ARTICLE I—Name

This is a not-for-profit organization and shall be known as the “Society of Applied Geoscientists and Engineers, Inc.,” and is hereinafter referred to as the “Society.”

ARTICLE II—Mission

The mission of the Society is to advance the applied geoscience and engineering professions through research, scholarship, and enjoyment.

ARTICLE III—Organization

Section 1. The business of the Society shall be transacted by a Board of Directors comprised of the President and Executive Vice President for a term of 10 years. An Advisory Council comprised of the Vice President of Applied Geoscience, Vice President of Engineering, Secretary, Treasurer, and various Advisory positions shall serve to advise the Board of Directors. 

Section 2. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the Board of Directors, whether in physical or virtual meeting, or via electronic communication. A simple majority vote of the Board of Directors, whether in physical or virtual meeting, or via electronic communication, except in those matters which require a greater majority, as set forth in this Constitution and these Bylaws.

Section 3. Appointments and terminations to the Advisory Council shall be made upon an affirmative three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors. Additions and deletions of positions on the Advisory Council shall also be made upon an affirmative three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Appointments and terminations to the Board of Directors shall be made upon an affirmative three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors. Additions and deletions of positions on the Board of Directors shall also be made upon an affirmative three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors.  

ARTICLE IV—Funds

Section 1. The funds of the Society shall be deposited in any federally insured bank or savings institution. Funds more than the current year’s needs may be invested in low-risk mutual funds or similar liquid financial instruments or invested in U.S. Government bonds. The Board of Directors is authorized to create a separate charitable Foundation to further serve the purpose of the Society.

Section 2. The Society shall operate on a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.

ARTICLE V—Membership

Section 1. The Society shall have members, lifetime members, honorary members, and cornerstone members.

Section 2. The principal membership of the Society shall be comprised of three tiers, Professional, Associate, and Student. Professional membership requires no less than 8 years of professional experience in applied geoscience, engineering, or related field, and requires sponsorship by at least 3 Professional members; Associate membership requires at least some professional experience in applied geoscience, engineering, or related field, and requires sponsorship by at least 2 Professional members; and Student membership requires interest in applied geoscience, engineering, or related field, with furtherance of their knowledge via primary, secondary, college/university, continuing education, and/or self-learning, and requires sponsorship by at least 1 Professional member.

Section 3. Membership in the Society is open to all meeting the above criteria, irrespective of race, creed, color, gender, class, age, nation of origin, nationality, disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Section 4. Dues shall be set forth on an annual basis following the fiscal year of the Society at fees determined by the Board of Directors. New memberships enrolled after March 1 shall be considered to have paid their dues for the next fiscal year. Members dropped for nonpayment of dues may be reinstated following their payment of all delinquent dues.

Section 5. Professional and Associate members upon payment of a single fee determined by the Board of Directors shall be entitled to Professional Life and Associate Life membership without further payment of annual dues. Associate Life members that subsequently qualify of Professional membership shall be thereafter designated as Professional Life members.

Section 6. Honorary members may be appointed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Honorary members shall be entitled to the same benefits as Professional Life members.

Section 7. Professional, Associate, and Student members shall complete an annual 1-hour course on ethics via means to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. The Society shall also offer a Cornerstone membership for individuals, corporations, or other entities desiring to support the general operations of the Society. Cornerstone membership is not restricted to Professional, Associate, or Student members of the Society.

Section 9. Member behavior deemed to be detrimental to the Society may be censured, suspended, or expelled from the Society at the discretion of the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE IV—Meetings

There shall be an annual meeting of the Society, the time and place of which shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V—Publications

The Board of Directors is authorized to produce a published Record of meetings. The Board of Directors is authorized to publish additional journals, special publications, memoirs, and other materials that they feel will further the purpose of the Society.

ARTICLE VI—Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution and to the Articles of Incorporation may be proposed by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. It shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the voting members of the Board of Directors to ratify such an amendment.

Rev. Aug. 1, 2021