Columbia International Relations Council and Association


Our Constitution



CIRCA Constitution

Below are the most recent versions of the Constitution and the Bylaws, drafted, signed, and promulgated in Spring 2017. Much of the document was originally written in 2007 when CMUN became CIRCA, though some language comes from the CMUN constitution. It has been amended five times since 2007. The Constitution contains the fundamental principles which govern CIRCA’s operation; the Bylaws establish the specific rules of guidance by which CIRCA is to function.

Constitution of The Columbia International Relations Council and Association (CIRCA)

Signed at Columbia University in the City of New York, April 11th, 2017,


  1. The name of our organization shall be Columbia International Relations Council and Association, hereinafter referred to as CIRCA;

  2. The purpose of our organization is entrenched in its principles, and manifested in all of its activities. The central goals are of an educational nature, particularly with regards to engaging with the world, its numerous cultures, social and political systems, in hopes of fostering a deeper understanding and active cooperation among people of all backgrounds. CIRCA takes upon itself the responsibility of preparing its membership to be leaders in the greater global community, whether this is manifested on a local or international level;

  3. The basic premise of CIRCA’s existence is the recognition of the humanity shared by all people, and the necessity to constantly look for ways to improve upon current international mechanisms. Furthermore, CIRCA ascribes to the notion that education is the essential factor in preparing future generations for a peaceful and more prosperous international community;

  4. The organization of CIRCA is rooted in the principle of modern parliamentary democracy, with emphasis on an ethical code that presumes that its membership participate in CIRCA activities with a great sense of honor, honesty and integrity. The structure of CIRCA is to include the following clauses:

    1. Membership: All Columbia University Affiliates are eligible to become members of the club;

    2. Board Structure: The governing body of CIRCA is composed of an executive board of officers. These are to include a president and no less than four (4) other members, whose titles are to be decided either a) Prior to election and designated by the acting board; or b) After the election and designated by the elected members. The executive board may have no more than fifteen (15) members. In the event that the executive board would like to appoint new positions, it must:

      1. Clearly define the role and remit of the new position,

      2. Set the term of the new position,

      3. Clarify the appointment process and prerequisites for the position,

      4. Ensure that after a maximum two years of appointed service, the position will be eliminated or incorporated into the CIRCA general body election process;

    3. Voting Procedure: The board members are to be elected by the general body composed of all CIRCA members, with the exception of the Treasurer, the CMUNCE Secretary-General, the CMUNNY Secretary-General, the CESIMS Secretary-General , the CPR Editor-in-Chief, and the NowHere Editor-in-Chief, who must be discussed and voted on by the executive board. The number of positions open for the election is to be decided upon by the acting board prior to elections and descriptions of these positions are to be distributed to the membership. In order to be considered elected, a candidate must earn over 50% of the general body vote in a closed ballot, instant runoff voting system. Should no one member secure over 50% of the vote outright, the candidate receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated and his or her votes redistributed between the remaining candidates. This distribution will be based on the secondary preference listed on each ballot. The outgoing president along with any other board members not standing for the position being voted on will tally the votes. As neutral arbiter, the CIRCA president will forfeit their right to vote for any candidate. In order to vote at CIRCA elections, members must have staffed a conference, attended at least three academic events, or be staff members of Now!Here or members of CPR’s editorial board;

    4. Elected Officials: In order to extend CIRCA leadership opportunities to the broadest possible audience, prevent conflicts of interest, and facilitate greater transparency, no individual in the club other than the Treasurer (see Article V.ii) may assume, in a given school year, more than one position on the following: The Executive Board, CMUNCE Secretariat, CMUNNY Secretariat, Now!Here editorial board, CPR editorial board,and all future governing bodies within CIRCA;

    5. Resignations: In the event that an elected executive board member is unable or unwilling to hold their position at any time during their term, their position will be re-elected or appointed at the discretion of the remaining members of the Executive Board;

    6. Impeachment: Under the ethical code, all CIRCA board members must act in good faith, after consulting with fellow board members, or under their implied approval. Any serious violation of this ethical code may result in their impeachment. The impeachment vote is to be passed by 2/3 of the board;

