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Constitution & Bylaws

On February 16, 2021 the CIRTL 2.0 Working Group proposed that the CIRTL Network adopt the following Constitution & Bylaws describing the organization and governance of the Network. Using a sociocratic process in accordance with CIRTL’s decision-making policy, this proposal was discussed and passed on March 4, 2021, and was implemented on July 1, 2021. It was last amended by network vote on August 12, 2025.

Form to submit proposed amendments

CIRTL Constitution & Bylaws (PDF)

CONSTITUTION
Article I: Name
Article II: Mission
Article III: Membership
Article IV: Organization and Governance
Article V: Meetings and Decision Making
Article VI: Amendments
Article VII: Dissolution of Assets

BYLAWS
Article I: Leadership
Article II: Membership
Article III: Committees
Article IV: Meetings
Article V: Nominations and Elections
Article VI: Decision Making
Article VII. Host Institution
Article VIII: Notice
Article IX: Parliamentary Protocol
Article X: Fiscal Year
Article XI: Amendments
Article XII: Dissolution of Assets
Article XIII: Term

 

CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name

The name of the organization shall be the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning, hereinafter referred to as “CIRTL”. CIRTL was established in 2003 as a National Science Foundation Center for Teaching and Learning and is now a network of collaborating universities with an administrative home at a member institution (“host institution”), known as the CIRTL Network (“Network”).

Article II: Mission

Mission

The CIRTL mission is to develop future faculty committed to implementing and advancing evidence-based teaching practices to enrich undergraduate education that is accessible to all learners.

To fulfill this mission, CIRTL has developed, implemented, and evaluated successful strategies for preparing future faculty for careers that integrate research, teaching, and learning. Three core ideas provide the conceptual framework for all that CIRTL does:

  • Learning-through-Diversity Learning-through-diversity capitalizes on the rich array of experiences, backgrounds, and skills among undergraduates and graduates-through-faculty to enhance the learning of all. It recognizes that excellence and diversity are necessarily intertwined.
  • Teaching-as-Research Teaching-as-research is the deliberate, systematic, and reflective use of research methods by instructors to develop and implement teaching practices that advance the learning experiences and outcomes of both students and teachers.
  • Learning Communities Learning communities bring together groups of people for shared learning, discovery, and generation of knowledge. To achieve common learning goals, a learning community nurtures functional relationship among its members.

Article III: Membership

Section 1. Members
Membership is by institution (known as “Member”). Eligible institutions for membership are graduate-degree-granting universities that prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who will teach in undergraduate education. Each institution will appoint an Institutional Leader and an Administrative Co-Leader to lead their CIRTL learning community.

Section 2. Participants
Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff who are either employed by Members or enrolled at Members are defined for the purposes of the Constitution and Bylaws as “Participants” and have full access to CIRTL resources, activities, courses, and discussions.

Article IV: Organization and Governance

Section 1. Institutional Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders represent the Members in governance.

Section 2. Leadership of CIRTL will be held by a President and Executive Director and a Leadership Team, selected as described in the Bylaws.

Section 3. CIRTL may have Standing Committees, convened as described in the Bylaws.

Section 4. CIRTL may have ad hoc committees, convened as described in the Bylaws.

Section 5. CIRTL may have an alumni community, convened as described in policies.

Article V: Meetings and Decision Making

Section 1. CIRTL shall conduct its business activities primarily through in-person and on-line meetings, as described in the Bylaws or other documents.

Section 2. Voting privileges shall be exercised by the Member Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader for matters requiring an institutional vote, as described in the Bylaws and policy documents.

Article VI: Amendments

Section 1. Proposals
Proposals for amendments to the Constitution are presented to the Leadership Team for review and consideration for Network decision.

Section 2. Notice
The Constitution may be amended by Network decision as defined in the Bylaws after discussion held at a meeting of the Network (as described in Article VI) in which the membership received notice of the proposed change at least 60 days in advance.

Section 3. Quorum
A Quorum for the purposes of amending the Constitution consists of 75% of institutions being represented by at least one eligible voter or proxy, in-person or virtually, at the time of the vote.

Article VII: Dissolution of Assets

In the event of dissolution, the assets of CIRTL, after payment of debts and obligations, shall be returned to current Members, as outlined in the Bylaws.

