GEOC Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE DIVISION OF GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Bylaw I. Name

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Division of Geochemistry (hereinafter referred to as the Division) of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (hereinafter referred to as the SOCIETY).

Bylaw II. Objects

Section 1. The general objects of the Division shall be those of the SOCIETY as stated in the Constitution of the SOCIETY.

To encourage the highest standards of excellence in developing and applying knowledge of chemistry and related services as they pertain to the understanding and exploration of Earth’s geosphere and that of extraterrestrial bodies.
To promote the development of geochemical science in both academic institutions and in industry.
To improve the qualifications and usefulness of geochemists through high standards of professional ethics, education, and attainment.
To increase the diffusion of geochemical knowledge through its meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions, and publications, thereby fostering public welfare and education.
To promote the mutual recognition of need and interest for the complete spectrum of geochemical interests, from fundamental research to pragmatic technology.

Section 2. Nothing in these bylaws shall be inconsistent with the Charter, Constitution, and Bylaws of the SOCIETY.

Section 3. The purpose for which this Division is organized and operated is exclusively scientific, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and its regulations as they now exist, or as they may hereafter be amended. The purpose of this Division shall be the advancement of geochemistry, and in specific furtherance thereof:

Bylaw III. Members and Affiliates

Section 1. Membership in the Division is open to all MEMBERS and STUDENT MEMBERS (hereinafter collectively referred to as “members”) of the SOCIETY. Any member of the SOCIETY may join the Division by enrolling with the Division and paying the established annual dues as mentioned elsewhere in these bylaws.

Section 2. STUDENT MEMBERS shall be entitled to all privileges of membership except that of holding an elective position of the SOCIETY and of the Division. A STUDENT MEMBER may not (1) serve as Councilor, Alternate Councilor, or the Temporary Substitute Councilor; (2) be appointed as a committee chair; or (3) hold an elective position of the Division as noted elsewhere in these bylaws.

Section 3. The Division may have Division Affiliates as authorized in the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY. A Division Affiliate shall retain affiliate status only so long as payment is made of Division Affiliate dues of not less than two dollars ($2.00) per annum. A Division Affiliate may not (1) hold an elective position, (2) vote for an elective position; (3) vote on Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, (4) vote for Councilor(s) or Alternate Councilor(s), (5) be appointed as a committee chair, or (6) serve as voting member of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. A Society Affiliate may become a Society Affiliate of the Division provided that Division dues established for Society Affiliates are paid. A Society Affiliate may not (1) hold an elective position, (2) vote for an elective position; (3) vote on Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Division, (4) vote for the Councilor(s) or Alternate Councilor(s), (5) be appointed as a committee chair, or (6) serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee.

Section 5. Members and affiliates shall have such rights and privileges as accorded to them by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY and these bylaws.

Section 6. Any member or affiliate may resign from membership in the Division by submitting a resignation in writing to the Secretary of the Division; any dues previously paid shall not be refunded.

Bylaw IV. Officers, Councilors, and Executive Committee

Section 1. Officers The officers of the Division shall be MEMBERS of the SOCIETY and the Division and shall consist of the Division Chair, Program Chair, Program Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer positions may be held by the same person.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Division and as such shall have full power to conduct, manage, and direct the business and affairs of the Division in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY and these bylaws. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Division, the Immediate Past Division Chair, the Councilor(s), Alternate Councilor(s) and the chairs of the standing committees.

Section 3. The Division Chair, Program Chair, and Program Chair-Elect of the Division shall serve for a term of one year beginning on January 1 or until their successors are elected. At the end of the Program Chair-Elect’s term of office, the Program Chair-Elect shall succeed to the office of Program Chair. At the end of the Program Chair’s term of office, the Program Chair shall succeed to the office of Division Chair. The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of three years beginning on January 1 or until their successors are elected; they shall be elected in alternate years, whenever possible, to provide for a rotation of terms. With the exception of the Division Chair, Program Chair, and Program Chair-Elect, the incumbent of any position is eligible for reelection.

Section 4. Duties of Officers and Councilors The duties of the officers shall be such as usually pertain to their offices, together with those required by these bylaws and by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY, and such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Executive Committee.

