USU Revue Club Model Constitution
This document is a model constitution which is to be followed by groups seeking recognition as registered Revue Clubs of the USU.
The constitution must be used as a starting point for your own individual version. You will need to fill in the spaces, edit fields where you are given 2 options and decide whether to keep/delete optional sections. These sections are highlighted in the document. If you wish to add or amend anything, you should seek advice from the Revues Coordinator, who is happy to advise you on any questions you may have.
You may wish to add extra Committee positions, such as Publicity Officer, Activities Officer, Environment Officer, and duty statements for those positions.
You may need to amend the sections pertaining to Annual General Meetings and Elections depending on whether you intend to hold these events simultaneously or separately.
C&S Model Constitution
1.NAME
The name of the Revue shall be ENTER REVUE NAME (Hereinafter referred to as ‘the Society’)
2.AIMS
2.1The Society is not-for-profit; meaning: the assets and income of the society shall be applied solely in furtherance of the aims of the society and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the society except as bona fide compensation expenses incurred on behalf of the society
2.2The aims of the Society shall be to facilitate the preparation of the ENTER REVUE CLUB NAME Showcase (hereafter referred to as the Revue)
3.MEMBERSHIP
3.1 The classes of annual Society Membership shall be:
Ordinary Membership
Ordinary Membership is open to any person who:
a)Is a member of the University of Sydney Union (USU) ACCESS program and;
b)Qualifies for USU Membership - Eligible groups for USU membership include current students, graduands and graduates of the University of Sydney (full details are outlined in the USU constitution).
Ordinary Members hold one vote at all meetings and elections of the Society.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership is open to any person who is a member of the USU ACCESS program but does not qualify for USU Membership .
Associate Members may not hold Executive positions, vote in elections or vote at meetings of the Society.
Faculty Membership (optional)
Faculty Membership is open to any person who is currently enrolled in a degree/course of study of the University of Sydney Faculty of INSERT FACULTY NAME but is not a member of the USU ACCESS program.
Faculty Members may not hold Executive positions, vote in elections or vote at meetings of the Society.
3.2Upon joining the society and paying any required membership fees (see below), a person shall be deemed an Ordinary, Associate or FacultyMember of the Society and henceforth be bound by this Constitution.
3.3The subscription fees for membership shall be $
4.THE EXECUTIVE
4.1The Society shall have an Executive consisting of:
i)Producer/President (Required)
ii)Treasurer (Required)
iii)Secretary (Required)
v)
vi)
4.2The Executive shall have power to manage the Society in accordance with this Constitution.
4.3Attendance of Executive Members at Ordinary and General Meetings is obligatory. Any Executive Member who does not attend three consecutive meetings without leave can be dismissed from the Executive by a two-thirds majority vote of those who qualify for Ordinary Membership, at a General Meeting.
5.DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
(UPDATE THIS SECTION SO IT APPLIES TO ALL THE POSITIONS LISTED UNDER 4.1)
5.1 The Producer shall:
i)Perform the role of The Producer of The Revue
ii)Plan the Society’s activities in consultation with the Executive.
iii)Liaise with the Executive and any Committees formed by the Society.
iv) Liaise with the USU on any relevant matters
v)Ensure an adequate handover, including any documents and materials, to the following Executive.
5.2The Treasurer shall:
i)Maintain the Society’s finances in accordance with the handbooks produced by The USU.
ii)Present to the Annual General Meeting of the Society a report detailing the financial activity and status of the Society.
iii)Ensure an adequate handover, including any documents and materials, to the following Executive.
5.3The Secretary shall:
i)Conduct the correspondence of the Society.
ii)Book meeting rooms and rehearsal rooms for the Society.
iii)Keep minutes of the proceedings of all Society meetings.
iv)Maintain the records and documents of the Society.
v)Maintain a list of current Members, in accordance with The USU Guidelines.
vi)Maintain the Society’s registration with The University of Sydney Union.
6.THE DIRECTOR
(UPDATE THIS SECTION SO IT APPLIES TO YOUR REVUE)
6.1The process of appointment of Director/s shall be determined by the Executive
6.2The Director/s shall:
i)Be responsible for the artistic oversight of The Revue
ii)Run rehearsals
iii)Liaises with relevant parties and any subcontractors required for the execution of the Revue
iv)______
6.3The Director and Executive shall be known as The Reve Executive
7.REVUE CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL TEAM
(UPDATE THIS SECTION SO IT APPLIES TO YOUR REVUE)
7.1 The Revue Executive shall be responsible for the appointment of a creative and technical team of members, including:
i)Assistant Director
ii)Assistant Producer
iii)Publicity Officer
iv)Ticketing Officer
v)Cast
vi)______
vii)______
7.2Any person selected to be in the Revue Creative and Technical Team must become a member of the Society if they are not already
7.3 Duties and responsibilities of the Revue Creative and Technical team will be determined by the Revue Executive
8.GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1The Society shall hold General Meetings as required during semester (teaching period, Weeks 1-13).
8.2The Secretary may call a General Meeting at their discretion, and must do so immediately if twenty percent (20%) of Ordinary Members request a meeting in writing.
8.3Except in the case of an election, the Secretary shall give at least seven (7) days notice of the time and place of a General Meeting through one of the recognized publications of The University of Sydney Union and, if possible, the Society notice board and, if possible, by an email to all members.The business debated at a General Meeting shall be confined to the purposes named in the notice.
