all times for the Senior Student
    2. Be responsible for the smooth operation of all JCR facilities (e.g. TV)
    3. Be responsible for the production of a newsletter outlining JCR activities and events, and other hall news.

 

  1. Secretary
    1. Shall take minutes of all JCR meetings, which shall be posted in Rathbone and Garterwen.
    2. Advertise all JCR meetings, elections etc.
    3. Act as elections secretary.
    4. Maintain the notice boards.
    5. Be responsible for all business correspondence.

 

  1. Treasurer
    1. Shall keep accurate accounts of all JCR income and expenditure, which shall be posted on the JCR notice board on a monthly basis.
    2. Shall deposit and circulate all payments on behalf of the JCR.
    3. Shall be required to make a financial report upon request at a General Meeting.

 

  1. Food Officer
    1. Shall be responsible for the recording and conveying of members’ suggestions and complaints concerning food and catering.
    2. Shall have a meeting with the catering staff every three weeks, or when necessary.

 

  1. Member without Portfolio
    1. Be responsible for all Rathbone Library, and all its books.
    2. Shall look into problems relating to kitchen, and discuss these with the site office staff.
    3. Shall look into problems relating to cleaning, and discuss these with the supervisor.
    4. Shall look into any problems regarding accommodation and condition of halls and refer these to the appropriate authorities.
    5. Shall assist any other member of the committee as necessary.

 

 

  1. Sports Officer
    1. Shall arrange sporting events.
    2. Liaise with the AU President regarding inter-mural activities.
    3. Shall liaise with the JCR’s of other halls regarding arrangement of inter-hall events.

 

  1. Entertainments Officer
    1. Shall get the videos.
    2. Help organize sporting events.
    3. Be a member of the Students Union Entertainments Committee and attend meetings with the committee.
    4. Shall liaise with the JCR’s of other Halls regarding arrangements of inter-hall activities.
    5. Shall be responsible for the organization of JCR trips.

 

  1. Male/Female First Year Representatives
    1. Shall be elected within the first six weeks of the new academic year.
    2. Shall represent the views of first years within the hall to the committee.

 

  1. Honorary Vice Chair
    1. The retiring Senior Student and/or their deputy shall fill the position.
    2. Will be available as a point of consultation to the new committee, and will give advice where necessary.
    3. Shall attend JCR meetings, on request, or when they feel necessary.

 

Part Four: Meetings

 

  1. Meetings of the JCR shall be held at least once a term, and in addition when the committee considers it necessary.  There shall be a meeting at the start of each term where the proposed expenditure for that term shall be ratified, and events for the term discussed.
  2. A General Meeting shall be held to discuss all non-routine expenditure (as agreed at the first meeting of the year) which exceeds Ł100.
  3. Extra-ordinary meetings may be called by:
    1. The committee.
    2. A petition of one sixth of the hall members’ signatures, clearly stating their reasons, presented to the Senior Student.
  4. One that is quorate must ratify a resolution passed by a non-quorate meeting (less than a quarter of the hall).
  5. All members shall abide by a majority decision of a quorate JCR meeting.
  6. No issue, once voted upon, can be voted or discussed until ten days have elapsed.  This clause can be suspended in special cased by a unanimous decision of the JCR members.

 

Procedure

  1. The meetings shall be chaired by the senior student or his/her appointed Deputy, who in case of a tie shall have the casting vote.
  2. Minutes of the meeting shall be taken by the Secretary and posted in Rathbone and Gartherwen.
  3. Motions shall be discussed under the normal rules of debate, the chair regulating discussion at his/her discretion.  If s/he should wish to speak on a motion, s/he must vacate the chair before doing so.  Constitutional amendments shall be given to the Senior Student at least three days before the meeting, and posted on the JCR notice board two days before the meeting.  No other constitutional amendments may be discussed at the meeting.
  4. Voting shall be by a simple majority vote (show of hands) but constitutional and financial votes need a 2/3 majority over votes against.
  5. Procedural motions may be moved at any time and have precedence over all other business except procedural motions of higher precedence and points of order.  They may not be raised during a speech or vote unless relating to the conduct of the vote.
    1. The motion/amendment now be voted upon.
    2. The motion/amendment not be put (2/3 majority).
    3. The matter is referred to the committee for further discussion.
    4. Challenge to the Chairs ruling or vote of no confidence in the Chair.
    5. That the Chair may be vacated.
  6. A vote of censure may be put at any time, but a vote of no confidence must be given to the Chair or Secretary before the meeting.
  7. The order of business shall be decided by the chair and may only be challenged from the floor at the beginning of the meeting.

 

Part Five: Elections

 

  1. All elections to be organized by the Secretary.
  2. The election for Senior Student and new committee shall take place in the second term.
  3. Voting is by a secret ballot, with a single vote for all members.  A simple majority of votes decided the result.
  4. Candidates require a proposer and seconder, all of whom should be JCR members residing in Neuadd Rathbone.
  5. Names of candidates, proposers and seconders must be handed to the secretary within the specified time, with a passport-sized photograph.
  6. Nominations shall be opened for seven days, after which an election shall take place, after hustings have been arranged.
  7. If there are no candidates proposed, then nominations shall stay open until the post is filled.
  8. Election hustings shall take place at the next appropriate JCR meeting – each candidate shall speak and shall answer questions.

Last updated in the General Meeting on 30th May 2000

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