CONTENTS
CLAUSE I Interpretation
CLAUSE II Name and Membership
CLAUSE III Aims and Objectives
CLAUSE IV Composition and Functions of the Committee
CLAUSE V Election of the Committee
CLAUSE VI Term of Office
CLAUSE VII Meetings of the Committee
CLAUSE VIII Vacancies on the Committee
CLAUSE IX Finance
CLAUSE X Amendments to this Constitution
CLAUSE XI Rules for Summoning and Conduct of General Meetings
CLAUSE XII Vacation Executive
CLAUSE XIII Sub-Societies
CLAUSE XIV Expulsion of members
CLAUSE XV Publications
CLAUSE XVI General Provisions
RATIFICATION
AMENDMENTS
CLAUSE I INTERPRETATION
In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise indicates:
1. “University” means the University of the Witwatersrand,
2. “SRC” means the Student’s Representative Council of the University.
3. “Student” means a registered student of the University in terms of the SRC Constitution as amended.
4. “Staff” means a formal employee of the University.
5. “Year” means academic year.
6. “Committee” means the Committee of the Students’ Christian Organization, which committee is the Executive body of the Students’ Christian Organization
7. “Member” means any student who has paid a subscription fee to the Students’ Christian Organization.
8. “General Election” means the election held in August of each year for the purpose of electing the Committee.
9. In the event of a dispute as to the meaning or interpretation of any clause, section, word or words in this Constitution, the decision of the Committee shall be conclusive as to that meaning or interpretation thereof, provided that this meaning does not conflict with the SRC Standing Orders.
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CLAUSE II NAME AND MEMBERSHIP
1. The body hereinafter referred to as the students’ Christian Organization is and shall be called the Student’s Christian Organization and shall be designated by the letters SCO.
2. Membership shall be open to all students and staff of the University.
3. The SCO may admit to membership persons who are not students or staff, as defined in this Constitution, provided that such admission is formally approved by the Committee of the SCO and consequently ratified by the SRC.
4. Should outside members be admitted into the SCO in terms of procedure 3., they may serve on the Committee provided that the number of such persons does not exceed one-third of the total number of people serving on the committee.
5. No person shall be considered a member until the subscription, as laid down by the SCO from time to time, has been paid. The amount of the subscription fee is subject to such minimum subscription as stipulated by the SRC.
6. The Committee shall decide the amount of the subscription fee at the beginning of each year. The fee shall be sufficient to enable the continued functioning of the activities of the SCO.
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CLAUSE III AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. The aims of the SCO are:
1.1 To lead students to accept the Christian faith in God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit according to the Scriptures.
1.2 To encourage students to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ their Lord in accordance with the Scriptures by:
1.2.1. Promoting earnest prayer, study of the Bible as the infallible, inspired Word of God, Christian fellowship and stewardship,
1.2.2. Urging members to devote themselves to extending the
1.2.3. Fostering loyalty to the
1.2.4. Assisting them to form a Biblical, consistent and Christ-centred worldview with which to approach academic disciplines and contemporary issues,
1.2.5. Stimulating an awareness of their responsibilities for serving the community and for working for righteousness, justice and peace throughout society.
2. The objectives of the SCO shall be to:
2.1. Have members meeting together regularly to fulfil the aims of the SCO
2.2. be affiliated to the Students’ Christian Organization of South Africa
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CLAUSE IV COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION OF THE COMMITTEE
1. The Committee shall consist of members elected by, from and for the purpose of representing the members of the SCO.
2. The members of the Committee shall be:
2.1 Chairperson;
2.2 Treasurer;
2.3 Secretary.
2.4 Prayer leader
2.5 Outreach leader
2.6 Worship leader
2.7 Small Group leader
2.8 Bible Study leader
3. The function of the Committee is to meet the aims of – and perform the objectives of the SCO.
4. The functions of the individual Committee Members shall be as follows:
4.1 Chairperson:
4.1.1 organise the affairs of the Committee;
4.1.2 ensure that the Committee Members perform their functions;
4.2 Treasurer: will administer the SCO’s financial affairs in accordance with the financial by-laws of the SRC.
4.3 Secretary:
4.3.1 take minutes at all meetings held by the SCO;
4.3.2 submit copies of all minutes to the SRC;
4.3.3 be responsible for notifying the SRC of all proposed amendments to this Constitution;
4.3.4 be responsible for the SCO website and the member e-mail list.
