north east, yorkshire

& humber ar ea nus

campaigning, representing and uniting students locally

19th June 2007

constitution

last updated at agm on 19th June 2007

Proposed
North East, Yorkshire and Humber Area NUS
Constitution & Regulations
CHAPTER 1: NAME AND STATUS
1.1 Name and status
1. The body herein after referred to as
“The Area” is and shall be the North
East, Yorkshire and Humber Area NUS.
2. Nothing in the Regulations may override
anything in the Constitution. No policy
may override the Constitution or the
Regulations.
3. The power to decide on interpretation of
the Constitution and accompanying
Regulations shall be invested solely in
the Chair during meetings, subject to
challenge, and in the Convenor between
meetings.
4. The Constitution shall be reviewed on a
five year basis.
5. “The Area” is an unincorporated
association whose membership is made
up of student
unions/associations/guilds/councils
within the geographical boundaries of
the North East, Yorkshire and Humber.
1.2 Mission statement
1. “North East, Yorkshire and Humber Area
NUS: Campaigning, representing and
uniting students locally”
1.3 Aims
1. The aims of the area shall be
i) To support and unite members in the
North East, Yorkshire and Humber to
deliver effective campaigns for
progress and to campaign for, and
promote, the education, welfare,
diversity and social issues of its
members in the region.
ii) To support a communications
network between member unions,
NUS and other organisations.
iii) To support members in initiating and
implementing NUS priority
campaigns.
iv) To represent the interests of its
members at local, regional and
national level.
v) To foster regional democracy and
support members in fully
participating in national democracy.
vi) To share best practice, experiences
and challenges between member
unions.
vii) To strengthen links between HE and
FE students’ unions on a local level.
viii) To undertake local initiatives, which
benefit unions and students within
the Area
CHAPTER 2: MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Membership
1. All democratic and representative
student organisations that are affiliated
to the National Union of Students shall
be entitled to affiliate to the Area. These
shall be known as Constituent Members
(CM) of the Area.
2. Affiliation to the Area is conditional on
payment of an affiliation fee based on a
sliding scale related to the Constituent
Members block grant. The minimum
affiliation fee shall be £10.
3. The Executive Committee may agree to
waive or reduce the subscription fee in
cases of extreme hardship.
4. Honorary members shall be elected at
the discretion of Area Council as a mark
of distinguished service to the Area
5. Any member that disaffiliates from the
National Union of Students shall be
deemed to have automatically
disaffiliated from the Area.
2.2 Disaffiliation
1. A Constituent Member may disaffiliate
by providing two months notice to the
Area Convenor.
2. The Executive Committee must receive
a copy of the minutes of the governing
body where the decision was made for
the application to be valid.
3. Any outstanding monies shall be paid to
the Area. No refunds shall be given.
2.3 Individuals Rights and Privileges
1. Full Members of CM’s shall have rights and
privileges as follows:
i) enjoy all rights and privileges
relating to the Area including
 representation, training,
support and advice;
ii) be entitled to hold any Area
office and vote at election,
subject to restrictions within
the election regulations
2 Honorary individuals shall enjoy all the
rights and privileges relating to membership
except that they shall not be permitted to
take part in the Area democratic
procedures.
CHAPTER 3: FINANCE
3.1 General
1. The financial year for the Area shall be
from July 1st to the 30th June inclusive.
2. The income of the Area shall be used
solely for the proper purpose of the Area
and furtherance of its Aims
3. The Executive Committee shall be
responsible for the proper conduct of the
Area’s financial affairs, drafting the
annual budget of the Area, prior to
approval by the Annual General
Meeting, and presenting any
subsequent amendments to the budget
to Area Council.
4. Monthly cumulative statements of
income and expenditure shall be made
available to the Area Council and on
demand to any Constituent Member.
This shall be the responsibility of the
Area Convenor.
5. The Executive Committee shall produce
an annual statement of all financial
transactions.
3.2 Audit
1. The auditors shall make a report to the
Constituent Members on the accounts
examined by them, and on every
balance sheet and profit and loss
account, copies of which are to be laid
before Constituent members in the
Annual General Meeting.
2. A motion by the Executive Committee to
appoint the auditors shall be put to the
Annual General Meeting.
