Guidelines
Mid-Atlantic Chapter of The Ecological Society of America Guidelines
| Statement of Purpose The objective of the Chapter is to encourage communication among professional and student ecologists of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Any person who wishes to become a member of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America must be a member in good standing of the parent Society. Dues to the section/chapter will be $7, which provides the section/chapter’s primary budget. |
| Officers Officer: Term *Chair: 1 year Chair-Elect: 1 year Past Chair: 1 year Secretary: 1 year Secretary-Elect: 1 year Student Representative: 1 year *Council Representative: 1 year |
| Duties The executive committee will meet semiannually at the ESA Annual Meeting and Mid-Atlantic Chapter Meeting and as needed to discuss ongoing activities, and at least once prior to August the ESA Annual Meeting and the section/chapter’s role in it; general members are welcome to join. Notice of executive meetings will be announced in advance of each meeting via conference schedules. The Executive Committee may seek to appoint ad hoc groups of members to address certain issues or tasks; the Chair will appoint the lead of that group. The section/chapter will hold a business meeting at least once per year at the Annual Meeting, as well as at the Chapter Meeting, as determined by the executive committee. Additional meetings may be called by the executive committee or on written request by at least 5 members of the section/chapter. Notice of any business meeting will be shared with all members of the group at least 30 days in advance. In addition to business meetings and elections, the Chair and/or Executive Committee will submit an annual report to the ESA Council, as requested by staff. The section/chapter will annually conduct activities for members as required in the section and chapter guide book. Chair. In consultation with the other Chapter officers and members and with their support, the Chair will organize and preside at the meetings of the Chapter, will authorize and manage expenditures of Chapter funds, and will promote in every reasonable way the interests of the Chapter. The Chair will represent the Chapter at the Council of the Society and will appoint leaders of committees as required to promote the interests of the Chapter. Chair-Elect. The Chair-elect will contribute to the work of the Chair and will assume the duties of the Chair whenever that person is unable to act. Secretary. The Secretary will keep the records of the Chapter, including a current membership and mailing list, and contribute to the work of the Chair. The Secretary will assume the duties of the Chair-Elect whenever that person is unable to act. Secretary-Elect. The Secretary-elect will contribute to the work of the Chair and Secretary, and will assume the duties of the Secretary whenever that person is unable to act. |
| Elections Nominations for opening positions will be solicited from the membership during the Annual Meeting. Elections will be carried out during the annual business meeting of the Chapter or by electronic ballot. Winners will be determined by simple majority, or plurality in the event of 3 or more candidates for the role. Terms begin after the last day of the Annual Meeting or upon determination of the selected candidate of an election conducted by online ballot. |
| Expenses Total expenses of the section/chapter will not exceed the sum of the amount allotted to it as part of the annual ESA budget, plus the amount received as donations and other revenue (as appropriate, determined by the ESA CFO). The amount of dues allocated each year is based on the membership of the group the prior calendar year. Dues funds must be spent in the calendar year they were allotted. The chair will check with the CFO early in the calendar year to determine their dues-based budget and plan accordingly. Funds from donations, sponsorships and merchandise sales proceeds must be spent within the fiscal year (July-June) they were obtained. Funds do not carry over; funds unspent at the time they expire are directed to ESA’s strategic reserve. In the event that the section/chapter is dissolved, any funds allocated for that fiscal year will be transferred to ESA’s general fund. No officer or member of the section/chapter will have the authority to incur expenses in the name of the group or ESA, except as specified in the ESA Policies and Procedures. |
| Amendments. Amendments to this document may be made by ESA’s Council Leadership Team, in consultation with the Council. Should the group’s leadership wish to amend, a written memo describing the change will be submitted to Council; the general membership may also request such a change by submitting in writing to the executive committee. Members are encouraged to review the purpose of this Chapter at least every 5 years, and vote to renew or amend at a business meeting; changes require a 2/3 vote of the members present. The matter must be shared with the members in the notice of the meeting 60 days prior. As appropriate, the vote may be held electronically, in which case all members are eligible to vote. |
Revised and adopted August 10, 2025