International Relations Society

Article 1: Name
The official name of the club shall be the “University of Toronto International Relations Society.” The short name of the club shall be the “IR Society.”

Article 2: Purpose
The purpose of the IR Society shall be to:

· Promote the International Relations Programme at the University of Toronto, and

· Assist students with their selections of courses, and

· Host speaking events with prominent members of the global international relations community, and

· Host social gatherings of the students and professors of the International Relations Programme, and

· Host career information sessions geared towards careers in International Relations, and

· Provide information on graduate programmes in international relations, both at the University of Toronto and elsewhere, and

· Act as the course union for the undergraduate International Relations Programme at the University of Toronto, and through this participate in course and programme evaluations.

Article 3: Membership
Membership is open to all students, staff, faculty and alumni of the University of Toronto. There is no membership fee for membership.

Article 4: Executive
Co-Presidents (2)

The responsibilities of the co-presidents are to:

• Be ultimately responsible for all actions of the club, and
• Be responsible for the overall direction of the club, and
• Be the liaison with the International Relations Programme, Trinity College Joint College Meeting, Student’s Administrative Council, Student Affairs, and the Arts and Science Student Union, and
• Run the speaking, informational, and social events hosted by the IR Society

Vice-President

The responsibilities of the vice-president are to:

• Assist with the speaking, informational, and social events hosted by the IR Society

Treasurer

The responsibilities of the treasurer are to:

• Apply for funding from various sources for the club, and
• Maintain the financial records of the club, and
• Assist with the speaking, informational, and social events hosted by the IR Society

First Year Representative

The responsibilities of the first year representative are to:

• Promote the IR Society’s events in the first year IR courses, and
• Promote the IR Programme among the first year students, and
• Assist with the speaking, informational, and social events hosted by the IR Society

Article 5: Finances
Possible sources of funding for the IR Society include the International Relations Programme, Trinity College Joint College Meeting, Student’s Administrative Council, Student Affairs, and the Arts and Science Student Union. All expenses must be approved by a majority vote of the executive. The Treasurer shall handle the administration of the of expense reimbursements.

Article 6: Meetings
There shall be a minimum of two meetings for the year. A minimum of seven days notice must be given to members in order for a meeting to be considered valid (according to Roberts Rules). Quorum is set at 5 members, including the executive, and the Student Administrative Council’s Clubs Commissioner must be informed 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. As well, notice of the meeting must be posted in the Student Administrative Council’s office.

Article 7: Elections
Elections for the club executive should be held prior to April 15 of each year. The order of elections shall be the co-presidents, the vice-president, and then treasurer. A candidate requires 50% plus one to be elected, possibly requiring multiple ballots. The first co-president shall be elected, followed by a second (set) of elections to elect the next president. The first year rep shall be appointed in September by the executive. Proxies are allowed, but the solicitation of proxies is not allowed. Candidates shall give a 2 minute speech, followed by the voting. Eligible voters are those members who have attended at least one IR Society sponsored event in the academic year. By-elections to fill empty positions can be held at any time at the discretion of the executive. At least 48 hours notice by e-mail of an election must be given.

Article 8: Amendment
Amendments to the club constitution normally requires approval by two-thirds majority of the voting members, after 48 hours notice has been given.