3.3 Dissolution
1. In the event of dissolution of the Area,
the NUS North East Regional Officer
shall appoint a committee (at least half
of whose members shall be elected
officers of Constituent Members) to
administer the assets/liabilities of the
Area for the Constituent Members as
the committee deems fit.
CHAPTER 4: INDEMNITY
1. Every member of the Executive
Committee, appointee or member of
staff of the Area, shall be indemnified
out of Area assets against all losses or
liability, damage or misfortune which
he/she may incur in the execution of
his/her office or otherwise return hereto;
providing that nothing in this clause shall
effect their liability for the consequence
of any negligent act on their part. This
clause shall apply only to those persons
and those duties specially authorised by
an Area Council, Executive Committee
or the Convenor acting within the terms
of reference of the Constitution and
Regulations.
CHAPTER 5: AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONSTITUTION
1. The Constitution shall only be amended
by a two thirds majority of Area Council
voting on the same motion in two
consecutive meetings of Area Council
that achieve quorum (the number of
voting members required for decisions
made to be binding).
2. Proposed amendments shall:
i) remove specified words, or
ii) insert specified words; or
iii) replace specified words with
specified words
CHAPTER 6: AREA REGULATIONS
1. The Area shall be empowered to make
such regulations as it sees fit.
2. Such regulations shall be binding on all
Constituent members and officers while
attending Area Meetings or when
representing the Area.
3. A regulation may be created, removed
or amended by a two thirds majority of
those voting in one Area Council.

CHAPTER 7: AREA POLICY
1. Area policy shall be set by Area Council.
Policy shall be passed by a simple
majority in one Area Council.
2. Policy decisions shall lapse on the 30th
of June, three years after it was
passed. Details of the policy due to
lapse will be sent to members of the
Area Council by the Convenor by the
30th of March of the year in which the
policy is due to lapse. These policies
may be renewed by an Area Council by
a simple majority.
CHAPTER 8: AFFILIATION
1. The Area may affiliate to an external
organisation through a motion passed by
Area Council.
CHAPTER 9: ELECTIONS
1. The conduct of elections undertaken by
the Council for whatever purpose shall
be determined by Regulation 1 subject
to the provisions of the Constitution.
2. Only full members of CM’s may vote in
an election, subject to eligibility.
CHAPTER 10: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
1. All Area meetings shall be conducted in
accordance with Regulation 2.
2. All Area meetings shall be open to all
students of Constituent Members and
Honorary Members, with the exception
of closed business.
3. Minutes shall be taken of all Area
meetings and published for the
Constituent Members. The exceptions
being that the minutes of closed
business shall not be published. Closed
business must be deemed to be a
discussion of a financially or legally
sensitive nature, where a public
discussion or record may be damaging
or defamatory to an individual, CM, or
the Area.
CHAPTER 11: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
1. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall
be held each academic year at the first
Council.
2. The AGM shall be called and chaired by
the Convenor at the request of the
Executive Committee.
3. Notice convening the AGM, the Agenda
and the audited accounts for the
previous year shall be distributed at
least 10 (ten) working days before the
meeting.
4. The only items on the Agenda shall be:
i) apologies for absence;
ii) minutes of the previous AGM;
iii) matters arising;
iv) presentation of annual report
compiled by the previous
year’s Executive Committee;
v) presentation of the audited
financial statement for the
previous year;
vi) questions on the financial
statement (to be submitted at
least 24 hours in advance of
the AGM);
vii) appointment of the auditors
for the accounts for the
coming year;
viii) presentation of the up to date
Constitution and Regulations;
ix) presentation of the up to date
Policy Document
5. For details of the procedure for the
Annual General Meeting see Regulation
3.
CHAPTER 12: AREA COUNCIL
12.1 Function
1. Area Council is the governing body of
the Area.
2. Area Council should perform the
following functions:
i) discuss and set general policy
for the Area;
ii) elect Executive Officers;
iii) hold to account Executive
Officers through the receipt of
progress reports;
iv) consider the minutes
presented to it and either
ratify them or refer them back
for consideration;
v) consider the minutes
presented to it for information;
vi) change the Constitution and
Regulations within the set
 procedures as described in
Chapter 5 and Chapter 6.
12.2 Composition
1. Area Council should comprise of the
following positions:
i) Executive Officers
ii) a maximum of 4 (four)
delegates from each CM
2. No Area Councillor may hold more than
1 (one) vote in any one debate.
