Proposed Bylaws Revisions 2023

Below are the revised bylaws that will be put to a vote during the May Executive Committee Meeting. The left column shows the revised bylaws, and the right column shows the changes form the current bylaws, where additions are bold and deletions are struck out. Bylaws and sections that have no proposed revisions are not included on this page; please see the full constitution and bylaws as needed. The deadline to provide feedback was May 1.

Overview of the changes:

  • Bylaw VI, Section 3 was modified to change "secondary level" to "pre-college" to align with how the award has evolved. In addition, all procedural components for the OEST Award Committee were removed to maintain flexibility in the nomination process; these procedures are described in the OEST Process and Procedures Manual.
  • Bylaw VI, Section 7 was modified to add the role of the professional development committee chair as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Executive Committee.
  • Bylaw VII, Section 1 was modified to remove the indication that the annual business meeting happens in conjunction with GSA to reflect the shift to a virtual meeting that is more accessible.
  • Bylaw VIII, Section 2 was modified to describe the new sections recommended by the ad hoc Sections Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.

Revised Bylaws

Bylaw VI – Standing Committees

Section 3. Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award Committee

This Committee administers the annual Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the earth sciences at the pre-college level". The Chair is appointed by the Executive Committee. Two other members are recommended by the Executive Committee. Their term of office is two years. The remainder of the Committee consists of one representative from each Section which participates in the OEST program. Section Representatives shall be selected by their Section and their term of office shall be specified by their Section.

Section 7. Professional Development Planning Committee

The Chair of the Committee is appointed by the NAGT Executive Committee and serves as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Executive Committee.

Bylaw VII – Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held in the fall of each year. All Members in good standing are welcome to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting.

Bylaw VIII – Regional Sections

Section 2. Regional Section Areas

  • Eastern Section: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, eastern Ontario
  • Northeastern Section: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Prince Edward Island
  • Far Western Section: California, Nevada, Hawaii, Arizona
  • Southeastern Section: Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico
  • Pacific Northwest Section: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska, Yukon
  • Rocky Mountain Section: Alberta, Nunavut, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, western Texas, western North Dakota, western South Dakota, western Nebraska
  • North-Central Section: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, western Ontario, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan 
  • South-Central Section: Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, eastern Texas

Proposed Changes

Bylaw VI – Standing Committees 

Section 3. Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award Committee*1

This is a Committee to administers the annual Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the earth sciences at the secondary schoolpre-college level", and for excellence in teaching at the secondary level. Candidates for this award are nominated in each Section annually. Nominations will be made to the President of each Section who will arrange for the Section Selection Committee. This Committee shall then select the recipient of the Award for the particular Section. The presentation of the awards to each Section recipient will ordinarily be made at a Section meeting and/or before an appropriate audience by one of the Section officers. In addition, Sections may hold individual state competitions to select OEST State Winners. The Chair of the Outstanding Earth Science Teachers Awards Committee shall see to the preparation of all awards. The Chair is appointed by the Executive Committee. Two other members are recommended by the Executive Committee. Their term of office is two years. The remainder of the Committee consists of one representative from each Section which participates in the OEST program. Section Representatives shall be selected by their Section and their term of office shall be specified by their Section.

Section 7. Professional Development Planning Committee*2

The Chair of the Committee is appointed by the NAGT Executive Committee and serves as a non-voting, ex officiomember of the Executive Committee.

Bylaw VII – Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting*3

The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America the fall of each year. All Members in good standing are welcome to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting.

Bylaw VIII – Regional Sections

Section 2. Regional Section Areas*4

  • Central Section: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, southern/western Ontario
  • Eastern Section: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, eastern Ontario
  • New England Northeastern Section: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Prince Edward Island
  • Far Western Section: California, Nevada, Hawaii, Arizona
  • Southeastern Section: Kentucky Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico
  • Pacific Northwest Section: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska, Yukon
  • Rocky Mountain Section: Alberta, Northwest Territories, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, western Texas, western  North Dakota, western South Dakota, western Nebraska
  • Southwest Section: New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Arizona
  • Texas Section: Texas
  • North-Central Section: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, western Ontario, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Nunavut
  • Midcontinent  South-Central Section: Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, eastern Texas

1. Modified to remove all procedural components which are captured elsewhere and not included for any of the other committees. And to change "secondary level" to "pre-college" to match the award page.

2. Modified to include committee chair as ExCom member.

3. Modified to remove requirement that the meeting happen in conjunction with GSA.

4. Modified according to sections ad hoc committee recommendations.

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