CONSTITUTION. with a view to speaking with a single voice on matters of importance, declare their intent to constitute themselves into an association.

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION The Graduate Students of the Department of Law of the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto, with a view to speaking with a single voice on matters of importance, declare their intent to constitute themselves into an association. Article I, Definitions: In this Constitution, "Association" means the Graduate Law Students Association; "Department" means the Faculty of Law of the University of Toronto as a department of the School; "Faculty" means the teaching staff of the Department; GSU means the Graduate Students Union of the University of Toronto; "Rule" means a rule or regulation of the Department or the School, or the Graduate Student. Association of the School; "School" means the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto; "Students" is synonymous with "Student Body" and means the Graduate Students of the Department of Law of the University of Toronto. Article II, Name: (1) The name of the association shall be the Graduate Law Students Association. (2) The name may be abbreviated to GLSA in all official documents, instruments and communications of the Association. (3) The name of the Association may be altered by by-law. Article III, Objects of the GLSA.: (1) To represent the Student Body in dealings with (a) the Department, (b) the School, (c) other organizations operated by the graduate and undergraduate students of the University of Toronto. (2) To co-ordinate and enable the activities of graduate students. (3) To encourage and improve co-operation and understanding within the Student Body and between the Students and the Faculty and undergraduate students of the Department. (4) To organize and finance social and educational events involving the Student Body. (5) To seek representation for the Student Body on all decision-making committees and councils of the Department and to represent the student body at such committees and councils and in the Graduate Student Union.

2 (6) Generally, to improve the working conditions of the Students. (7) Nothing contained in this Constitution in any way limits the right of a Student to represent himself/herself in respect to any matter where he/she would have had such a right or privilege prior to the adoption of this Constitution. Article IV, Membership: (1) Every Student is presumed to be a full and equal Member of the GLSA, but such Membership may be suspended or revoked for disciplinary reasons, or for failure to pay required fees approved by the Membership. (2) The Membership may, by resolution, confer honourary membership on such persons as they consider entitled. An honourary member shall be a full and equal member of the GLSA. Such membership may be revoked. Article V, Officers and Their Duties: (1) (a) There shall be a President of the GLSA. (b) The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, its official spokesperson and representative. (c) The President shall be a signing officer on any bank account held by or on behalf of the GLSA. (2) (a) There shall be a Vice President of the GLSA. (b) The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out her or his duties and shall assume the role of the president if the president is unable to fulfil her or his office. (3) (a) There shall be a Treasurer of the Association. (b) She or he shall manage the GLSA finances, apply for relevant and appropriate sources of funding, keep accurate records of its state of financial affairs and of all receipts and expenditures, and be a signing officer on any bank account held by or on behalf of the GLSA. (c) She or he shall prepare an annual financial statement for the membership. (4) Only members of the GLSA are eligible to be Officers. Article VI, The Executive Committee: (1) There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, and any person elected pursuant to Article VIII, or to section (2) of this Article, to a maximum of 10 persons.

3 (2) The Membership or the Executive Committee may resolve, from time to time, to elect members to the Executive Committee. 1 (3) A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be at least three Members of that Committee. (4) The Executive Committee shall manage the day-to-day affairs of the Association. (5) The Executive Committee shall negotiate agreements on behalf of the GLSA. (6) One or more members of the executive committee shall be delegated to represent the Association at the GSU. Article VII, Committees: (1) The Membership, upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee, may establish such committees as are deemed expedient, and may delegate such authority to them as they consider wise. (2) Each year, members of the GLSA who wish to serve on faculty committees shall be appointed to do so. If more than one person wishes to represent the GLSA on a committee, an election shall be held pursuant to Art. VIII. 2 Article VIII, Election of Officers and Members of the Executive Committee: (1) Officers and Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected from and by the Membership. Members may nominate themselves or may be nominated by any other member. (2) The election of Officers and Executive Committee Members shall take place as soon as possible after the commencement of the fall term. Procedures for elections may be established and altered by by-law. (3) If there are multiple nominations for the same position, then the incumbent Executive Committee shall call a meeting for the elections. The election shall be by simple majority or plurality of all Members present at the Election Meeting. (4) In the event of a single nomination, the nominee shall be deemed acclaimed. (5) The term of office of each Officer or Executive Committee Member shall be from the time of her or his election until the time of the election of her or his successor, or 1 Interpretive note: Following discussions with the Graduate Students Union, the GLSA agreed in October 2008 that Article VI(2) would henceforth be considered inoperative. 2 Interpretive note: Following discussions with the Graduate Students Union, the GLSA agreed in October 2008 that appointments made under Article VII(2) would be subject to ratification by the membership.

4 until she or he is removed for disciplinary reasons, or until she or he ceases to be a member of the GLSA. (6) If, for any reason, the provisions of section (1) to (4) of this Article are not complied with, any three Graduate Students may, upon two days notice to all other Students, call an election meeting. Any Officer and Executive Committee Member elected at such a meeting shall stand in the same position as if she or he had been elected pursuant to sections (1) to (4). Article IX, Meetings and Quorum: (1) Meetings of the GLSA as a whole shall be held at the request of any three Members of the GLSA or any member of the Executive Committee. (2) Ten Members shall constitute a quorum. (3) A simple majority of members present at the meeting shall be able to make decisions on agenda items at the meeting, except for constitutional amendments, which may be passed by a two-thirds vote of all members present at the meeting. (4) In order to hold such a meeting notice shall be as follows: One week prior to the meeting, a full agenda must be circulated to the full GLSA membership. The full wording of any proposed by-law, resolution, or constitutional amendment must be included. Any amendments to the agenda or additions to the agenda shall be circulated to the full GLSA membership at least two days prior to the meeting. The meeting must be held at the U of T Law Faculty during regular school hours. The wording of this Article must be included in the notice. Article X, By-laws and Resolutions: (1) The Membership may enact such by-laws or pass resolutions as it considers necessary to carry out the objects of the Association. (2) By-laws and resolutions are binding on the Executive Committee unless otherwise specified. (3) By-laws and resolutions may be passed at any meeting held pursuant to article IX. Article XI, Bank Accounts and Finance: The Executive Committee shall open bank accounts under the name of the GLSA as necessary at a recognized Canadian financial institution. Article XII, Internal Discipline:

5 (1) The GLSA may discipline a member by resolution at meeting called pursuant to article IX. (2) Such a resolution shall include reasons for the proposed disciplinary action. Article XIII, Coming into Force and Amendment: (1) This Constitution comes into force upon the affirmative vote of the majority of members present at a meeting called for this purpose, provided at least two days notice is given to every member. (2) This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of members present at a meeting called pursuant to Article IX. Article XIV, Representation of Students in the J.D. Program: Students in the J.D. program shall receive representation in the Association reciprocal with representation granted to Graduate Students in the Students Law Society.