LSU By-LawsProposed Amendments

Laurentian Students’ UnionGeneral Membership MeetingJanuary 28th, 2014

BYLAW 1: DEFINITIONS (Grammatical Edits)

BYLAW 3 – EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL POWERS OF THE UNION (Grammatical Edits)

BYLAW 6 – MEMBERSHIP (Addition of Constituency Representative Clause)

BYLAW 7: THE DIRECTORS OF THE UNION (Amending Board of Directors positions)

BYLAW 9: MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Amending quorum for meetings)

BYLAW 11: PROCEEDURE AT MEETINGS (Amending record holding period)

BYBYLAW 14: DUTIES OF THE DIRECTORS (Addition of two new clauses)

BYLAW 15: DISCIPLINING DIRECTORS (Addition of reference to Human Resources Policy #13-00)

BYLAW 16: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Amended to change titles and addition of new clauses)

Bylaws in Consideration

Bylaw 1: DefinitionsBylaws often attach meanings to common

terms are different to regular usage or that are specific to the constitution or bylaws.

Provides clarity to terms used in the Bylaws. Allows every reading of the Bylaws to be read

with the same understanding of the meaning of terms used.

Prevents debate, misunderstanding, and conflict over terminology used in the Bylaws.

Bylaw 2: InterpretationGender neutral terminology in all LSU Bylaws,

Operational Policies, and Constitution.Outlines resolution process in the case of

dispute of interpretation of terminology or Article purpose. The Chair can makes a ruling on any dispute

involving the interpretation of terminology in the Bylaws.

If the ruling of the Chair falls into dispute, the Board of Directors make the final decision.

Bylaw 3:– Execution of Documents and Financial Powers of the Union Outlines the fiscal year of the unionDesignates signatories and trusteesSpecifies responsibilities of cheques, deposits

and other banking procedures

Bylaw 4: Banking ArrangementsAuthorizes the Board of Directors and

Executive Committee to entrust Union finances with a financial institution.

Designates Union signing officers.

Bylaw 5: Financial Year-EndAuthorizes Board of Directors to establish

Financial Year-End.

Bylaw 6: MembershipOutlines requirements for membership in the

unionAmended to note that members may only run

for constituency positions if they are members of that constituency group

Bylaw 7: Directors of the Union Shrinks Union Board of Directors from 23 to 15 Directors Separates Board of Directors from Executive Committee Reducing the number of voting directors to represent the three

main schools at Laurentian in Barrie to an equal number of representatives (Social Sciences and Humanities, Social Work, Business Administration)

Changing the title of one of the voting director-commissioners Additions of one voting directors to represent clubs and

associations on the Barrie campus. Addition of one to the Executive Committee.

LSU Organizational Structure

Visual Representation

Bylaw 7: Directors of the Union – Purpose of the BoardBoard of Directors act as the governing body of

the Union. Board meetings are once a month. Directors positions (with exception of Executive

Committee) are unpaid. Acts as oversight body to the Executive

Committee.

Executive Committee Implements the will of the Board. Reports to the Board at Monthly meetings.

Bylaw 7: Directors of the Union - CompositionComposition of Academic Representatives

1 director elected to represent School of Social Sciences and Humanities

1 director elected to represent School of Social Work 1 director elected to represent School of Business

Administration.

Commissioners: Womyn’s Issues Commissioner Indigenous Students’ Commissioner Students’ with Disabilities Commissioner Racialized Students’ Commissioner

Bylaw 7: Directors of the Union - RulesPosition on the Board shall be held by no more

than 1 person at any given time, except in an emergency situation.

Directors, Commissioners, and the All Clubs Representative are unpaid.

The Executive Committee, with the approval of the Board, may receive remuneration.

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors - OverviewOutlines the 5 different types of Union

meetings Scheduled Meetings Emergency Meetings Consecutive Board Meetings Annual General Meetings Special General Meetings

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors – Scheduled MeetingsScheduled Meetings

Monthly meeting of the Board of Directors. Executive Committee responsible for presenting

schedule of meetings for approval at the beginning of each term

Quorum for conduct of business is 2/3rds of Directors present.

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors – Emergency MeetingsCan be called with 72 hours notice by either:

The Executive Committee; or A written request by a two-thirds majority of

Directors

Quorum for Emergency Meetings are 7 directors

Approval of any action must be reported at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors – Consecutive MeetingsHeld in April of each yearMeeting of both incoming and outgoing Board

of Directors.Serves as a welcoming/orientation meeting for

incoming board of directors.

