1. To encourage an interdisciplinary approach to biological conservation.
2. To promote development of skills needed for effective participation in the field of conservation biology.
3. To promote a forum for awareness of and involvement in local and global conservation issues.
4. To advance and articulate the position of the Society on matters of public policy.
5. To promote a high standard of integrity in the field of conservation biology.

Constitution of the Society for Conservation Biology
Texas A&M Chapter

Article I: NAME

The name of this student organization is the Texas A&M Chapter (hereafter referred to as “the Chapter”) of the Society for Conservation Biology (hereafter referred to as “the Society”).

Article II: PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office of the Chapter is located at the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, Nagle 107, Texas A&M University.

Article III: OBJECTIVES

1. Promote membership in the Society and participation in the Chapter’s activities.
2. Encourage an interdisciplinary approach to biological conservation.
3. Promote development of skills needed by professionals for effective participation in the field of conservation biology.
4. Promote a forum for awareness of and involvement in local and global conservation issues.
5. Advance and articulate positions of the Society on matters of public policy.
6. Promote a high standard of professional integrity in the field of conservation biology.

Article IV: MEMBERSHIP

Voting member. Any person who has an interest in the objectives and the activities of the Chapter may join the Chapter as a voting member. Only voting members may be elected to Chapter officer positions and vote on official matters affecting the Chapter. If the Chapter assesses dues, all voting members shall be responsible for payment.

Article V: OFFICERS

1. The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements: a) have at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point ratio and at least a 2.00 grade point ratio in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours must have been taken for that semester. In one limited circumstance, summer hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s); b) be in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semester) during the term of office; c) be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).
2. There will be nine elected officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Sales Director, Current Issues Chair, Activities Chair, Programs Chair and Education Chair. Elections for the nine officers will be held at the annual business meeting. In the event that all positions are not filled, they will be reassigned by the president. Term of office will be one year. All officers must be voting members of the Chapter for their entire term of office.

Article VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1. President. The President is the primary representative of the Society. The President is the main coordinator of all activities.
2. Vice-President. The Vice-President assists and acts in place of the President when necessary.
3. Secretary. The Secretary keeps minutes of the meetings and posts them, e-mails notices of meetings and maintains the website.
4. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer keeps members updated on dues, cuts checks for all Society payments, and keeps records of the Society account.
5. Sales Director. The Sales Director shall maintain contact with reputable sales operators and schedule salespersons in time-slots.
6. Current Issues Chair. The Current Issues Chair organizes discussion/dinner meetings, prepares and presents topics for discussions and updates the group on urgent issues.
7. Activities Chair. The Activities Chair posts meetings/selected activities in the Battalion and plans trip activities. The Activities Chair creates flyers and coordinates their distribution. The Activities Chair also alerts the phone committee to call members about the upcoming meeting/event.
8. Programs Chair. The Programs Chair contacts and sets plans with speakers, then arranges meetings for speaker presentations.
9. Education Chair. The Education Chair plans and coordinates all aspects of educational activities for the Society-community interaction.

Article VII: FINANCES

1. Dues shall be determined on a semester or yearly basis and will be collected from all voting members of this organization.
2. All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the MSC Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.

Article VIII: CONTINUATION/DISSOLUTION

1. If the membership fails to elect Officers for the Chapter, the Chapter shall be considered dormant. At the time the outgoing officers shall forward the Chapter’s charter, bylaws, and remaining funds to the President of the Society. The Chapter shall be reactivated at any time within a period of two years by holding a special election. The purpose of the special election is to vote for an executive board.
2. If, at the end of two years, there is no interest in reconvening the Chapter, the Chapter’s funds shall be permanently transferred to the Society.

Article IX: AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

This constitution may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the active membership, subject to the approval of the Director of Student Activities. A voting member who is absent may file an absentee ballot.