Documents

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be “Bioethikos”.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of Bioethikos is to provide a medium for students to:

1. Explore interdisciplinary bioethical areas further in-depth

2. Engage in thoughtful discussions focused on various bioethical subjects

3. Organize to attend events related to bioethics in New York and elsewhere

4. Interconnect the greater Columbia University graduate communities who are interested in bioethics

Article III - Membership

The membership of this club will consist of students of good character and interest in domestic and global bioethical issues. In compliance with Columbia ‘s Nondiscrimination Statement, this organization shall not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

Club membership will consist of: Full board (Executive board and Founding members) and General members.

A member must be a current Columbia University graduate student (full-time or part-time). A member may be considered in “good standing” within the club,  as defined by the executive board.

Article IV - Executive board officers and Founding members

The executive board (“e-board”) officers and founding members of this club will establish and maintain the club goals, and serve as the liaison to SPS administration. Founding members are the initial students who developed the logistics and foundation of the club in 2017, but who are not on the e-board. Together, the e-board and the founding members are called the “full board”.

Founding member qualifications are as follows. A founding member must:

1. Be a current Columbia University SPS student (full-time or part-time)

2. Be in “good academic standing” with the University

The executive board will consist of five officers: One President, One Vice President, One Treasurer, and Two Secretaries.

E-board officer qualifications are as follows. An e-board officer must:

1. Be a current Columbia University SPS student (full-time or part-time)

2. Be in “good academic standing” with the University

3. Be selected to a the e-board through guidelines outlined in the club By-Laws

   1. Positions will be filled, as necessary, at the end of each semester.

4. Attend 80% of the events and full board meetings planned for the semester.

   1. Failure to do so and/or to fulfill e-board or POC duties may result in loss of position on the e-board

Article V - Meetings

The club shall not meet less than once per month, at a time and place most suited to the club members. The content of each meeting will vary, based on the requests of the club members, and at the discretion of the full board. Minutes of the meetings shall be taken by the secretaries and provided to the active members, as well as the advisor, within one week of the meeting.

Article VI - Acceptance of Constitution and By-Laws

Every member of the club, by acceptance of membership thereby accepts the principles of this club, as expressed in its purpose, and agrees to comply with the constitution and by-laws of this club, and on these conditions alone is entitled to the privileges of the club. No member shall be absolved from the observance of the constitution and by-laws on the plea that a copy of them has not been received.

Last updated 5 October 2017

Article I - E-board officer selections

E-board officer selections will be held each semester, as necessary, to maintain a full e-board. Each officer’s term begins two (2) weeks before the last day of classes of the semester which s/he is elected in, and lasts until graduation, impeachment, or resignation. The maximum term for any e-board member is two (2) years.

The procedures of the elections are as follows:

1. An announcement will be sent to all club members to notify of available positions.

2. Members interested in a position must submit background information and an appropriate statement of interest for a primary (and secondary, if desired) position. Only current members in “good standing” with the club are able to apply for a position. Additionally, current executive board members may apply for open positions.

3. The names of candidates will be distributed to all club members. At this time, any member will be able to anonymously disclose any comments regarding any of the candidates.

4. The current e-board will review the applications in conjunction with submitted comments, hold interviews, and vote on the positions.

5. All club members will be notified of election results.

6. Elected officers will begin their term and enter the transitional overlap period between incoming and outgoing officers.

In the event that a semester begins with vacant e-board positions, the current e-board officers may hold an amended election to fill these vacancies within one month of the start of the semester.

Article II - Duties of officers

The duties of the officers of the e-board are outlined below. These descriptions are the lower limits of the expectations of officer duties. Failure to comply with these duties may be grounds for dismissal from the e-board.

President: The President will preside over all regular meetings of the club and will maintain communication with the club’s faculty advisor and SPS Administration.

Vice President: The Vice President will preside over all regular meetings of the club and will maintain communication with the club’s faculty advisor and SPS administration in the absence of the President. The Vice President will create the agenda for each e-board meeting.

Treasurer: The Treasurer will keep record of the club’s budget and semesterly expenses. The Treasurer will also maintain and track the funds allotted by the University and collected by the club through events and fundraising.

Secretaries: The Secretaries will take accurate and detailed minutes and records at each club gathering, including e-board and full board meetings, and distribute these minutes within 48 hours to all club members and the advisor. If the Secretaries are unable to attend a meeting, they are responsible for delegating the task of minute-taking to another member of the e-board. Additionally, the Secretaries will be the primary upkeepers of the club’s social media pages.

All board members are responsible for the coordination of events, social media presence, and general website. Additionally, all board members will assess and respond to questions, concerns, and suggestions of the general members in a timely manner.

Article III - Committees

The e-board may form temporary committees, as deemed necessary, for special projects or purposes. These committees may contain general members and must have at least one full board member as a Point of Contact (POC). Once a POC has been established, the responsibilities and lengths of commitments should be clearly defined.  

Article IV - Amendments

Amendments to any governing document of the club are encouraged to ensure that the documents fully support the developing needs of the club. Amendments may only be made once a semester. The e-board must come to a unanimous agreement on amendments to governing documents. Once the agreement has been reached, a meeting will be held, and a two thirds majority vote of approval must be obtained from the “good standing” general body present (in person and/or online). The e-board must provide a minimum of two (2) weeks of presentation to the general members.

Last updated 5 October 2017