The Constitution of the Columbia University Libertarians

 Preamble

We, the students of Columbia University, freely establish this body to further the cause of liberty at Columbia University in the City of New York.

Article I – Membership

Section I – The Columbia University Libertarians shall be comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Columbia University who support the cause of freedom or who wish to discover more about the principles on which it is founded.

Section II – Membership may be confirmed by attendance of a Columbia University Libertarians Meeting, and registration at the same with a Member of the Executive Board.

Section III – There are no dues for Membership. However, an admission fee may be charged at Columbia University Libertarians-sponsored events.

Section IV – Membership may be terminated upon the request of the Member, or when the Member is expelled by the vote of two-thirds of the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians.

Section V – Only registered Members are eligible to vote in Elections of the Executive Board. New Members may not vote on the same day that they register.

Article II – Officers

Section I – Executive power in the Columbia University Libertarians shall be vested in an Executive Board. Where appropriate, the Executive Board shall make decisions on the basis of a majority vote.

Section II – The Voting Members of the Executive Board shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other positions may be created as deemed necessary by a majority decision of the Executive Board. These positions will become Non-Voting Members of the Executive Board.

Section III – All Voting Members of the Executive Board will be elected to one-year terms by the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians. Elections will be held no later than May of every year. Members of the Executive Board will begin their terms following the conclusion of the academic term.

Section IV – The President of the Columbia University Libertarians shall preside over Meetings, and act as representative of the Columbia University Libertarians in all matters of governance, negotiation, and representation.

Section V – The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President, and perform any other duties as may be delegated by the majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section VI – The Treasurer shall keep Columbia University funds, make disbursements of the same as directed by the majority vote of the Executive Board, and maintain detailed records of the Columbia University Libertarians’ revenues, expenditures, and encumbrances. The Treasurer shall provide a general budget statement upon request of a majority vote of the Executive Board, or a two-thirds request of the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians. The Treasurer shall perform any other duties as may be delegated by the majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section VII – The Secretary shall keep minutes of the Meetings, maintain records of all Columbia University Libertarians’ activities or correspondence, and any other duties as may be delegated by the majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section VIII – Voting Members of the Executive Board may be recalled from office by a two-thirds vote of the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians. In the event of a Vacancy in the Executive Board, the President may temporarily appoint a Member to the seat until a special Election, which shall occur at a time chose by a majority vote of the Executive Board. The special Election shall conclude no more than three weeks after the Vacancy while the University is in session. If the Vacancy occurs when the University is not in sessions, the special Election shall conclude no more than three weeks after the University reconvenes.

Article III – Meetings

Section I – The Columbia University Libertarians and the Executive Board shall meet no less than once a month during the academic term, at a date and time determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section II – A Quorum of the Columbia University Libertarians shall be established by no less than three registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians, provided that at least one is a Voting Member of the Executive Board. A Quorum of the Executive Board shall be established by a Majority of Members present. When present, the President shall preside over Meetings of the Columbia University Libertarians and the Executive Board.

Article IV – Amendments

Section I – An Amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by any registered Member to the Executive Board, who then shall refer it to the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians with a recommendation.

Section II – Amendments to the Constitution shall require a three-fourths vote of the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians.

Article V – Ratification

This Constitution shall be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the registered Members of the Columbia University Libertarians. It shall take effect on…