    7. Replacement Appointments: In the case of a successful impeachment, resignation, or vacancy for any reason, a new board member will be appointed from the CIRCA executive board with an affirmative vote by 2/3 of the board;

    8. Policy decisions are to be made by the board, with the direct consent of the general body of CIRCA. Implied approval may be used under the ethical code. Unless differently specified, policy resolutions shall be passed by simple majority. The board quorum is 3/5 of all executive board members;

    9. Amendments: Amendments to the constitution require 2/3 of the board and the simple majority of the general body of CIRCA;

    10. The Code of Ethics: CIRCA membership requires that all of its members, particularly the elected board representatives, always act in good faith, without selfish interests, under the understanding that we are all bound by the principles of honor, honesty and integrity. CIRCA members shall exercise respect and consideration when dealing with the matters pertaining to the organization. All forms of prejudice are inexcusable and shall be considered violations of this code;

      1. CIRCA pledges to adheres and uphold the Columbia Community Principles Initiative (CPI);

      2. CIRCA pledges to hold all events that are on Columbia University’s campus in physically accessible spaces. Physically accessible spaces are defined as spaces that anyone can access via ramps and elevators freely without prior authorization from Public Safety or Disability Services;

  5. The duties of board members are as follows:

    1. President: The President of CIRCA is the executive official who, under the ethical code, must be consulted if and before executive action is to be taken by other members of CIRCA. Other board members of the club may take executive action on their own, as long as the consent of the President and other board members is implied. The President is to carry out executive functions, particularly with regards to approving budgets and shaping the larger vision and trajectory of the club. The president will act as the primary liaison with other campus organizations and the administration and will be in constant communication with each member of the board. In addition to larger responsibilities the president is responsible for drafting and sending a weekly message to the general body, and the coordination and administration of weekly executive board meetings;

      1. Qualifications: To be eligible for president, candidates must have served on the executive board for an academic year;

      2. Voting: The President, as a neutral arbiter between CIRCA branches, shall only cast a vote on the Executive Board in the event of a tie;

    2. Treasurer: CIRCA finances shall be overseen by the Treasurer (Vice President of Finance) and Deputy Treasurer (Director of Finance), who will manage the budgets of the NYCIRCA-affiliated and SGB-affiliated branches, respectively. The CIRCA Treasurer shall have a vote on the CIRCA Executive Board and oversee the work of the Deputy Treasurer;

      1. Appointment:

        1. The Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer selection process shall begin in February and conclude by the end of March. It shall be conducted as follows:

          1. The President and outgoing Treasurer, after reviewing the applications, shall recommend those they deem fit to the CIRCA Executive board for final interviews,

          2. The CIRCA Executive Board shall appoint the Treasurer with a ⅔ majority. The incoming Treasurer shall attend Executive Board meetings for the remainder of the year and begin training with the outgoing Treasurer,

          3. The CIRCA Executive Board will appoint the Deputy Treasurer with a ⅔ majority from the remaining candidates, after consultation with the Incoming Treasurer;

        2. All voting CIRCA members are eligible to apply;

      2. Role of the Treasurer:

        1. Term: The Treasurer shall assume office on the final day of the academic year and relinquish it on the final day of the next academic year;

        2. Budgeting: Following spring elections, the outgoing and incoming Treasurer, in conjunction with the President, shall draw up a budget proposal for NYCIRCA-affiliated branches for the following academic year (See Clause D.1);

        3. Oversight: The Treasurer shall oversee all NYCIRCA-affiliated and SGB-affiliated branch finances and shall be responsible for keeping a detailed record of all club expenses and revenues throughout the year, ensuring that all branch activities fall within their allotted budget;

          1. Any deviations from the approved budget greater than $500 shall require the majority approval of the CIRCA Executive Board;

        4. Accountability: The Treasurer is responsible for presenting a club financial update at every Executive Board meeting. The Treasurer shall also make the CIRCA budget and balance sheets available to any Executive Board member(s) who request access;