 

BYLAWS

 

Article I: Leadership

Section 1. Leadership Team

  1. Authority
    The Leadership Team (LT) is the decision-making authority as regards policies, using sociocratic processes as described in the decision-making policy, except for issues that fall under the decision-making purview of the Network as a whole or are specifically delegated to a Standing Committee. The LT shall determine when a policy needs to be decided by the Network. The LT shall advise the President and Executive Director on operational decisions such as revenue planning, program expenditures, initiatives, network procedures and practices, and implementation of CIRTL policies.
  2. Membership
    The LT shall consist of eight people including the President and Executive Director, Director of Operations, four people elected from the CIRTL Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders of Members, an elected graduate student or post-doctoral scholar to represent people who participate in CIRTL learning communities, and an elected at-large person who may represent any constituencies of engagement in the CIRTL Network (e.g., local team members, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, alumni, etc.) except CIRTL Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders. Elected people shall serve two year terms; terms shall be staggered such that half of the elected positions are open in any given year. The President and Executive Director shall serve as the Chair of the Leadership Team.
  3. Duties
    In addition to roles described under Authority above, the Leadership Team shall fulfill regular duties, including:

    1. Planning and attendance at monthly Administrative and Network meetings.
    2. Providing substantive input to the planning of the twice yearly General meetings.
    3. Reviewing of Member contributions once per year.
    4. Implementing other procedures and practices as needed.
    5. Providing regular reports on LT activities.

Section 2. CIRTL President and Executive Director

  1. Authority
    The President and Executive Director is elected by the Members. They are responsible for execution of policies and procedures, implementation of CIRTL Network initiatives, and addressing issues that arise within the Network with respect to programming, committees, budget, and strategic considerations, with advice of the Leadership Team. The President and Executive Director serves as the Chair of the Leadership Team and serves as the leader of CIRTL.
  2. Duties
    The President and Executive Director shall:

    1. Carry out all provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.
    2. Preside at all General, Administrative, Network and Leadership Team meetings, or designate an alternate.
    3. Hire (upon the recommendation of a hiring committee) and co-supervise (in conjunction with the host institution) the Director of Operations.
    4. Have authority to commit CIRTL resources and CIRTL’s participation in aligned initiatives.
    5. Present an annual budget and financial statement to the Network.
    6. Make operational decisions that guide the Network, such as actions related to finances, staffing and Network operations and initiatives.
    7. Work to secure the sustainability of the CIRTL Network, by maintaining relationships with Network Members and Participants, other organizations, and public and private funders.
    8. Lead and/or facilitate efforts to secure outside funds to support Network operations, development or research.
    9. Engage in membership development, in conjunction with the Membership Operations Group. This may include recruiting new institutional members, understanding member departures, and managing leadership changes within the Network.
    10. Represent the CIRTL Network at international and national, disciplinary or other meetings, as appropriate.
    11. Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding external funding proposals, working groups, and partnerships.

Section 3. Director of Operations

  1. Authority
    The Director of Operations is appointed by the President and Executive Director. They are responsible for the operations of the CIRTL Network. The Director of Operations oversees a staff (“CIRTL Central”) assisting in operations of the Network and in coordination of the Cross-Network Learning Community. They are typically a staff person employed by the host institution, but under some circumstances might be employed through an external contract (e.g., a subcontract to another institution or directly with the individual). The Director of Operations is a member of the LT.
  2. Duties
    The Director of Operations shall:

    1. Make day-to-day operational decisions in collaboration with the President and Executive Director and with advice from the LT, as needed.
    2. Ensure performance reviews of CIRTL staff are completed.
    3. Hire, supervise and (as necessary) terminate the employment of CIRTL staff, within the rules of the host institution.
    4. Serve as facilitator for the LT in sociocratic decision-making.
    5. Manage finances of CIRTL.
    6. Oversee contracts with individuals and vendors.
    7. Serve on committees and working groups, as needed.
    8. Coordinate data collection, prepare annual reports, and archive documents.
    9. Implement Network policies.
    10. Collaborate with Membership Operations Group to build and maintain Network membership.
    11. Liaise with host institution administrative services, business services, IRB, purchasing.
    12. Oversee and coordinate communications — website, correspondence, etc.
    13. Coordinate with staff so that records are prepared and archived after the monthly Administrative and Network meetings.