4.3.5 Shall be responsible for all correspondence including correspondence with speakers.
4.4 Prayer leader:
4.4.1 Shall be responsible for encouraging individual and group prayer in SCO.
4.4.2 Shall make the necessary arrangements for all prayer meetings.
4.5 Outreach leader:
4.5.1. Shall be responsible for the encouragement of personal evangelism and follow-up and the co- ordination thereof.
4.5.2. Shall co-ordinate all evangelistic activities.
4.6 Worship leader:
4.6.1. Shall be responsible for co-ordinating all worship events, during meetings and at camps.
4.6.2. Shall be responsible for establishing a worship group to lead worship.
4.7 Small Group leader:
4.7.1. Shall be responsible for running and co-ordinating weekly small groups.
4.8. Bible Study leader:
4.8.1. Shall be responsible for running and co-ordinating weekly Bible study meetings.
5. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to four additional members, a two-thirds majority being required for such a co- option.
6. Co-opted members may or may not have a vote, whichever must be established before such co-option.
7. The Committee shall prayerfully consider the organization of a university mission every three years.
CLAUSE V ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE
1. The Committee shall be elected at a General Election.
2. The General Election shall be held by the first Monday in September each year.
3. Only members of the SCO shall be allowed to vote in the General Election.
4. The suggested procedure for a General Election is as follows, but can be modified as required.
4.1 A general meeting of all members of the SCO shall be called on the election day, the date, time and venue having been publicised for at least two weeks before the election day.
4.2 A quorum for such meetings shall consist of a minimum of 20% (twenty percent) of the members of the SCO.
4.3 If at such a general meeting there is no quorum present thirty minutes after the advertised starting time, then the Chairperson shall adjourn the meeting for a period of not less than 48 (forty-eight) hours and not more than seven days, and shall then reconvene the meeting. This process shall be repeated until a quorum is obtained.
4.4 The outgoing Chairperson shall be the Chairperson, respectively, for the duration of the General Election or, if unavailable, then the outgoing Vice-Chairperson or, failing either of these two, a Chairperson shall be elected at the meeting for the purpose of conducting the meeting.
4.5 The Chairperson of the meeting shall call for nominations for the position of Chairperson.
4.6 The voting for this position shall be made by show of hands, each member present being allowed to vote only once.
4.7 The nominee receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared Chairperson, for the Committee’s term of office.
4.8 In the event that more than two nominations are forwarded for the position of Chairperson, then the person obtaining the least number of votes shall fall away.
4.9 This procedure shall be repeated until only two candidates remain, whereupon the nominee with the highest number of votes shall be elected Chairperson.
4.10 In the event that both nominees obtain an equal number of votes, the outgoing Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
4.11 The same procedure shall be followed for the election of the remaining members of the Committee.
CLAUSE VI TERM OF OFFICE
1. The term of office of the Committee shall be from the moment the full committee is elected at a general meeting until the next General Election has been concluded.
2. The outgoing committee will be allowed to participate in Committee meetings until the end of the year of their term of office, but shall not be allowed to vote at Committee meetings in this instance.
CLAUSE VII MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
1. Meetings of the Committee shall be held at least once every three weeks.
2. A quorum at Committee meetings shall be a minimum of 4 (four) Committee members. In the event that there is no quorum at any meeting of the Committee, the meeting shall stand adjourned and shall re-assemble at the time appointed by the Chairperson, provided that this second meeting be convened not less than 48 (forty-eight) hours and not more than 7 (seven) days from the date of the first meeting, provided further that the members present at the second meeting shall constitute a quorum.
3. The procedure to be followed at all Committee meetings shall be that laid down in the SRC Rules for the Conduct of Meetings.
4. At meetings of the Committee, the Chairperson shall have both a deliberative and casting vote.
5. All questions shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting, save where an increased majority is provided for.
6. At least seven days notice shall be given to members of ordinary Committee meetings.
7. The Chairperson, respectively, subject to the provisions of CLAUSE VII.9, may call an extraordinary meeting at any time.
8. The Chairperson shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the Committee within 72 (seventy-two) hours of a written petition signed by not less than a minimum of 2 (two) Committee members calling upon him or her to do so and stating the nature of the business to be discussed.
9. At least 48 (forty-eight) hours notice shall be given for an extraordinary meeting of the Committee.
10. A quorum of an extraordinary meeting of the Committee shall follow the provisions detailed in CLAUSE VII.2
11. Students who are members of the SCO may attend meetings of the Committee, but shall not take part in any discussion except as provided for in CLAUSE VII.12
12. The Committee may invite any student or other person to attend a meeting. A person so invited may take part in the discussion but shall not be permitted to vote.
