The Biology Society Constitution
Names and Aims
The society shall be called the Biology Society aka BioSoc.
A social and academic society for students interested in Biology, responsible for
organising social and academic events such as an end of year ball and Hoodies.
Compulsory Clauses
Membership shall be open to all matriculated students of Edinburgh University.
Membership shall include at least 75% matriculated student of Edinburgh University.
All members who are not matriculated students of Edinburgh University shall pay at
least twice the annual subscription paid.
The co-presidents, secretary and treasurer of the Biology Society shall be matriculated
students of Edinburgh University.
All office-bearers shall be subject to election annually.
All members must receive at least 14 days written notification of the annual general
meeting and of election not held at the AGM.
The Biology Society’s cheques must require two signatures; one must be the treasurer
and the other the president or secretary.
Constitutional amendments shall require a two-thirds majority at a general meeting
open to all members; 14 days notice of which shall be given.
The quorum of such a general meeting shall be 8 members.
The AGM of the society must take place between week 7 and week 11 of semester 2.
The society has taken and will continue to take all the necessary steps to ensure that
our meetings, events and socials are accessible to all, irrespective of any disability.
The society has ensured and will continue to ensure that it complies with any relevant
data protection legislation.
The society believes that discrimination or harassment, direct or indirect, based on a
person’s gender, age (except where it relates to licensing laws), race, skin colour,
nationality, religious belief, socioeconomic background, disability, HIV status, sexual
orientation, gender reassignment, family situation, domestic responsibilities or any
other irrelevant distinction, is detrimental to the society, the university and wider
society, and will not be tolerated.
Individual clauses
Positions of office bearers:
President – to be overseer of the society, and to ensure smooth running of all the
society does.
Co-President – option to have a Co-President should there be a tie at the AGM. Role
is to aid the President in similar duties.
Vice-President – to take on Presidential role should President(s) be unable to perform
duties. To aid President in their duties.
Secretary - to organise society meetings, AGMs, and keep the committee informed of
what is happening. To emails out to members.
Treasurer - to look after the financial side of the society.
Academic Secretary – to be in charge of organising academic events and the
necessary arrangements for this to be made.
Social Secretary – to be in charge of organising social events and the necessary
arrangements for this to be made.
Publicity Officer – to publicise forth coming academic and social events through
posters and lecture talks. To keep the Facebook page up-to-date.
Ball Officer – to head up the ball committee and to communicate to the BioSoc
committee all decisions made in the Ball Committee meetings.
Ball Committee – should consist of a minimum of 2 members (excluding the Ball
Officer). Is a sub-committee of BioSoc, money for the ball comes from BioSoc. Not
a separate entity to BioSoc.
Merchandise Officer – in charge of all merchandise for BioSoc e.g. Hoodies.
Fundraising Officer – in charge of raising funds for BioSoc. Funds will be spent on
events including the ball.
Year Representatives – to represent 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year members. They have to
communicate with members should they have any queries and raise them in
committee meetings.
Yearly AGMs for voting for office-bearers and constitutional changes must be held.
Anyone who wishes to stand for apposition must be nominated and must be seconded.
No specific voting rules apply however the majority wins.
Non-matriculated students would be allowed full voting powers, and may stand for
any position except that of president, secretary or treasurer.