LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

 

I General

 

1. Name

 

            “ Long Island Association of Professional Geologists, Inc.” (LIAPG)

 

2.  Place of Business

 

            Long Island, New York (Office location to be determined)

 

3. Type of Organization

 

            The Long Island Association of Professional Geologists is a not-for-profit professional organization incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. No member of the LIPGA shall have any ownership of or interest in the assets of LIPGA. If LIGPA should disband, or otherwise cease to function, the corporation shall be dissolved and any remaining assets shall be donated to a recognized charity or educational institution, including scholarship funds, pursuant to Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

 

4. Rules Of Order

 

            All LIPGA official proceedings shall follow Robert’s Rules of order, except where specifically provided for in the Bylaws.

 

5. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

 

            The LIPGA Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of members eligible to vote. Amendments may be proposed by the Officers and / or the Executive Committee, or by any Full Member in good standing by presenting the proposed amendment in writing to the Officers and Executive Committee. In general, amendments if proposed, shall be included on the annual ballot for Officers and Executive Committee members.

 

II Purpose and Mission of the Association

 

            The Long Island Association of Professional Geologists (LIAPG) has been formed by mutual agreement between geologists located in the Long Island / Metro , New York area to create a more formal organization dedicated to the professional and business needs of geologists. LIAPG is a regional association primarily covering the Counties of Kings, Queens,  Nassau and Suffolk, and including the immediately surrounding communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

 

            The LIAPG mission and goals are:

  Provide a forum for geologists in the Long Island area to address professional, legal, economic, and social aspects of geological practice.

 

 Solicit opinions, professional and financial support, public action, and other measures deemed necessary by LIAPG to foster the interests of geologists and the public.

 

 Provide input to Federal, State, and local government agencies engaged in the regulation of the practice of geology or professional services affecting the geological professions.

 

 Support geologic education in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in LIAPG’s coverage area. Provide continuing education opportunities for professional geologists.

 

 Assist geologists in establishing professionally recognized qualifications by supporting professional licensing / certification, professional education and development, and by supporting the standards of professional practice of recognized national and local geologist organizations (including AIPG, NYSCPG, AEG, etc.).

 

 Develop cooperation and communication with national and state geological organizations, (including AIPG, Capitol District Geologists, Buffalo Area Geologists, etc.) in supporting mutual goals, joint meetings, professional development, and legislative initiatives.

 

III        Organization

 

1. Officers

 

            LIAPG shall have a governing body comprised of elected officers and an executive committee who shall be responsible for LIAPG affairs and maintaining LIAPG’s focus on the Association Purpose and Mission. Service as an Officer or Executive Committee member is on a strictly voluntary basis without monetary compensation or other form of remuneration, and shall be limited to only full active members in good standing.

 

The LIAPG officers and committee members shall be as follows:

 

President - Elected each year by ballot of active members. Presidents duties include presiding over the officers and executive committee, officially representing LIAPG in communication with government agencies, the media, and the public, acting as the LIAPG liaison with other professional associations, and nominating members for elected positions as LIAPG officers and executive committee members.

 

Vice President / President Elect - Elected each year by ballot of active members. The Vice President shall be the successor to the president, and shall assume the president’s duties if the president resigns, is removed, or is otherwise unable to carry on the president’s duties.

 

Secretary / Treasurer - Elected each year by ballot of active members. The secretary / treasurer shall be responsible for documenting official LIAPG business, including executive committee minutes. The position shall also include responsibility for LIAPG finances, collection of member dues, meeting fees, payment of LIAPG financial obligations, maintenance of LIAPG bank accounts, including checking, and the compilation, organization, and submission of applicable Federal, State, and Local tax information and official forms.

 

            Executive Committee - Six members elected for two year terms by ballot of active members.         Committee assignments shall be as follows:

Membership

Meetings

Finances

Public and Government relations

Newsletter

Member at large

 

LIAPG officers and the executive committee shall seek the assistance of LIAPG members in executing their respective duties, development of sub-committees, and the organization of special efforts, including legislative initiatives and special events.

 

2. Elections

 

            The initial set of LIAPG officers and executive committee members shall be volunteers that will be selected from the active steering committee members, or other interested individuals who make known their desire to serve as officers or executive committee members. An election of officers and Executive Committee members shall take place in October of the first year the association is incorporated, and a ballot shall be mailed to all active members for receipt no later than September 30.The terms of the initial officers and executive committee members shall expire on December 31 of the calendar year, and the officers / committee members elected the previous October will assume their positions for the terms specified in the Bylaws.

 

3. Classes of Membership

           

            Voting Members

 

Full Member- Must have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in Geology, Earth Science, or a subspecialty of the above, or a degree in the physical sciences with a minimum of 30 semester hours in geology. Alternatively, a person may be admitted as a full member if they possess the equivalent combination of education and work experience to satisfy the Officers and Executive Committee that they meet the general definition of a Professional Geologist, and / or they have been previously admitted to a geological association or society comparable to LIAPG.

 

Non-voting Members

 

Associate Member- Persons who are involved in geologic work, but are not geologists by education or experience. Associates may include engineers, attorneys, drilling and remediation contractors, laboratory professionals, and others who work with geologists regularly. Science teachers who do not meet the educational requirements of a geology or equivalent degree may become Associate Members.

 

            Student Member - A student enrolled in a geology, earth science or related field may become a student member. Once a student completes the educational requirements for Full membership, he or she may convert to Full Membership by paying the additional dues as indicated in Section 3.

 

            Retired Member - A geologist who is no longer actively employed in the profession may become a Retired Member. A retired geologist may engage in occasional or part-time work, such as teaching or consulting, so long as it averages less than 20 hours per week.  

 

4. Dues

 

            The LIAPG dues shall be $50.00 per year for full members. Associate (non-voting) member dues shall be $35.00 per year, and Student / Retired member dues shall be $25 per year. Dues must be paid in full by January 30 for the coming year, and late payment will incur a $10.00 penalty. If dues are not paid by June 30, the member will be dropped form the active member list.

 

5. Meetings

 

            General meetings will be held approximately quarterly, and will normally include a social hour, dinner, a speaker, and an association business meeting. The officers and the executive committee will meet approximately every two months. General and officer / executive Committee meeting schedules may be changed to accommodate scheduling problems, circumstances requiring immediate action, and to discuss special events (field trips, etc.). The meeting schedule may be revised from time to time by vote of the officers and the Executive Committee.

 

6. Communications

 

            The Association Officers and the Executive Committee shall regularly communicate with the members through mailings, electronic mail, and through a LIAPG newsletter.

 

7. Treasury

 

            The Association will maintain a treasury sufficient to cover costs of meetings, mailings, and other ongoing business. The Association funds will be kept in an account(s) with a local bank, and the Secretary - Treasurer, the President and Vice President will have check signing privileges.  Signature authorizations will be transferred to the incoming Officers following each election.

 

8. Fiscal Year

 

            The LIAPG fiscal year shall run from January 1 to December 31.

 

9. Indemnification of officers and Executive Committee

 

All present and past LIAPG Officers and Executive Committee Members shall be indemnified by LIAPG for civil or criminal liability in connection with LIAPG activities or their duties as Officers and Executive Committee Members.