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors – Annual General Meetings Held during the fall of each year. Is the supreme authoritative body of the Union Each member of the Union has one vote. AGM provides chance for Union Board of Directors to update

membership on notable Union work/issues Allows membership to guide the Board of Directors. Transaction of business includes the following:

Presentation of the year to date report from the Board Presentation of year to date financial statements of the Union Constitutional/Bylaw amendments to be voted on. Any business arising from the floor.

Bylaw 9: Meetings of the Board of Directors – Special General MeetingYou are at a Special General Meeting right now!Same rules apply as with the AGM. Who can call a Special General Meeting?

Board of Directors. Union membership can call a meeting by presenting to the Board a

petition containing no less than 10% of the signatures of the membership.

Bylaw 10: Right to VoteDirectors elected or appointed to the Board

shall have the to vote.All non-voting members of the Board shall have

the right to speak, but shall not be allowed to move, second, or amend any motions put before the board.

Each voting director is entitled to carry 2 proxy votes.

Bylaw 11: Procedure at MeetingsProcedure at the meetings of the Board shall

follow Roberts Rules of Order

Minutes shall be taken and kept on file for a minimum of 3 years.

Bylaw 13: Director QualificationsAt all times, every Director must be:

At least 18 years of age A registered student of Laurentian at the Barrie

Campus

No director shall, at any time, be an elected member of an administrative group that does not belong to the University program. This includes SAC.

The President of the Union may not be enrolled in more than 3 courses during a given semester.

Bylaw 14: Duties of the Directors Directors shall

Act with diligence, fiduciary responsibility, honesty and good faith, and in the interest of the Union.

Act in the best interests of the constituents for which a director was elected to represent

Join a minimum of 1 Union committee Attend ALL Board meetings Strive to recruit students from his or her constituency to

participate in Union events, projects, services, and campaigns;

Maintain confidentiality of all In-Camera proceedings Maintain clear lines of communication with the rest of the

Board Are responsible to serve the minimum number of office

hours allotted by the Board of Directors

Bylaw 15: Disciplining DirectorsOutlines the grounds for discipline by the

Board. Grounds for discipline include the following:

Missing more than 3 consecutive meetings; Theft, fraud, embezzlement; Harassment and or assault towards other

members; Failure to disclose conflict of interest; Breach of confidentiality; Failure to attend the April Consecutive Meeting; Negligence of duties; and, Disregard for the will of the Board.

Bylaw 16: The Executive Committee - OverviewExecutive Committee is tasked with the day to

day management of the Unions affairs.Vested with all executive powers, including but

not limited to: Negotiating contracts on behalf of the Union Staffing and employment Task delegation.

Bylaw 16: The Executive Committee - CompositionThe Executive Committee includes the

following positions: President Vice President Campaigns and Advocacy Vice President Finance Vice President Administration Vice President Events Vice President Marketing

Bylaw 16: The Executive Committee - VP Internal AffairsVP Internal Affairs is splitting up to create the

VP Finance and VP Administration.Will be separating administrative and financial

duties of the Union. The amalgamation of those positions proved to

be a work load too heavy for one person

Bylaw 16: The Executive Committee – VP Campaigns and Advocacy Formerly titled VP External Affairs. Responsible for maintaining line of communication

with students’ groups, college and university administrations, and other parties external to the union.

Chair of the Union Campaigns Committee Most responsible for developing and advancing the

political and issues oriented objectives of the Union. Attends all Canadian Federation of Students

meetings.

Bylaw 17 – Chief Returning Officer And Standing Elections Committee Outlines procedures for choosing a CRO, DRO

and Elections CommitteeOutlines criteria for each position involved in

electionsDescribes time line for filling positions and

procedure for filling any positions that become vacant

Bylaw 18 - Elections, By-elections And Referenda Outlines procedures for running electionsOutlines criteria for each position being filled

by the electionDescribes time-line for all elections periods

(nomination, campaigning, polling)Gives explicit instructions on forbidden actions

in elections

By-law 19: Elections, By-elections And Referenda – Complaints And Appeals Outlines procedures for filing a complaint

regarding elections proceduresDescribes procedure for appeals to rulings on

any grievances

By-law 20 - Removal From An Office Of The Union Outlines three circumstances for immediate

removal from officeDescribes procedure for Impeachment hearings

By-law 21: Indemnities To Directors Of The Union Protects Directors from any personal liability in

financial decisions made by the Union

By-law 21: Issue Policies Of The Union Defines what constitutes an issues policyDescribes procedures for implementation and

amending issues policies of the Union