STAR (Student Action for Refugees) Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Constitution 2014-2015
1. Name: Glasgow Refugee and Asylum Seeker Solidarity (GRASS)
2. Aims:
2.1 Promoting positive images of migrants in the UK, with a focus on asylum seekers & refugees
2.2 Volunteering and fundraising to support asylum seekers & refugees through established local organisations which will ensure the safety and effectiveness of the volunteering
2.3 Campaigning for improved conditions for asylum seekers & refugees in the
UK
2.4 Standing in solidarity with existing refugees against the persecution that brought them here, and standing up against human rights violations around the world which create refugees.
3. Activities:
3.1 Weekly meetings (with the exception of university holidays) and regular General Meetings
3.2 Volunteer schemes run with guidance from the student volunteer support at SRC and other established organisations
3.3 Regular events run as a society and in conjunction with other societies and charities
4. Membership:
4.1 Full membership shall be open to registered students of Glasgow University only and shall be open to all students with restrictions only in regards to discriminatory legislation and best practice.
4.2 Non-students and students from other universities may join as Associate members
4.3 Associate members (non-students) shall not account for more than 20% of the total membership
4.4 Associate members shall be treated equally to full members in all regards, except with the restrictions set out in 4.3 and 5.10
5. Governance:
5.1 The Club/Society shall be under the control of membership
5.2 The delegation of finance to a specific member/ members shall be open to amendment by the membership.
5.3 Any member who is a registered student shall have full voting rights at General Meetings of the Club/Society
5.4 At any General Meeting of the Club/Society, the weight assigned to the total vote of Associate members shall not exceed 20% of the total voting members present.
5.6 The Club/Society shall have at least three office-bearers (President,
Secretary and Treasurer)
5.7 Office bearers shall be elected by the membership at the
Annual General Meeting or at a special general meeting called to elect a replacement during the event of a vacancy
5.8 Any full member of the club/society is entitled to stand for the three office bearer positions.
5.9 No full member should be barred from standing for office in the club/society unless the position is in existence for a particular group or community of interest. Only positions
relating to a particular faculty or year group can be limited in this way. The three office bearer positions cannot be limited in this way.
5.10 All three office bearers shall be registered Glasgow University students and shall not have opted out of SRC representation under the Education Act 1994.
5.11 The Annual General Meeting, at which office bearers shall be elected and the clubs/societies accounts submitted and approved by the membership shall be called with not less than 10 working days’ notice to the membership.
6. Safer Spaces Policy:
6.1 Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and will be challenged. This includes, but is not limited to: racism, ageism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexism, body-shaming, slut-shaming or ableism. Similarly, prejudice based on ethnicity, nationality, class, gender identity, gender presentation, language, ability, asylum status, political or religious affiliation will not be tolerated.
6.2 Respect each other’s physical and emotional boundaries. Always get explicit verbal consent before touching someone or crossing boundaries, regardless of the intentions behind the contact. Sexual harassment or sexual assault will lead to the perpetrator being banned from meetings and police involvement, if desired by the person or people who experienced the harassment or assault, will be fully supported. If you encounter any kind of harassment or assault please let us know, so that those responsible can be dealt with.
6.3 Be aware of the social space you occupy, as well as the positions and privileges you may be conveying, including racial, class and gender privilege. If a member of a liberation strand/oppressed group requests that you change your use of language regarding topics about their liberation strand/group, please be respectful and change your use of language.
6.4Avoid assuming the opinions and identifications of other participants. Examples include, but are not limited to, assumptions regarding sex, sexuality, gender identity, preferred personal pronouns, neurotypicality, mental health, able-bodied status, socio-economic background, political opinion, relationship model and religious beliefs.
6.5 Recognize that we try not to judge, put each other down or compete.
6.6 Be aware of the language you use in discussion and how you relate to others. Try to speak slowly, clearly and use uncomplicated language.. If you are unsure of the terminology relating to another’s circumstances it is generally preferable to seek clarification, rather than risk using inaccurate or stereotyping terms.
6.7 The group endeavours as much as is feasible to ensure that meeting spaces are as accessible as possible to the widest range of people. No judgements will be made if people feel that they have to take breaks from the meetings for whatever reason.
6.8GRASS meetings are alcohol- and illicit drug-free. Social events organised outside of the weekly meetings will allow the consumption of alcohol, unless stated otherwise.
6.9 Foster a spirit of mutual respect: listen to the wisdom everyone brings to the group and treat people with respect.
6.10 Give each person the time and space to speak. In discussions or meetings members are welcome to either speak out, or raise their hands but any hand signals in use will be clarified at the start of each discussion.
6.11 “Respect the person; challenge their behaviour.”: whilst a person’s behaviour may be problematic, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and their behaviour does not negate that fact.
6.12 Whilst ground rules are collective responsibility, everyone is also personally responsible for their own behaviour.
7. Equal Opportunities
GRASS provide and promote equal opportunities, whatever a person’s race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, beliefs, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, HIV status, age, physical or mental disability, state of health, appearance, status or family circumstances, and all other grounds in accordance with the Equality Act (2010)
8. Constitutional Amendments
8.1 The membership may make constitutional amendments at the Annual General Meeting.
8.2 On receipt of a petition signed by 10 per cent of the membership, the Secretary shall give five working days’ notice of a Special (or extraordinary) General meeting to consider submitted amendments.