Club & Society Constitutions

Understand the purpose and structure of student society constitutions at Keele SU, including what to include, why they matter, and how to keep them up to date.

Overview

Every student group at Keele SU is required to have a constitution—a simple but essential document that outlines how your club or society is run. Think of it as your group’s rulebook: it helps ensure fairness, transparency, and continuity from one committee to the next.

What Is a Constitution?

A constitution is a written agreement between your society and Keele SU. It sets out:

  • Your group’s name, aims, and objectives
  • The structure of your committee
  • How decisions are made (e.g. voting, meetings)
  • How members are elected
  • Rules around finance, membership, and disciplinary procedures

Why Is It Important?

  •  Clarity – Everyone knows how the group operates.
  •  Fairness – Ensures decisions are made democratically.
  •  Continuity – Helps new committees understand their responsibilities.
  •  Compliance – Required by Keele SU to remain an affiliated group.

What Should Be Included?

Here are the key sections your constitution should cover:

  1. Group Name
  2. Aims & Objectives
  3. Membership Rules
  4. Committee Roles & Elections
  5. Meetings & Voting Procedures
  6. Finance & Spending
  7. Amendments to the Constitution
  8. Dissolution Clause (what happens if the group closes)

Keele SU provides a template constitution to make this easy—just fill in the blanks and adapt it to suit your group.

Reviewing & Updating

You should review your constitution at least once a year, especially during reaffiliation or when your group’s activities change. Any major changes must be approved by your members at a general meeting and submitted to the SU.

Need Help?

If you're unsure how to write or update your constitution, the Student Experience Team is here to help: