SLS Constitution
Constitution of the Students' Law Society
I. THE SOCIETY
1.(1) The association shall be called the University of Windsor Students' Law Society and is hereinafter referred to as the SLS.
II. PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY
2.(1) The purpose of the SLS shall be:
2.1.1 to represent the interests of University of Windsor law students;
2.1.2 to provide and foster academic, social and professional activities;
2.1.3 to stimulate interest in the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor and in the legal profession;
2.1.4 to nominate student representatives to non-elected positions on University of Windsor councils, committees, boards and commissions;
2.1.5 to participate in University affairs; and
2.1.6 to provide communication between its members and the public.
III. MEMBERSHIP
3.(1) All students registered in either of the LLB,LLB/MBA or JD/LLB programs at the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, are members of the SLS.
IV. SLS COUNCIL
4.(1) SLS Council shall be the governing body of the SLS and shall function as the representative body for all Windsor Law students.
4.(2) The legislative, executive and administrative powers of the SLS shall be vested in the Council.
4.(3) All members of Council must maintain their status in good standing as a full-time or part-time student registered in either of the LLB, LLB/MBA or JD/LLB programs at the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor.
4.(4) The Council shall consist of the following appointed members:
4.4.1 Chair;
4.4.2 Administrator;
4.4.3 Canadian Association of Law Students Representative (CALS Representative);
4.4.4 Canadian Bar Association - Ontario Representative;
4.(5) The Council shall consist of the following elected members:
4.5.1 President;
4.5.2 Vice President (Operations);
4.5.3 Vice President (Finance);
4.5.4 Vice President (Academic);
4.5.5 All University of Windsor Students' Alliance (UWSA) Law Representatives, ex-officio;
4.5.6 One Law III representative to the SLS Council;
4.5.7 Two Law III representatives to the Faculty Council;
4.5.8 One Law II representative to the SLS Council;
4.5.9 Two Law II representatives to the Faculty Council;
4.5.10 One Part-Time students' representative to the SLS Council;
4.5.11 Two J.D./LL.B. representative (from any year) to the Faculty Council;
4.5.12 One Law I representative to the SLS Council;
4.5.13 Two Law I representatives to the Faculty Council; and
4.5.14 One J.D./LL.B. representative (from any year) to the SLS Council;
4.(6) Elections for the positions referred to in subsections 4.5.1 to 4.5.10 shall normally be held near the end of the school year (Spring Election).
4.(7) Elections for the positions referred to in subsections 4.5.11 to 4.5.13 shall normally be held near the beginning of the school year (Fall Election).
4.(8) The election of Council members referred to in subsection 4.(5) shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures established in SLS By-Law VI.
V. SLS EXECUTIVE
5.(1) The Executive is a sub-committee of Council consisting of:
5.1.1 the President (who shall serve as Chair of the sub-committee);
5.1.2 the Vice-President (Operations);
5.1.3 the Vice-President (Finance);
5.1.4 the Vice-President (Academic); and
5.1.5 at the discretion of Council, one elected member from Council.
5.(2) The Executive shall have the powers of Council except over:
5.2.1 any decision involving constitutional amendments; and
5.2.2 any decision involving financial expenditure over and above the amount of $999.99, not already approved by Council.
5.(3) All decisions reached by the Executive Committee must have received the support of a majority of Executive Members voting.
5.(4) Quorum for an Executive Meeting shall consist of a majority (three) of the Executive Members.
5.(5) The Executive Committee must report all decisions to Council at the first meeting following the decision.
5.(6) Any decision of the Executive Committee can be overruled by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council.
VI. DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTED MEMBERS
6.(1) All members of Council shall be charged with the following duties:
6.1.1 to carry out the purposes of the SLS;
6.1.2 to observe and uphold the terms of this Constitution;
6.1.3 to regularly attend Council Meetings; and
6.1.4 to perform two office hours per week as approved by the Vice-President (Operations).
6.(2) All council members, except UWSA Law Representatives, shall take on the responsibilities of their respective offices beginning May 1 and ending April 31 of the following year, or the first Monday after the outgoing Council votes to ratify the results of the Spring SLS Elections, whichever comes later. It is the intention of the SLS council to undertake a period of transition during the month of April. UWSA Law Representatives shall hold office on SLS Council concurrent with their terms of office on UWSA Council.
6.(3) The President, in addition to those duties outlined in Article 6.(1) shall:
6.3.1 be both chief executive and administrative officer of the SLS;
6.3.2 supervise the performance of duties by all other Council Members;
6.3.3 instruct the Chair to call a meeting of Council at least once each month when school is in session, and at least once between May and August when school is not in session, unless expressly waived by a motion of Council;
6.3.4 carry out the duties of the Chair in the event that s/he is unable to;
6.3.5 sit as a member of the University of Windsor Students' Alliance, where the elected representative to the UWSA is not available or the position has not been filled;
6.3.6 sit as a member of all SLS committees, ex officio;
6.3.7 report to Council on all matters undertaken by the Executive Committee;
6.3.8 be the primary representative of the SLS and the Council; and
6.3.9 be the sole officer in office as President.