        5. Petty Cash: The treasurer is responsible for keeping track of petty cash;

          1. Cash will be held by the CIRCA President, CIRCA Treasurer, or an agent designated by the CIRCA President or CIRCA Treasurer;

          2. The Treasurer can, at any time, request to count the cash without obstruction from the President to verify his or her records and ensure that cash is not being spent in a way that violates the CIRCA budget or the CIRCA code of ethics;

        6. Conferences: The CIRCA Treasurer shall serve as Undersecretary-General of Finance, a voting office, on the secretariats of both CMUNNY and CMUNCE;

      3. Role of the Deputy Treasurer:

        1. Term: The Deputy Treasurer shall assume office on the final day of the academic year and relinquish it on the final day of the next academic year;

        2. SGB Responsibilities: The Deputy Treasurer shall carry out the administrative responsibilities entailed in spending for SGB-affiliated branches, including:

          1. Submitting the annual SGB allocation packet;

            1. The Treasurer and President shall review the packet before submission;

            2. The Deputy Treasurer shall consult with the incoming Deputy Treasurer on the SGB allocation packet, should a Deputy Treasurer have been selected before the submission date;

          2. Attending all required SGB events;

          3. Filing FTF forms for the SGB-affiliated branches;

          4. Maintaining contact with CIRCA’s Columbia Undergraduate Student Life Advisor;

        3. Budgeting: Following the release of the SGB allocation figures at the beginning of the academic year, the Deputy Treasurer, in conjunction with the President, shall draw up a budget proposal for SGB-affiliated branches for the academic year (See Clause D.2);

        4. Oversight: The Deputy Treasurer shall oversee all SGB-affiliated branch finances and shall be responsible for keeping a detailed record of all club expenses and revenues throughout the year, ensuring that all branch activities falls within their allotted budget;

        5. The Deputy Treasurer will attend executive board meetings and will consult with the Treasurer on votes, although the vote of the Treasurer will remain solely that of the Treasurer;

      4. Budgeting Procedure:

        1. The budget-setting process for NYCIRCA-affiliated branches shall be led by the Treasurer. The budget for an academic year shall be set at the end of the previous academic year in two Executive Board meetings, according to the following schedule:

          1. The first CIRCA Executive Board meeting following elections shall include all outgoing and incoming Executive Board members and be led by the outgoing President, in which incoming Executive Board members may share their budget priorities before budget negotiations begin;

          2. The outgoing and incoming Treasurers shall meet individually with every NYCIRCA-affiliated branch following the first “joint” Executive Board meeting, in order to set a line-item budget for each branch to be approved at the second “joint” Executive Board meeting;

          3. The following Executive Board meeting shall include all outgoing and incoming Executive Board members and be led by the incoming President, in which:

            1. The incoming Treasurer and incoming branch heads shall update the Executive Board on the results of their budget negotiations,

            2. A finalized budget for the next academic year shall be voted upon by the incoming Executive Board;

        2. The budget-setting process for SGB-Affiliated branches shall be led by the Deputy Treasurer with oversight from the Treasurer. The budget for an academic year shall be set at the beginning of the academic year following the release of the SGB allocation figures, according to the following schedule:

          1. The Deputy Treasurer shall meet individually with every SGB-affiliated branch in order to set a line-item budget for each branch to be approved by the Executive Board,

          2. A finalized budget for SGB branches for the academic year shall be voted upon by the Executive Board in a meeting which includes the heads of the SGB-affiliated branches;

    3. Vice President of Academic Affairs:

      1. CIRCA’s Vice President of Academic Affairs (VP Academics) organizes and runs CIRCA’s annual speaker series. Throughout the year the VP Academic should attempt to host speakers who will contribute to Columbia’s learning and understanding of international relations. The speaker series should attempt to be multi-partisan and bring in a diverse array of perspectives throughout the year. The two chief goals are maximizing learning about an issue by bringing in insightful speakers on under-represented issues, and maximizing the number of people who attend events by choosing subjects important to the student body, by inviting high-profile speakers and by effectively marketing the event to the student body. The VP Academic works closely with the executive board and CIRCA president to brainstorm event ideas, to find way to implement said ideas and to reach out to other campus groups;

