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 download the pdf.

Checklist

Do you want to:

Make a constitutional change? [eh?]

You will need to come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a SGM 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.
You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 10 working days before the date of the next Student General Meeting.
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!
To be passed, at least a 2/3 majority at the Student General Meeting needs to vote for your motion.

Direct OUSA to do something?

You can either come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a SGM Motion Form, or give the motion at the SGM itself (needs to be unanimous to pass, though).
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.
You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 5 working days before the date of the next Student General Meeting if you want it to pass with 50% majority.
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?

You can either come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a SGM Motion Form or give the motion at the SGM itself (needs to be unanimous to pass, though)
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.
You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 5 working days before the date of the next Student General Meeting if you want it to pass with 50% majority.
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 STOP holding a certain stance or opinion?

You can either come to the OUSA Main Office and collect a SGM Motion Form, or give the motion at the SGM itself (needs to be unanimous to pass, though)
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.
You need to bring your motion to the OUSA Main Office at least 5 working days before the date of the next Student General Meeting if you want it to pass with 50% majority.
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!

How do you call a Student General Meeting?

Student General Meetings are called in two ways:
- The OUSA Constitution says that OUSA must hold at least two SGMs a year, to enable good governance.
- When OUSA calls an SGM, you can collect motions 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 an SGM, you can:
- Email or visit the Harriet (the OUSA president) to ask her to consider asking the Executive to set an SGM date
- Consider contacting the Secretary and asking if you can address an Executive meeting to encourage the Executive to hold an SGM, or petitioning the Executive to hold an SGM.
- 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

The OUSA Constitution is the set of rules governing the Association. If it's in the Constitution, OUSA has to do it. Full stop.

Download Constitution

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.