3. Officers co-opted to the Executive
Committee shall not be entitled to vote
in that capacity.
4. The quorum of any Area Council shall
be at least one third of CM’s (the
Executive Committee is considered to
be a CM for the purposes of this clause)
5. Should quorum not be achieved, the
meeting shall still be held. Resolutions
are subject to ratification at the next
Area Council.
12.3 Frequency of Meetings and Notice
1. Area Council should meet no less than 3
(three) times a year, once in each
academic term.
2. At least 4 (four) weeks notice shall be
given before any meeting of the Area
Council.
3. Motions shall be submitted to the
Convenor no less than 2 (two) weeks
prior to the Council.
4. Emergency motions may be submitted
at any time prior to the beginning of the
relevant Council at the discretion of the
Chair (subject to change).
5. In extraordinary circumstances an
Emergency Council may be called by
either the Area Executive or by no less
than 8 (eight) Constituent Members with
not less than 1 (one) week’s notice.
12.4 General
1. Council may create Standing
Committees to implement certain areas
of policy or to investigate areas of
interest to the Council. Such committees
shall report to the Area Council.
2. All Area Council meetings shall be
carried out in accordance with
Regulation 2.
CHAPTER 13: DIVERSITY & LIBERATION
CAUCUSES
13.1 Function
1. Diversity & Liberation Caucus should
perform the following functions:
vii) discuss and set general policy
for the caucus;
viii) elect relevant Diversity &
Liberation Officers;
ix) hold to account relevant
Diversity & Liberation Officers
through the receipt of
progress reports;
x) consider the minutes
presented to it and either
ratify them or refer them back
for consideration;
xi) consider the minutes
presented to it for information
xii) running campaigns of
relevance to it’s members
13.2 Composition
1. Diversity & Liberation Caucus should
comprise of the following positions:
i) The Caucus’ relevant
Diversity & Liberation Officer
(who shall act as Chair)
ii) A maximum of 4 (four)
delegates from each CM
2. No caucus member may hold more than
1 (one) vote in any one debate.
The quorum of any Diversity & Liberation
Caucus shall be at least one third of CM’s
3. Should quorum not be achieved, the
meeting shall still be held. Resolutions
are subject to ratification at the next
Diversity & Liberation Caucus.
12.3 Frequency of Meetings and Notice
1. Each Diversity & Liberation Caucus
should meet no less than 3 (three) times a
year, once in each academic term.
2. At least 4 (four) weeks notice shall be
given before any meeting of the Diversity &
Liberation Caucus.
3. Motions shall be submitted to the Chair
no less than 2 (two) weeks prior to the
Diversity & Liberation Caucus.
4. Emergency motions may be submitted
at any time prior to the beginning of the
relevant Diversity & Liberation Caucus
at the discretion of the Chair (subject to
change).
5. In extraordinary circumstances an
Emergency Diversity & Liberation
 Caucus may be called by either the Area
Executive or by no less than 8 (eight)
Constituent Members with not less than
1 (one) week’s notice.
12.4 General
1. Each Diversity & Liberation Caucus may
create Standing Committees to implement
certain areas of policy or to investigate
areas of interest to the Diversity &
Liberation Caucus. Such committees shall
report to the Diversity & Liberation Caucus.
2. All Diversity & Liberation Caucus
meetings shall be carried out in accordance
with Regulation 2.
CHAPTER 14: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
13.1 Function
1. The role of the Executive Committee
shall be to interpret and implement Area
policy subject to the directions of the
Area Council and to carry out the
administration of the Area, and it shall
have full responsibility for areas of
staffing and finance.
2. The Executive Committee shall submit
an annual report to the last Area Council
of the Summer term each year.
3. The whole Executive Committee shall
be bound by Regulation 4.
13.2 Composition
1. The Executive Committee shall
comprise:
Area Convenor
District Officers
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from Tyne-Tees ‘district’
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from N. Yorkshire, E.
Yorkshire & Humber ‘district’
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from South & West
Yorkshire ‘district’
Women’s Officer
LGBT Officer
Disabled Students’ Officer
Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Officer
International Students’ Officer
Mature Students’ Officer
2. Volunteer profiles of these shall be
found in Regulation 6.
13.3 Area Convenor
1. The Area Convenor shall be no less
than 18 (eighteen) years of age at the
date of the election.
2. No individual shall be Area Convenor for
more than 2 (two) years in total.
