ESO CONSTITUTION/BYLAWS

CONSTITUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ORGANIZATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

ARTICLE I. NAME

The official name of the organization shall be the Environmental Science Organization (ESO).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Environmental Science Organization is to promote understanding and appreciation for the environmental sciences among the student body. The Environmental Science Organization is to serve in a multi-faceted capacity fostering service, fellowship, a positive research environment, and serve as a link between undergraduates, faculty members, and graduate students.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Environmental Science Organization is open to all University students interested in the field of environmental sciences.

The organization will not restrict membership and/or activity by reason of age, citizenship, color, disability, gender, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam eras. Notwithstanding these requirements, the organization may restrict membership based on an ability to perform the activities related to the organization’s purpose.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

The Environmental Science Organization shall elect four (4) officers to comprise the executive board that maintain responsibility for management of the organization. Although the activities of the organization shall be governed by all members, decisions on day-to-day operations, policy matters, organization, and finance shall be vested in the executive board. The officers shall further act as liaisons between the Environmental Science Organization and the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. Individual responsibilities of each office are as follows:

President – Plans and runs the meetings and coordinates the activities of the various committees. This officer serves as the prime liaison between the department and ESO members. This officer is also the contact for others outside the department and University about opportunities for students interested and involved in environmental sciences.

Vice President – Aids the president in his/her responsibilities. In the absence of the President, the Vice President will take his/her place in a meeting or activity. This officer is in charge of coordinating all service projects for the organization.

Secretary – Takes the minutes for each meeting and maintains a log record of the activities of the organization. This officer will post the minutes of meetings on e-mail or the ESO website for those students who were not able to attend the meeting.

Treasurer – Handles and records any expenses and earnings of the organization. Most importantly, he/she works with the president to gain financial appropriations from Student Council and the Department of Environmental Sciences each year through the writing and presentation of a proposal.

The officers of the Environmental Science Organization must be officially registered as full-time undergraduates at the University of Virginia.

ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS

Elections will be held in the middle of April each year. Nominations will be taken for each of the four (4) offices, and candidates will be expected to make a short speech prior to a vote. If a candidate is unable to attend a regularly scheduled meeting to make the speech, he/she may have another member read the speech in his/her place. A simple majority vote for a particular candidate will elect an officer. Voting will take place over the course of twenty-four 24 hours and will be conducted by secret ballot. If there are more than two (2) candidates running for an office and a majority is not attained in a first vote by a single candidate, then the candidate(s) receiving the fewest votes will be removed from the ballot, and a run-off vote will be held between the top two (2). In the event of a tie, the three other newly elected officers will cast the tie-breaking votes. In the event of a schedule conflict or unforeseen circumstances regarding an officer’s participation in ESO, decisions on special elections will be left to the sitting executive board.

ARTICLE VI. FINANCE

Dues are not required for membership in the Environmental Science Organization. All monies received by the organization must be used to promote the aims of the Environmental Science Organization in accordance with the Purpose. Expenditures of all funds must be made in a non-discriminatory fashion and the books/records made available for authorized viewing by members and the Department of Environmental Sciences. Regular reports will be made to the membership by the treasurer.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The Constitution of the Environmental Science Organization may be amended with the approval of two-thirds of the members at a regularly scheduled meeting.