Section 4. Institutional Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders

  1. Authority
    Each Member institution will have an Institutional Leader and an Administrative Co-Leader. These two positions bear primary responsibility for the success of the CIRTL learning community of the institution. The Leader and Administrative Co-Leader are voting representatives for the Member institution. Broad guidance on these roles can be found in policy and guidance documents. The specific duties of the Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader are determined locally.
  2. Membership
    Each institution determines who will serve in the roles. General practice is that the Institutional Leader is a senior member of the institution’s faculty, but it is not a requirement. The Administrative Co-Leader may be either faculty or staff.
  3. Duties
    The Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader shall:

    1. Actively engage in developing and leading their CIRTL learning community, including integrating Cross-Network offerings into the local programming.  The specific duties and procedures are defined by the Member.
    2. Ensure fulfillment of institution dues and in-kind contributions, and any other obligations.
    3. Provide to CIRTL Central an annual Institutional Profile report.
    4. Attend and participate in the Administrative on-line meeting and the two general  meetings; participate in online Network meetings as much as possible.
    5. Actively participate in the discussion on proposals which require network approval and to participate in the voting processes.
    6. Act as institutional liaisons between CIRTL Central and the Member institution.

Section 5. CIRTL Central

  1. Authority
    CIRTL Central staff assist with the operations of the Network and coordination of the Cross-Network Learning Community.
  2. Duties
    1. Implement the day-to-day operations of the Network and the Cross-Network Learning Community.

Section 6. Terms

  1. The President and Executive Director serves a three-year term with the expectation that they will periodically receive and discuss feedback from the Leadership Team and CIRTL Central on their role and performance in guiding the Network’s strategic directions. At any time if significant concerns arise over their ability to fulfill the duties of the President and Executive Director, an early removal process may be started as outlined below. No limit is prescribed on the number of terms, but again, a goal is that leadership will change regularly.
  2. The durations of Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader are set by the Member.
  3. The Director of Operations serves at-will. Continuation is determined by the President and Executive Director, with advice of the Leadership Team, within human resources policies of the host institution.

Section 7. Vacancies

  1. If the position of President and Executive Director becomes vacant, the LT selects an Interim President and Executive Director until an election can be held. The newly elected individual would begin a new three-year term. In the event the elected President and Executive Director is unavailable for an extended period of time, the Leadership Team is authorized to appoint a Temporary President and Executive Director (most likely the Director of Operations) to execute the President and Executive Director responsibilities with full authority.
  2. If a position on the Leadership Team becomes vacant, the LT may choose to fill it, either by appointment or election, taking into account the length of the remaining term.
  3. If a position on a Standing Committee becomes vacant, the President and Executive Director, in consultation with the LT, may choose to fill it, either by appointment or election, taking into account the length of the remaining term.

Section 8. Early Removal

  1. If significant concerns arise over the ability of a President and Executive Director to fulfill their duties, those concerns can be brought to any Institutional Leader, Administrative Co-Leader, Standing Committee Chair, or the host institution Ombuds who then may ask for a private meeting with the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team will evaluate the concerns in conjunction with the CIRTL Network’s host institution. A majority vote of the Leadership Team and an appropriate host institution representative (e.g., WCER Director, HR Director) can initiate an early removal process, written notification will be provided to the President and Executive Director, and a meeting will be held with the President and Executive Director to discuss the decision. The Leadership Team may then either use a regular meeting, or call for a special meeting, to propose early removal of the President and Executive Director to the Network following standard decision-making processes. A Network vote in favor of this proposal will give the Leadership Team authority to proceed in removing the President and Executive Director according to any applicable processes or terms established with the host institution.

Article II: Membership

Section 1. Membership Process
Membership is by institution. Eligible institutions are required to submit an application for membership. Criteria for membership shall be determined by the Membership Operations Group.

Section 2. Dues and Obligations
Members contribute annual dues and in-kind contributions to the Network, the latter in support of Cross-Network activities and Network leadership and development. The level of dues and in-kind contributions is proposed by the LT and approved by the Members.

Section 3. Membership year
The membership year shall coincide with the fiscal year.

Article III: Committees

Section 1. Process for Creating Committees
The President and Executive Director, with advice from the Leadership Team, may create committees and working groups.

Proposals for committees or working groups also may be submitted to the Leadership Team, which reviews them and advises the President and Executive Director on how to proceed.

New Standing Committees are incorporated into the Bylaws by amendment.

