(Files can be downloaded at the bottom of the page)
Constitution of SoDoC:
Name
The name of the organization is “Society of Doctoral Candidates”, abbreviated as “SoDoC” and hereinafter referred to as “SoDoC”. SoDoC was established on 1st February 2016 by a merger of Forum for Doctoral students at UMB (FODOS) and the Doctoral Candidates' interest organization in the veterinary environment (DIOV).
Principles
SoDoC is an independent, nonpolitical, nonreligious, volunteer, nonprofit, democratic interest organization for Ph.D. candidates at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).
Objectives
The purpose of SoDoC is to secure the common interests of doctoral candidates at NMBU, such as:
- Study conditions
- Professional interests
- Economic interests
- Social benefits
- Rights and duties at NMBU
- Research ethics
- Issues regarding science and society
- Social events
Governance
The General Assembly (GA) is the supreme decision making body of SoDoC and consists of all participating members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is held once a year and is open to all members.
The SoDoC board is the supreme administrative body of SoDoC.
In special circumstances, the SoDoC board may summon extraordinary sessions of the GA to be known as an “Extraordinary General Meeting” if requested by its members or the board itself. A written notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting has to be circulated to all members not less than 14 days prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting. The decisions of the special session shall be limited to matters stated in the request for such a session.
Membership
All registered Ph.D. candidates at NMBU are de facto members of SoDoC. There are no membership fees.
All members have the right to:
- Participate in the activities of SoDoC
- Attend and speak at the AGM
- Vote in the AGM
Amendments to the Constitution
The Constitution may be amended by the GA during the AGM. A written notice of the amendment has to be circulated to all members no less than 30 days prior to the AGM. Amendment of the Constitution may be agreed only by the GA with at least a three quarters (3/4) majority of those present and voting.
Bylaws
To regulate matters not described in this Constitution, SoDoC has Bylaws. The Bylaws have to comply with this Constitution. In case of divergence, the Constitution shall override the Bylaws.
The Bylaws may be amended by the GA during the AGM. A written notice of the amendment has to be circulated to all members no less than 14 days prior to the AGM. Amendment of the Bylaws may be agreed only by the GA with at least a three quarters (3/4) majority of those present and voting. Bylaws may also be amended without prior notice, provided that those present and voting agree unanimously on the amendment.
Bylaws of SoDoC:
Board
All members of SoDoC are eligible for the SoDoC Board. The members of the Board should, as far as possible, represent the diversity of the Ph.D. candidates at NMBU. The Board organizes their work freely, and shall call for meetings as needed.
The Board of SoDoC shall consist of a leader and at least five members. The leader of the Board has two votes whenever there is equality of votes. The Board is elected for one year by the GA during the AGM according to the rules described in the Election paragraph.
Minimal composition of the Board:
- Leader
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Head of Academic committee
- Head of Social committee
- Head of Adamstua committee
Additional board members can be elected by the GA depending on the need.
Duties of the Board:
- Prepare an annual report (containing a financial report from the past year and an account of the past year's activity) for approval by the GA during the AGM. The report should be made available to all members no less than 14 days prior to the AGM.
- Prepare a plan and budget for future activities for approval by the GA.
- Execute the plan for future activities approved by the GA.
- Call for AGMs. All members should be informed about the meeting no less than 14 days in advance.
- Establish committees as necessary.
The head of the Adamstua committee can appoint a deputy to his / her position at the board when needed.The Adamstua committee is responsible for arranging events at Campus Adamstua and should receive a sufficient part of the budget to manage this.
General Assembly Procedures
A chairperson and a secretary shall be elected at the beginning of the meeting. All decisions of the GA shall be reached by a simple majority vote of those present and voting unless stated otherwise in the Constitution or Bylaws.
Duties of the GA during the AGM:
- Approve the annual report from the Board.
- Approve the plan and budget for future activities from the Board.
- Elect a new Board
- Elect representatives and deputies to external councils and committees as necessary
Minutes from the AGM should be sent to all members.
Elections
- Two vote counters shall be appointed by the chairperson. They are responsible for collecting and counting the votes. They will also announce the results. If candidates are interested they can see the counted results.
- Election for any given position will be decided by relative majority.
Candidates can be proposed during the meeting.
- If there is more than one candidate for a position, the elections should be undertaken with a written procedure.
- The candidates have the right to be present and vote during the elections.
- If any member or any representative has to leave their elected positions, a new member or representative should be elected at the first social gathering following the withdrawal of the board member or representative, respectively. The election should be announced and candidates presented to the members in an email at least two days before the social gathering. Until this election is held, the board or someone appointed by the board is responsible for the duties of the defected member.
Compensation
Members working for SoDoC could have the right to compensation, and should keep track of their working hours and report them to the treasurer before the AGM. The compensation will be distributed by the treasurer proportionally depending on the number of hours worked.
Download the constititions and bylaws as PDF: