Meeting highlights
PRESENT
Logan Somers-Edgar (Chair),Katie Reid, Shonelle Eastwood, Ariana Te Wake, Sarah Van Ballekom and Art Kojarunchitt
IN ATTENDANCE
Aimee Gulliver (Critic Reporter), Imogen Roth (Returning Officer) and Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Nic MacArthur (Observer), Amber Chambers (Observer),Sam McLernon (Observer) and Grant Somers-Edgar (Observer)
APOLOGIES
Francisco Hernandez, Daniel Beck, Thomas Koentges and Brad Russell
Kojarunchitt/Eastwood
314/11 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Van Ballekom/Eastwood
315/11 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 14 July 2011 be accepted as a true and correct record.
CARRIED
RETURNING OFFICERS REPORT
Eastwood/Kojarunchitt
316/11 THAT Imogen Roth be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED
Imogen was invited to speak to her report. She reiterated holding a committee representative election alongside an OUSA election wasn’t easy and she wouldn’t recommend it for the future. This was the first time it had been suggested to combine them. The Secretary also found the combination awkward.
The procedural and policy matters in the referenda were confusing for members to vote on. With the unfortunate system of two versions of the constitution to be voted on led to confusion and discouraged voting.
It proved very difficult to pass the procedural referendum questions; the required high percentage rate to pass them meant it would be very difficult to pass them.
However, the constitutional review committee have reconvened and met a couple of times since the referenda to try and sort out the problems and have it ready for the next referendum.
There were questions about a candidate being given repeated warnings when their team continued to break the rules. It was emphasised that the election rules stipulate the candidate is responsible for his or her campaign team. This has also been an issue in previous elections and it was hoped it didn’t set a precedent.
Imogen explained the turn around time made it difficult when dealing with complaints of this nature. She agreed ignorance of the rules was not a justification.
It was felt there should be a consequence if a campaign team continues to break the rules.
Van Ballekom/Reid
317/11 THAT the Returning Officers’ Report for the May/June By Election and Referendum be received.
CARRIED
Reid/Eastwood
318/11 THAT Imogen Roth be sincerely thanked for her hard work through this By Election and Referendum.
CARRIED
VOLUNTEER SERVICES ABROAD (VSA) SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
It was checked and there is just over $600 in the community grants and donations line.
It was noted next year VSA will celebrate 50 years of sending Kiwi volunteers overseas.
OUSA has been a regular member to VSA.
Eastwood/Kojarunchitt
319/11 THAT OUSA renew its membership subscription of $100 to Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) for July 2011 – June 2012.
CARRIED
ANGELS FOR CHILDREN CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDING REQUEST
It was decided that with the tightening of the financial strings and this not being relevant to students this application would be declined at this time.
NZUSA
Further discussion is to be had about the intention of OUSA withdrawing from the national body NZUSA or not. OUSA gave notice to pull out on 19/10/10, there is a 12 month notice period required.
NZUSA have said if VSM Bill was passed the future subs to be members would be cut to a 1/3. There would be a 10 day opt out period if VSM comes in.
The Executive would like to check if NZUSA have kept to their word and completed the tasks they said they would. This to be investigated and reported back to the Executive.
Katie Reid attended three different conferences whilst she was in Wellington. She found them to be a waste of time and not useful to her role.
Could Logan please provide the Executive with a copy of NZUSA’s structure and finance report before the next meeting.
VSM CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Logan gave a further update on the progress of the Presidential Prison Campaign. Logan is set to enter the cage/prison on Monday next at 1pm and leave on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
There is an Events Kids Day on Wednesday on the lawn beside the cage. Logan is keen to be part of the activities from within his enclosure.
BBQ will be supplied on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes. A lot of help required please. A roster is filling up to keep Logan company during the evening. Daniel Beck has offered to sort the BBQ set up and ordering of supplies.
Sarah took over the reigns to get the advertising and planning underway.
Logan has been in touch with the media and has his cage organized.
Expression of gratitude was voiced to all of those who are getting involved and helping with this campaign, both staff and executive members.
Owing to the loud noise of the commercial carpet cleaning unit adjacent from us forcing us to compete with voices raised - the meeting was closed.
The visitors to the meeting were thanked for coming and encouraged to ask questions of the executive and attend another meeting – reiterating they are open to our members.
Meeting closed at 3.44pm