Conservation Committee Bylaws, San Diego Chapter, Sierra Club
Conservation Committee Bylaws, San Diego Chapter, Sierra Club
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of the San Diego Chapter Conservation Committee is to promote and
implement the conservation objectives and policies of the Sierra Club. The
Committee shall support Regional and National Club conservation programs by
carrying out specific action programs referred to it by Regional and National
Conservation Committees. The Conservation Committee shall be responsible for
gathering and disseminate information on conservation matters and for conducting
Chapter action programs to implement the conservation policies of the Club. The
Committee shall also conduct studies and make recommendations to the Chapter
Executive Committee on matters for which policy should be established or action
taken.
2.0 Composition
2.1 The Committee shall consist of a Chair and Vice-Chair, Secretary,
Treasurer, Sub-Committee Chairs, and 3 Members-at- Large, Membership Chair, an
Executive Committee Representative and a Representative each from Singles,
Groups, Outings and the Hi Sierran.
2.2 All members of the Conservation Committee shall be members in good
standing of the San Diego Chapter.
3.0 Conservation Committee Board
The composition of the Conservation Committee shall consist of:
3.1 The Conservation Chairperson and the Vice Chair.
3.1.1 Three members of the Conservation Committee, one of whom shall be a
Group Representative. They shall be elected by the Conservation Committee.
3.2 Qualifications of the nominees for positions on the Board shall be:
3.2.1 Membership in the Club for at least one year prior to the beginning of
their term.
3.2.2 Participation on the Conservation Committee for at least one year prior
to the beginning of their term.
3.2.3 Limited to serving not more than three consecutive one year terms.
4.0 Duties of the Board Shall Be:
4.1.1 Insure recruitment, appointment and orientation of persons to perform
Conservation Committee functions.
4.1.2 Take necessary action on minor matters, on matters where policy has
been established and when an emergency occurs. Such actions shall be reported
upon at the next Conservation Committee meeting.
4.1.3 Bring major issues, and issues requiring development of policy before
the Conservation Committee and the Chapter Executive Committee.
4.1.4 Assist the Committee to make the best use of resources, promote
communication and fill vacancies in the Committee structure by making
nominations to the Committee.
4.1.5 Establish written procedures for the operation of the Conservation
Committee, assure that all members of the Committee have access to such
information and understand the procedures.
4.1.6 Establish a procedure for resolving conflicts within the committee.
5.0 Conservation Committee Officers and Voting Members
The duties of the following positions are:
5.1 Chairperson
5.1.1 The Chair shall supervise the work of the Conservation Coordinator and
assign tasks to the Coordinator to assure the goals of the Conservation
Committee are met.
Conduct the monthly meeting of the full Conservation Committee.
5.1.3 Conduct meetings of the Conservation Board.
5.1.4 Assure good communication with Chapter Executive Committee and the
Regional, State and National Conservation Committees.
5.2 Vice Chairperson
5.2.1 When the Chair is absent the duties will be assumed by the Vice Chair.
5.2.2 The Vice Chair will assist the Chair in attaining the goals of the
Conservation Committee.
5.3 Secretary
5.3.1 Record minutes of each Conservation Committee meeting and distribute
copies to Conservation Committee members and members of the Executive Committee.
5.3.2 Prepare and send correspondence on conservation matters.
5.3.3 Maintain a current roster of Conservation Committee members.
5.3.4 Maintain a current conservation policy file.
5.4 Treasurer
5.4.1 Present a monthly report to the Conservation Committee on expenditures
form the Conservation Committee account.
5.4.2 Approve payments written against the Conservation Committee account.
5.4.3 Prepare a yearly summary of conservation income and expenditures.
5.4.4 Solicit budget requests from Sub-Committee Chairs and prepare an annual
budget in cooperation with the Conservation Committee Board.
5.4.5 Present the annual budget to the Chapter Treasurer and participate in
the Chapter's annual budget review.
5.5 Membership
5.5.1 Establish and coordinate general recruitment for those wishing to be
involved in Sub-Committee activities.
5.6 Sub-Committee Chairs
5.6.1 The qualifications and duties of the Sub-Committee Chairs are as
follows:
5.6.2 Have a knowledge of issue including Chapter and Club policy relating to
the issue.
5.6.3 Maintain or be nominated by a working committee.
5.6.4 Set a regular schedule for meetings and print the schedule in the Hi
Sierran.
5.6.5 Conduct research and recommend policy and action in issue.
5.6.6 Maintain records including copies of public statements in the Chapter
office.
5.6.7 Provide articles to Hi Sierran as appropriate.
5.6.8 Insure representation of Chapter at hearings and meetings conducted by
public agencies.
5.6.9 Prepare an annual summary and a proposal of work for the committee.
This proposal should be prepared for use in]budget considerations.
5.7 Members-at-Large
5.7.1 The qualifications and duties of Members-at-Large are:
5.7.2 A member may be nominated as a member-at-large based on long and
distinguished service to the Club.
5.7.3 A member-at-large will assist the Conservation Committee in an advisory
manner and take special assignments as appropriate.
5.8 Representatives
Representatives from Groups, Singles, Outings, and Hi Sierran shall be
elected by the entity they represent. They shall assure that information on the
actions of the Conservation Committee are made available in an accurate and
timely matter to their group or section. They shall coordinate Conservation
Committee work with their group or section as necessary.
6.0 Functions
The functions of the Conservation Committee shall include:
- 6.1 In October, by formal action of the full committee, recommend to the
Executive Committee for their approval, a list of members and officers for the
following year.
- 6.2 Provide training for new Committee members and for Sub-Committee
chairpersons.
- 6.3 Conduct research and recommend policies and actions on conservation
matters.
- 6.4 Maintain records of conservation matters including policies, position
statements, and actions taken by the Committee.
- 6.5 Recommend appointment for representatives to the Southern California
Regional Conservation Committee (SCRCC) and for memberships on Regional, State
and National Club task forces and committees to ExCom.
- 6.6 Provide conservation news to the Chapter newsletter.
- 6.7 Establish a working relationship with public officials whose
jurisdictions are within the Chapter boundaries under the guidance of the
Chapter legislative contact person or committee.
- 6.8 Supply information for media releases on conservation matters.
- 6.9 Conservation Committee members or authorized representatives, shall
provide Chapter representation at hearings and meetings conducted by public
agencies in a manner which implements Club and Chapter policy.
- 6.10 Conduct conservation study outings.
- 6.11 Assist in raising funds for conservation efforts in accordance with
chapter policy.
- 6.12 Appoint Conservation Committee representatives to the Chapter
Council.
- 6.13 Conduct a Conservation education program for the Chapter and the
community.
7.0 Procedures and Policy
7.1 The minutes of the Conservation Committee shall be published and
distributed to members of the Committee and to the Executive Committee.
7.2 Motions made during meetings shall be written, with a copy to the
secretary.
7.3 The Conservation Committee Board shall assume the housekeeping tasks
necessary for the smooth operation of the Conservation Committee.
7.4 Any item before the Board will be referred to the full committee at the
request of two Board members.
8.0 Establishment of Sub-Committees
The formation of a Sub-Committee may be proposed by a voting member of the
Conservation Committee and may be approved by the Committee after consideration
of the following:
- 8.1 Importance of issue.
- 8.2 Suitability for Sierra Club involvement.
- 8.3 Established Club policy relating to issue.
- 8.4 Relationship of the issue to the issues of other Sub-Committees.
- 8.5 Agencies involved in the issue with which the Club would interface
- 8.6 Areas of responsibilities distinct from other Sub-Committees.
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