8.4Quorum at General Meetings shall be the lesser of one-third of the Ordinary Members or fifteen (15) Ordinary Members. If quorum is not reached within thirty minutes from the meeting time, the meeting shall be dissolved.
8.5The agenda for a General Meeting shall include:
1. Opening and welcome
2. Apologies and leaves of absence
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
4. Business arising from the minutes
5. Correspondence
6. Motions on notice
7. Reports of Executive Members
8. Other reports
9. General business
10. Date of the next meeting
8.6A General Meeting may also carry the following motions on notice relating to the affairs of the Society by a two-thirds majority vote of those members present and voting:
i)Granting Honorary Membership
ii)Amending the Constitution
iii)Dismissing Executive Members
iv)Dissolving the Society.
8.7Vacant executive positions may be filled at a General Meeting following the ordinary procedures for election.
9.ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
9.1The Society shall hold an Annual General Meeting annually in the month of October/March
9.2The Annual General Meeting shall be convened for the following purposes:
i)to receive a report and statement of accounts for the preceding financial period
ii)to elect an Executive for the ensuing term
iii)to transact any other business, notice of which shall be duly submitted to the Secretary
9.3The Secretary shall give at least fourteen (14) days notice of the time and place of the Annual General Meeting by advertising through one of the recognized publications of The University of Sydney Union and, if possible, the Society notice board and, if possible, by an email to all members. Notice shall follow the agenda format provided in 9.6, including all election provisions.
9.4The Annual General Meeting shall be held between 9am and 9pm at a place on a campus of The University of Sydney during semester (teaching period, Weeks 1-13). The Annual General Meeting shall be chaired by the President or an Executive Member not standing for election to any position.
9.5Quorum at the Annual General Meeting shall be the lesser of one-third of the Ordinary Members or fifteen (15) Ordinary Members.
9.6The notice and agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall include:
1. Opening and welcome
2. Apologies and leaves of absence
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
4. Business arising from the minutes
5. Correspondence
6. Motions on notice
6.1Constitutional Amendments
7. Annual Reports
7.1President
7.2Treasurer
7.3Secretary
7.4Other Executive Members
8. Election of the Executive
8.1 Date nominations open, (at least seven (7) days prior to the election)
8.2The date and time on which nominations close, (no later than the time of the election)
8.3The time, date and venue of the election
8.4Who is eligible nominate, run and vote in the election
9. General business
10.ELECTIONS
10.1The Executive shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
10.2Only Ordinary Members, shall be eligible to be candidates for election or to vote in the election.
10.3The term of the Executive shall commence immediately following the close of the Annual General Meeting and conclude at the close of the Annual General Meeting in the following year.
10.4Notice requirements for the Election are outlined under the Annual General Meeting section and these requirements also apply to any General Meetings where positions are being filled.
10.5In order to stand for election, nominees must accept nomination.
10.6The election must be conducted by a Returning Officer, nominated by the Executive. The Returning Officer cannot be an election candidate, and cannot participate by voting or nominating others. This person may appoint other impartial persons as Deputy Returning Officers.
10.7The Revues Coordinator shall serve as Electoral Arbiter and shall receive any appeals against the decisions of the Returning Officer.
10.8Voting shall be by secret ballot/show of hands, and shall be First Past the Post
11. ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION
11.1This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those Ordinary Members in attendance at any General Meeting, provided that:
ii) The said changes do not contravene The University of Sydney or The University of Sydney Union guidelines,
iii) the Secretary has given at least fourteen (14) days notice of those proposed changes to all Members by advertising the agenda through the Society’s official, public social media channel and by email to all members
iv)a copy of the amended constitution, and minutes of the meeting at which the amendments were made, are presented to the Revues Coordinator of The University of Sydney Union within fourteen (14) days of the meeting, and are approved
12. ASSETS AND FINANCES
12.1 All property of the Society shall be vested in the Executive, and shall be dealt with in such manner as directed by the Society in an Ordinary Meeting.
12.2The Society shall maintain a bank account.
12.3The finances of the Society shall be maintained in accordance with the guidelines provided for Treasurers by the The University of the Sydney Union, and submitted for audit immediately following the Financial Year End of the Society in the month of October each year.
12.4Notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution, all assets and funds of the Society shall be used solely to further the Objects of the Society, and no portion of those funds shall be paid or distributed to members of the Society except as compensation for out-of-pocket expenses.
12.5The financial year of the Society shall run from the 1st November to the 31st October following.
13. DISSOLUTION
12.1The Society may be dissolved by resolution of a two-thirds majority vote of those members present and voting at a General Meeting. If on the dissolution there remain any monies or property, they shall, with the consent of the Clubs & Societies Office, be transferred to a cultural, charitable or educational organization as the Society in a General Meeting may resolve.
12.2 The Secretary shall give at least fourteen (14) days notice of the time and place of such a General Meeting through one of the recognized publications of The University of Sydney Union and, if possible, the Society notice board and, if possible, by email to all members.
13.INACTIVITY
13.1 The Society shall be deemed inactive after any continuous six month period in which the Revue has remained unregistered. If upon inactivity there remains any monies or properties, the Revues Coordinator shall control such properties and all money will be deposited into a USU-administered trust account, and will be returned to the Revue should it reform. After a total of eighteen months inactivity, all Society funds will be transferred to the USU general account.
14. RECOGNITION
14.1The Society shall comply with all requirements of The University of Sydney and The University of Sydney Union for recognition as a registered Society of The University of Sydney Union.
This Constitution was adopted on the ____ day of ______, 20__
Producer/President’s Signature ______
Secretary’s Signature ______