Constitution of the Somewhere University Bahá'í Society

NOTE ON BAHÁ'Í CONSTITUTIONS

The central principle that needs to be enshrined in the Constitution is protection of the name of the Faith. This used to be ensured by insisting that there should be a majority of Bahá'ís on the executive committee, but this made some Bahá'í Societies unconstitutional according to student associations of most universities. Most student associations state that membership of elected posts for various university Societies should be open to all. In consultation with the NSA of the Bahá'ís of the UK, the ABS-ESE suggested that it was not necessary to have a majority of the Society executive committee being Bahá'ís, and that having three other safeguards would be sufficient: there must be one Bahá'í to form a Bahá'í Society, the constitution should state that it must be run according to the principles of Bahá'í administration, and the National Spiritual Assembly or its designated representative has the right to disband the Society if it contravenes Bahá'í principles in any way.

The Department of the Secretariat e-mailed the NSA of the Bahá'ís of the UK on 12 December 1996, "The House of Justice has considered the policies you have established on this matter, and is satisfied that the specific provisions which you require to be included in the constitution of any such Bahá'í Society will provide the desired safeguards in this respect." The most likely body that can disband a Bahá'í Society will be the LSA. There is already a clause to this effect in the draft constitution in this Handbook, but it may be that LSAs are unaware of this aspect of their jurisdiction - another reason for there to be close liaison between the Society and the LSA.

PREAMBLE

The unity of the human race implies the establishment of a World Commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that comprise them are definitely and completely safeguarded. The Bahá'í Faith inculcates the principle of equal opportunity, rights and privileges for both sexes; advocates compulsory education for all; proposes a spiritual solution to economic problems; exalts work performed in the spirit of service to the rank of worship; recommends the adoption of an auxiliary international language, and provides the necessary agencies for the establishment and safeguarding of a permanent and universal peace. It recognises the unity of God and His prophets; upholds the principle of an unfettered search after truth; condemns all forms of prejudice and superstition; teaches that the fundamental purpose of religion is to promote concord and harmony, that it must go hand in hand with science and that it constitutes the sole and ultimate basis of a peaceful, an ordered and progressive society. A rectitude of conduct, with its implications of justice, equity, truthfulness, honesty, fair-mindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness must distinguish every phase of life of the Bahá'í community. It requires the total abstinence from alcoholic drinks; from habit forming drugs; non-identification with political parties; and non-participation in political controversies.

1. Name of society

The name of the society shall be "Somewhere University Bahá'í Society."

2. Objects

The purpose of the society shall be

a) to share the ideals and to assist the efforts of fellow Bahá'ís to establish, uphold and promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of brotherhood, as set out in the preamble, by providing opportunities for study and discussion of the Bahá'í Faith, through activities such as lectures, informal meetings, study classes, films and social activities; and

b) to co-operate with other religious groups and societies in the promotion of world unity revealed in the lives and utterances of the Prophets and Messengers of God, the Founders of the revealed religions of the world.

3. Suspension

Bahá'í Society may be formed when there is at least one Bahá'í, i.e. person registered with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, within Somewhere University. The society shall be suspended if, after formation, there is not a registered Bahá'í in the society.

4. Membership

Membership of the society shall be open to all members of the University whether or not they are registered Bahá'ís. The categories of membership shall be a) Ordinary membership

b) Associate membership

Ordinary membership shall be open to all members of the University.

Associate membership shall be open to all Bahá'ís registered in Somewhere and to other Bahá'ís studying in Somewhere and any other interested persons.

5. Rights of Members

(i) All members shall be free to engage in the activities of the society.

(ii) All ordinary members shall be eligible to vote at general meetings of the society.

6. Membership Fee

A membership fee of one pound per year shall be charged. This may be changed from year to year by the executive committee.

7. The Executive Committee

(i) The Bahá'í Society shall be established and shall operate in accordance with Bahá'í principles and in accordance to Bahá'í laws, the executive is responsible for ensuring this, in accordance with Student Union policies.

(ii) The society shall be controlled by and under the guidance of the executive committee; the activities of the society shall be subject to the over-riding approval of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Somewhere (annually elected democratic body responsible for local Bahá'í administration, whose address can be obtained from the National Office of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, 27 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD), the Local Spiritual Assembly should also be sought to clarify any uncertain issue of Bahá'í administrative procedure.

(iii) The executive committee shall consist of at least three and no more than seven persons, including the following officers:

a) Chairman

b) Secretary

c) Treasurer

(iv) Duties of Officers:

a) Chairman - The chairman shall preside over the meetings of the executive committee, and shall be responsible for taking such measures as are necessary for carrying into effect the decisions of the committee.

b) Secretary - The secretary shall convene meetings of the executive committee at the request of the chairman, and shall also take such measures as are required by the chairman for carrying into effect the decisions of the committee.

c) Treasurer - The treasurer shall keep the accounts of the society, and shall report to the executive committee on the financial state of the society. The treasurer shall also take such measures as are required by the chairman for carrying into effect the decisions of the committee. The treasurer shall preside over meetings of the executive committee if the president is unable to attend.