6.(4) The Vice President (Operations) in addition to those duties outlined in Article 6.(1) shall:
6.4.1 assist the President;
6.4.2 perform the duties of the President in her/his absence;
6.4.3 carry out the decisions of the Council applicable to him/her;
6.4.4 supervise and coordinate the student representatives on committees within her/his purview, encouraging them to attend all meetings and to act in accordance with the wishes of the Council
6.4.5 report to the Council on the activities of the committees under his/her purview;
6.4.6 control the licensing of all Bingos to beheld by the SLS;
6.4.7 be responsible for coordinating all fundraising events undertaken by any SLS committee or club; and
6.4.8 act as secretary and take minutes for any Executive meetings, which shall be presented to Council throughout the year.
6.(5) The Vice President (Finance), in addition to those duties outlined in Article 6.(1) shall:
6.5.1 assist the President;
6.5.2 perform the duties of the President in his/her absence and the absence of the Vice President (Operations);
6.5.3 carry out the decisions of the Council applicable to her/him;
6.5.4 receive, deposit, and account for all monies of the SLS;
6.5.5 pay all disbursements of the SLS by cheques co-signed by one other Member of the Executive Committee, except for those disbursements within the accounting of one event paid by cash with the consent of the President;
6.5.6 prepare a budget for each term of the year following his/her election, to be submitted to and approved by the Council;
6.5.7 provide an audited report in a form prescribed by Council of all the financial matters affecting the SLS and deliver the report at the last scheduled meeting of that year's Council and the first meeting of the following year's Council;
6.5.8 assist the succeeding Vice President(Finance) in preparing a Statement of Accounts for the ending academic year for submission to the incoming Council;
6.5.9 meet with all committee chairs once at the beginning of both the Fall and Winter terms to outline accounting procedures;
6.(6) The Vice President (Academic) in addition to those duties outlined in Article 6.(1)shall:
6.6.1 assist the President;
6.6.2 perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, the absence of the Vice President (Finance), and the absence of the Vice President (Operations);
6.6.3 carry out the decisions of the Council applicable to her/him;
6.6.4 supervise and coordinate the student representatives on committees within his/her purview, encouraging them to attend all meetings and to act in accordance with the wishes of the Council;
6.6.5 assist members of the SLS in any grievance held against the Faculty or University;
6.6.6 sit as a member of Faculty Council and report to the Council on the activities of Faculty Council and its committees,boards and commissions; and
6.6.7 sit on the following Faculty Council committees unless another student is selected or elected in his/her place:Admissions Committee, Appointments Committee, and Academic Program Committee.
6.(7) The Year Representatives shall be members of their respective years and programs, and shall be elected by and represent members in their respective years and programs.
6.(8) The Part-Time Students' Representative shall be a part-time student at the Faculty of Law, and shall be elected by and represent all part-time students within the Faculty.
6.(9) The Faculty Council Representatives shall be elected by and represent members in their respective years and programs, and shall communicate between the SLS Council and Faculty Council. The Representatives shall report to Council on the business of the Faculty Council.
6.(10) The UWSA Law Representatives shall communicate between the SLS Council and the UWSA and report on the UWSA's business.
6.(11) If any member of Council fails to carry out any of the duties specified in this article, without just cause, Council shall review the member's acts or omissions and may impose a sanction on the Member,the ultimate sanction being removal from office per Article 9.
VII. DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS
7.(1) The CALS Representative shall:
7.1.1 represent the SLS on C.A.L.S.;
7.1.2 act in good faith in respect of any decision made by the C.A.L.S.; and
7.1.3 report to Council on the business of C.A.L.S
7.(2) The CBA-O Representative shall:
7.2.1represent the SLS to the Canadian Bar Association - Ontario; and
7.2.2reportto Council on the business of the Canadian Bar Association - Ontario
7.(3) In addition to fulfilling the duties outlined in Robert's Rules of Order, the Chair shall:
7.3.1call to order and preside over all SLS Council meetings;
7.3.2 not have a vote on Council;
7.3.3 act as Chief Electoral Officer for all elections or by-elections of Council Members;
7.3.4 ensure that a copy of the Constitution is made available to each Council Member, and that a copy is on file in the Law Library;
7.3.5 ensure that a copy of the Minutes of the past meeting of Council and the Agenda for the next scheduled meeting are posted at least two days before the upcoming meeting, except, for the Minutes only, where the time between Council meetings is 10 days or less;
7.3.6 ensure that a copy of the Agenda for each meeting of Council is delivered to Council Members before or at each meeting of Council;
7.3.7 affix his/her signature on the approved minutes of each meeting of Council;
7.3.8 be responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order of the SLS. The decision of the Chair stands unless and until it is reversed by a majority of the Council; and
7.3.9 conduct such other functions as determined by Council.