The duties of the Division Chair shall be to preside at meetings of the Executive Committee, to carry into effect the decisions and recommendations of that Committee, to preside at meetings of the Division to conduct governance business, to appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, all committee chairs and committee members except as stated elsewhere in these bylaws, and to carry out the duties required by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY.
The duties of the Program Chair-Elect and Program Chair shall be to assist the Division Chair with the direction and of the Division. In the absence of the Division Chair, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the Program Chair. The Program Chair shall prepare the preliminary and final programs for meetings of the Division. The national meetings for which the Program Chair-Elect will be Program Chair are the fall meetings during the term of office and the spring meeting immediately after the term of office.
The duties of the Secretary shall be to keep a record of the minutes of the meetings of the Division and of the Executive Committee, to maintain a list of members and affiliates, to send to members and affiliates such notices as the business of the Division may require, to submit a report to the Division at its annual meeting, and to carry out the duties required by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY and elsewhere in these bylaws. The Secretary shall preside over meetings in the absence of both the Division Chair and Program Chair.
The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Division, keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements, receive dues, and make those disbursements approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall render an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the Division to the Executive Committee at times set by the Committee, and shall submit such reports as are required by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY.

Section 5. Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the office of Division Chair, the Program Chair shall assume the duties of Division Chair for the remainder of the term. In such case, the Program Chair moving into the position of Division Chair shall also hold that position during the normal term as Division Chair as part of the leadership transition.
In the event of either a vacancy in the office of Program Chair or the Program Chair moving into the position of Division Chair, the Program Chair-Elect shall assume the duties of Program Chair for the remainder of the term. In such case, the Program Chair-Elect moving into the position of Program Chair shall also hold that position during the normal term as Program Chair as part of the leadership transition.
All other vacancies, except for Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s), shall be filled by majority vote of the Executive Committee through interim appointment for the period up to the next annual election. At that time, the procedures for election as outlined in the bylaws of the Division shall be followed.
An interim appointee to the vacated office of Program Chair-Elect shall not automatically succeed to the office of Program Chair. At the next election, both a Program Chair and a Program Chair-Elect shall be elected.

Section 6. Councilor(s), Alternate Councilor(s), and Temporary Substitute Councilor

The Division shall have Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s) as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY. The Division’s Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s) shall carry out those duties assigned to them by the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY. In particular, the Councilor(s) (or Alternate Councilor(s) or Temporary Substitute Councilor if so designated to serve in place of the Councilor for a particular meeting), shall attend meetings of the Council of the SOCIETY and represent the Division at such meetings.
Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s) shall be elected by ballot from among the MEMBERS for three-year terms beginning January 1. Reelection is permissible. Councilor(s) shall be elected in separate years, whenever possible, to provide for a rotation of terms in accordance with the Constitution of the SOCIETY. A partial term of one or two years shall be used whenever necessary to establish or to restore rotation of three-year terms provided that the Councilor and/or Alternate Councilor agree to the partial term before the election.
In the event that a Councilor is unable to attend a specified meeting of the Council of the SOCIETY, the Division Chair shall appoint one of the Alternate Councilor(s) to serve as Councilor at the specified meeting. Such appointment of an Alternate Councilor shall be for only one meeting.
If every Councilor and Alternate Councilor of the Division will be absent from a Council meeting, thus leaving the Division without representation at such meeting, the Executive Committee may designate one MEMBER of the Division as a Temporary Substitute Councilor in accordance with the Bylaws of the SOCIETY.
The Executive Committee shall designate one or more Councilor(s) to be disqualified under the SOCIETY’s Bylaw provisions for reallocation of Councilor(s) among the Divisions.
Any vacancy in the position of Councilor or Alternate Councilor shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the time of the next annual election. The vacancy may be filled until the next annual election by appointment by the Executive Committee.

Bylaw V. Manner of Election

Section 1. The election of officers shall be conducted by a ballot distributed to the members of the Division in accordance with the Bylaws of the SOCIETY and these bylaws. Division Affiliates and Society Affiliates may not vote for an elective position of the Division. Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s) shall be elected by a ballot distributed to all members of the Division; affiliates may not vote for Councilor(s), and Alternate Councilor(s).

Section 2. In September of each year, the Nomination Committee shall report to the membership its nominations for each office to be filled. Prior to October 15, any member of the Division may, in writing or from the floor at a meeting to conduct governance business, nominate additional candidates for office and Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s) positions, provided that the candidates are MEMBERS of the Division as required elsewhere in these bylaws, if the nomination is seconded by another member. Each nomination should be supported in writing by at least 10 MEMBERS to be considered eligible for the elective position by the Nomination Committee. Nominations so made shall be equally valid as those from the Nomination Committee. All candidates nominated shall have indicated willingness to serve if elected.