      2. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall attend a weekly meeting with the SGB-affiliated CIRCA branch heads and the CIRCA President;

        1. The VP Academics may also attend CIRCA executive board meetings at their discretion;

        2. The VP Academics can vote if in attendance at CIRCA executive board meetings. Absence shall be considered abstention;

    4. Vice President of Social Affairs

      1. The Vice President of Social Affairs is a voting position on the CIRCA Executive Board;

      2. Duties: The duties of the position include:

        1. Active recruitment of new members as well as consistently creating an atmosphere and space for social interaction between CIRCA members involved in various sections of the club;

        2. Coordinating with other organizations in the programming of social and cultural events;

        3. Organizing all CIRCA social events such as but not limited to: team dinners, food/game nights, parties, and off-campus trips not related to the CIRCA Traveling Team;

    5. Vice President of Marketing

      1. The Vice President of Marketing is a voting position on the CIRCA Executive Board;

      2. The duties of the position include:

        1. Co-sponsorships: The Marketing Director shall spearhead event co-sponsorship with other clubs in order to boost CIRCA publicity and encourage reciprocation of co-sponsorship for our events.

          1. Co-sponsored events ought relate to CIRCA’s mission statement;

          2. The Marketing Director shall gain executive board approval for co-sponsorships;

          3. The Marketing Director shall keep a list of all events hosted or co-sponsored with other clubs, including club names and speakers attending;

        2. Merchandising: The Marketing Director shall facilitate the design, purchase, and distribution of t-shirts, banners, and other CIRCA-related items as approved by the executive board;

        3. Organizing Events: The Marketing Director shall organize events throughout the year for the benefit of club members. These events may include cultural initiatives, alumni events, career workshops, and club bonding events;

        4. Overseeing CIRCA’s social media presence;

    6. CIRCA Model UN Traveling Team:

      1. In order to represent Columbia University, CIRCA will field a Model United Nations Traveling Team, tasked with attending intercollegiate Model United Nations Conferences throughout the United States and the world;

      2. The Traveling Team shall be captained by two Head Delegates. The two Head Delegates:

        1. Shall be elected by the General Body of CIRCA,

          1. Election Procedure: Voters will rank candidates on the ballot, and the drop-down system will be used for calculating votes until the top two candidates each have a majority vote. Since two candidates are to be elected, the first and second ranked choices shall be equally considered during the counting of votes;

          2. Eligibility: In order to be eligible for Head Delegate, students must be at least rising sophomores and have traveled to at least 2 conferences within the span of the most recent academic year;

        2. Will be responsible for all non-monetary aspects of conference organization. This includes (but is not limited to):

          1. Registering for conferences and handling country and committee selection;

          2. Booking hotels and transportation for the entire team;

          3. Organizing and running weekly practices;

          4. Relaying to the Treasurer in a timely manner all of the financial needs of the Traveling Team, and ensuring where possible that such needs are met;

          5. Shall ensure that at least one Head Delegate lead the Traveling Team to every conference on the schedule;

            1. In the event of extenuating circumstances, an upperclassman of good standing in CIRCA may be chosen by a vote of the executive board as a temporary replacement. All pre-conference responsibilities shall still remain vested in the two Head Delegates;

        3. Shall constitute as a whole one vote on the CIRCA executive board;

      3. To be eligible to travel, CIRCA members must, per semester:

        1. Regularly attend travel team practice,

        2. Staff CMUNNY or CMUNCE; OR participate in the CESIMS teaching program,

        3. Staff CESIMS; OR Publish an article in the Columbia Political Review or Now!Here;

    7. Columbia Model United Nations in New York (CMUNNY): CIRCA will host Columbia Model United Nations in New York (CMUNNY), an annual Model U.N. conference geared towards college students. This conference will be run by its Secretariat, and as such the Secretary-General is responsible to ensure that all members of the Secretariat meet at least biweekly to discuss the implementation of the conference. Specifications to be a member of the Secretariat of CMUNNY include:

      1. The Secretariat of CMUNNY is the group of individuals responsible for organizing, coordinating, and leading the development and realization of the conference.

