Constitution

A .pdf version of the constitution can be found on the Society’s EUSA profile page.

Article 1: Name and Aims

1. The name of the society shall be “Edinburgh University Socialist Society”, herein referred to as E.U.S.S.

2. The aims of the Society shall be three fold:

   1. To form a community of socialists and leftists on campus based on broadly the same ideas.

   2. To create spaces of discussion on socialist and left-wing principles, including but not limited to struggles for emancipation, the intellectual tradition of Marxism and broader left wing movements both in Britain and internationally.

   3. To campaign on issues of class, gender and race struggles to forge a united socialist movement on campus that has a broad aim and strategy to challenge capitalism and replace this with the democratic control of the economy.

3. The benefits of the Society shall be:

   1. To provide a space for discussion and education on socialism, social justice and anti-capitalist politics.

   2. To educate and learn from struggles of all sections of society to enhance the student movement and the broader left wing struggle for the overthrow of capitalism.

4. The Society shall abide by any applicable laws, bye-laws and guidelines of the Edinburgh University Students’ Association in relation to recognised societies.

5. The Society shall be not be affiliated to any political parties or organisations but will be an open space for anyone from any party and organisation who wishes to participate in the organisation of socialist politics in Edinburgh University.

Article 2: Compulsory Clauses

Membership Clauses

1. Membership shall be open to all matriculated students of Edinburgh University.

2. Membership shall be at least 75% matriculated students of Edinburgh University.

Executive Clauses

3. The President, Secretary and Treasurer of the society shall be matriculated students of Edinburgh University.

4. The President shall be ultimately responsible for the conduct of the society.

5. The Secretary shall be responsible to the President for the administration of the society.

6. The Treasurer shall be responsible to the President for the finances of the society.

7. All office-bearers shall be subject to election annually.

8. All members who are matriculated students of Edinburgh University shall be entitled to stand and to vote in elections.

9. Society office bearers will attend annual society training as outlined by the Societies’ Team.

Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings

10. All members must receive at least 14 days written/email notification of the annual general meeting and of elections not held at the AGM.

11. Current Office Bearers must be assigned to the Society Profile immediately upon election.

12. In the event of a committee position becoming vacant, the committee will inform members of an EGM giving 14 days written/email notice.

13. Constitutional amendments shall require a two-thirds majority at a general meeting open to all members; 14 days notice of which shall be given.

14. EUSA considers the ruling society constitution to be that which is displayed on the Society Profile.

15. Re-registration of the society must be submitted prior to re-registration deadline set by EUSA.

16. The quorum of a general meeting shall be 5 in order to validate any decisions/votes made.

Policy Clauses

17. The society has taken and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that our meetings, events and socials are accessible to all.

18. The society has ensured and will continue to ensure that it complies with any relevant data protection legislation.

19. The society believes that discrimination or harassment, direct or indirect, based on a person’s gender, age (except where it relates to licensing laws), race, skin colour, nationality, religious belief, socio-economic background, disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, family situation, domestic responsibilities or any other irrelevant distinction, is detrimental to the society, the university and wider society, and will not be tolerated

20. Constitutional amendments shall require a two-thirds majority at an AGM or EGM open to all members; 14 days notice of which shall be given.

21. EUSA considers the ruling society constitution to be that which is displayed on the Society Profile.

Article 3: Individual Clauses

Membership

1. Membership of the Society shall be free.

The Central Committee

2. The Central Committee shall comprise of:

   1. The President of the Society is in charge of chairing organising meetings, unless specified otherwise prior to the meeting. The president will be responsible for the overall organisation of events and coordination among members of the society to ensure events are well-organised and followed accordingly.

   2. The Secretary shall be in charge of writing down minutes, unless specified otherwise before the meeting. The Secretary is also in charge of block bookings and room bookings in EUSA and university buildings.

   3. The Treasurer is in charge of the finances of the society. The position should be of the organisation and upkeep of the society’s funding.

   4. The Campaigns Officer shall be in charge of following and furthering campaigns.

   5. The Membership Officer shall be responsible for membership of the society, the mailing list, and for the collection and refunding of any dues necessary to please the EUSA bureaucrats.

   6. The Outreach Officer shall be in charge of cooperation with other societies and embiggening participation and membership.

   7. The Education Officer shall be responsible for ensuring education events are organised by the society.

   8. The Publicity Officer shall be responsible for the production and distribution of publicity promoting the Society and its events, alongside any other propaganda that the society deems fit.

   9. The Communications Officer shall be responsible for the use of the society’s social media and mailing list outputs.

   10. The Women’s Officer shall ensure the fair representation and participation of women within the society.

   11. The LGBTQ Officer shall ensure the fair representation and participation of LGBTQ students within the society.

   12. The BME Officer shall ensure the fair representation and participation of BME students within the society.

   13. The Disability and Mental Health Officer shall ensure the fair representation and participation of students with disabilities and mental health problems within the society.

3. Each member of the Central Committee has one vote; decisions shall be reached by two-thirds majority and above when required.

Safe Spaces Sub-Committee

4. The Women’s, LGBTQ, BME, and Disability and Mental Health Officers shall collectively form the Safe Spaces Sub-Committee, responsible for ensuring the society’s Safe Spaces policy is properly implemented.

   1. In the event that fewer than 3 of the 4 positions comprising the Safe Spaces Sub-Committee are filled a Safe Spaces Officer shall be elected to take on the role of the sub-committee and who shall sit on the Central Committee.

Finance

5. There shall be at least £20 in the society bank account on the date of changeover to the new Central Committee at the end of each academic year.

Discipline

6. The society shall operate under a Zero Tolerance policy.

   1. In the case of a person transgressing our Safe Spaces policy, the person shall not be allowed to attend any of the society’s events upon a hearing of both sides and a decision made by Central Committee members. If the person in question is a Central Committee member an EGM must be held 14 days of this taking place.

7. In the event of Central Committee members not fulfilling their functions or misusing the society’s funds, the Central Committee can decide on whether to give a verbal or written warning. An EGM with a motion to remove the Central Committee member can be held with at least 14 days notice if the Central Committee feels that neither of these sanctions are sufficient.

Article 4: Safe Spaces Policy

1. All those attending E.U.S.S. events are expected to respect the right of all those present to enjoy E.U.S.S. as a safe space environment, defined as a space which is welcoming and safe and includes the prohibition of discriminatory language and actions.

2. E.U.S.S. operates a Zero Tolerance policy towards discrimination based on:

   1. Age

   2. Class

   3. Disability

   4. Gender and Gender Identity

   5. Marriage and Civil Partnership

   6. Political Affiliation

   7. Pregnancy and Maternity

   8. Race and Ethnicity

   9. Religion and Belief

   10. Sexual Orientation

3. All E.U.S.S. events shall be conducted with an assumption that the event shall constitute a ‘safe space’ for the conduct of debate, discussion and decision making.

4. A meeting shall be deemed to be a safe space where no-one is disadvantaged or discouraged from contributing, so long as they respect others’ ability to contribute; and where the principle of equal opportunities is respected.

5. All members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is respectful and considerate of the contributions of others. This includes but is not limited to:

   1. Allowing Council members to speak when called upon by the chair.

   2. Refraining from speaking over, interrupting, heckling, laughing at or otherwise distracting from the speaker who holds the floor.