Section 3. When a ballot is used, the candidates for each office and for Councilor(s)/Alternate Councilor(s) shall be listed in an order to be selected by lot on a ballot to be distributed by November 1, only to eligible voters as noted above except that affiliates may not vote for Councilor(s)/Alternate Councilor(s). The ballot shall provide for a write-in candidate for each position to be filled. A paper ballot shall be provided to any eligible voter who requests it.

Section 4. The ballots shall be tabulated and validated not later than November 15. Except as noted below, the candidate for each position receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected. The Executive Committee may decide that for Councilor(s), the candidate(s) who receive the majority of votes shall be declared elected as Councilor(s); the candidate(s) who get the next largest number of votes shall be declared elected as Alternate Councilor(s). In case of a tie vote for any position, the Executive Committee, by ballot, shall elect from among the candidates who share the tie vote; the candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected.

Section 5. The results shall be announced by the Division Chair or his or her designee as soon as possible after the election, and also published in the Division’s newsletter and/or on the Division’s website soon thereafter. The results shall be certified to the Executive Director of the SOCIETY not later than December 1.

Section 6. In accordance with the SOCIETY’s Bylaws, balloting procedures should ensure fair balloting that is open to all eligible members, protection against fraudulent balloting, and the timely reporting and archiving of balloting results.

Bylaw VI. Recall of Elected Officials

Section 1. The elected officials of the Division (officers and elected Executive Committee members, except not Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s)) are subject to recall for neglect of duties or conduct injurious to the SOCIETY. Recall procedures are not applicable to Councilor(s) and Alternate Councilor(s).

Section 2. The recall of an official shall be initiated when a signed petition, indicating in writing the specific charges and reasonable substantiating evidence, is submitted to the Division Chair from at least five members of the Division. In the event the Division Chair is the official in question, the Program Chair shall receive the petition and shall assume the duties of the Division Chair with respect to this issue until the issue is resolved.

Section 3. The Division Chair shall, without delay, determine that the petitioners are aware of the gravity of their actions and the procedures to be followed. The Division Chair shall seek an alternate resolution to the problem and a withdrawal of the petition at this time. In the absence of a resolution to the problem, the Division Chair shall notify the members of the Executive Committee and call a special meeting within thirty days.

The Executive Committee shall promptly continue the recall process or dismiss the petition as ill-founded or find an alternative solution to the problem. The Division Chair shall promptly inform the petitioners and the official of the decision of the Executive Committee. If no contact with the official can be made after a reasonable effort, the Executive Committee may remove the official in question with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining members.
If the proceedings continue:
1. The Division Chair shall assign the duties of the official to another qualified MEMBER of the Division, as required elsewhere in these bylaws, until the issue is resolved.
2. The official shall be offered an opportunity to answer the allegations in the petition before the Executive Committee. A certified letter shall be sent to the last known address on the official SOCIETY membership roll. Upon notification, the official shall have 30 days to make a written response to the allegations.
3. The Executive Committee shall decide whether or not to proceed after studying the official’s response. The Division Chair shall inform the official and the petitioners of the decision of the Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee decides that the proceedings shall continue, the official shall choose one of the following options:

The official may resign.
The official may request a recall vote. Division members shall be informed, through brief written statements prepared by the Executive Committee and the official, of the issues involved with the recall vote. Both statements shall be distributed to the members with the ballot. A paper ballot shall be provided to any member who requests it. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast shall be required for the official to be removed from office. The membership shall be informed of the results of the recall vote.
The official may request a hearing and a recall vote by the remaining members of the Executive Committee. At least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall be required to recall the official.
The official may choose not to respond and thus forfeit the position.

Section 4. The vacancy provisions of these bylaws shall be used to fill a vacancy caused by a recall process. The Executive Director of the SOCIETY shall be informed of the recall and the filling of the vacancy.

Bylaw VI. Committees

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall establish committees as necessary for the proper operation of the Division. All committee members shall be members and/or affiliates of the SOCIETY and the Division.

Section 2. The Geochemistry Division Medal Committee The Division shall have the following standing committees: Nomination Committee and Geochemistry Division Medal Committee. The term of office of members of committees shall be typically for one year and will normally begin on January 1. The duties and responsibilities of the Nomination Committee are noted elsewhere in these bylaws.