        1. The Secretary-General, as head of the conference, is a voting position on the CIRCA E-Board and as such must either personally represent CMUNNY at all E-Board meetings, or send at least one representative;

        2. Both the Secretary-General and the Director-General will be included in all CIRCA E-Board emails;

        3. The position of Secretary-General for each session of CMUNNY is appointed by the Secretary-General of the previous CMUNNY, with the input of the previous Secretariat staffers, and is vetted by the members of the E-Board of CIRCA;

        4. Both the previous and new Secretaries-General will cooperate on choosing a new Director-General;

        5. The applications for the remaining positions will be decided by an application process, with applications distributed no more than six weeks following the termination of the conference;

        6. The Secretaries-General and newly appointed Director-General will decide the remaining positions from the pool of applicants, with final discussion and vetting of a full roster by the CIRCA E-Board.

    8. Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE): CIRCA will annually host The Columbia Model United Nations Conference & Exposition (hereafter referred to as “CMUNCE”) as CIRCA’s high school Model United Nations conference. This conference will be prepared for and run by its Secretariat, and as such, the Secretary-General will be responsible to ensure that all members of the Secretariat meet at least biweekly to discuss the implementation of the conference. Specifications of the CMUNCE Secretariat include:

      1. The Secretariat of CMUNCE is the group of individuals responsible for organizing, coordinating, and leading the development and realization of the conference.

        1. The Secretary-General, as head of the conference, is a voting position on the CIRCA E-Board and as such must either personally represent CMUNCE at all E-Board meetings, or send at least one representative;

        2. Both the Secretary-General and the Director-General will be included in all CIRCA E-Board emails;

        3. The position of Secretary-General for each session of CMUNCE is appointed by the Secretary-General of the previous CMUNCE, with the input of the previous Secretariat staffers, and is vetted by the then-members of the E-Board of CIRCA;

        4. Both the previous and new Secretaries-General will cooperate on choosing a new Director-General;

        5. The applications for the remaining positions will be decided by an application process, with applications distributed no more than six weeks following the termination of the conference;

        6. The Secretaries-General and newly appointed Director-General will decide the remaining positions from the pool of applicants, with final discussion and vetting of a full roster by the CIRCA E-Board.

    9. Columbia Education Simulations (CESIMS): CIRCA will semesterly host the Columbia Educational Simulations (hereafter referred to as “CESIMS”) as CIRCA’s philanthropic high school Model United Nations conference, directed solely to parochial and public schools. CIRCA will collaborate with such schools to initiate, support, and advance Model United Nations clubs and International Affairs education. The conference will be prepared for and run by its Secretariat, and as such, the Secretary-General will be responsible to ensure that all members of the Secretariat meet at least biweekly to discuss the implementation of the conference. Specifications of the ESims Secretariat include:

      1. The Secretariat of CESIMS is the group of individuals responsible for organizing, coordinating, and leading the development and realization of the conference.

        1. The Secretary-General, as head of the conference, is a voting position on the CIRCA E-Board and as such must either personally represent CESIMS at all E-Board meetings, or send at least one representative.

        2. The Secretary-General and Director-General will be included in all CIRCA E-Board emails.

        3. The position of Secretary-General for each calendar year is appointed by the Secretary-General of the previous CESIMS, with the input of the previous Secretariat staffers, and is vetted by the then-members of the E-Board of CIRCA

        4. Both the previous and new Secretaries-General will cooperate on choosing a new Director-General.

        5. The applications for the remaining positions will be decided by an application process, with applications distributed no more than six weeks following the termination of the calendar year.

        6. The Secretaries-General and newly appointed Director-General will decide the remaining positions from the pool of applicants, with final discussion and vetting of a full roster by the CIRCA E-Board.

    10. Now!Here: The CIRCA Journal of World Travel will be referred to as Now!Here: Columbia University Travel Journal;

      1. The governing body of Now!Here shall be an executive board composed of, at minimum, an Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Guides Editor, and Publicity Chair;

      2. The Now!Here Editor-in-Chief shall attend a weekly meeting with the SGB-affiliated CIRCA branch heads and the CIRCA President.