13. Accurate minute of all meetings shall be taken and a copy thereof posted up on the website of the SCO.
14. A copy of the said minutes shall be forwarded to the SRC Secretary.
15. The Secretary shall produce the minutes of any meeting to any member of the SCO within 5 (five) days, upon request.
CLAUSE VIII VACANCIES ON THE COMMITTEE
1. The seat of a member of the Committee shall become vacant if:
1.1 the member ceases to be a student of the university; or
1.2 the resignation of the member is submitted in writing; or
1.3 the member is absent without good reason from two ordinary meetings of the Committee.
2. Any vacancy that occurs on the Committee shall be filled by a member of the SCO. The by-election shall be conducted, mutatis mutandi, in accordance with the provisions set out in CLAUSE V, and within 1 (one) month of the vacancy.
CLAUSE IX FINANCE
1. The Committee shall request from the SRC at the beginning of each year a grant sufficient for its needs.
2. The Committee shall administer its funds in the interests of the members in terms of the SRC Financial By-laws.
CLAUSE X AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION
1. This Constitution shall take effect from the date of its ratification by the SRC.
2. No amendments to this Constitution shall be made save by a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority of members present and voting at an ordinary meeting of the Committee.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of CLAUSE X.2, amendments to the Constitution may be effected by resolution of a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority of members present and voting at an ordinary general meeting of the SCO, provided that notice of the amendment has been posted on the website of the SCO for a period of at least 14 (fourteen) days prior to the date of the said general meeting.
4. All amendments shall be submitted to the Constitutions Officer of the SRC within 2 (two) weeks of their having been ratified by the Committee and shall not be deemed valid until they have been ratified by the SRC.
5. One copy of this Constitution shall be kept by the Constitutions Officer of the SRC, in the SRC office. A second copy shall be kept by the Secretary of the SCO in the Office of the SCO. These 2 (two) copies shall be the official copies of the Constitution and all amendments shall be written into them with the dates of the SRC meetings at which such amendments were ratified. In the event of a conflict between the two official copies, the one kept by the Constitutions Officer of the SRC shall be the binding version.
CLAUSE XI RULES FOR THE SUMMONING AND CONDUCT OF GENERAL MEETINGS
1. The procedure to be followed at all General Meetings of the SCO shall be laid down in the SRC Rules for the Conduct of Meetings.
2. The order of proceedings at these meetings shall be:
2.1 the acceptance of the minutes of the last general meeting;
2.2 the Chairperson’s address;
2.3 the financial report; and
2.4 notified motions, written notice of which shall be sent to the Secretary at least 72 (seventy-two) hours before the meeting and posted on the website of the SCO at least 48 (forty-eight) hours before the meeting.
3. At least seven days’ notice shall be given to members of the calling of an ordinary General Meeting.
4. At least 48 (forty-eight) hours notice shall be given to members of the calling of an extraordinary General Meeting.
5. The Chairperson may, at any time, call an extraordinary General Meeting and shall do so on receipt of a petition signed by not less than a minimum of 20% (twenty percent) of the members of the SCO.
6. At all General Meetings, 20% (twenty percent) of the members shall constitute a quorum.
7. If at a General Meeting a quorum is not present thirty minute after the advertised starting time, the Chairperson, shall adjourn the meeting and reconvene not less than 48 (forty-eight) hours, and not more than 7 (seven) days later.
8. The Chairperson of the Committee shall take the Chair at all General Meetings. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairman or Vice-Chairlady shall take the chair, failing which a Chairperson, shall be elected by the meeting.
CLAUSE XII VACATION EXECUTIVE
1. The Committee of the SCO shall constitute the Vacation Executive of the SCO.
CLAUSE XIII SUB-SOCIETIES
1. The SCO shall not recognise any sub-societies under this Constitution.
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CLAUSE XIV EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
- The SCO shall not expel any member, nor debar any member from standing office save for the following procedure:
1.1 Should a majority of the Committee consider that any particular member of the society is acting to the detriment of the aims and objectives of the society as defined in the Constitution, it may expel that member, provided that in every instance the prior approval of the SRC is obtained.
1.2 Should a majority of the Committee consider that any particular member of the society is in breach of the Rules of the University or the Student Code of Conduct, it may expel that member, provided that in every instance the prior approval of the SRC is obtained.
CLAUSE XV PUBLICATIONS
1. All publications issued by the SCO must comply with the Media By-laws of the SRC.
CLAUSE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Any meeting of the SCO at which any election to its Committee takes place may, by simple majority of the members present require any candidate (or, in the event of there being more than one, all candidates) for election to sign a personal commitment to the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the SCO as defined in this Constitution.
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