Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BULL-PEN AND ON ZOOM ON MONDAY 20 JULY 2026 AT 9.37AM
PRESENT
Daniel Leamy (Chair), Kamesha Jones (zoom), Troy Gibbons, Flynn Nisbett, Adeleine Eli, Zoe Eckhoff, Hansini Wijekoon, and Fergus Parks
IN ATTENDANCE
Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Association Secretary), Hanna Varrs (Critic Editor) Stella Coulton (Critic News Editor)
APOLOGIES
Ella Sangster, Rihanna Warsame, Jarna Flintoff, Sami Harrison and Irfaan Ariffin
Moved from the Chair
282/26 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING
Information being sent to the Lawyers to be removed from the section under Executive Role Changes
Moved from the Chair
283/26 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 13 July 2026 be accepted as a true and correct record with the above amendment.
CARRIED U
INTEREST REGISTER
For noting.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
284/26 THAT Debbie Downs, Donna Jones, Hanna Varrs be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
ALTER AGENDA ORDER
Moved from the Chair
285/26 THAT item 13 be moved up to follow item 8.
CARRIED U
CONFIDENTIAL COMMITTEE
Moved from the Chair
286/26 THAT the meeting move into confidential committee for reasons of commercial sensitivity at 9.34pm.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
287/26 THAT the meeting move out of confidential committee at 9.37am
CARRIED U
CEO REPORTS
Moved from the Chair
288/26 THAT the Chief Executive Officers’ Executive Board July Report be received.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
289/26 THAT the July Health and Safety Report be received.
CARRIED U
FESC REPORT
Moved from the Chair
290/26 THAT the Finance, Expenditure and Strategy (FESC) Report, 1/1/26-30/6/26 be received.
CARRIED U
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – OUSA/NDSA
Owing to Te Rōpū Māori Tumuaiki Takirua being absent this is tabled to await their feedback.
BLUES AND GOLDS AWARDS PANEL APPOINTMENT
Moved from the Chair
291/26 THAT Caroline Hallgarth, Olivia Townsend, Daniel Leamy, Jarna Flintoff, Sami Harrison, Terence Dennis, Amie Taua, Jessica Wilson, Angela Button, Oliver Hatch and Cam Fraser be appointed to the Blue and Golds Awards Panel for 2026.
CARRIED U
GRANTS PANEL MINUTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
As attached.
Club funding approved $ 8,890
Individual funding approved $ 3,900
Total funding approved $12,790
Moved from the Chair
292/26 THAT the minutes of the Grants Panel Round 4 meeting held on 7 July 2026 be received and the recommendations be approved.
CARRIED U
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
Debbie and Daniel met with OUSA's lawyer to discuss the proposed constitutional changes. They were advised that the Incorporated Societies governance model is the most appropriate framework for OUSA, with the key consideration being the allocation of decision-making powers.
It needs to be clarified what level of oversight the governing committee has over the Executive and committees relating to advocacy. This is firmly in the remit of the Executive, but the governing committee need to have a high-level understanding and oversight of what is happening in the Executive advocacy space.
Section 9 e. The Executive provides governance oversight of the Governing Committee.
Section 11 b. The Governing Committee has oversight of all bodies, committees, Executive Members, and Officers of the Association. It may issue directions where it considers appropriate, may assume or which states that the Student Body exercises its powers through Special General Meetings (SGMs) and referenda.
It may issue directions where it considers appropriate, may assume or which states that the Student Body exercises its powers through Special General Meetings (SGMs) and referenda.
Section 21. Prerequisites to being a Governing Officer – If Life members appointed, should they be suspended while on Governing board as a conflict of interest?
Section 35. Governing Committee Elections and Appointments – discussion on the appointment of two executive members being on the committee for continuity as they could be coming off their executive term and could be re-elected to the Governing Committee. Discussions needed on how these appointments are to be made.
Financial delegation – agreed to stay the same. But to check with Advisory Board.
Reserved Matters – Student services omitted. The section needs elaborating on.
Executive role changes – Daniel is working on the draft copy and requests ideas from the executive of any position changes to be submitted for the next meeting agenda.
Debbie, Daniel and Gina are meeting about these constitutional changes as it is hoped the revised constitution can be presented to a SGM in August.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Palo Alto – Troy has met with Olivier Jutel a member of the group who expressed his concerns that the university aren’t addressing issues or doing anything.
Enrol to Vote – Marketing out today in Critic and Leaders debate planned. Daniel asked if all could help out.
Anti Money Laundering (AML) link – the lawyers are waiting for some of the executive to complete this.
Fees Free – a protest being planned on the Union Lawn 1pm this Thursday. All students and staff invited.
Student Job Search (SJS) meeting – Daniel going to attend a meeting in Wellington this weekend. OUSA is still a member owing to a hardship exemption. He will also have a meeting with all Students Association at a national conference.
Postering signs outside OUSA main office
Some Executive members opposed OUSA installing signage prohibiting chalking and postering on OUSA buildings or the brick columns outside the offices. The Association Secretary requested that chalking also be prohibited on the surface beneath the covered archway, as it takes a long time to wear off and is often tracked onto the carpeted areas of the main reception. This proposal was met with opposition.
Gibbons/Nisbett
293/26 THAT the ‘No Chalking’ and ‘No Postering’ signs be removed from outside the OUSA offices.
CARRIED
Fifa World Cup 2026
Moved from the Chair
294/26 THAT the OUSA Executive congratulate Spain on their win of the Fifa World Cup final against Argentina – 1-0 after extra time.
CARRIED U
Meeting closed 10.43am
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: _________