Skills, Experiences, and Resources in Conflict and Health (SEARCH) Constitution
Article I: Preamble
The organization was created in 2008 by Forced Migration students with the goal of
increasing the number of opportunities on campus to learn about conflict and health.
Article II: Name
The name of this organization is Skills, Experiences, and Resources in Conflict and
Health.
Article III: Purpose
SEARCH exists to provide Mailman students with co-curricular and extra-curricular
opportunities to learn about public health in conflict-affected regions around the world.
SEARCH's events and activities promote its mission via the following objectives:
1) Bring speakers to campus to share their knowledge and experiences
in conflict and health.
2) Organize workshops that provide students with skills necessary for
working in conflict.
3) Raise awareness about current conflicts and their effects on public health.
4) Collaborate with other other groups in the Columbia University
community to achieve our mission.
5) Provide opportunities for Mailman students to learn about and
participate in events in NYC related to conflict and health.
Article IV: Membership
All SEARCH board members are required to attend the SEARCH board and general
body meetings, respond to e-mails in a timely fashion, and complete forms for SEARCH
sponsored events. Board members must attend leadership and orientation events. Board
members must be Mailman students enrolled in 6 credits and in good academic standing.
General body members are required to attend the SEARCH general body meetings and
participate in events. Members can be from Mailman or other Columbia schools.
Article V: Governing structure/officers
1) The Board shall consist of the President, Treasurer, Promotion Officer,
Communication Officer, and 3 Event Coordinators.
2) All actions of the Executive Board shall be in accordance and conformity with the
bylaws, purposes, and policies of the SEARCH
3) The Executive Board shall meet in person at least twice monthly during each semester
or as called by the Executive Board.
4) While reasonable efforts will be made to achieve consensus of decision among
Executive Board members, questions arising at any meeting of the Executive Board will
be decided by a majority vote.
5) Only Executive Board members may vote on Executive Board deliberations.
Article VI: Appointments/elections and removal of officers
1) Board Elections: Elections will occur within the first month of Spring semester every
year
2) Prospective candidates must demonstrate willingness, ability and commitment to
regularly participate in SEARCH and announce intention to run for office no less than 7
days before a scheduled election.
3) Votes will be tabulated by Board members in a manner satisfactory to MSPH students.
4) If any exceptions are made in regards to the voting process and/or available positions,
it must be done so with a majority vote of the standing Board.
5) Appointments: In the instance that a Board position is open due to unavoidable
circumstance, the Board can unanimously
appointment a member of the MSPH body.
6) Removal from Office: Board members may be removed by a unanimous vote of the
standing Board only.
7) Resignation: Board members may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the
Board.
Article VII: Length of term
1) Terms of Office: A term shall consist of two consecutive semesters beginning in the
Spring semester.
2) Post-election, incoming Board members must participate in debriefing session with
corresponding current Board member, and attend Board meetings as specified.
Article VIII: Officer duties
1) President: Oversee the planning, implementation, and promotion of SEARCH's events
an activities and communicate with the Mailman administration.
2) Treasurer: Manage SEARCH's budget and provide guidance on expenditures to other
e-board members.
3) Promotion Officer: Promote SEARCH's events and activities to Mailman and the
Columbia community.
4) Communication Officer: Manage SEARCH's email account and communicate with
SEARCH e-board members and the Columbia community about event and activity
planning.
5)Event Coordinators (1-3): Contact and communicate with potential speakers and
workshop facilitators and organize events and activities.
Article IX: Amendments
1) Proposals for amendments to bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Executive
Board.
2) All proposals must be reviewed by the Executive Board passed by a majority vote.
SEARCH e-board members hold the following roles:
President (Erin Stone): Oversee the planning, implementation, and promotion of
SEARCH's events an activities and communicate with the Mailman administration.
Treasurer (Beth Charpentier): Manage SEARCH's budget and provide guidance on
expenditures to other e-board members.
Promotion Officer (Korin Perrella): Promote SEARCH's events and activities to Mailman
and the Columbia community.
Communication Officer (Sara Elazan): Manage SEARCH's email account and
communicate with SEARCH e-board members and the Columbia community about event
and activity planning.
Event Coordinators (Anushka Kalyanpur, Mallika Raghaven, Kyle
Schneps): Contact and communicate with potential speakers and workshop facilitators
and organize events and activities.