Gulf Coast Environmental Affairs Group

By Laws

  • I. The “Gulf Coast Environmental Affairs Group” (abbreviated GCEAG), is an organization composed of environmental professionals working in the Oil/Gas Industry.
  • II. Purpose
    • A. Provide a forum for information exchange relative to the oil and gas industry environmental concerns.
    • B. Promote cooperation between the environmental regulating government agencies and the oil and gas industry.
  • III. The GCEAG meets the second Thursday of every other month. If extenuating circumstances prevent the meeting from being held on that date, the Chairperson (Chair) may change the meeting date.
  • IV. General Membership Requirements:
    • A. Individuals may become member representatives to the GCEAG if employed by a company that is eligible for General Membership, and they are responsible for helping their company comply with the applicable environmental or regulatory requirements.
    • B. A company is qualified for General Membership if the company’s primary purpose is to explore for, produce, store, process, transport, or sell oil and/or gas.
    • C. Oil/gas industry related, non-profit associations, organizations, and groups are eligible for General Membership if approved by the Executive Committee and a majority vote for the General Membership present at any regular meeting.
    • D. General Membership requires completion of an application, approval by the Executive Committee, and a majority vote by the General Membership present at any regular meeting.
    • E. Any questions regarding eligibility will be decided by the Executive Committee and a majority vote of the General Membership present at any regular meeting.
    • F. An individual member representative will be dropped from the GCEAG if he/she has not attended at least one regular GCEAG meeting in the previous twelve (12) months.
  • V. Associate Membership Requirements
    • A. A company or individual not eligible for a General Membership may be affiliated with GCEAG as an Associate Member if:
      • 1. The company or individual is a vendor (service company) or a consultant.
      • 2. Sales calls are made to the environmental or regulatory department of a General Member company.
      • 3. One of the company’s or individual’s primary purpose is to provide environmental products or services.
      • 4. Environmental Education Professional or Student.
    • B. Associate Members may not attend the Round Table portion of the GCEAG meeting.
    • C. Associate Members may not receive copies of the GCEAG General Membership list.
    • D. Associate Members may not vote in by-law changes, election of officers, or questions regarding Membership eligibility.
    • E. Associate Members may not hold an officer position nor participate on a committee.
  • VI. Election and Appointment of Officers
    • A. The elected officers of GCEAG are the Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Regulatory Review Coordinator. The GCEAG Chair will customarily be the preceding Vice-Chair.
    • B. If, for any reason, the preceding Vice-Chair cannot serve, this position will also be elected.
    • C. If the Chair cannot complete the term of office, the Vice-Chair will step up and complete the term as Chair.
    • D. If the office of Vice-Chair is vacated, the Chair may appoint an Acting Vice-Chair until the next regular meeting. At that meeting, the Acting Vice-Chair will be confirmed if approved by a majority of the General Members present and voting.
    • E. If both the offices of Chair and Vice-Chair are vacated, the Executive Committee may appoint an Acting Chair until the next regular meeting. At that meeting, the Acting Chair will be confirmed if approved by the majority of the General Members present and voting.
  • VII. Executive Committee
    • A. The members of the Executive Committee will be the past three currently active GCEAG Chairs and the current officers.
    • B. The head of the Executive Committee will be the current Chair.
    • C. The purpose or function of the Executive Committee will be:
      • 1. To Provide assistance to any current officer(s) if requested.
      • 2. To coordinate changes and modifications of by-laws.
      • 3. To review and initially approve applications for General and Associate Membership.
      • 4. To take appropriate action if a member has a grievance or complaint that can not be handled by a current officer or one that pertains to a current officer.
      • 5. To appoint an Acting Chair if the offices of Chair and Vice-Chair are both vacant.
  • VIII. Nomination Committee
    • A. The GCEAG Chair will appoint the members of the nominating committee from the General Membership.
    • B. The head of the nomination committee will be the most recent past GCEAG Chair, active in the group and available to serve. If no past Chair is available to serve, the current Chair will appoint a General Member to serve.
    • C. The total number of members on the nomination committee must be an odd number.
    • D. The committee will nominate a Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Regulatory Review Coordinator from the General Membership and assure the nominee’s desire to serve.
    • E. The names and qualifications of all confirmed nominees will be presented to the General Membership, either by mail or during a regular meeting.
    • F. Following presentation to the General Membership, the Chair will open the floor to any additional nominations. The willingness of additional nominees must be confirmed. Any new nominations will be introduced and added to the ballot. If more than one individual has been nominated for an office, a vote will be taken.
  • IX. Recorders are prohibited at GCEAG meetings. Recording of guest speaker presentations or the roundtable discussion is not allowed.
  • X. Roberts Rule of Order (latest edition) will be used as a guide for all parliamentary procedures.
  • XI. Modifications of Adoption of By-laws
    • A. Proposals for modification must be submitted to the Executive Committee for review. Following approval, modifications will be presented to the General Membership.
    • B. Modifications are subject to comment from the General Membership and will be distributed either by mail or at a regular meeting. Maximum comment period is four weeks and all comments will be addressed by the Executive Committee.
    • C. A vote to adopt the modified by-laws will be taken at the next regular meeting. Modifications must receive approval from at least two-thirds (2/3) of the General Membership present and voting.
    • D. Revised by-laws will be distributed to the General Membership either by mail or during a regular meeting.