        1. The Editor-in-Chief may also attend CIRCA executive board meetings at their discretion or appoint a non-voting representative to attend;

        2. The Editor-in-Chief can vote if in attendance at CIRCA executive board meetings. Absence shall be considered abstention;

      3. Selection of new board and assistant board members will be done at the end of every academic year to replace graduates, in December for study abroad openings, or when necessary for resignations or impeachments;

        1. An editor maintains his or her position until he or she resigns, graduates, or is deemed unfit for the position by the Now!Here executive board;

        2. The Now!Here executive board shall oversee the application process for incoming Now!Here board members. Replacement candidates for open positions shall be nominated to the CIRCA board by the consensus of the outgoing Now!Here board. If the Now!here board cannot reach a ⅔ majority vote, additional nominations can be made by any Now!Here executive board member, and put to a vote;

        3. The outgoing Editor-in-Chief shall have two votes for ratifying new Now!Here executive board members; all other members of the board shall have one vote. If no one on the board has a recommendation, the position is opened up to the general student body for interviews and applications;

      4. All Columbia students are eligible to write for or submit artwork to Now!Here, though there is no obligation that Now!Here publish all submissions;

      5. Now!Here shall publish at least one volume per academic year and strive to publish at least one per semester.

    11. The Columbia Political Review (CPR): the CIRCA Journal on Politics and International Relations shall be referred to as The Columbia Political Review;

      1. The governing body of CPR shall be an executive board composed of, at minimum, an Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, and Marketing Director. The board, while flexible in structure, shall also typically consist of senior, managing, art, web, and copy editors.

        1. The incoming Editor-in-Chief shall be elected by a vote of the outgoing editorial board;

      2. The CPR Editor-in-Chief shall attend a weekly meeting with the SGB-affiliated CIRCA branch heads and the CIRCA President.

        1. The Editor-in-Chief may also attend CIRCA executive board meetings at their discretion or appoint a non-voting representative to attend;

        2. The Editor-in-Chief can vote if in attendance at CIRCA executive board meetings. Absence shall be considered abstention;

      3. The incoming Editor-in-Chief shall be elected by the outgoing editorial board toward the end of the calendar year and prior to recruitment. The election shall be by plurality, with all members of the editorial board having one vote (including the candidates). Once elected, the incoming Editor-in-Chief shall appoint a Publisher;

        1. Both the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher shall be ratified by a simple majority of the CIRCA Executive Board;

        2. The Editor-in-Chief and Publisher shall then recruit a new editorial board. Applications for the editorial board are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and the publisher, who decide jointly who to admit to the editorial board;

        3. All other editors may choose to reapply for their positions annually;

      4. Editors may be dismissed by the Editor-in-Chief for failing the duties outlined in the application process for their position;

      5. CPR shall publish at least four volumes per academic year;


As this is a living document, with regards to further amendments the CIRCA executive board decides to remain actively seized of the matter!

Bylaws of The Columbia International Relations Council and Association (CIRCA)

Signed at Columbia University in the City of New York, April 11th, 2017


Amendments

  1. Regarding New York City International Relations Council and Association (NYCIRCA):

    1. CIRCA and NYCIRCA are to maintain two separate and independent financial accounts. Under the supervision of the CIRCA Executive Board, the CIRCA Treasurer oversees both the CIRCA account in coordination with Columbia Student Affairs Central Business Office (SACBO) and the NYCIRCA account.

      1. The financial operations of Columbia Model United Nations in New York (CMUNNY), Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE), and Columbia Educational Simulations (CESIMS) will be under the account of NYCIRCA, while CIRCA will be chiefly in charge of all other aspects of both conferences, including but not limited to on campus space booking, staff recruitment and training, and delegation outreach and recruitment.

      2. The financial operations of the CIRCA travel team, the Social Board, and the Marketing Board will be under the account of NYCIRCA.