13.4 General
1. The Executive Committee shall meet at
least 2 (two) times a term.
2. The quoracy of the Executive
Committee shall be at least 50 (fifty)
percent of the elected members.
3. No officer shall hold more than one
Executive Committee post at any one
time.
4. The term of office for all officers is for a
one year period from 1 July (or
immediately in the case of the by-
election) to 30 June.
5. The Executive Committee shall have the
right to co-opt members until such a
time as successful elections can take
place for a position.
North East, Yorkshire & Humber Area NUS
Regulations
REGULATION 1: ELECTIONS
1.1 Returning Officer/Elections Committee
1. The Returning Officer shall be
responsible for the running of all Area
elections.
2. The Returning Officer shall be the NUS
North East Regional Officer or their
nominee. The Deputy Returning Officer
shall be a member of the Executive
Committee not standing for re-election,
nominated by Elections Committee.
3. The Elections Committee shall be
comprised of the Convenors and three
representatives of Constituent
Members. If these persons are standing
for election to any post, they shall resign
and alternatives shall be elected by and
from Area Council.
4. Elections Committee shall set the dates
for the opening and closing of
nominations, hustings, polling and the
election count.
5. The Returning Officer shall be
responsible for the proper conduct of the
elections and elections count and shall
be the sole interpreter of the elections
 regulations. In their absence Elections
Committee will interpret and rule on
elections regulations. In these
instances, their decisions shall be
subject to ratification by the Returning
Officer as soon as possible afterwards.
1.2 Election Timings
1. The Area Annual Elections shall be held
in the Summer Term. These will
comprise elections for:
 Area Convenor
 Other Executive Posts
2. The election dates shall be set by
Elections Committee.
1.3 Electoral Body
1.
1. Convenor and District Officers to
be elected by all constituent
members and executive officers
2. Diversity & Liberation officers to
be elected from Diversity &
Liberation group caucuses
1.4 Electoral Term
1. All Executive Officers shall serve a year
from the first day of July.
2. Convenors may stand for election for no
more than two years in total as a
sabbatical officer.
1.5 Nominations
1. Nominations shall be open for a
minimum of 10 (ten) working days and
shall close no less than 5 (five) working
days before the election.
2. Notification of elections shall be no less
than 5 (five) working days before the
open of nominations.
3. A person shall be considered duly
nominated, provided that a nomination
form, with the candidates name, NUS
Card number (or proof of student status)
and consent to stand are received by
the Returning Officer or their
representative by 5pm on the closing
date for nominations.
1.6 Event for Candidates’ Attendance
1. The hustings shall take place at the
Annual Conference, or in the case of a
by-election at the relevant Area Council,
before each election takes place.
1.7 Publicity and Canvassing
1. Manifestos shall be produced and
distributed by the Returning Officer to all
Constituent Members and the Executive
Committee as arranged by the Area
Convenor prior to election and shall
cover no more than 2 (two) sides of A4.
2. No further publicity, except oral
communication, shall be allowed.
1.8 Voting
1. Voting shall be by the Single
Transferable Vote (STV) or Alternative
Vote (AV) system as appropriate. This
system will be used in accordance with
the current guidelines provided by the
Electoral Reform Society.
2. There shall be an option to vote for re-
open nominations (RON).
3. Counting of votes shall take place as
soon as possible after the voting has
finished.
4. There shall be a provision for all those
full members unable to vote in person
through illness or unavoidable absence
to request a proxy/postal vote.
5. The Returning Officer shall at his or her
discretion declare any ballot paper
invalid if it is marked in any other way
than with a vote for one or more of the
candidates.
6. Candidates may nominate one
scrutineer to observe in the above
count.
1.9 Resignations and Dismissals
1. An officer shall be deemed to have
resigned if the Executive Committee
receives one of the following:
i) a letter from the officer
concerned;
ii) notice from the Convenor that
the person has been absent
from three consecutive
meetings, which she/he was
required to attend having
been informed of said
meetings in line with the
Constitution without sending
apologies to those meetings.
2. An Executive Officer may be subject to
a vote of no confidence in the following
circumstances:
i) A motion of no confidence is
supported by a proposer and
 seconder from affiliated
Constituent Members
ii) A motion of no confidence if
supported by the Executive
Committee
iii) The Officer has received
his/her third successful motion
of censure
3. A motion of no confidence shall be
circulated no less than 10 (ten) working
days prior to the Council meeting at
which it shall be voted on.