The Geochemistry Division Medal Committee shall consist of seven members as follows: The Division’s longest serving Division Councilor, the longest serving Alternate Councilor, the current Editor-in-Chief of Geochemical Transactions, three past Chairs of the Geochemistry Division, to be nominated by the longest serving Division Councilor and ratified by the Executive Committee, the GEOC Medal recipient that was selected by the Committee two years prior to selection of the Medal’s most recent recipient.
The term in office for those Geochemistry Division Medal Committee members nominated by the longest serving Division Councilor shall normally be 4 years. Members may be reappointed for one additional 4 year term and thereafter shall be ineligible.
A GEOC Medal Committee Chairperson will be chosen by the members of the GEOC Medal Committee from those Committee members who are Past Chairs of the Geochemistry Division.
The committee member who is the longest serving Division Councilor shall not be eligible to serve as Committee Chair.

Bylaw VIII. Meetings

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall designate the times and places of the Division’s meetings as it finds necessary or desirable for the proper functioning of the Division. The Division shall hold at least one technical session annually; however, this requirement may be modified by the Executive Committee in accordance with the Bylaws of the SOCIETY.

Section 2. The annual meeting of the Division to conduct governance business shall be held at the time of a national meeting of the SOCIETY. The Executive Committee shall set the order of business for meetings of the Division to conduct governance business. The order of business may be suspended by a majority vote of the members present.

Section 3. The Division may hold special meetings to conduct governance business upon the written request of a majority of the Executive Committee or upon the written request of 15 members of the Division. To be valid, such request shall be received by the Secretary at least ten days before the date requested for the meeting and shall state the exact nature of the business to be transacted. No other business shall transpire at such meetings.

Section 4. Meetings of the Executive Committee and meetings of the Division to conduct governance business, with the approval of the Executive Committee, may be held by means of electronic communications technology that permits those in attendance to read or hear the proceedings substantially concurrently with their occurrence, to vote on matters submitted, to pose questions, and to make comments.

Section 5. The Executive Committee shall meet upon due notice either at the call of the Division Chair or upon request of a majority of its members. A quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the Committee. In the absence of a quorum, called meetings of the Executive Committee shall adjourn to a specific date.

Section 6. Due notice of the Division’s meetings, not including committee meetings, shall be sent to each member and affiliate of the Division. A quorum for the transaction of governance business at such a Division meeting shall consist of 15 members of the Division. No governance business shall be conducted in the absence of a quorum.

Section 7. The fee for registration at any special meeting shall be decided by the Executive Committee in accordance with the Constitution of the SOCIETY.

Section 8. The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters not covered in these bylaws or in the SOCIETY’s documents.

Bylaw IX. Finances

Section 1.

Members of the Division shall pay annual dues in an amount set by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have the option to waive or discount dues for STUDENT MEMBERS and for others as provided in the SOCIETY’s Bylaws for waived or discounted dues. A member of the Division who is in arrears in payment of dues for one year shall be removed from the rolls.
Society Affiliates shall pay annual dues in an amount set by the Executive Committee.
The annual dues of Division Affiliates shall be determined by the Executive Committee in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the SOCIETY, and as mentioned elsewhere in these bylaws.

Section 2. The Division may raise or collect funds to be expended for Division purposes, and may have the entire management and control of such funds insofar as such management and control shall not conflict with any provision of these bylaws or with the Constitution or Bylaws of the SOCIETY.

Section 3. The Division may receive donations or bequests made to it, and may expend or invest the same on behalf of the Division. Such expenditures or investments shall be made by the Treasurer of the Division upon authorization by the Executive Committee.

Section 4. The Executive Committee may authorize temporarily reduced membership dues to specific groups of potential Division members as a membership recruiting incentive.

Section 5. The Executive Committee may authorize dues for membership in Subdivisions of the Division in addition to dues required for membership in the Division. The amount of any such Subdivision dues shall be set by the Executive Committee.

Bylaw X. Papers and Publications

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the selection of papers to be presented at meetings of the Division. It may delegate this authority to a Division member or to a committee created for this purpose.

Section 2. The rules for papers presented before meetings of the SOCIETY, per the ACS Governing Documents, shall govern this Division.

