Industrial Relations & Human Resources Students’ Association (IRHRSA) Constitution
ARTICLE ONE: NAME
The organization shall be known as the “Industrial Relations & Human Resources Students’ Association” (IRHRSA) hereinafter referred to as “IRHRSA”.
ARTICLE TWO: OBJECTIVES, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
Section one:
The object of the Industrial Relations & Human Resources Students’ Association is to improve and provide services for the refinement of the education and academic life of all the undergraduates enrolled in the faculty.
Section two:
The IRHRSA shall in accordance with the object stated in section one:
a) Function in a manner that will broaden the Industrial Relations and Human Resources undergraduate students’ participation in the Industrial Relations and Human Resources program of study.
b) Organize academic events such as lectures, tours, and employment opportunities with prospective agencies for the purpose of engaging students in a richer involvement and comprehension of the study of Industrial Relations and Human Resources.
c) Organize social events such as pub nights and movie screenings to foster a feeling of community among the Industrial Relations and Human Resources students.
d) Promote undergraduate student representation in the Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources (CIRHR) and work directly with the department to find the best ways of doing so.
e) Provide and assist all other essential services that may contribute to the object of the IRHRSA.
ARTICLE THREE: IRHRSA MEMBERSHIP
The following persons are entitled to be members of the IRHRSA:
IRHRSA voting membership is available to ASSU fee paying members who are either enrolled in an Industrial Relations and Human Resources or Work and Organizations program. Students in the CHRM program who are part-time students can be voting members if ASSU fee is paid to the Arts and Science Student Union.
All full-time and part-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in the Industrial Relations & Human Resources specialist or major, Work and Organizations Major, certificate in Human Resources Management program (CHRM) or enrolled in a course with the programs are eligible to attend IRHRSA events.
ARTICLE FOUR: IRHRSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section one:
The IRHRSA Executive Committee is comprised of a total of nine (9) members elected by and directly responsible to the IRHRSA members for a designated term of one (1) academic year.
Section two:
The minimum qualifications which is necessary for persons to be voted into the positions of IRHRSA Executive Committee is active enrolment in the Industrial Relations and Human Resources Specialist or Major Program, Work and Organizations Major, or the certificate in HRM program (CHRM). All Executive members must be part of ASSU. If a student is part-time enrolled, the
Section three:
The IRHRSA Executive Committee positions include:
1. One (1) President
2. One (1) Vice President
3. One (1) Director of Finance
4. Two (2) Directors of Events
5. Two (2) Director of Communications — External and Internal
6. One (1) Secretary
7. One (1) Director of Community Relations
Section four:
Descriptions of the IRHRSA Executive Committee members’ duties include but are not limited to the following:
1. President:
(i) Primarily responsible for coordinating IRHRSA Executive Committee’s activities and duties, including overseeing IRHRSA coordinators tasks, in accordance with this Constitution.
(ii) Attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings, overseeing and supporting activities of the IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings, its Coordinators and IRHRSA members.
(iii) Approving all IRHRSA letters and announcements before their distribution.
(iv) Assisting with specific activities or functions of the IRHRSA.
(v) Attending all ASSU meetings or appoints executives to fill seats at ASSU meetings.
(vi) Setting the agenda for the year in consultation with other executives.
(vi) Voting Authority: YES
2. Vice President:
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(ii) Serving as Acting President in the absence of the President.
(iii) Assisting the duties of the IRHRSA President, support and assist other IRHRSA Executive Committee Members and oversee the activities of the IRHRSA coordinators and other IRHRSA members.
(iv) Maintaining open communication between themselves and the President and serve as a direct liaison to the President.
(v) Book rooms and equipment as necessary.
(vi) Assisting with specific activities or functions of the IRHRSA.
(vii) Attending all ASSU meetings.
(viii) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(ix) Voting Authority: YES
3. Director of Finance:
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(ii) Accountable for the full-cycle financial affairs of events.
(iii) Responsible for carrying the IRHRSA debit/credit cards and using them appropriately for all occasions.
(iv) Accountable for the preparation of IRHRSA’s ASSU term budgets, work alongside the President to accurately devise these budgets to ensure the financial viability of the association.
(v) Serve as an ASSU Signing Officer.
(vi) Keeping financial records of all IRHRSA activities, social and academic events.
(vii) Researching the financial cost for all IRHRSA planned events and preparing financial reports.
(viii) Liaising effectively with IRHRSA Executives Committee members.
(ix) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(x) Voting Authority: YES
4. Director of Events (2):
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive events.
(ii) Plan, execute, and preside over all social, academic, and career-related events.
(iii) Organize at least 2 academic and 2 social events per year.
(iv) Find and contact appropriate event venues and speakers.