Section 2. Committee structure

  1. Types of committees
    1. Standing Committee
    2. Ad-hoc committee and working group
  2. Those serving on committees shall be from the Member institutions.
  3. Each committee shall have a chair.
  4. Committee decision-making is based on the Sociocracy method of consent.

Section 3. Committee leadership

  1. The committee chair shall:
    1. Be an active member of the Network.
    2. Assist in recruitment of members, especially for committees and working groups which do not have elected members.
    3. Be responsible for submitting periodic updates to the President and Executive Director and Leadership Team, including a final update before transitioning out of the Chair role.

Section 4. Standing Committees

  1. Cross-Network Operations Group (CNOG)
    1. Authority
      Charged with overseeing the Cross-Network curriculum offerings to ensure that they reflect the CIRTL Core Ideas and Learning Outcomes, are responsive to Network needs, and embody a diverse and evolving set of formats to provide for future faculty development in teaching and learning across the network.
    2. Membership
      The CNOG shall consist of seven people including the Director of Programming (or designee) and six elected people from Member institutions who have had prior or current leadership positions or other involvement in CIRTL programming. Elected people serve a three-year term; terms shall be staggered such that one-third of the elected positions are open in any given year. If a vacancy occurs  the LT may choose to fill an open term, either by appointment or election, depending on the length of the remaining term.
    3. Duties
      The CNOG works closely with the Director of Programming to:

      1. Plan Cross-Network curriculum
      2. Solicit and evaluate programming proposals
      3. Work with instructors to improve proposed offerings
      4. Read evaluations and incorporate feedback into future proposal decisions
      5. Develop relevant policies related to participation in and institutional responsibility for the Cross-Network offerings
      6. Make recommendations to the Leadership Team when necessary
    4. Chair
      The Chair is selected annually by the committee
  2. Membership Operations Group (MOG)
    1. Authority
      The charge to the MOG is to guide the evolving membership of the CIRTL Network, in concert with the strategic directions of the Network. As part of their charge, at regular intervals according to the guidance of the Network, the MOG presents a slate of applications and recommends new Members to the Leadership Team.
    2. Membership
      The MOG shall consist of seven people including the Director of Operations (or designee) and six elected people from Member institutions with prior or current leadership or other involvement in CIRTL programming.  Elected people serve a three-year term; terms shall be staggered such that one-third of the elected positions are open in any given year. If a vacancy occurs the LT may choose to fill an open term, either by appointment or election, depending on the length of the remaining term.
    3. Duties
      1. Liaising with the Leadership Team and the Network regarding new-membership needs, processes, and plans.
      2. Updating and executing the outreach to potential new members.
      3. Updating and executing the membership application and review process (including the application and review timeline)
      4. Updating and executing the onboarding process for new members.
      5. Providing annual updates to the Network at in-person and/or virtual meetings.
    4. Chair
      The Chair is selected annually by the committee.
  3. Meeting Planning Committee (MPC)
    1. Authority
      The MPC is charged with leading the planning for the semi-annual CIRTL General Meetings and assisting the Leadership Team in planning the monthly virtual CIRTL Network Meetings (3rd Thursdays). The Group meets once a month for approximately one hour. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed, particularly as the CIRTL General Meetings approach each fall and spring. The group collaborates with the CIRTL Leadership Team and CIRTL Central.
    2. Membership
      The MPC shall consist of at least seven people including the Director of Operations (or designee), four elected people from Member institutions with prior experience attending an in-person or virtual CIRTL General Meeting or other involvement in CIRTL programming, and an additional 1-2 ad hoc members each from the current host institution and the immediate past host institution. Members serve a two-year term; terms shall be staggered such that half of the elected positions rotate in any given year. If a vacancy occurs the LT may choose to fill an open term, either by appointment or election, depending on the length of the remaining term.
    3. Duties
      1. Recruit member institutions to host in-person meetings
      2. Gather feedback from the Network on meeting goals, content and format
      3. Prepare meeting agendas, recruiting presenters and session facilitators
      4. Review meeting evaluations and incorporate feedback into future meetings
      5. Coordinate with CIRTL Central staff and, as applicable, local hosts on meeting logistics (facilities, meals, website, registration, etc)
      6. Provide regular updates to the Leadership Team
      7. Provide annual updates to the Network at in-person and/or virtual meetings.
    4. Chair
      The Chair is selected annually by the committee.