7.(4) The Administrator shall:
7.4.1not have a vote on Council;
7.4.2 keep minutes of all SLS Council meetings,and together with the Chair ensure that those minutes and any other relevant documentation are made available on reserve in the Law Library and in the SLS Office;
7.4.3 keep a record of all amendments and changes to the SLS By-Laws and Constitution;
7.4.4 ensure that a copy of the minutes of the past Council meeting is delivered to all Council Members before or at each Council meeting;
7.4.5 affix her/his signature on the approved minutes of each meeting of Council; and
7.4.6 conduct such other functions as determined by Council.
7.(5) The Communications Officer shall:
7.5.1 not have a vote on Council;
7.5.2 be responsible for the updating and maintenance of the SLS website; and
7.5.3 conduct such other functions as determined by Council.
7.(6) The Events Coordinator shall:
7.6.1 not have a vote on Council;
7.6.2 be responsible for the updating and maintenance of the SLS calendar of events; and
7.6.3 conduct such other functions as determined by Council.
VIII. COUNCIL MEETINGS
8.(1) All SLS members may attend Council meetings, unless they are in camera meetings.
8.(2)Council meetings shall not exceed two hours. However, when necessary, the Chair may extend a meeting by one hour, unless the Council votes otherwise.
8.(3)At the first Council meeting of a newly elected Council in April, Council shall address Article 5.1.5 of the Constitution, and may revisit it at any time during the year.
8.(4) A quorum for a Council meeting shall consist of 50% + 1 of the Elected Members.
8.(5) For voting purposes during regular meeting each elected member shall have one vote.
8.(6) The Chair shall be required to call a General Meeting of the SLS:
8.6.1 on a motion of Council; or
8.6.2 if requested through a petition signed by at least ten percent of all SLS members.
8.(7) Notice of a General Meeting and an Agenda of the issues to be discussed shall be posted at least three school days before the meeting.
8.(8) Quorum for a General Meeting shall consist of twenty percent of all the members of SLS, in addition to two-thirds (67%) of all Elected Members of Council.
8.(9) SLS members may attend all General Meetings and may hold the floor and vote on any matter of business.�The Council shall be bound by the results of such votes.
IX. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
9.(1) An Elected member of Council (per article 4.(5)),except UWSA Law Representatives, may be removed from office for just cause by a two-thirds vote taken at a General Meeting. Members elected as UWSA Law Representatives may be removed from SLS Council for just cause by a two-thirds vote taken at a General Meeting.
9.(2) An Appointed member of Council (per article4.(4)) may be removed from office for just cause by a two-thirds vote taken at a regular Council Meeting.
9.(3) Any member of Council shall be removed if they miss two consecutive Council meetings without just cause, or for missing four meetings in total, unless Council votes to affirm that member's status on Council.
9.(4) Any member of Council shall be removed if they cease to be registered in either of the LLB, LLB/MBA or JD/LLB programs at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law.
9.(5) The chair shall inform any members removed from Council in writing.
X. SUCCESSION
10.(1) If for any reason an elected Member of Council submits in writing to the Chair that he/she is unwilling or unable to hold a position or is removed from office per Article 9, then their position shall be deemed vacant by order of the Chair.
10.(2) If the removal occurs any time between the Spring Election and the closing of the nomination period for the Fall Election,the position shall be filled during the Fall Election.
10.(3) If the removal occurs after the nomination period for the Fall Election has ended, the position shall be filled by the Council.
10.(4) If the position cannot be filled for any reason, the duties of the office will be shared by the other members of Council, as assigned by the President.
XI. RULES OF ORDER
11.(1) The Society shall conduct its meetings and procedures in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, insofar as they do not conflict with the SLS Constitution and By-Laws.
XII. BY-LAWS
12.(1) The Council may enact or amend By-Laws by a two-thirds majority of Council Members.
12.(2) The By-Laws must be followed by Council and are second in authority to the articles of the SLS Constitution.
XIII. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
13.(1) A referendum to amend this Constitution may be proposed by:
13.1.1 a petition of at least ten percent of the members of the SLS; or
13.1.2 an elected Member of SLS Council.
13.(2) A proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the Chair.
13.(3) At the next Council meeting, if it will beheld within a week of the proposal of the amendment, or at a Special Meeting of Council to be called within that week if no Council meeting is scheduled, the Chair shall ensure that the proposed amendment be an item on the agenda and shall advise the person or person proposing the amendment accordingly.
13.(4) At that Council meeting, the proponent or proponents of the proposed amendment may present the reasons for the amendment.
13.(5) After discussing the proposal, the Council shall first vote to determine whether to call a referendum of the membership to decide the issue.
13.(6) If the motion to have such a referendum is defeated, it shall be carried out in any event by Council if it is requested by petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the members of the SLS.
13.(7) An informational meeting to discuss the proposed amendment(s) shall be presided over by the Chair within two weeks of the decision to hold a referendum.
13.(8) A referendum shall be conducted by secret ballot no later then five school days following the meeting detailed in paragraph 13.(7).
13.(9) An amendment shall be deemed to have been adopted if it receives the support of a majority of the votes, in a referendum,provided there is a minimum turnout of ten percent (10%) of eligible voters.