Student OrgsEnvironmental Action Coalition

Article 1: Environmental Action Coalition (EAC)

Article 2: The purpose of the EAC is to promote climate justice, waste reduction, and community sustainability through initiating events, furthering awareness, and advocating stewardship at Gustavus Adolphus College and in the surrounding community.

Article 3: Membership

• Section 1: Membership is open to all students, faculty, and staff who express interest in the environmental, political, social, or economic aspects of climate justice, waste reduction, and community sustainability, or other matters related to the EAC.

• Section 2: New members accepted continuously throughout the year.

• Section 3: Members cannot be on academic probation.

Article 4: Officer Positions - Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Risk Manager

Article 5: Meetings

• Section 1: Meetings will be held on a weekly basis throughout the academic year, in a predetermined location.

• Section 2: The Executive Board will also meet bi weekly to discuss meeting agendas and events, as well as to set activity dates. The Secretary is responsible for informing members of meetings. will meet at the beginning of each semester to set tentative meeting dates. The Secretary is responsible for informing members of meetings.

• Section 3: The Co-Chairs or Advisors have the capability of calling special meetings for any matters they feel cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Members must be given at least 3 days notice of any special meetings.

Article 6: Board of Officers

The following officer positions shall exist: Co-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and risk manager. Duties of each officer:

• Co-Chairs: To set, with input from E-Board members and general members from previous meetings, the agenda for the meetings; to organize and initiate meetings; to act as a spokesperson for the EAC; to facilitate communication among members, including students, faculty, staff, and community members; to work with and update advisors and other members of the organization.

• Secretary: to take minutes at the meetings; to send out emails of the minutes and reminders of the meetings; to keep members informed of what's going on; to assist in the organization's goals; to attend board meetings as needed. The Secretary may also serve as the Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) representative for the EAC.

• Treasurer: to maintain finances and accurate records of those; to set a budget for the EAC and to keep track of any sales/transactions; to keep track of fundraising efforts; to assist in organizations goals; to attend board meetings and act as a link to Senate and DLC regarding monetary matters.

• Risk manager: To make sure that everyone is safe at all costs and to assess risk when collecting and working with donations. Term of office begins with the start of Fall semester and continues through the Spring (September-May).

If the majority of the members feel that a board member is not keeping up with his or her responsibilities or based on another good cause, they should bring it up and nominate a new board member at the next meeting.

Article 7: The EAC will function through three primary committees, each with a specific focus, though all united and connected through the mission of the EAC.

1. Climate Justice: With a primarily political - though nonpartisan - focus, the climate justice committee will promote citizen engagement, especially in matters of environmental and climate policy, and political awareness (extension of Climate Justice Coalition).

2. Campus/Community Sustainability: This committee places emphasis on sustainability measures and awareness on campus, including but not limited to: composting, solar/energy, recycling, community building, and importance of diversity (extension of Gustavus Greens).

3. Zero-Waste/Waste Reduction: Striving for zero-waste involves a focus on food waste/compost, recycling, up-cycling clothing and other materials, reducing energy use, and the like. This branch will also continue the practices of the Gustavus Pop-Up Thrift Shop, which include small clothing/shoes/material exchanges, dorm pick-ups at the end of the year, and facilitation of the Hilltop Knick Knacks Facebook page.

Article 8: Funds for the organization shall be acquired primarily through funds allocated by Student Senate and DLC, as well as fundraising, donations, and if necessary, membership dues.

• Section 1: Upon dissolution of the EAC, any financial assets will be credited to the two previously established organizations of Gustavus Greens and Climate Justice Coalition in order to continue environmental advocacy on the campus.

Article 9: By-laws

• Section 1: By-laws can be established and reviewed by members at the start of each semester. Any member can propose by-laws.

• Section 2: Members will be informed of voting for by-laws prior to the meeting the voting will take place.

• Section 3: Members must be present at the meeting to vote on by-laws. A majority vote (⅔) will be needed to pass a by-law

Article 10: Amendments

• Section 1: All members in good standing may propose amendments. Proposed amendments should be submitted to the Executive Board for review. Amendments will be submitted to members in writing at least a week before voting is to take place.

• Section 2: All members in good standing are eligible to vote, but must be present at the meeting to do so. A two-thirds (2/3) majority is needed to allow the amendment to pass.

• Section 3: If amendments are passed they take effect at the end of the meeting during which they are passed.