CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN AFRICA FUND FOR EDUCATION (CUSAFE) CONSTITUTION

NOTICE: this is the OLD version of the CUSAFE constitution - click here to read the current amended version.

  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 and keeping acounts of all money donated by SAFE schemes.
    • 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.

  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 Michaelmas term. The time and venue of the meeting will be determined and published by the committee at least seven Full Term days beforehand.

  5. The Committee:
     
    The Committee will consist of a Chairperson, a Secretary, a Publicity Officer and 2 Officers without profile. The role of each will be as follows:
    • Chairperson. The Chairperson's role is to steer the direction of the society, provide inspiration and take ultimate responsibility for day to day matters. S/he will take responsibility for the membership and email lists and 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. The Secretary is to keep all members of CUSAFE informed of society events and distribute a summary of charitable donations by each participating college. S/he must keep the membership and email lists up to date, compile the minutes of meetings and preserve society records.
    • Publicity officer. S/he is in charge of advertising CUSAFE events, organising membership and social events, including the Freshers' Fair.
    • 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 a social event in May Week. 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 thn 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.

20th April 1999.
 
Helen Strongman (Chairperson)
Naomi Lovett (Publicity Officer)
Shelly McDermott (Officer without profile)
Nina Morris (Officer without profile)
Helen Richards (Secretary)