Murdoch Student Law Society Incorporated
By-laws 07
Concerning Committee Open Offices
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I Preamble
1.Scope
2.Operating Provisions
ARTICLE II Call for Nominations
3.Opening of Nominations
4.Acceptance of Nominations
ARTICLE III Consideration at Committee Meeting
5.Consideration at Committee Meeting
6.Nominee Speeches
ARTICLE IV Voting for Elections
7.Committee Voting
8.Uncontested Positions
ARTICLE VI Election Result
9.Election Result
ARTICLE VII Procedural Issues
10.Nominations not Properly Received
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ARTICLE IPreamble
1.Scope
1.1.The scope of this By-law is to regulate, and provide the procedures and conductin regards to,the election of Committee Members tonon-executive open officeson the Murdoch Student Law Society (‘MSLS’) Committee.
1.1.1.This By-law does not apply to vacancies that arise in the positions of President, Treasurer, Secretary, Education and Careers Vice-President, Competitions Vice-President, Social and Sporting Vice-President, orPublications and Marketing Vice-President.
1.2.This By-lawonly applies topermanent vacancies that arise on the MSLS Committee outside of the annual election period, whether via resignation, expulsion, or other.
1.3.For clarity, this By-law does not govern casual or short-term vacancies that may arise and are to be governed by sections 38 and 39 of the MSLS Constitution, nor the usual conduct of annual elections, which are governed by ‘By-law 06 – Concerning Committee Elections’.
2.Operating Provisions
2.1.This By-law is created under the power conferred upon the MSLS Committee under the MSLS Constitution.
2.2.This By-law operates subject to section 45 and 59 of the MSLS Constitution.
2.3.Should a conflict arise between the content of the MSLS Constitution and this By-law, the Constitution will prevail.
ARTICLE IICall for Nominations
3.Opening of Nominations
3.1.The Secretary or a delegate thereof shall notify all Standard Society Members of the opening of nominations via email.
3.2.The call for nominations for candidates shall be at least one (1) week prior to the Committee meeting at which nominations will be considered.
3.3.The Secretary shall endeavor to communicate the opening of nominations as thoroughly as possible by using all reasonable communication conduits available to the society, including social media.
3.4.Nominees may submit expressions of interest for open offices to the secretary via email.
4.Acceptance of Nominations
4.1.Any Standard Member may nominate for an open office on the Committee.
4.2.Nominations will be accepted via email to the MSLS secretary.Nominations must be submitted in compliance with any advertisedterms and conditions.
4.3.Nominees will be required to provide a written statement detailing their intentions and suitability for the available position.
4.4.Section 4.3 may be waived for nominees that attend the relevant Committee Meeting considering their nomination.
ARTICLE III Consideration at Committee Meeting
5.Consideration at Committee Meeting
5.1.Elections for open offices shall be considered and determined at the first available Committee Meeting.
5.1.1.The Executive Committee may choose to hold over an election for an open office if the immediately following Committee Meeting is not convenient.
5.2.All nominees shall be invited to attend the Committee Meeting at which their nomination will be considered.
6.Nominee Speeches
6.1.All nominees for open offices shall have the opportunity to present an election speech to the Committee.
6.1.1.If there are multiple nominees for a single position, election speeches shall be heard in alphabetical surname order. The Chair may adjust the order of speaking under advice from the Committee.
6.1.2.A nominee may opt to not give an election speech.
6.2.All candidates shall have at least two minutes to speak, and a maximum of five minutes. A motion may be put to limit speaking times in the interest of time.
6.3.Committee Members may direct questions to the candidate following their speech.
6.3.1.Candidates are not required to answer questions.
ARTICLE IVVoting for Elections
7.Voting
7.1.All StandardMSLS Members present at the Committee Meeting shall be eligible to vote.
7.2.Candidates shall leave the Meeting for the duration of the vote.
7.3.Voting shall be by ballot, and shall be facilitated by an appointed Returning Officer.
7.4.The candidate with most votes in favour shall be elected.
7.4.1.A candidate must achieve a minimum of a simple majority to be elected.
8.Uncontested Positions
8.1.In the event of an uncontested nomination for an open office, a three-quarter majority of allvoting Standard MSLS Members is required to elect the nominee.
ARTICLE VIElection Result
9.Election Result
9.1.The result of elections shall take effect immediately upon determination of the vote.
9.2.Following the count of votes, all candidates shall be invited to return to the Meeting and informed of the result.
9.2.1.Unsuccessful candidates may remain for the duration of the Committee Meeting.
ARTICLE VIIProcedural Issues
10.Nominations not Properly Received
10.1.If a Standard Member claims to have been nominated but has not been included on the candidate list by reason of procedural issue, then the Committee has discretion to allow their nomination.
10.2.A Standard Member who did not nominate for a vacant position prior to the Committee Meeting at which nominations for the vacant position will be considered may still nominate if they are present at the meeting.
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