How the club is run

Article IName

1.Caltech Effective Altruism (CITEA), or “Caltech EA”.

Article IIPurpose

1.To help students use evidence and careful reasoning to do more good with their time, careers, research, and resources.

2.Topics include global health, animal welfare, biosecurity, AI, climate, philanthropy, and public service; members choose the agenda.

3.No agreement with EA, pledge, or donation is required. The club follows the Caltech Honor Code and Institute policy.

Article IIIMembership

1.All currently enrolled Caltech undergraduate and graduate students.

2.Other Caltech community members (staff, faculty, postdocs, spouses, JPL staff) may join as affiliates. Affiliates cannot vote or hold office.

3.Non-Caltech individuals cannot hold positions.

4.Students make up at least 60% of members.

5.No dues. Membership is open without discrimination on any basis protected by law or Institute policy.

Article IVStructure

1.Board: a President and a Treasurer (required, two different people), plus an optional Vice President, Secretary, and other roles created by member vote.

2.Every board member is a currently enrolled Caltech student in good standing.

3.Advisor: a full-time Caltech faculty member, staff member, or postdoc. The advisor gives guidance; students run the club.

Article VElection and Term

1.Elections are held each spring; the term is one academic year.

2.Any student member may nominate anyone, including themselves; nominations stay open at least 7 days.

3.Voting is by secret ballot, at a meeting announced 7 days ahead or online for at least 48 hours. A majority of votes cast wins; otherwise the top two go to a runoff.

4.Vacancies are filled by a special election called within 14 days.

5.An officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote after 7 days’ notice and a chance to respond, in consultation with the advisor and SFE.

Article VIMeetings and Decisions

1.Meetings are about every other week during term: discussions, workshops, talks, and socials.

2.Quorum is one-third of student members, with a minimum of three. Decisions pass by a majority of votes cast.

3.Events are registered through Caltech’s event process when required (e.g., 50+ people, outside speakers, alcohol, off-campus travel).

Article VIIFunds

1.All club banking goes through a Club Bursar Account.

2.Members approve a budget each term; the President and Treasurer both approve spending.

3.The club consults SFE/CALE before seeking outside funding or sponsorship.

4.The Treasurer keeps receipts and reports finances to members each term.

Article VIIIAffiliation

1.CITEA is an independent student club, not a chapter of any outside organization. Any affiliation is disclosed to SFE first. Caltech policy takes precedence.

Article IXRecords and Dissolution

1.Officers keep the roster, minutes, and financial records and hand them over at transition.

2.If the club dissolves, its funds and property are handled under Caltech policy and not distributed to members.

Article XAmending

1.Any student member may propose an amendment; it is circulated at least 7 days before a vote.

2.An amendment passes by two-thirds of votes cast at quorum and takes effect after advisor and SFE review.

3.This constitution is first adopted by a majority of founding student members at quorum.