Bylaw XI. Awards

Section 1. In the furtherance of the goals and objects of the Division, the Executive Committee may establish awards to be given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of geochemistry, service to the Division, or meetings of the Division.

Section 2. The Geochemistry Division Medal

The paramount award of the Division shall be the Geochemistry Division Medal.
The Geochemistry Division Medal shall include
1. an inscribed medallion,
2. a monetary award, and
3. an allowance to the awardee for registration and travel to the ACS meeting at which the award will be conferred.
The Geochemistry Division Medal shall normally be awarded biennially (in odd numbered years) for outstanding accomplishment in any area of Geochemistry, provided that the following conditions are met:
1. the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee identifies a sufficiently qualified candidate from the pool of nominees, and
2. there are sufficient funds available to support the presentation of the award.
Geochemistry Division Medal Awardee Selection Process
1. Selection of the Geochemistry Division Medal Awardee shall be the responsibility of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee.
2. By the last day of January of even numbered years, or as close as possible thereto, the Chair of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee shall disseminate as widely as possible a call for nominations, including publication on the Division’s web site, publication in Chemical and Engineering News, publication in the Division’s newsletter, and in such other publications as may be available and appropriate.
3. Nominations initially received in response to the two-years-prior call for nominations for nominees not selected by the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee will be reactivated. The Chair of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee may request that originators of reactivated nominations provide updated nomination materials.
4. Valid nominations shall be those completed and received by June 1 of the year in which the call for nominations was posted and which include, as a minimum, three letters of recommendation and a Curriculum Vita for each nominee.
5. As soon as possible after June 1 of the year in which the call for nominations was posted, the Chair of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee shall compile all valid nominations and disseminate these to the members of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee.
6. The awardee shall be chosen by vote of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee at the fall national meeting prior to the spring meeting at which the award will be conferred. If no sufficiently meritorious nominee is identified, the committee may determine that no award is to be issued.
Presentation of the Geochemistry Division Medal
1. The Chair of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee, acting in concert with the Division’s Program Chair and the selected recipient shall organize a half-day Geochemistry Division Medal Symposium, to be held in the recipient’s honor at the spring national meeting in the year in which the medal is to be conferred.
2. The recipient shall have the privilege of selecting those speakers to give presentations at the Geochemistry Division Medal Symposium.
3. The Geochemistry Division Medal Symposium will include comments on the Medal recipient’s accomplishments and contributions to geochemistry; delivered either by a close colleague, or by the Chair of the Geochemistry Division Medal Committee, in consultation with close colleagues of the Medal recipient.

Section 3. Division of Geochemistry Outstanding Service Award

The Division of Geochemistry Outstanding Service Award shall be conferred in recognition of outstanding service to the Division and its members.
Nominations for the Division of Geochemistry Outstanding Service Award are to be sent to the Chair of the Division and may be accepted at any time.
Selection of recipients for the Division of Geochemistry Outstanding Service Award shall be by vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Other Awards of the Division.

For each SOCIETY meeting, the Program Chair of the Division, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall select recipients of the Student Travel Award and the Best Presentation Award.
To be considered for the Student Travel Award, STUDENT MEMBERS hall submit a separate extended abstract to the Program Chair of the Division, along with the number and description of their already submitted abstract. Extended abstracts should not exceed one page (11-point font, single-line spacing, and 1-inch margins) and may contain tables and figures. The applicant should be the presenting author and only one application per presenting author shall be considered.
Abstracts will be judged by the Program Chair of the Division and Executive Committee members based on the impact on the field of geochemistry, technical approach, quality and clarity of writing, and the relevance of the abstract to both the Division’s session and the national meeting themes. Up to five awardees shall be selected at each meeting.
The Student Travel awardees shall be given an extended time allocation for the oral presentation. The Division will provide financial support for the awardees’ registration(s) at the meeting.
The Student Best Presentation Award shall be given in recognition of the best presentation from among the recipients of the Student Travel Award at that meeting. Judges for the presentation will be selected by the Program Chair of the Division.

Bylaw XII. Subdivisions

Section 1. The Division may organize within itself one or more units, known as Subdivisions, which shall be established to cover a specified portion of the general field of the Division. Each such Subdivision shall operate in conformity with the bylaws of, and shall be responsible to, the Division.