Section 5. Ad-hoc committees and working groups

  1. Duties
    The Leadership Team shall create a charge for the ad-hoc committee or working group detailing the scope of the work.
  2. Membership
    The size of the committee membership will be determined by the Leadership Team. Membership on the committee is voluntary. Terms of membership are determined by the Leadership Team.
  3. Chair
    The Chair is appointed by the President and Executive Director.
  4. Duration
    The length of term of an ad-hoc committee or working group shall be determined in accordance with the group charge.

Article IV: Meetings

Section 1. The three types of standard meetings are:

  1. General Meeting
    A semi-annual meeting for strategic planning, sharing of knowledge, community building and, when needed, decision-making. They are semi-annual, held in the Spring, usually in March, and Fall, usually in October, of each year. As possible and desired, General Meetings are in-person and typically hosted by a Member institution. The LT approves the date and venue.  General meetings are attended by Institutional Leaders, Administrative Co-Leaders, Participants, CIRTL staff, and guests.
  2. Administrative Meeting
    A monthly meeting of all Member Institutional Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders which is held on-line. The agenda is related to the administration and operations of the CIRTL Network.
  3. Network Meeting
    A monthly meeting of Institutional Leaders, Administrative Co-Leaders and Participants which is held on-line. The meeting advances the CIRTL learning community, for example in the sharing of best practices and ideas from across the Network.

Section 2. Special meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President and Executive Director. At least 30 days notice of a special meeting shall be given to the membership. Business not included in the notice shall not be transacted.

Article V: Nominations and Elections

Section 1. Leadership Team (LT)

  1. Nomination
    The President and Executive Director shall announce the number of open positions on the Leadership Team and invite nominations; either self-nomination or nomination of an Institutional Leader or Co-Leader with that person’s permission. The President and Executive Director shall specify the time period for submission.
  2. Eligibility
    For the four CIRTL Network leaders positions, having been an CIRTL Institutional Leader or Administrative Co-Leader for at least one year, and preferably but not necessarily, having served the CIRTL Network in another leadership capacity, such as being a member of a CIRTL committee or working group.For the graduate student or postdoctoral scholar position, having achieved the Practitioner level, and verification of their status and endorsement by their institutional CIRTL leaders.For the at-large position, anyone who is active in a local CIRTL learning community or active in cross-Network activities, except CIRTL Institutional Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders.
  3. Conduct of election
    The election will be conducted using online voting software during a specified time period announced by the President and Executive Director. Each institution will have two votes, the Institutional Leader and the Administrative Co-Leader will each cast a vote for each open position.

Section 2. CIRTL President and Executive Director

  1. Nomination
    A call for President and Executive Director applicants is issued approximately one year prior to the beginning of the next President and Executive Director term. Applicants can self-nominate or be nominated by another person with permission from the nominee. The Leadership Team works with each applicant to develop a “package” of arrangements that would allow the candidate to devote the appropriate time and energy to serving in this role. A slate of candidates is developed.
  2. Eligibility
    Candidates for the President and Executive Director position will have been a CIRTL Institutional Leader or Administrative Co-Leader for at least 1 year. In addition, candidates should have served the CIRTL Network in a leadership capacity, preferably, but not necessarily, by serving on the LT. Candidates having served in other CIRTL leadership roles, such as chairing standing committees, are also eligible.
  3. Conduct of election
    The election will be conducted using online voting software during a specified time period announced by the President and Executive Director. Each institution will have two votes, the Institutional Leader and the Administrative Co-Leader will each cast a vote.

Section 3. Standing Committees

  1. Nomination
    The President and Executive Director shall announce the number of open positions on the Standing Committees and invite nominations; either self-nomination or nomination of another candidate with that person’s permission. The President and Executive Director shall specify the time period for submission.
  2. Eligibility
    Anyone at a Network institution who is active in a local CIRTL learning community or active in cross-Network activities.
  3. Conduct of election
    The election will be conducted using online voting software during a time period specified by the President and Executive Director. Each institution will have two votes, the Institutional Leader and  the Administrative Co-Leader will each cast a vote for each open position.

Article VI: Decision Making

Decision-making for all matters of the Network, the LT, and Committees that do not require a formal vote shall be done by consent using the principles and processes of the Sociocracy Method, as described in policy documents.