4. Such a motion shall outline the
reason(s) for a vote of no confidence
being taken.
5. A motion of no confidence shall be
passed with a two-thirds majority.
6. In the case of Diversity & Liberation
officers, the above procedures shall
apply except that they shall be through
their respective group caucuses.
1.10 By-elections
1. Area Council may request that the
Elections Committee organise by-
elections for positions becoming vacant.
2. In the event of a need for a by-election,
the Returning Officer shall re-open
nominations as soon as is practical, and
they shall close at a date and time
determined by the Returning Officer.
1.11 Complaints
1. If a candidate is found to have
contravened electoral rules or
regulations the Returning Officer shall
have the power to take actions
according to his/her discretion including
disqualification of any student standing
or having stood in an election and/or the
ordering of a new election.
2. All complaints about the conduct of
candidates should be submitted in
writing where possible before the
counting of the relevant election.
3. Complaints should be addressed to
Elections Committee in the first
instance.
REGULATION 2: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
1. All Area Meetings shall be conducted
according to the Standing Orders in
Regulation 4.
2. Executive Committee meetings should
send minutes to Area Council for
ratification.
REGULATION 3: ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
1. The quorum for the approval of the
annual financial statement shall be 33
(thirty three) percent of the voting
members.
2. The meeting shall be run in accordance
with Regulation 2 and Regulation 4.
Therefore all members should abide by
the Conduct of Meetings document and
the standing orders of the Area.
REGULATION 4: AREA COUNCIL/STANDING
ORDERS
4.1 Application
1. Standing Orders shall apply to the
Annual General Meetings, Area Council
and all Area Committees.
2. A challenge to the acceptance of the
Agenda shall be raised as a procedural
motion that shall be the request to
change the order of items of business
and/or the time allocated and shall
require a simple majority.
3. If an item of business reaches the end
of its allocated time, the chair will
announce that the guillotine has fallen
on that item and that therefore the
meeting must move to summing up
speeches and if necessary a vote.
4. A motion to overturn the guillotine shall
be raised as a procedural motion. The
motion shall specify the extension
required and shall require a two-thirds
majority to pass.
4.2 The Chair
1. The Chair shall be the Area Convenor
2. The Chair shall not participate in the
debate. When the Chair speaks he or
she shall be heard in silence and other
members shall cease speaking.
3. The Chair shall ensure that the meeting
is in order, that the remarks are relevant
to the matter under debate, that no
defamatory marks are made about any
other member f the Area and that no
new material is added into a summing
up speech.
 4. If the Chair wishes to participate in a
debate or a procedural motion the
challenge or no confidence the chair
shall step down for the duration of the
subject under discussion.
5. If a motion of no confidence in the chair
is passed then that person shall not
resume chair for the rest of the meeting.
6. In exceptional cases, if a member
refuses to obey the instructions of the
Chair, the Chair may exclude that
person from the meeting.
7. The Chair shall have only a casting vote
at all meetings.
4.3 Ordinary and Emergency Motions
1. Discussion on a substantive or an
amendment to the motion shall be
opened by a member making a
proposing speech of less than 4
minutes.
2. After a motion or amendment has been
moved the Chair shall ask if there is any
opposition. If there is no opposition, it
shall be recorded as “Nem Con”.
3. The proposer shall have the right to
make a summing up speech
immediately before the vote is taken. No
new subject matter may be introduced in
the summing up speech.
4. Only one motion or amendment shall be
discussed at a time. Amendments to the
substantive shall be proposed
immediately after the speech proposing
the substantive. If an amendment was
passed which was not accepted by the
mover of the substantive then the mover
of the amendment should become the
holder of the motion as amended.
5. Priority in speaking shall be given to
those who have not yet spoken in the
debate and then those who first catch
the eye of the Chair.
6. All other speeches shall not exceed the
two minutes without the leave of the
meeting.
7. There shall be a vote on all motions,
amendments and constitutional
amendments. The vote shall be
recorded either for, against or
abstention.
4.4 Procedures
1. Points of order have precedence over all
other business, except they may not be
raised during a speech or during the
cause of a vote unless relating to the
conduct of that vote. Points of order
must be framed as a question to the
Chair; must relate specifically to the
conduct of the debate at the time; must
never refer to the subject under debate
and must contain no argument.