      3. The aformentioned branches shall be referred to as the NYCIRCA-affilliated branches of CIRCA in this document.

    2. The financial operations of the CIRCA Academics Board, Now!Here, and the Columbia Political Review will remain under the SGB account. These branches shall be referred to as the SGB-affiliated branches of CIRCA in this document.

      1. The aforementioned sections of CIRCA will only receive in kind donations from NYCIRCA; there will be no monetary transaction or transfer between the NYCIRCA and the CIRCA accounts.

  2. Regarding Elections:

    1. The election date will be set on a day between the last week of March and the last week of April and will be decided by the President who must take into consideration the scheduled activities of all sections of CIRCA. The proposed date will be approved by the CIRCA Executive Board unless objected by 2/3 of the board.

    2. In order to run for a position on the CIRCA E-Board or to vote at CIRCA elections, members must have staffed a conference, attended at least three academic events, or be staff members of Now!Here, editorial-board members of CPR, or members of other Boards of CIRCA during the same academic year.

  3. Regarding Observers of Executive Board Meetings:

    1. CIRCA Executive Board meetings are open to the general body. Observers are required to email the President adequately in advance–at the discretion of the President–of the meeting they intend to attend, and their participation in Executive Board meeting discussions will be moderated by the President.

  4. Regarding a single member holding multiple leadership positions in CIRCA:

    1. A CIRCA member can petition to serve on more than one secondary leadership boards. The petition shall consist of approvals by the directors of both boards, a statement detailing why there is no suitable alternative, and a statement confirming that the burden of serving on both boards is manageable given both the member’s class schedule as well as the requirements of both positions. The petition’s approval requires a simple majority vote by the Executive Board. The director (i.e. Secretary-General, Vice President, Head Delegate, and Editor-in-Chief) of the board on which the member is currently serving can veto the petition.

    2. A CIRCA member currently holding a secondary leadership position can petition to run for an elected position on the Executive Board that is neither the President nor the Treasurer. The petition’s approval shall require the permission of the director of the board on which the member is currently serving as well as a simple majority vote by the Executive Board.

    3. A CIRCA member cannot hold more than one position on the Executive Board.

  5. Responsibilities of CIRCA Executive Board Members:

    1. Duties of an executive board member for the Columbia International Relations Council and Association (the “club” or “group”) include supporting two branches of the group separate from your own, which may be accomplished by completing two of the following

      1. Staffing the Columbia Model United Nations in New York (CMUNNY)

      2. Staffing the Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE)

      3. Staffing both the fall and spring conferences of Columbia Educational Simulations (CESIMS)

      4. Supporting the CESIMS as a teacher, and fulfilling all requirements for that role set by the CESIMS Secretariat.

      5. Attending travel team practices on a weekly basis

      6. Providing material or other substantive supporting for the Columbia Political Review

      7. Providing material or other substantive support for Now!Here

      8. Providing substantive support for CIRCA Academics, as well as attending their events.

      9. Facilitating or participating in Marketing Events, including but not limited to job panels, senior panels, and recruitment events.

    2. All Executive Board members must attend and participate at all recruitment events in both the fall and spring semesters, including but not limited to publicizing all events created by the group.

    3. In addition to supporting at least two branches of the group separate from your own, each Executive Board member must attend all Executive Board meetings, exempting the CPR and Now!Here editors in chief, and with the following rules:

      1. Two absences from Executive Board are allotted every semester. The President should be notified about any absence before the meeting. More than two absences will result in a meeting with the President in order to discuss the nature of those absences. In the event that an officer has a conflict with a meeting, he or she must submit a written excuse by email to the President at least 5 hours prior to that meeting

      2. If an officer misses more than thirty minutes of an Executive Board meeting an absence will be added to his or her attendance record. Additionally, should a member miss an Executive Board meeting, he or she is required to send a blurb or update to the Executive Board by the Executive Board meeting time for that week.

    4. All initiatives conducted and voted on by the Executive Board will be advertised to the General Body with a general timeline of completion dates at the announcement of that initiative.

    5. All Executive Board Members must inform the incoming President within 1 month of their election or appointment of whether or not they will be attending CMUNCE, CMUNNY, or the CESIMS fall conference, assuming each of these conferences has a date set. ​