Section 1. Committee Decision Making
Committee-level policy decision-making is done by consent through the Sociocratic method. If a committee is unable to come to consensus on a decision after a reasonable period of time (this is expected but not required to be at least 3 discussion sessions) following the Sociocratic method (all viewpoints have been heard, additional information that could be useful has been gathered and reflected upon, and compromise has been attempted) then they may choose to elevate the original question to the Leadership Team. If the Leadership Team is unable to come to a consensus using the Sociocratic method the President and Executive Director will either 1) call for an up/down vote from the Leadership Team where an item must receive a simple majority of votes cast to pass or 2) refer the matter to a vote of the Network, following decision-making processes.

Section 2. Network Decision Making
Proposals can be brought forth by the Network, as described in the decision-making policy.

All proposals are submitted to the Leadership Team, which reviews them and advises the President and Executive Director on how to proceed. The Leadership Team may advise that the proposal is best decided by an existing committee, operations group, or working group; that a new working group should be formed to discuss and decide on the proposal; or that the Network as a whole should discuss and decide on the proposal.

Network-level decision-making is done through a modified Sociocratic process, as defined in policy documents. The Sociocratic method is first used to guide discussions of the whole Network. This discussion must happen at a General Meeting, a Network Meeting, or at a special meeting. Thereafter, the final decision on adoption is done by a vote.

  1. Quorum
    A Quorum for the purposes of conducting a vote, the final step in the CIRTL sociocratic Network-level decision-making process, consists of 75% of institutions being represented by at least one eligible voter or proxy, in-person or virtually, at the time of the vote.
  2. Voting process
    An item must receive a super-majority of 75% of votes cast to pass.

    The Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader are eligible to vote. The Institutional Leader and Administrative Co-Leader can designate proxies to cast votes on their behalf. When designating a proxy, an eligible voter must alert the Director of Operations ahead of the vote, according to the proxy process.

    Leaders (or their proxies) can cast yes votes, no votes, or abstentions. Institutions without eligible voters present forfeit their right to vote and will be recorded as absent.

    If an Institutional Leader or Administrative Co-Leader position is empty at the time of the vote, that position will forfeit their right to vote.

    If an institution notifies CIRTL Leadership they plan to leave the Network, they will be given a choice of whether they wish to retain or forfeit their right to vote through the remainder of their paid membership year. Failure to respond to this request will default to forfeiture of voting rights.

    An item must receive a super-majority of 75% of votes cast to pass.

Article VII. Host Institution

Section 1. Definition
The operational administration of CIRTL will be within a Member, known as the host institution.

Section 2. Memorandum of Agreement
The relationship between CIRTL and the host institution will be governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”). This MOA will conform to the CIRTL Bylaws and address financial and administrative responsibilities, including but not limited to:

  1. Fiduciary and human resource responsibilities;
  2. Financial agreement for provision of services;
  3. Services provided (e.g., human resources, purchasing, accounting, legal counsel, office space, library, internet and technical support, conferencing services, other standard university services);
  4. Process for hiring, supervision and termination of Director of Operations and CIRTL staff;
  5. Processes and conditions for external funding applications, including IRB;
  6. Intellectual property rights;
  7. Term of MOA and opt-out options.

Section 3. Signature
The MOA will be signed by the President and Executive Director, after approval by Network decision.

Article VIII: Notice

Notice of official business shall be given 30 days in advance by electronic mail to Institutional Leaders and Administrative Co-Leaders of all current Members.

Article IX: Parliamentary Protocol

In matters not specifically provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall guide protocol.

Article X: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30.

Article XI: Amendments

Section 1. Proposals
Proposals for amendments to the Bylaws are presented to the Leadership Team for review and consideration for Network decision as defined in the decision-making policy.

Section 2. Notice
The Bylaws may be amended by Network decision after discussion held at a meeting of the Network (as described in Article VI) for which Members received notice of the proposed change at least 30 days in advance.

Section 3. Voting
An amendment must receive a super-majority of 75% of votes cast, with voters as described in Article VI.

Article XII: Dissolution of Assets

In the event of dissolution, the assets of CIRTL, after payment of debts and obligations, shall be returned to current Members, as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement and Member Memoranda of Understanding with the host institution.

Article XIII: Term

Section 1. Implementation
These bylaws go into effect on July 1st following their adoption. Amendments go into effect at the time they are approved.

Section 2. Review

  1. The effectiveness of the Bylaws will be reviewed by the Network three years after their initial implementation.
  2. Subsequent reviews, either of the entire Bylaws or of sections, may be initiated by the Leadership Team.