(v) Organize the equitable provision of food and drinks at events.
(vi) Working closely with other members of the IRHRSA Executive Committee, other members of the IRHRSA and members of the ASSU.
(vii) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(viii) Voting Authority: YES
5. Internal Communications Director:
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(ii) Creation of marketing and promotional items, such as posters, events, and social media works.
(iii) Liaising with various executives within IRHRSA, other members of IRHRSA and members of ASSU.
(iv) Assisting External Communications Director on class announcements for IRHRSA events.
(v) Monitor, update, and respond to users on IRHRSA’s social media platforms.
(vi) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(vii) Voting Authority: YES
6. External Communications Director:
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(ii) Organizing class announcements for IRHRSA events.
(iii) Writing emails to professionals, program director and Faculty members for outreach and opportunities.
(iv) Marketing events through IRHRSA coordinators and mass email announcements.
(v) Update the IRHRSA website to reflect information, projects, and events.
(v) Liaising with various executives within IRHRSA, other members of IRHRSA and members of ASSU.
(vi) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(vii) Voting Authority: YES
7. Secretary:
(i) Responsible for attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(ii) Preparing minutes for every IRHRSA meeting and distributing them online for executive members to review.
(iii) Liaising with all IRHRSA Executive Committee members and providing word processing assistance if necessary.
(iv) Take attendance of all IRHRSA executive meetings and events.
(v) Maintain internal databases such as minutes and agendas, and prepare and organize any documents as necessary.
(vi) Keeping an up-to-date list of contact information on all executive members of IRHRSA.
(vii) Working closely with other members of the IRHRSA Executive Committee, other members of the IRHRSA and members of the ASSU.
(viii) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(ix) Voting Authority: YES
8. Director of Community Relations
(i) Primarily responsible for fostering and maintaining relations with Industrial Relations and Human Resources, Work and Organizations, and HRM Certificate students through directing survey forms, preparing general meetings, and working with team to develop events that are geared towards student needs
(ii) Ensuring students have access to academic and professional resources in the program
(iii) Attending IRHRSA Executive Committee meetings.
(iv) Assisting with specific activities or functions of IRHRSA.
(v) Provide additional support where needed in a proactive manner and as assigned.
(vi) Voting Authority: YES
ARTICLE FIVE: ELECTIONS
The Executive Committee shall strike the Elections Committee and appoint one (1) Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and two (2) Scrutinizers from the general members on the committee to conduct and hold elections in March. All members of the Elections Committee shall be non-biased in the results of the election and shall be required to disclose any and all conflicts of interest in the election.
The CRO shall accept self-nominations from group members that are registered U of T students for Executive Committee positions before the beginning of March.
All members of the executive shall be elected annually, for the term of twelve months, either at a general meeting held before the last day of classes or through an online voting system. The voting date(s) will be announced a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the vote and must fall on weekdays.
After the election is over, the CRO and Scrutinizers shall count the votes. The candidate with the most votes shall be elected to the position. The CRO and Scrutinizers shall submit a report of the results of the elections to the Executive Committee and general members.
Only members of IRHRSA and members of the Executive Committee are eligible to vote. Qualifications for IRHRSA membership are specified in Article Three of this Constitution.
Term of executive positions shall be from May 1st to April 30th.
ARTICLE SIX: MEETINGS
Section one:
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) may be held in order to go over IRHRSA’s annual activity plan and financial health, to elect new members of the Executive Committee, and to propose or vote on constitutional amendments, if any. Motions will require ⅔ majority of registered members in attendance for a vote to be cast. The motion with the most votes will be passed.
Section two:
The IRHRSA executive committee will have Executive Meetings regularly once a month, starting in September and ending in March. The meetings are open to all IRHRSA members unless the voting members decide otherwise.
Minutes will be taken at each meeting. The decisions that were made and the members present at each meeting will be recorded by the Secretary. The minutes recorded will be stored for future reference purposes.
Only voting IRHRSA Executive Committee members will be able to vote at executive meetings as specified in Article Four of this Constitution.
ARTICLE SEVEN: AMENDMENTS
Any registered IRHRSA member may propose and vote on amendments to this constitution. The Executive Committee will administer the process of having the amendments available for viewing online or discussed at general meetings at least two (2) weeks prior to the vote on the proposed changes. The voting period on the proposed changes shall be announced at least two weeks prior to the vote.
Constitutional changes and decisions relating to IRHRSA events and issues will be made by two-thirds of a majority vote from all IRHRSA members present and in good standing.
The Executive Committee shall formally adopt the new constitution and submit the revised constitution to the respective University offices within two (2) weeks of its approval by general members.
Constitution Updated as of September 2021.