Section 2. Formation and Dissolution of Subdivisions Formation or discontinuance of a Subdivision shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Division. Steps to initiate a Subdivision may be taken by action of the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by at least 15 members of the Division, sent to the Executive Committee. The scope of the activities of a Subdivision shall be defined and monitored by the Executive Committee of the Division. Members and affiliates of the Division may join the Subdivision by request to the Secretary of the Subdivision.

Section 3. Subdivision Membership Upon establishment of a Subdivision, the Executive Committee of the Division shall appoint members of the Division to serve as Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Subdivision. The Secretary and Treasurer positions may be held by the same person. The Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve until the next regular election of the Division. Thereafter, the Chair-Elect shall succeed to the office of Chair and the members of the Subdivision shall nominate and elect the remaining officers, who must be willing to serve in these positions. The officers, who shall be members of the SOCIETY, shall be elected in accordance with election procedures for Division officers and shall serve for one year beginning January 1. The Chair of the Subdivision shall be a member of the Executive Committee of the Division and may appoint such committees as may be necessary to conduct the activities of the Subdivision. The Secretary of the Subdivision shall maintain a list of members and affiliates of the Subdivision. The Treasurer shall submit, periodically or as directed by the Executive Committee of the Division, an itemized statement of receipts and expenses to the Executive Committee of the Division.

Section 4. Subdivision Officers The necessary expenses of the Subdivision shall be authorized by the Executive Committee of the Division from Division funds and be credited to the Subdivision’s funds, to be deposited by the Subdivision’s Treasurer, upon proper authorization and verification of revenues and expenses by the Subdivision’s officers. By majority vote, the officers of the Subdivision may set dues for the Subdivision upon approval of the Division’s Executive Committee. Funds, including Subdivision dues and donations, collected by the Subdivision and the expenditure thereof shall be under the control of the officers of the Subdivision.

Bylaw XIII. Affilitation with Other Technical Organizations

Section 1. The Division may affiliate with other technical organizations that cover a specified portion of the general field of the Division, both domestically and in countries outside of the United States, provided that such affiliation does not contravene the Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, or Regulations of the SOCIETY. Such affiliation must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Division, by confirmation by the Council Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, and in compliance with the specific requirements of the Bylaws of the SOCIETY.

Section 2. The affiliation with the technical organization shall become effective upon authorization by the Executive Committee of the Division, by the Council Committee on Divisional Activities, and by confirmation by the Council Committee on Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 3. The Executive Committee may terminate the affiliation with any technical organization by notifying, in writing, the governing body of the technical organization. The technical organization may terminate the affiliation upon written notice to the Division’s Executive Committee. Affiliations shall terminate after five years unless reauthorized by the Executive Committee. The term of each subsequent reauthorization shall not exceed five years.

Bylaw XIV. Amendments

Section 1. A petition to amend the bylaws may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by at least 15 members of the Division. If the proposed amendment is approved by the Executive Committee, if practical, it shall be submitted to the SOCIETY’s Committee on Constitution and Bylaws for review.

Section 2. The Executive Committee will then incorporate all the required changes and either accept or reject any recommended changes that are suggested by the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws. The revised bylaws shall then be submitted to the Division members for adoption. This may be accomplished at a business meeting of the Division held during a national meeting of the SOCIETY provided that a minimum of four weeks’ prior notice is given to the Division members.

Section 3. If a proposed amendment is not approved by the Executive Committee and if the petition is signed by at least 15 members of the Division, if practical, it shall be submitted to the SOCIETY’s Committee on Constitution and Bylaws for review before being distributed to the members of the Division.

Section 4. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast shall be required to approve the amendment. This may be done at a business meeting of the Division provided a quorum is present. Alternatively, or failing the presence of a quorum, the vote may be taken by a ballot distributed to all members of the Division. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the valid ballots returned must be affirmative for adoption.

Section 5. The Secretary shall distribute the outcome of the vote regarding the amendment(s) to the Division members and within one month shall meet all requirements for submitting the results to the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 6. Amendments to these bylaws, after adoption by the Division, shall become effective upon approval by the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, acting for the Council of the SOCIETY, unless a later date is specified.

Bylaw XII. Dissolution of the Division

Upon dissolution of the Division, any assets of the Division remaining thereafter shall be conveyed to such organization then existent as is dedicated to objects similar to those of the Division and the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, or to the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, so long as whichever organization is selected by the governing body of the Division at the time of dissolution shall be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended or under such successor provision of the Code as may be in effect at the time of the Division’s dissolution.

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