Constitution
Name
The name of this Society shall be: The Biology Society of South Australia.
Aims
The Society shall be a non-profit organisation. Its aims shall be to:
Develop and maintain contact and interaction amongst biologists in South Australia.
Advertise opportunities for members to assist University researchers and postgraduate students and staff of government agencies with field-based research both voluntary and paid.
Organise field camps to provide additional opportunities for members to assist with field-based biological studies.
Seek government support for field-based activities relevant to the conservation and management of South Australian biota.
Provide independent comment on proposals that impact on the status of biodiversity.
Membership
Membership of the Society shall be open to any person interested in furthering the Society's stated aims.
Finance
The Society's financial year shall run from 1st October to 30th September. This period will also represent the membership year. Each member shall pay an annual subscription as decided at each Annual General Meeting. Costs of field trips and organised activities shall be borne by participating members. These costs will be agreed upon by participants before the particular activity.
The Society's accounts will be audited annually by a CPA.
Appointment of the Auditor
A registered Company Auditor will be appointed by the Committee prior to the Annual General Meeting and the audited annual financial statement will be presented to members at the AGM.
Meetings
The General Meetings of the Society will be held twice per university semester. These will usually consist of a formal component where Society business can be dealt with and an informal component which will usually be in the form of a presentation followed by a social activity. However there may be meeting devoted entirely to one or the other activity.
There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Society held in September each year. At least 15 financial members are necessary to form a quorum.
The Executive Committee of the Society will meet no fewer than eight times per year usually on a monthly basis during the months February to November year where a quorum shall be 4.
Office-Bearers
The Executive Committee will consist of a maximum of 8 members with at least one: male; female; university academic; employee of a State Government agency involved in natural resource management; student. Office bearers will be: President; Vice-president; Secretary; and Treasurer.
There will be between 2 to 4 general members. Members of the Committee shall be financial members of the Society.
In the absence of the President and Vice-President, other members of the committee may be appointed to run meetings. Office-bearers shall be elected for a period of 1 year and are eligible for re-election. In matters of dispute, the President shall have a casting vote.
Nomination and Election
Call for nomination for office-bearers shall be distributed 21 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for office-bearers shall be submitted in writing, with the consent of the nominee, one week prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Elections of all office-bearers will take place at the Annual General Meeting. The Maximum term of office for Society Office-bearers shall be 3 years.
Where there is more than one nominee for an executive position, the position holder will be decided by secret ballot.
Powers and Duties of the Committee
Duties
The Committee, under the guidance of the President shall work towards upholding and furthering the aims of the Society without personal gain. It will communicate its decisions and seek feedback from members via a newsletter and via the electronic media.
Powers
The Committee, by democratic process, has the power to implement such measures which are consistent with furthering the published aims of the Society.
Duties and Powers of Committee Members
President
To convene and preside over Committee Meetings. To represent the Society during interactions or negotiations with other bodies. To provide leadership and guidance to the Society
Vice-President
To support the activities of the President and act on his behalf when he is not present
Secretary
To record the proceedings of all meetings in the form of succinct and accurate minutes. To correspond with outside agencies on matters pertaining to the running of the Society and furthering its aims.
Treasurer
To manage the financial affairs of the Society in a prudent and honest manner and to keep members up to date on its financial status. To maintain a record of the members of the Society. To present a financial report at each Committee meeting and to submit the financial records of the Society to the appointed auditors in time for a presentation to members at the Annual General Meeting.
General Members
To attend committee meeting with a view to contributing substantially to discussions and decisions on matters relating to the furthering of the Society's aims. To act on various sub-committees charged with undertaking particular tasks as identified by the Executive Committee as a whole.
Management control of the Society's fund and other assets
The Treasurer, as elected at the Annual General Meeting, will be responsible for the day-to-day running of financial affairs. However, the Committee, under the guidance of the President, will be responsible for the control of funds and other property of the Society.
The powers of the Society and their exercise
The Society has the power to communicate and negotiate with other agencies in order to further its aims. It has the power to terminate the membership of individuals who act against its stated aims.
Alteration or amendment to the constitution
Alterations to the Constitution may be made only after Notice of Motion of the alteration has been sent out to every member, one full month before the Annual General Meeting.
Closing down of the Society
In the event of the Society ceasing its activities and closing down, all surplus funds shall be donated to the National Parks Foundation of South Australia Inc.
