1. Cambridge University Southern Africa Fund for Education (previously known as IMFUNDO) will on ratification of this document operate under the following constitution.
    
   The name of the society shall be Cambridge University Southern Africa Fund for Education, referred to hereafter as CUSAFE.
    
   
2. Statement of Aims:
    
   

   • To coordinate the Cambridge college SAFE schemes, assisting in the running of schemes, providing information on charities working in Southern Africa, keeping accounts of all money donated by SAFE schemes and offering guidance on how to allocate SAFE funds effectively.

   • To represent the college SAFE schemes at the University level on the Students' Union.

   • To continue to form new contacts with a wide diversity of worthwhile projects in Southern Africa; projects in which education represents a route for change, eliminating discrimination and disadvantage.

   • To inform CUSAFE's members of the wider development issues in Southern Africa. To this end, the aim is to have regular speakers, development workshops and a termly newsletter.

   • To offer guidance to college SAFE schemes on how to allocate money effectively and what to look for in proposals.

    

3. Membership:
    
   
   • All members of college SAFE schemes automatically become voting members of CUSAFE. Membership to the society is extended to all members of the University at the CUSU Freshers' Fair, and any others who may apply to the Committee.
   • All college SAFE committees are encouraged to send their accounts to CUSAFE each year, by the end of the Lent term.
   
   
4. Meetings:
    
   • Ordinary meetings will be held at least once every year.
   • The Annual General Meeting shall be held once a year in the Lent term. The time and venue of the meeting will be determined and published by the committee at least seven Full Term days beforehand.
   • A discussion workshop on money allocation and what to look for in a funding proposal shall be held for SAFE reps once a year.

    

5. The Committee:
    
   The Committee will principally consist of a Chairperson, a Secretary, a Publicity Officer and an Events Officer. The roles and specific responsibilities of each will be as follows:
    
   Chairperson:
   
   • Role: The Chairperson's role is to steer the direction of the society, provide inspiration and strategic leadership, taking ultimate responsibility for day to day matters.
   • Specific responsibilities: S/he will be the point of first contact for those approaching CUSAFE, including CUSU. S/he will take responsibility for maintaining contact with the charities. The Chairperson is also in charge of financial matters. S/he will be signatory on CUSAFE accounts, supervise society funds and advise the Committee on financial matters.
   Secretary:
   
   • Role: The Secretary's role is to ensure the society is efficient and accountable, and that college SAFEs are kept closely in touch with the committee.
   • Specific responsibilities: The Secretary is to put together regular SAFE newsletters for members. S/he will compile and distribute an annual summary of charitable donations by each participating college. S/he must keep the college reps and SAFE email lists up to date, write the minutes of meetings and preserve society records.
   Publicity officer:
   • Role: The Publicity Officer is responsible for the society's profile within and without the university.
   • Specific responsibilities: S/he is in charge of editing the CUSAFE web-site (or appointing an appropriate webmaster), advertising CUSAFE events, and attracting new members, particularly at the Freshers' Fair and subsequently by organising a CUSAFE squash.
   Events officer:
   • Role: The Events officer is to ensure that CUSAFE offers its members regular and innovative events, preferably run in conjunction with college SAFEs.
   • Specific responsibilities: S/he will organise regular speaker meetings and debates, as well as social fundraising events. Profits from social events run jointly with college SAFEs will be divided between the college SAFE account in question and a charity or project nominated by the Events officer. S/he should aim to hold no less than four society events per academic year, including one during One World Week.
   
   Should any of the principal committee roles not be filled then the rest of the committee may take on those roles in a joint capacity. Other members of the committee may hold the following positions if the committee is large enough:
    
   
   • Charities Liaison Officer: S/he is to assist the Chairperson with keeping in touch with charities and researching new charities.
   • College reps Liaison Officer: S/he is to assist the Secretary with keeping a detailed record of the different college SAFE schemes.
   • Officers without Profile: They are required to assist with the day to day running of the society as and when needed, including in social events.
   
   
6. Elections to the Committee
    
   
   • Elections to the Committee will normally take place at the end of the Lent term, at the Annual General Meeting, though committee members will not hand over until after May Week. If CUSAFE is holding a May week social event, the two committees should collaborate on the organisation, and officially hand over at the event.
   • Two weeks notice will be given for members to submit their candidacy. Members will have the opportunity to vote at reasonable times and for a reasonable length of time.
   • Each voting member will have one vote for each position.
   • No candidate may run for more than one position.
   • No candidate must have a proposer and a seconder from within the membership of CUSAFE.
   • No member can propose or second more than one person in any one election.
   • There will always be option of "RON" given on the ballot paper. If this opition receives the most votes, nominations for that position only will re-open, and the next round of voting will take place at the beginning of the Michaelmas term.
   • Each position will be filled by the candidate with the most votes cast in his or her name. The winning candidates need not gain over 50% of the votes cast.
   • In the event of the resignation of a Committee member, the remaining committee members will organise election for that position; within one academic week if possible.
   
   
7. Amendments to the Constitution
    
   A majority of the Committee must vote in favour of the need for change. In this instance, the Committee will provisionally redraft the appropriate part of the constitution. The response of over 50% of the membership must be collected by the Committee in support of the proposed alteration. Members may only give their support when they have seen, understood and agreed with the proposed constitution. Once the required support has been collected, the alteration will take effect immediately.

This constitution was originally written on 20th April 1999 and signed by Helen Strongman (Chairperson), Naomi Lovett (Publicity Officer), Shelly McDermott (Officer without profile), Nina Morris (Officer without profile), Helen Richards (Secretary).
 
It was amended on March 5th 2002 and April 2003 following a CUSAFE meeting at which students unanimously voted to pass the CUSAFE committee's amendment. The constitution was thereby amended.

Read the old constitution.