MINUTES OF THE STUDENT GENERAL MEETING (AGM) HELD IN THE UNIVERSITY UNION MAIN COMMON ROOM ON 22 AUGUST 2019 AT 12.08pm

PRESENT

Harry Legget (Chair), Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Debbie Downs (CEO), Lou Stewart (OUSA staff member), Mandy Mayhem (Observer and Mayoral candidate), Critic staff, other OUSA staff in attendance and 98 OUSA members.

APOLOGIES

            Greg Hughson and Matthew Schep

            Mischefski-Gray/Dreyer

11/19   THAT the above apologies be accepted

                                                                                                            CARRIED

MINUTES FOR THE PREVIOUS STUDENT GENERAL MEETING

            Manning/Harrison

12/19   THAT the minutes of the Student General Meeting held on 17 April 2019 be accepted as a true and correct record.

                                                                                                            CARRIED

AMENDMENT TO OUSA CONSTITUTION AND RULES

            The President James Heath explained in detail the explanations of the proposed constitutional changes and went through the many large amendments.  He reiterated this process had been long and interactive with a lot of consultation.  The final document has been on notice for weeks for any feedback. 

            It noted there were many smaller changes to grammar and changing wording from shall to must and fixing incorrect semi-colons.

            Addition of Te Reo and our commitment to Te Reo plus the principles.  Definitions of Te Roopu Maori and adding that we consult with them when necessary.

            Defining the title ‘members’ of the Association

            Undue influence

            Being able to call student general meetings wasn’t stated clearly in the Constitution.

            A clearer terminology of expulsion from membership.

            Amendments to some of the Executive structure and portfolios were explained.

            A change to voting when there is a no confidence motion in an executive member.

            Change of remuneration when an elected member isn’t in the office at the beginning of their term.

            Postgraduate finalists being able to vote in the main elections but without the information being filed at the University they can’t be included in a By election at the beginning of the year.

            Other proposed motions were added to the agenda later as they were contentious and the executive chose to put the vote to the student body to decide.

            There is a requirement that constitutional changes require a 2/3 majority to pass.  

            It was decided to put this through as one motion as the many changes had been shown on a power-point and explained fully at this meeting.  Also the tracked changed copy had been displayed on our website and Facebook pages for weeks for the necessary notice and any consultation. 

            James Heath/Georgia Mischefski-Gray

13/19   THAT the proposed amendments to the OUSA Constitution and Rules be adopted with all sections renumbered accordingly.

                                                                                                116 for, 8 against, 3 abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

REMOVAL OF SECTION 21 (B) OF THE OUSA CONSTITUTION AND RULES

            Georgia Mischefski-Gray addressed the meeting to elaborate on this motion, especially as she had been in this situation this year when there was a by election.

            Georgia Mischefski-Gray/James Heath

14/19   THAT section 21 (b) be removed from the OUSA Constitution and Rules

                                                                                                52 for, 68 against, 8 abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        FAILED

REMOVAL OF ‘ADMINISTRATIVE’ FROM ADMINISTRATIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

            Georgia explained this was to simplify and tidy things up by removing the word from the title.   However others expressed it was important to leave the word ‘

Administrative’ on the title.

Bonnie Harrison/James Heath

15/19   THAT ‘Administrative’ be removed from the title of Administrative Vice President.

                                                                                                55 for, 62, against, 10 abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        FAILED

ADD AN EQUITY REPRESENTATIVE AS AN EXECUTIVE ROLE, REMOVING IT FROM THE WELFARE AND EQUITY EXECUTIVE ROLE

Bonnie Harrison addressed the meeting to explain this proposed changes and Kerrin Robertson-Scanlon elaborated on the job description especially how the Welfare Officer is often the first response.  The Equity role would better support minority groups.

There was also discussion with adding another role would cost more money and where would that come from?

            Kerrin Robertson-Scanlon/Matthew Schep

16/19   THAT OUSA add an Equity Representative as an Executive Role removing it from the Welfare and Equity role.

                                                                                                71 for, 37 Against, 9 Abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        FAILED

            A re-vote was requested:

            James Heath/Jack Manning

17/19   THAT OUSA add an Equity Representative as an Executive role removing it from the Welfare and Equity role.

                                                                                                68 for, 43, Against, 6 Abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        FAILED

REMOVAL OF POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE AS AN EXECUTIVE ROLE

William Dreyer gave context to this new position.  It would be good to have a designated person to write submission to political bodies etc. Some said they were proud to have a Political Representative on the Executive.

James Heath/Kerrin Robertson-Scanlon

18/19   THAT OUSA remove the Political Representative as an Executive Role.

                                                                                                7 for, 106 Against, 1 Abstain

                                                                                                (2/3 majority required)

                                                                                                                        FAILED

PURCHASE OF ‘ME AND MY MATE HARLENE’ 

There were strong opinions that this Art should adorn the OUSA office walls as it is well sketched and the purchase price of $250 would be donated to Thursdays in Black.

Tanya Findlater/Kayli Taylor

19/19   THAT OUSA purchase the original copy of ‘Me and my Mate Harlene’ by the artist James Heath (BA) to be displayed in OUSA facilities for the long term viewing pleasure of students.

                                                                                                90 for, 16 Against, 6 Abstain

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

BECOMING A CANNABIS DISPENSARY

James Heath addressed the meeting stressing OUSA has no stance on this issue but will thoroughly investigate only if cannabis was legalised. He said they were not here to explicitly debate the cannabis law in New Zealand but would discuss the motion wording only.

James Heath/William Dreyer

20/19   THAT OUSA should investigate becoming a commercial supplier of cannabis if the recreational use of cannabis is legalised.

                                                                                                73 For, 34 Against, 11 Abstain

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

TYING OUSA GRANTS TO GENERAL MEETING ATTENDANCE

The intention is to encourage more attendances at student meetings and inspire clubs to be more involved.  There were people strongly opposed as they don’t think busy people should be forced to attend meetings to qualify for funding.

There was also a point made that this may put our charitable status at risk, however this wasn’t agreed on.  Clear advice would be sought should this pass.

William Dreyer/James Heath

21/19   THAT OUSA tie affiliated Clubs and Societies receiving OUSA grants to attending OUSA General Meetings with consideration for practicality and fairness.

                                                                                                13 For, 96 Against, 3 Abstain

                                                                                                                        FAILED

A foreshadowed motion was put, noting it would have to pass unanimously with notice.

Daniel Stride/James Heath

22/19   THAT OUSA investigate rewarding Affiliated Clubs and Societies for attending Student General Meetings

                                                                                                58 For, 34 Against, 3 Abstain

                                                                                                                        FAILED

Meeting closed at 1.47pm

Signed: ________________________________      Date: ________________