Constitution and Bylaws
Bylaws GO TO CONSTITUTION
Article I. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership
Membership in this Association shall consist of the following classifications:
- Active Members
- Emeritus Members
- Honorary Members
- Students
- Associates
Section 2. Definition of Term "Member"
Unless otherwise expressly provided in these Bylaws, the term "member" shall refer only to Active, Emeritus, and Honorary Members. Only members may hold office, vote in Association affairs, sponsor membership applications, or refer to themselves as members of the Association.
Section 3. Active Members
Any person engaged in the practice or teaching of geology may apply for Active membership, provided the applicant holds a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's Degree in geological science from a college of acceptable academic standards and, in addition, has had three (3) years of experience in the practice or teaching of geology. Credit for experience can be counted as follows: Master's Degree -- one (1) year; Doctor's Degree -- two (2) years. The Executive Committee may waive degree or current professional activity requirements if in its judgement an applicant has adequate professional experience and has attained standing in the profession.
Section 4. Emeritus Members
When Active Members in good standing in the Association, with all dues paid to date, become sixty-five (65) years of age and have been members of the Association (regardless of classification) for a total of thirty (30) years including time spent in military service, those members shall become Emeritus Members of this Association upon advising the Executive Director of the Association of their sixty-fifth (65th) birthday, and by requesting such classification of membership. Thereafter the emeriti members shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the amount of dues for Active Members and shall be entitled to all privileges and advantages of Active membership in this Association.
Section 5. Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be those Active Members of this Association who shall have contributed distinguished service to the cause of petroleum geology. Such determination shall be made by the Executive Committee. A recipient of the Sidney Powers Memorial Medal Award shall become automatically an Honorary Member. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues, but shall have all the privileges and advantages of Active membership in the Association.
Section 6. Students
Any student majoring in geology or in a field of study related to or generally associated with geology at a college of acceptable academic standards may apply for Student membership. Student membership shall terminate upon termination of academic enrollment.
Section 7. Associates
Any person not qualified for any other class of membership who is a graduate of a college of acceptable academic standards whose employment is associated with geology, may apply for election as an Associate. The Executive Committee may waive degree requirements, if in its judgement an applicant has adequate professional experience, and has attained professional standing.
Section 8. Election to Membership
Every candidate for admission as an Active Member shall submit a formal application on an application form authorized by the Executive Committee, signed by the applicant, and endorsed by not less than three (3) individuals, at least two (2) of whom are members who are in good standing, stating the applicant's training and experience and such other facts as the Executive Committee shall from time to time prescribe. The Executive Committee shall be the sole judge of the eligibility of the applicant for membership and the adequacy of the applicant's qualifications. If the Executive Committee after due consideration, judges that the applicant's qualifications meet the requirements of the Constitution and these Bylaws, the committee shall cause to be published in the Bulletin or by other suitable means, the applicant's name and the names of the sponsors. If, after sixty (60) days have elapsed since such publication, no reason is presented why the applicant should not be admitted, the applicant shall be deemed eligible to Active or Associate membership, as the case may be, and shall be notified of election to membership.
An objection to the admission to membership of an applicant must be submitted by an Active Member of the Association, must be in writing, must be received by the Executive Director at the Association's headquarters within sixty (60) days after publication of the applicant's name, must include a full statement of the circumstances on which the objection is based, and must be signed by the member raising the objection. If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the objection has merit, the Executive Committee shall reconsider the application.
Section 9. Resignation
Any member of whatever classification may resign at any time from the Association; such resignation shall be in writing and shall be accepted by the Executive Committee.
Section 10. Loss of Membership Rights
Any member of whatever classification who resigns, or who forfeits membership for non-payment of dues, or who is expelled for ethical reasons ceases to have any rights in the Association and ceases to incur further indebtedness to the Association.
Section 11. Reinstatement
Any person who has ceased to be a member of whatever classification who has resigned or who has forfeited membership for nonpayment of dues may be reinstated by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee upon fulfillment of such requirements as may be established by the Executive Committee. Any person who has been expelled from membership for ethical reasons may be reinstated as provided for in Article XI, Section 7 of these Bylaws.