Environmental Working Group By-laws
As adopted on March 12, 2010
I. Purpose of the Organization
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a community of individuals and organizations interested in environmental and ecological issues. The EWG assists Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) and Host Country Nationals (HCNs) as they promote environmental awareness in their communities and live environmentally conscious lives. The EWG will assist by creating, collecting and distributing environmental resources and information, as well as hosting environmental events, transferring skills, and providing project ideas and educational lesson plans.
II. Membership
Membership in the EWG shall be open to any PCV with an interest in the environment and who demonstrates this interest through active participation in the organization.
Peace Corps (PC) staff may attend any EWG meetings to be convened. HCNs and other interested parties may also participate in EWG meetings and activities. Interested parties should contact the EWG President for participation information.
III. Officers
The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary. All officers shall be PCVs. It is recommended that the Vice President be from the newest group in-country and the Vice President become President in his/her second year of service and when a new group is sworn in, a new Vice President elected. At the discretion of the EWG members, positions may be combined.
IV. Meetings
At the discretion of the President, subcommittees may be formed to aid the EWG in achieving its purpose. If desired, a subcommittee may select a Chair that oversees the subcommittee and reports to the EWG President.
VI. Miscellaneous Provisions
A. Compensation: Representatives shall serve on the EWG at their own expense, and no compensation shall be awarded for the extra work involved in being a member.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a community of individuals and organizations interested in environmental and ecological issues. The EWG assists Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) and Host Country Nationals (HCNs) as they promote environmental awareness in their communities and live environmentally conscious lives. The EWG will assist by creating, collecting and distributing environmental resources and information, as well as hosting environmental events, transferring skills, and providing project ideas and educational lesson plans.
II. Membership
Membership in the EWG shall be open to any PCV with an interest in the environment and who demonstrates this interest through active participation in the organization.
Peace Corps (PC) staff may attend any EWG meetings to be convened. HCNs and other interested parties may also participate in EWG meetings and activities. Interested parties should contact the EWG President for participation information.
III. Officers
The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary. All officers shall be PCVs. It is recommended that the Vice President be from the newest group in-country and the Vice President become President in his/her second year of service and when a new group is sworn in, a new Vice President elected. At the discretion of the EWG members, positions may be combined.
- Election of Officers: Officers shall be elected by EWG members at the first meeting held after the most recent swearing-in. The term of office is one year. The Vice President may be promoted to President as noted above. Members may be nominated for an office or self-nominate. The PC office will be notified of officer selections.
- Duties of the President: The President shall be responsible for publishing notice of meetings and preparing the agenda for each meeting. The President shall preside over all meetings; shall be responsible for overseeing and implementing EWG activities; and shall be the primary liaison between the EWG and PC Staff.
- Duties of the Vice President:The Vice President shall preside over meetings when the President is absent, aid the President in coordinating activities and events, and assist with keeping all members up to date with committee proceedings.
- Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall take attendance and keep the minutes for all EWG meetings. He/She shall also be responsible for preparing and delivering the minutes and a list of Action Items taken from the minutes to the EC and the PC office within two (2) weeks of EWG meetings. The Secretary shall also oversee the preparation of all notices, newsletter articles, correspondence, or similar documents pertaining to the EWG.
- Duties of the Webmaster/mistress: A Webmaster/mistress, who shall be responsible for the publication, up-dating, and general maintenance of the site.
- Removal from Office: If any officer fails to fulfill their obligations to the group, he/she may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members. Vacancy of any office shall be filled by re-election, except for the President as noted above.
IV. Meetings
- Time & Place: EWG Meetings shall be held on an as-need basis. Meetings may be held in-person, by conference call, or by webcast. Notice of meetings will be distributed via email prior to the meeting. A summary will be emailed to all committee members following each meeting.
- Quorum: All PCV members actively participating in the EWG have voting rights. PC staff, HCNs, and other interested parties are non-voting participants. When the number of voting members is even, one half of the total number of members plus one (1/2 + 1) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. When the number of members is odd, a simple majority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any act(s) of the members at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the act(s) of the EWG.
- Voting: Each PCV member, including Officers, shall be entitled to one (1) vote. PC staff, HCNs, and other interested parties are non-voting participants.
At the discretion of the President, subcommittees may be formed to aid the EWG in achieving its purpose. If desired, a subcommittee may select a Chair that oversees the subcommittee and reports to the EWG President.
VI. Miscellaneous Provisions
A. Compensation: Representatives shall serve on the EWG at their own expense, and no compensation shall be awarded for the extra work involved in being a member.
- Amendments: These By-Laws may be amended, altered, repealed or expanded at any EWG Meeting by a majority vote (quorum) of PCV Members, provided that the proposed amendments, changes or additions, or the substance thereof, have been distributed to all Members prior to the Meeting, or provided that all Members are present, and have the opportunity to speak, at the meeting during which the proposed amendments, changes or additions are to be acted upon.
- Severability: If any provision(s) of these By-Laws shall be amended, altered repealed or expanded, the remainder of these By-Laws shall not be affected thereby, and shall continue to have full force and effect.