(v) All decisions of the executive committee shall be taken by simple majority vote.

8. Procedure for Quorum

A meeting of the executive committee shall be quorate if either of the following are fulfilled:

a) a majority of officers are present,

b) at least one Bahá'í is present.

9. Notice of the Meetings

(i) The secretary of the executive committee shall give reasonable notice to all members of the committee that a meeting of the executive is to be held.

(ii) The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by, any member shall not invalidate the proceedings of any meeting.

(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Art.9 (i), in cases of urgency, a meeting of committee may be held validly without any prior notice if a quorum of the committee is present, and they are all agreed on such a course of action.

10. Sub-committees

The executive committee may set up from the general membership of the society such sub-committees as may be necessary to conduct the activities of the society. Any such sub-committees shall be directly responsible to the executive committee.

11. Election by Ordinary members

(i)   Election for the following members of the executive committee shall be held at the Annual General Meeting of the society: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and up to two other members from the ordinary membership of the society.

(ii)  The election shall be conducted as follows:

a)   Not less than 14 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting, the secretary shall notify the ordinary members of the society eligible to stand for the posts as laid down in Art. 11(i). A list of those eligible to stand for the posts shall be so arranged as to show which of the persons are registered Bahá'ís.

b)   The election will be conducted at the Annual General Meeting by secret ballot according to Bahá'í Electoral procedure (Principles of Bahá'í Administration. [London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1976], pp. 63-64).

c)   The person receiving the highest number of votes for each post shall be deemed to be duly elected to that post, whether or not that person has an absolute majority of the votes cast.

d)   In the event of a tie, the situation will be resolved by a ballot at the meeting.

(iii) If any ordinary member is unable to attend the Annual General Meeting, the secretary may make provision for a postal ballot for that member.

(iv) Any ballot paper received at the election not complying with Art. 11(i) shall be declared invalid. However this will not invalidate the whole election.

(v) a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Art. 12(iv), the election will be declared wholly invalid if more than 50% of the ballot papers fail to comply with Art. 11(i).

b)   In the event of the election being declared invalid, the members of the executive committee shall retain their positions for the time being and a General Meeting shall be called at the earliest possible opportunity to hold fresh elections.

c)   If any member of the executive should resign, a General Meeting shall be called at the earliest opportunity to elect a new member using the same electoral system as in Art. 11(ii) (a) and (c).
 

12. Annual General Meeting

(i) The Annual General Meeting shall be held as soon as possible during the first term or as required by the Student Union.

(ii) Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given:

a) by the secretary informing all ordinary members at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

b) by the secretary giving written notice to all ordinary members in the notice required by Art. 11(ii) a). The non- receipt of a notice of the Annual General Meeting by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings of the meeting.

(iii) The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be:

a) to conduct the elections to the executive committee,

b) any other business.

(iv) Three days' written notice shall be given to the secretary of any motion to be debated at a general meeting, together with the names of the proposer and the seconder.

(v) Nothing in Art. 12(iv) shall apply to a motion proposing an amendment to the constitution (see Art. 17)

(vi) Minutes of the Annual General Meeting shall be recorded by the secretary and shall be kept with the minutes of the executive committee meetings.

13. Provision for a General Meeting

(i) Any two elected officers and/or any five ordinary members may call a General Meeting by giving notice to the secretary in writing. On receipt of such a notice the secretary shall call a general meeting before the end of the term in which the notice was received, or, if the notice was received less than fourteen days before the end of a term, then in the first fourteen days of the next term.

(ii) Notice of a General Meeting shall be required as for the Annual General Meeting in Art. 12(ii). Individual notice to ordinary members as required in Art. 12(ii) shall not be required.

(iii) Notice of any motion to be debated at a General Meeting shall be given as in Art. 12(iv).

(iv) In the event of an election being declared invalid under the provisions Art. 11(v) a), the secretary shall have the power to call a general meeting for the purpose of holding new elections on his own.

14. Other meetings of the society

Other meetings of the society may be open to the public if such procedure is in conformity with the Student Union.

15. Accounts

(i) The accounts of the society shall be kept by the treasurer and shall be available to the treasurer of the Student Union.

(ii) All monies required for the administration of the society shall be drawn from the members by way of fees as required by the regulations of the Student Union and/or grants made by the University/College authorities.

(iii) In the event of the society ceasing to function or to be suspended such monies in hand shall be returned to the University/College authorities.

16. Minutes

The minutes of the meetings of the executive committee and all General Meetings, as recorded by the secretary shall be available to the general secretary ( deputy president) of the Student Union.

17. Amendments to the Constitution

(i) Amendments to the constitution must be debated at a General Meeting.

(ii) Notice of the motions proposing amendments to the constitution shall be given in writing to the secretary together with the name of the proposer and seconder, at least five days before a General Meeting.

(iii) Amendments to the constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to be carried and approved by the executive committee.

(iv) Amendments to the constitution shall be subject to the over-riding jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the UK.

(v) The amendments to the constitution which have been approved by Arts. 17(iii) and (iv) shall then be submitted to the Student Union for adoption.