2009 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS

         The Conflict Resolution Forum (CRF) is a graduate student organization of The George Washington University for students interested in conflict resolution.  CRF seeks to build a community among conflict resolution-oriented students at GW by organizing events and encouraging dialogue on conflict and conflict resolution.  CRF serves as a resource for students interested in the different components of conflict studies at the Elliott School.  The Conflict Resolution Forum also seeks to broaden the organization’s reach into Washington’s wide-array of academic and professional conflict resolution communities. 

         Some of CRF’s past events include:  region/conflict-specific panels consisting of scholars and professionals; movie nights; roundtable discussions led by an academic or practitioners; small simulations; and networking events.  CRF also sends out a weekly newsletter featuring our events as well as international affairs events around Washington, DC.  The organization does not hold general member meetings because of the size of the group. 

         While board members are responsible for their respective duties, they are also expected to assist with planning and executing events as the board sees fit.  All executive board members can take charge of planning regional-/functional-specific events and movie nights depending on each person’s expertise and interests. Ideally, the executive board members support and complement one another, and each board works in its own way.   

         The following positions on the executive board are available for the 2009 calendar year.  Officers will be responsible for CRF activities for the spring 2009 and fall 2009 semesters; CRF does not usually hold events or send out the newsletter during the summer.  You must be a graduate in the Elliott School of International Affairs and graduating in Fall 2009 or later in order to be eligible for the 2009 board. 

         In order to be considered for a position – email crf@gwu.edu by Monday, December 8, 2008 to nominate yourself, or someone else; include a brief statement explaining why you are interested in joining the CRF executive board. 

President

Currently held by: Tara Chandra

         The President represents the membership of the CRF and is responsible for coordinating and over-seeing all activities, meetings, and events related to CRF.  The President is responsible for the coordination of meetings, for maintaining the organization’s good standing within the university and academic community, over-seeing the organization’s financial status, coordinating the semester schedule of events, and ensuring that the organization represents and fulfill the mission statement of the Conflict Resolution Forum.  The President shall represent the CRF at Elliott School functions, as well as relevant events throughout Washington.  He/she also assists other board members in their duties as necessary; in particular, the President also serves as an executive financial officer and scheduler.

Vice President

Currently held by:  Steve Huneke

         The Vice President is responsible for supporting the President in organizing academic-related events for CRF.  In this capacity, the Vice President suggests event ideas and panelists for CRF seminars to the President and the board.  He/she also oversees the board’s execution of the CRF’s Paths to Peace series, which consists of regional events that highlight the hurdles to conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.  The Vice President also helps with recruitment and advertising as necessary.

Communications Chair

Currently held by:  Andrew Hallock

         The Communications Chair maintains the Conflict Resolution Forum’s weekly newsletter.  The Communications Chair works in conjunction with the President, Scheduler, and Marketing Chair to ensure that CRF events are appropriately advertised through the use of the CRF listserv, posters, and other outreach methods.  He/she manages the listserv and aids in recruitment.  Depending on his/her expertise and interest, the Communications Chair can also take charge of planning regional/functional-specific events as the Board sees fit.

Marketing Chair

Currently held by:  Maria Televantos

         The Marketing Chair is responsible for promoting the Conflict Resolution Forum to the GW-community and to relevant institutions throughout the Washington area. He/She serves as webmaster of the CRF website and also maintains contact with CRF members through the Facebook group.  He/she works with the Communications Chair to ensure that CRF events are appropriately advertised.  Additionally, the Marketing is responsible for compiling a database of pertinent contacts and organizations in the Conflict Resolution field and for keeping the board updated on the status of upcoming CRF events. 

Treasurer

Currently held by:  Jessica Bryant

         The Treasurer serves as the executive financial officer of the Conflict Resolution Forum.  In this capacity, he/she is responsible for processing all money and receipts from costs incurred by the organization and board members from all events.  The Treasurer maintains CRF’s relations with the Student Activities Center’s financial staff, maintains an accurate balance of CRF’s accounts, and is conscious of the budget when planning activities.  The Treasurer works with the President at the beginning of each semester to create a budget, which is then submitted to the Student Association to apply for university funding.  The Treasurer also maintains records of all financial transactions.

Scheduler

Currently held by:  Lauren Lee

         The Scheduler is responsible for the logistics for CRF’s events and the organization at large.  He/she serves as the event manager, which includes making arrangements with speakers and room reservations throughout the university.  The Scheduler works with the President throughout the semester to work out logistical details for planned events.  The Scheduler is the only board member able to reserve the Lindner Commons; in order to do so, the Scheduler must undergo training by the Dean’s Office at the beginning of his/her term.

Social Chair

Currently held by:  Jen Stokes

         The Social Chair is responsible for ensuring CRF’s participation and visibility in on-campus social events, such as Orientations and Graduate Student Forum events.  He/she is responsible for planning and coordinating CRF-specific and inter-university social events in order to provide members with networking opportunities and to build ties throughout the conflict resolution field.  The Social Chair also supports the Marketing and Communications Chairs by helping with creating posters and advertising throughout the GW-community.