CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL STUDENT FILM ASSOCIATION UK

SECTION I - NAME

The name of the organisation shall be the National Student Film Association UK (NSFA), (hereafter referred to as the Organisation).

SECTION II - AIMS

The National Student Film Association UK exists to further the interests of student film in the United Kingdom, to unite student filmmaking under a common banner and act as a focal point for their talent and creativity. To this end, the aims of the Organisation are broken down into two Core Aims:

  1. Supporting student filmmaking. The Organisation will work actively to help student filmmakers to make new films, by promoting cooperation and collaboration at a national level and by working with student film events to improve the quality of talks and workshops they are able to offer.
  2. Widening exposure for student filmmakers. The Organisation will actively seek new avenues for the screening of student films, as well as supporting existing avenues and communicating with student filmmakers to encourage wider distribution to their work. The Organisation will work with existing student film festivals to improve their attendance and exposure, as well as working to encourage the formation of new student film festivals and other related events.

SECTION III - MEMBERSHIP

  1. There shall be two classes of membership: Full Members (hereafter referred to as members) and Associate Memebers.
  2. Applications for Membership must be addressed to the Council (SS V) for approval.
  3. Full Membership
    1. Full Membership is offered to all student filmmaking societies/clubs, educational institutions offering film courses and student film festivals, if they are based in the United Kingdom.
    2. Full Members are allocated a single vote in the Organisation's election process and referenda.
    3. Full Members must name an annual Delegate to the Organisation, to act as the spokesperson for their group.
    4. Delegates must be at least 18 years of age.
    5. Delegates must be selected be a democratic process within their group.
    6. Full Membership is subject to annual confirmation.
  4. Associate Membership
    1. Associate Membership is open to all individuals.
    2. Associate Members may not vote in the Organisation

SECTION IV - FINANCE

  1. All money raised by or on behalf of the Organisation is to be used only to further the aims of the Organisation.
  2. The Treasurer shall open a bank account in the name of the Organisation.
  3. The Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer are to be account signatories.
  4. All cheques and instructions to the Organisation bankers shall require two of the agreed signatures.
  5. The Treasurer shall have the accounts checked annually by an independent auditor.

SECTION V - THE COUNCIL

  1. The Organisation shall be governed by a council, charged with overseeing the continued running of the Organisation and the furthering of its interests.
  2. The Council will meet no less than once per year outside of the Annual General Meeting.
  3. Council members must be elected democratically at an Annual General Meeting (SS VI) and must be current Delegates (SS III).
  4. Council members will serve one year terms, and may be re-elected once, serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.
  5. No more than two Council members may be registered at the same educational institution.
  6. Council decisions must be taken democratically, using ranked voting and Council members may not abstain. Issues of vital importance to the Organisation may be resolved by referendum at the discretion of the Council (SS VI).
  7. In the event of a tied vote in the Council, the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.
  8. Council members may be removed from office on reasonable grounds by 75% majority council vote. Council members may vote to co-opt Delegates representing Full Members to fill vacant positions until the next General Meeting.
  9. Council Members
    1. Chairperson

      The Chairperson is responsible for the overall running of the Organisation, and shall act as its ambassador, charged with upholding this Constitution and its Core Aims. The Chairperson shall chair meetings (SS VI).

      The Chairperson shall be an account signatory (SS IV).

    2. Vice Chairperson for Participation & Membership

      The Vice Chairperson for Participation & Membership shall play a proactive role in encouraging participation by members, as well as seeking new members and supporting the Chairperson in their role.

    3. Secretary

      The Secretary shall be responsible for publishing the Organisation's minutes and membership list, and is charged with ensuring communication with Full and Associate Members. The Secretary is responsible for the organisation of the Annual General Meeting (SS VI).

      The Secretary shall be an account signatory (SS IV).

    4. Treasurer

      The Treasurer shall maintain a bank account for the Organisation as outlined in Section IV. The Treasurer is responsible for the Organisation's accounts, and is required to produce an annual report to the Council. The Treasurer will work with the other Council members to produce and maintain a budget.

      The Treasurer shall be an account signatory (SS IV).

    5. Marketing & Publicity Officer

      The Marketing & Publicity Officer is tasked with raising awareness of the Organisation's activities and Core Values and is responsible for creating and maintaining a website. The Marketing & Publicity Officer will play a proactive role in securing funding for the Organisation.

    6. Film Exhibition Liaison

      The Film Exhibition Liaison will be a part of contact for filmmakers, charged with aiding the exhibition and distribution of student films in accordance with the Core Aims (SS II). The Film Exhibition Liaison will work proactively to open up avenues for screening, promoting networking between Festivals and encouraging wider distribution of student film. The Film Exhibition Liaison will aid the Secretary in maintaining links to Delegates representing student film festivals.

      The Film Exhibition Liaison is responsible for overseeing the National Student Film Awards (SS VIII).

    7. Film Production Liaison

      The Film Production Liaison will be a point of contact for filmmakers, charged with aiding the production of student film in accordance with the Core Aims (SS II). The Film Production Liaison will work proactively to provide student filmmakers with networking and collaboration opportunities, as well as playing a facilitating role for student filmmakers seeking advice on relevant issues. The Film Production Liaison will aid the Secretary in maintaining links to Delegates representing student filmmaking societies/clubs.

SECTION VI - MEETINGS

  1. The Organisation shall hold an Annual General Meeting, to review the year's activities and elect a new Council.
  2. The Annual General Meeting is open to all Full and Associate Members.
  3. An Extraordinary General Meeting can be called by the Council, or by any Delegate holding the signatures of 60% of the Full Members.
  4. Notice of the Annual General Meeting must be published at least four weeks before its date. Notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting must be published at least two weeks before its date.
  5. Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings will be quorate if 10% of the Full Members are in attendance.
  6. Full Minutes of a General Meeting must be published within two weeks of the event.

SECTION VII - REFERENDA

  1. The council may vote to put decisions to a referendum at its discretion.
  2. All Delegates representing Full Members are eligible to vote in a referendum.
  3. Notice of the referendum and the issue to be voted upon must be published at least four weeks before the vote.
  4. A referendum will be upheld be simple majority of 25% of the Full Members.

SECTION VIII - THE NATIONAL STUDENT FILM AWARDS

  1. The Organisation shall organise a series of annual awards to recognise student filmmaking achievement in accordance with the Core Aims (SSII).
  2. These awards shall be known as the National Student Film Awards (hereafter referred to as the Awards).
  3. The Awards shall be presented at The National Student Film Festival, which will be hosted and organised annually by an organisation with Full Member status which has satisfied the Council at an Annual General Meeting of its competence.
  4. The Awards are to be judged in a fair and transparent manner.

SECTION IX - AMENDMENTS & DISSOLUTION

  1. This Constitution may be altered at any properly constituted and quorate Annual General Meeting.
  2. Proposed Amendments must be published four weeks before the Annual General Meeting, and all Full Members must be informed.
  3. Amendments may be agreed by two thirds vote of attending Delegates.
  4. This Organisation may be dissolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting called specifically for that purpose, with publication of the intent to dissolve at least four weeks before the meeting.
  5. Dissolution may be agreed be two thirds vote of Delegates.
  6. The Organisation's assets and remaining funds are to be disposed of by gift of charities active in areas related to the Organisation's Core Aims. No member of the Organisation may benefit either in cash or kind from disposal of the Organisation's assets.
This constitution was adopted by the National Student Film Association UK on 16th June 2009