Your Say

How to submit a motion

OUSA brings motions to do with good governance (proposed budgets and constitutional changes have to be approved by you; you also have the final say over who is the honorary solicitor and auditor, for example)

You can bring motions too. How? Use our checklist, or email the secretary with your motion - with the attached motion form attached to your email.
Your motion will be given to the executive at the next meeting who will vet the motion to ensure it is not out of order'

You may also petition the Executive to hold a referendum on an issue'

What if your motion is deemed out of order by the executive but I really want it to be voted on?

Why have this vetting process?

Checklist

Do you want to:

Make a constitutional change? [eh?]

Make a constitutional change? [eh?]

  • You will need to come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a Referendum Motion Form
  • You should ask the Association Secretary for advice on presenting your motion, as there are legal implications for constitutional things under the Charities Act.
  • You need to write the exact wording of your motion on the form. Because it relates to the OUSA Constitution, you may like to seek advice. However, the Secretary will ensure your motion is checked by the Honorary Solicitor. If your constitutional changes are likely to exceed the amount of space on the motion form, you may type the motion out and attached it to the form.
  • You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 10 working days before the date of the next Student Forum.
  • The mover of the motion must be present on the day of the Forum. The mover has to be prepared to speak to the motion!
  • To be passed, at least a 2/3 majority at of those voting in the Referendum need to vote for your motion.

Direct OUSA to do something?

Direct OUSA to do something?

  • Come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a Referendum Motion Form
  • You may like to ask to see the Association Secretary for advice on presenting your motion.
  • You will need to write the exact wording of your motion on the form. If your constitutional changes are likely to exceed the amount of space on the motion form, you may type the motion out and attached it to the form.
  • You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 10 working days before the date of the next Student Forum.
  • The mover of the motion must be present on the day of the Forum. The mover has to be prepared to speak to the motion!
  • Both the mover and the seconder of the motion must be present on the day of the SGM. The mover has to be prepared to speak to the motion!

Direct OUSA to hold an opinion or take a stance on something?

Direct OUSA to hold an opinion or take a stance on something?

  • You can either come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a Referendum Motion Form
  • You may like to ask to see the Association Secretary for advice on presenting your motion
  • You will need to write the exact wording of your motion on the form. If your constitutional changes are likely to exceed the amount of space on the motion form, you may type the motion out and attached it to the form.
  • You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 10 working days before the date of the next Student.
  • The mover of the motion must be present on the day of the Forum. The mover has to be prepared to speak to the motion!

Direct OUSA to STOP holding a certain stance or opinion?

Direct OUSA to STOP holding a certain stance or opinion?

  • You can either come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a Referendum Motion Form
  • You may like to ask to see the Association Secretary for advice on presenting your motion
  • You will need to write the exact wording of your motion on the form. If your constitutional changes are likely to exceed the amount of space on the motion form, you may type the motion out and attached it to the form.
  • You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 10 working days before the date of the next Student.
  • The mover of the motion must be present on the day of the Forum. The mover has to be prepared to speak to the motion!

How do you call a Referendum?

How do you call a Referendum?

  • Referenda are called in two ways:
    • The OUSA Constitution says that OUSA must hold at least two Referenda a year, to enable good governance.
    • The Executive moves a motion at an Executive meeting directing the Secretary to call for a Referendum. This can be done at the request of a student. If you would like to request one, contact the Secretary who will put the request to the Executive at their next meeting.
    • When OUSA calls a Referendum you can collect motion forms from OUSA's main office and put in any motions you want to have presented. This is the best way, as this is the most likely way for the meeting to reach quorum.
    • If you don't want to wait for OUSA to hold a Referendum, you can:
      • Email or visit Harriet (the OUSA president) to ask her to consider asking the Executive to set a Referendum date
      • Consider contacting the Secretary and asking if you can address an Executive meeting to encourage the Executive to hold a Referendum, or petitioning the Executive to hold a Referendum.
      • A petition needs to be signed by at least 1% of OUSA members
      • Contact Donna, the OUSA secretary, to find out how many people this is secretary@ousa.org.nz

    Motions may be deemed out of order when they are in breach of OUSA's constitution, when they are in breach of human rights, when they are in opposition to a stance OUSA has already been directed to hold (you have to make a motion to rescind the existing motion first), or when OUSA already holds the position you would like it to adopt, or if they are deemed to be frivolous.

    The ‘vetting’ process is also designed to ensure that legal advice is sought on whether each motion is drafted in a fair and unbiased way. While it is very rare for a motion to be deemed out of order, it's a good idea to contact the Secretary about your proposed motion and plan it out a little.

    You will need to provide the OUSA Secretary with a petition signed by one per cent (1%) of the members of the Association.
    You may request that the Secretary help facilitate this process by creating an online petition, and posting this on the Association website and online social media.
    This petition must be received by the Executive at least 10 working days prior to a Student Forum discussing the issue. If you do not wish the issue to be raised at a Student Forum, then the petition must be received at least 5 working days prior to the referendum.

    According to the OUSA Constitution:

    At least 1% of the total number of OUSA members needs to be at the meeting before it can begin. Which is why everyone needs to be at the meeting right from the start! The total number of OUSA members (and hence the quorum) differs from year to year.