Constitution of the Estuarine Research Federation

1. ERF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

1.1 CONSTITUTION

1.1.1 Name of Organization

The name of this organization shall be "Estuarine Research Federation" (ERF).

1.1.2 Purpose of Organization

Said organization is established as a non-profit society and shall be operated exclusively for educational purposes and limited to those purposes. The objectives shall be to promote research in estuarine and coastal waters, to promote communication between members of affiliated societies (newsletters, journals), to conduct meetings and to be available as a source of advice in matters concerning estuaries and the coastal zone. ERF shall adopt a set of Bylaws which shall further the purposes by setting forth procedures and principal needs as the society dictates.

1.1.3 Affiliates

The Estuarine Research Federation has affiliation with the following regional research societies: Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (AERS) and New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS), joined in 1971, Gulf Estuarine Research Society (GERS, 1973), Southeastern Estuarine Research Society (SEERS, 1974), Pacific Estuarine Research Society (PERS, 1978), Atlantic Canada Coastal Estuarine Science Society (ACCESS, formerly the Gulf of St. Lawrence Estuarine Research Society (GSLERS, 2001) and the California Estuarine Research Society (CAERS, 2002). Societies desiring to affiliate may do so with approval of the ERF Governing Board.

1.1.4 Membership

The Federation shall be composed of members devoted to estuarine research and management. Applications for membership shall be accepted by the Executive Director and applicants shall become members upon payment of dues.

1.1.5 Dues

The Federation dues shall be set by the Governing Board according to membership categories specified in the Bylaws.

1.1.6 Meetings

Meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Governing Board. Time and place shall be chosen by the Governing Board. Programs will be planned by a program committee appointed by the Governing Board.

1.1.7 Governing Board

The Governing Board shall consist of ERF officers, the president or president's representative of each affiliate society, and four members elected at large. All Governing Board members must be sustaining, full, family or student ERF members. The ERF President shall be Chair of the Governing Board.

1.1.8 Officers

The officers of the Federation shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, and Executive Director.

1.1.9 Duties of Officers

The President shall preside at general meetings and appoint committees. The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President in the President's absence and assume other duties as assigned by the President. The Past President shall assist the President as needed, and provide continuity to the Governing Board. The Secretary shall record and distribute the minutes of the Governing Board and Business meetings. The Secretary shall handle appropriate duties, correspondence, and other responsibilities assigned by the President.

The Executive Director shall act as Business and Financial Manager and represent ERF. The Executive Director shall collect, disperse, and account for all moneys of the organization. The Executive Director shall assist the President in all matters assigned by the President and the Governing Board. The Executive Director shall have no vote at Governing Board meetings and may serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

(See Section 3.0 ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT for further definition of the duties and responsibilities of these officers.)

1.1.10 Terms of Office

The President will serve a total of six years: President-Elect (2), President (2) and Past President (2). The Secretary will serve a two-year term. The two Members-at-Large will serve four-year terms on a staggered basis. No elected officer shall hold successive terms in the same office. The Executive Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Terms of elected officers and Board Members-at-Large shall expire in odd numbered years; those of representatives from affiliate societies shall expire at the end of their respective terms in affiliate society office. Expiration of terms shall be stipulated in the Bylaws.

1.1.11 Nominations

Nominations for elected ERF officers, except the Executive Director, shall be made by the Governing Board. At least two individuals shall be nominated for each office. In addition, the Governing Board shall nominate at least four individuals for the two Members-at-Large positions on the Board. The President-Elect will succeed the President at the end of the President's two-year term.

1.1.12 Elections

The President-Elect, Secretary, and two Members-at-Large will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for each position by members eligible to vote in ERF elections.

1.1.13 Amendments

Constitutional amendments shall be circulated by mail to all members. Adoption of said amendments shall be by mail ballot by a majority of the voting membership.

Changes in the Bylaws shall be made by majority vote of the Governing Board.

1.1.14 Dissolution

In event of dissolution, any assets of ERF shall be distributed to a fund, foundation, or corporation organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.