The Clausewitz Forum

1.1 Official Name — The organization is officially known as The Clausewitz Forum — The Polemology Society, referred to as "the Forum" or "TCF."

1.2 Institutional Affiliation — The Forum is an independent academic think tank based at Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone (USL). It is open to students, faculty, alumni, researchers, and members of the public, and is not affiliated with or subject to the authority of any student union or student government body.

1.3 Badge & Heraldry — A navy circular seal bearing a quartered heraldic shield (rampant lion, castle turret, eagle, and open book inscribed with "Ω" and "C"), crossed swords and quill symbolizing the union of strategy and scholarship, laurel branches for academic excellence, and the motto "Cognitio et Strategia" on the lower ribbon.

Vision — To be the foremost independent academic think tank for the study of the history of war, international relations, and security studies in Sierra Leone and West Africa.

Mission — To foster rigorous academic inquiry, intellectual debate, and strategic thinking among all who are interested in the history of war, international relations, and security studies.

3.1 Core Values — Rigor, Discourse, Integrity, Openness, and Excellence — the Forum strives for the highest standards in all its academic and organizational endeavors.

3.2 Philosophical Heritage — The Forum draws its inspiration from Carl von Clausewitz's On War (Vom Kriege) and the discipline of Polemology, alongside Sun Tzu, Thucydides, Machiavelli, Jomini, Liddell Hart, Kennan, Morgenthau, and other strategic thinkers.

4.1 Categories — (a) Founding Members — established the Forum, honorary recognition, may advise the Executive Council. (b) Full Members — completed the application process; full voting and office rights. (c) Associate Members — from other institutions; participate fully but hold no constitutional vote or office. (d) Honorary Members — recognized by two-thirds Executive Council vote for exceptional contribution; no voting rights.

4.2 Admission — Written application to the Secretary-General; attendance at orientation; demonstrated alignment with Forum values; payment of dues. The Executive Council votes on applications within fourteen (14) days.

4.3 Rights — Attend all meetings and events; participate in debate and academic activity; vote and contest elections (Full Members); access publications and resources.

Authority flows from the General Assembly of members to a seven-officer Executive Council, supported by Standing Committees. An Electoral Commission of three neutral Full Members, appointed by the General Assembly, administers all elections.

Tenure — One academic year per term, renewable for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Vacancies — the Executive Council appoints an acting officer within 14 days; a by-election follows within 30 days if more than four months remain. Quorum — 50%+1 of Full Members for the General Assembly; five of seven officers for the Executive Council.

Seven elected officers manage the Forum's day-to-day affairs (President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Director of Academic Affairs, Director of Public Relations & Communications, Director of Welfare & Membership Development — detailed above). Each officer maintains a portfolio file and submits a written end-of-year report to the General Assembly.

Standing Committees — Academic Affairs Committee; Finance Committee; Membership & Welfare Committee; Editorial & Publications Committee; Electoral Commission.

Ad Hoc Working Groups — The Executive Council may form temporary working groups with a defined mandate, timeline, and reporting structure.

Each committee meets at least monthly, keeps minutes, and reports to the Executive Council. All Full Members are eligible to serve.

The General Assembly meets regularly, with extraordinary sessions callable by the President or a petition of 20% of Full Members (seven days' notice). The Executive Council meets at least twice monthly, with 24-hour notice for emergency sessions; minutes circulate within 48 hours.

Voting — Simple majority (50%+1) for ordinary decisions; a two-thirds supermajority for constitutional amendments. The presiding officer breaks ties. Debate follows modified parliamentary procedure with a three-minute speaking limit per intervention.

The Clausewitz Lecture Series (four+ lectures per semester) · Polemology Debate Forum · War Games & Strategic Simulations · Case Study Analysis Program · Member Development Workshops · Annual Polemology Conference (closing with the Annual Address) · Film & Documentary Screening Series.

The Clausewitz Review — a peer-reviewed academic journal published at least annually, carrying student research, essays, and policy briefs under blind review. Strategic Briefings — 1,000–2,000 word policy analyses, at least monthly. The Forum Newsletter — a monthly digest of activities and reading recommendations. Digital Presence — active social media and this website.

The Forum may establish academic and institutional partnerships — with universities, think tanks, diplomatic missions, and civil-society organizations — that advance its mission, subject to Executive Council approval and consistent with the Forum's independence.

Finances are managed transparently by the Financial Secretary in consultation with the Executive Council and Finance Committee, funded through membership dues, sponsorships, grants, publication fees, and event revenue, with financial reports presented each semester and audited annually.

Members are expected to uphold the Forum's values and Code of Conduct. Alleged violations are addressed through a defined disciplinary process before the Executive Council, with a right of appeal to the General Assembly.

Amendments to this Constitution require a two-thirds supermajority of the General Assembly. A periodic constitutional review is conducted as part of the annual calendar (see Schedule A).

Dissolution requires a supermajority vote of the General Assembly. Upon dissolution, the constitutional archive, records, and publications of the Forum are deposited with the FBC USL library.

Schedule A — Academic Year Calendar: Aug/Sep — elections, orientation, budget adoption. Sep–Dec — Lecture Series, debates, committee meetings, Semester Assembly, Strategic Briefings. Jan–May — War Games, Case Study Program, Annual Conference, year-end Assembly, awards. Jun–Jul — constitutional review (if due), alumni engagement, planning.

Schedule B — Standard Meeting Agenda: Call to Order · Confirmation of Quorum · Adoption of Agenda · Matters Arising · Main Business · New Business · Announcements · Next Meeting · Adjournment.

Schedule C — Membership Application Requirements: completed application form; ~200-word statement of motivation; acknowledgment of the Constitution; payment of dues; attendance at orientation.