2. Points of order have the following
priority:
i) a request for a quorum count
ii) a request for a Chair’s ruling
iii) a request for a revote
iv) other points of order
3. The Chair or any two voting members
may challenge a quorum. T ruling shall
be made immediately, after a count if
necessary, as to whether the meeting is
quorate or not. No member may leave
during the count.
4. Points of information may be raised to
the speaker holding the floor. They must
be phrased as a short question to the
speaker, and must not refer to matters
of opinion. The speaker may refuse to
give way.
5. Procedural motions shall require a
mover. The mover shall have 30
seconds to explain which procedural
motion he/she wishes to move. If 10
(ten) members support the mover at the
Annual General Meeting or Area Council
or 3 (three) members in a committee
meeting there shall be a speech for the
motion. If there is any opposition there
shall b one speech against the motion
and a vote. Procedural motions have the
following priority
i) No confidence in the Chair
ii) The Chair’s ruling to be
overturned
iii) A standing order be
suspended (not 6.4.2(i),
6.4.5(iii), 6.5.1-6.5.5, 6.6.4)
iv) The meeting be closed
v) The question now be put. If
passed, one summing up
speech against and one for
the motion shall be taken
followed by a vote
vi) The question not be put
vii) The matter be referred to a
specific body
viii) An observer be given
speaking rights
 ix) The order paper be altered
x) The guillotine be overturned
xi) The motion be taken into
specified parts. If passed,
separate votes be taken on
the parts specified. Details
must be supplied to the Chair
in writing. That a specified
decision of another body be
ratified.
xii) Procedural motions shall
require a simple majority,
except 6.4.5(iii), 6.4.5(vi),
6.4.5(x) which shall require a
two-thirds majority.
4.5 Voting
1. Voting shall be by a show of hands of
full members of the Area.
2. At the Annual General Meeting and Area
Council any 10 voting members may
request a recount immediately after the
result has been announce to a
maximum of two recounts. If a recount is
called no voting member may leave or
join the meeting.
3. No vote may be overturned by a later
vote at the same meeting.
4. All votes require a simple majority
unless specified.
5. Only points of order or information
relating to the procedure or conduct of
the vote may be raised during that vote.
4.6 Reports and minutes
1. Every member of the Executive shall
prepare reports detailing actions and
decisions taken since the last Area
Council. Reports shall be available
before the next meeting.
2. Questions to reports and minutes
submitted to Area Council shall be
raised as points of information. A
member may move the following
motions if he/she feels the reply given to
a question was inadequate. The motion
shall be moved as procedural motions
i) Reference back of a
report/minutes, which fails to
fulfil its terms of reference, i.e.
fails to report on action taken
on a mandate.
ii) Rejection of a decision taken
without or against a mandate
iii) Instruction to fulfil a mandate
iv) Censure of an Executive
member
v) Removal of responsibility. The
mover must specify to whom
the responsibility should be
transferred
3. In referring to a portion of the minutes of
the last meeting back to the originating
body on a point of policy the meeting
may either,
i) ask the originating body to
reconsider its decisions in the
light of further developments
and discussion; or
ii) overturn the decision of the
operating body
4. In case 6.6.2(i), (ii), (iii) or (v), a
separate report/minutes shall be
submitted to explain what action has
been taken to fulfil the original mandate
and shall be presented to the next Area
Council.
5. Guest speakers may not participate in
the report stage of the meeting.
4.7 Procedure before meetings
1. The deadline for motions, papers or any
other agenda item shall be eight days
before Area Council. All motions shall
require a proposer and a seconder who
shall be full members of Area Council.
2. Amendments shall be handed to the
Convenor one day before the meeting.
3. Emergency Motions may be submitted
anytime before the start of Area Council
provided they deal with matters arising
since the deadline for motions.
4. Emergency business may be raised
provided it deals with matters that have
risen since the deadline for agenda
items.
4.8 The Agenda
1. The items on the agenda shall be
i) Apologies
ii) Acceptance of the Agenda
iii) Minutes of the previous
meeting
iv) Matters arising from the
minutes
v) Minutes of the Executive
Committee
vi) Executive Committee reports
and questions
vii) Area roundup
 viii) Items of information
ix) Elections
x) Proposals
xi) Motions to Area Council
xii) Emergency Business
xiii) Date of Next Meeting
4.9. Procedure of Area Council
1. Area Council shall be bound by the
Standing Orders set out in Regulation 4
subsections 4.1-4.6 and by Regulation
2.
