The Constitution of Open University Poets. April 1994 - amended April 1995 and March 1999
1	Name
1.1	The Society is known as Open University Poets, and may be referred to as OU Poets.
2.	Aims
2.1	To promote interest in poetry within the Open University.
2.2	To provide members with a means of circulating their work to other members for critical comment.
2.3	To publish an anthology of members' poems occasionally.
3	Membership
3.1	Membership is open to all present and former students, and all present and former staff, of the Open University
3.2	A member is defined as an eligible person who has paid the appropriate fee.
4	Subscriptions and Finance
4.1	The subscription year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
4.2	The membership fee is determined at the preceding Annual General Meeting of OU Poets.
4.3	Members joining for the first time after 1 January need only pay a pro rata subscription.
4.4	Membership lapses if a member has not renewed by the time the second magazine of the year goes to press.
4.5	Auditor(s) will be appointed by the Committee in accordance with OUSA regulations. The auditor(s) may not be member(s) of OU Poets. The auditor, may not be member(s) of a committee member's family.
4.6	The Treasurer will submit the OU Poets accounts for auditing, and will present a report of the audited accounts to the AGM. Audited accounts will be submitted to OUSA as early as possible. Copies of the audited accounts will be made available to all members.
5	Government
5.1	The government of OU Poets is carried out by the Committee. The Committee is elected annually, and consists of four officers, and up to 10 ordinary members. The officers are the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Activities Officer.
5.2	All members of the Committee must be members of OU Poets.
5.3	The Committee will meet as necessary for the efficient running of the Society.
5.4	When a vacancy occurs on the Committee, the remaining Committee members may appoint an eligible member to fill the vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting.
5.5	The quorum for a Committee meeting is three, of whom two must be officers.
6	Annual General Meeting
6.1	There will be an Annual General Meeting not later than 13 months, and not sooner than 11 months, from the date of the previous AGM.
6.2	The Chairman of  OU Poets will chair the AGM. In his or her absence, another Committee member will be elected by the members present to deputise.
6.3	Members will be given not less than ten weeks notice of the date of the AGM, and not less than six weeks notice of the place and time.
6.4	All members of the Committee will stand down at the AGM, but may be eligible for re-election.
6.5	Motions for consideration at the AGM should be submitted to the Secretary at least eight weeks before the date of the meeting.
6.6	Nominations for election to the Committee should be submitted to the Secretary at least eight weeks before the date of the meeting.
6.7	All motions and nominations received will be circulated to all members before the meeting.
6.8	Other motions and nominations may be considered at the meeting, if the members present so wish. Constitutional amendments will not be considered without due notice.
6.9	Each member present, except the chairman, has one vote. The chairman has a casting vote in the event of a tie.
6.10	Motions are carried by simple majority of the votes cast, except for amendments to the constitution. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
6.11	In an election, the nominee receiving the greatest number of the votes cast is elected.
6.12	Voting is by show of hands unless any member present requests a secret ballot.
6.13	The quorum for the AGM is 10 members, of whom two must be officers.
7	Special General Meetings
7.1	A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee, or at the request of 15 members. The motion(s) to be debated at the meeting must be specified in writing to the Secretary at the time the request is submitted.
7.2	An SGM must take place within ten weeks of the receipt of the request.
7.3	Notice of the date, time, place and business of an SGM must be circulated to all members at least six weeks before the meeting. No other business will be considered at the meeting.
7.4	The chair will be taken as for the AGM.
7.5	Voting rules are as for the AGM.
7.6	The quorum for an SGM is 10 members, of whom two must be officers.
8	Limitations
8.1	The name of the Society may not be used without the permission of the Committee.
8.2	The Society cannot accept liability for any actions of its members except where such action is taken with the specific approval of the Committee.
8.3	The Committee has the right to suspend or expel any officer, Committee member, or ordinary member who acts against the aims of the Society or who brings the name of the Society into disrepute. Any member so treated has the right to appeal to the Society at the AGM following, either in person or through a representative of his or her choice.
9	Dissolution
9.1	OU Poets may be dissolved after a postal ballot of all members. A two-thirds majority of the votes cast is required.
9.2	If any assets remain after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, they will be transferred to OUSET or another charitable body whose aim is to assist Open University students.
10	Interpretation
10.1	Any matter of doubtful interpretation, or not provided for, in this constitution will be dealt with by the Committee, pending discussion at the next General Meeting.
Officers' duties and responsibilities The Chairman oversees all activities of the Society, and is specifically responsible for the production of the workshop magazine and any publications. The Secretary is responsible for the general administration of the Society, for arranging general meetings and Committee meetings and liaison with OUSA. The Treasurer is responsible for all the Society's financial matters, and for maintaining the list of members. The Activities Officer is responsible for arranging competitions and weekends, and for publicity.