REGULATION 5: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The Executive shall meet at least three
times a term.
2. The Convenor shall be required to call a
meeting of the Executive Committee
within two working days of the receipt of
a request signed by no fewer than three
(3) members of the Committee.
3. Emergency meetings can be called, but
all decisions must be ratified at the next
ordinary meeting.
4. The Executive Committee shall not
allow the Area to put its name on any
publication that contravenes its aims
and objectives.
5. No business shall be conducted at a
meeting of the Executive Committee
unless at least half the members are
present.
REGULATION 6: VOLUNTEER PROFILES
1. Area Convenor
Act as the principal representative of Students
of the North East Area NUS
Chair, organise and publish details of Area
Executive Committee and Area Council
Meetings
Be responsible for facilitating training and
development by Constituent Members
Actively work to increase affiliation to and
involvement within Area activities and
democracy
Have primary responsibility for Area finances
Work with National Student Learning
Programme Trainers, the Regional Officer and
other providers of training within the Area to
assist with the delivery of training programmes
Have overall editorial and production
responsibility for both the Area newsletter and
Area directory
Coordinate Area campaigns as mandated by
Area Council
Work with Constituent Members and the
National Executive Committee to run
campaigns on a local, regional and national
level
Be the principal contact for press and media
relations within the Area
Attend any relevant meeting, event or training
day organised by the National Union of
Students
Report on Area activities and finances to Area
Council meetings
2. District Officer:
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from Tyne-Tees ‘district’
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from N. Yorkshire, E.
Yorkshire & Humber ‘district’
- 2 (1xFE, 1xHE) from South & West
Yorkshire ‘district’
Jointly represent the interests and needs of
Constituent Members in the area
Carry out the wishes of Area Council
Be jointly responsible for facilitating training
and development as required by Constituent
Members
Actively work to increase affiliation to and
involvement within Area activities and
democracy
Have responsibility for Area finances
Work with National Student Learning
Programme Trainers, the Regional Officer and
other providers of training within the Area to
assist with the delivery of training programmes
Participate in Area campaigns as mandated by
Area Council
Work with Constituent Members and the
National Executive Committee to run
campaigns on a local, regional and national
level
Attend any relevant meeting, event or training
day organised by the National Union of
Students
Report on Area activities to Area Council
meetings
3. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Officer
Be self defining as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or
trans student
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS LGBT Committee and other
interest groups in campaigning on LGBT
issues
Compile a list of officers with responsibility for
LGBT students
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of LGBT students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter
4. Women’s Officer
Be a woman
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS Women’s Committee and
other interest groups in campaigning on
Women’s issues
Compile a list of Women’s officers within the
area
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of women
students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter
5. Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students
Officer
Be self defining as a BME Student
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS Black Students Committee
and other interest groups in campaigning on
BME Students issues
Compile a list of officers with responsibility for
BME students
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of BME Students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter
6. Disabled Students Officer
Be self defining as a Disabled Student
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS Disabled Students
Committee and other interest groups in
campaigning on Disabled Student issues
Compile a list of officers with responsibility for
Disabled students
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of Disabled
students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter
7. Mature Students Officer
Be a Mature Student
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS Mature Students
Committee and other interest groups in
campaigning on Mature students issues
Compile a list of officers with responsibility for
Mature students
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of Mature
students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter
8. International Students Officer
Be defined as an International Student by their
institution
Attend Area Executive and Council meetings
Work with the NUS International Students
Committee and other interest groups in
campaigning on International Student issues
Compile a list of officers with responsibility for
International Students
Facilitate networks, meetings and training
events relevant to the needs of International
Students
Disseminate information to Constituent
Members through mailings and the area
newsletter.
REGULATION 7: AFFILIATION FEES
Band 7: Block grant £750,001+ = £250
Band 6: Block grant £500,001 – 750,000 = £200
Band 5: Block grant £300,001 – 500,000 = £150
Band 4: Block grant £50,001 – 300,000 = £100
Band 3: Block grant £10,001 – 50,000 = £75
Band 2: Block grant £1001 - £10,000 = £25
Band 1: Block grant less than £1001 = £10