Constitution of the Chinese Association of Environmental and Resource Economists

Chapter I - Objectives

The Chinese Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (hereinafter referred to as "the Association") is an international organization committed to promoting the exchange of ideas, research, and professional activities in the fields of environmental and natural resource economics and management, particularly emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and development. The Association achieves this by publishing publications, newsletters, organizing conferences and seminars, and conducting other activities consistent with its objectives to promote the professional growth of its members and facilitate cooperation and exchange within the field. At the same time, the Association upholds the principles of freedom of discussion and research and pledges not to take political stances on any individual, group, political ideology, or research methodology.

Chapter II - Membership Qualifications

Article 1. Qualification Requirements

Individuals interested in environmental and resource economics and management may apply to become members of the Association upon payment of at least one year's membership fee (currently zero yuan). Failure to pay the membership fee on time or failure to fulfill other financial obligations to the Association will be considered as automatic forfeiture of membership, and the Association shall not be required to provide separate notification.

Article 2. Suspension

Any individual deemed to have improperly used their association membership may be temporarily suspended from membership by the Board of Directors after giving the individual an opportunity for a hearing. Additionally, the individual may be formally expelled from membership after a vote by the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the members at the next association business meeting.

Article 3. Membership Fees

The amount of membership fees shall be determined periodically by the Association's Board of Directors based on actual circumstances. The Board of Directors has the authority to set different levels of fees for different categories of members, including distinguishing between student and non-student members, institutional and individual members, honorary members, and regular members, or establishing other appropriate membership categories as needed by the Association. Membership fees are used to pay expenses that the Association cannot otherwise cover through other means (such as gifts, grants, or publication sales).

Chapter III - Board of Directors

Section 1. Functions

The governing body of the Association is the Board of Directors, which shall convene at least once per calendar year to handle all business not delegated to its subordinate committees or individuals, allocate additional specific responsibilities to the Association's administrative personnel and committees, and create, appoint, or abolish any committees, positions, or agents not specified in these bylaws as needed. Administrative personnel and agents not otherwise specified in these bylaws shall hold office and exercise powers and fulfill duties for such terms as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, and the Board may authorize designated employees, administrative personnel, and other members of the Board of Directors to expend funds and sign contracts. The Board of Directors shall determine the terms of sale for Association publications, including whether to provide them free of charge to dues-paying members, as well as registration fees for conferences and seminars and any other fees collected by the Association.

Section 2. Composition of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of eleven members elected by the members as provided in Chapter Four.

Section 3. Terms of Office

The Chair shall serve a term of two years and shall not be eligible for re-election. Board members shall serve a term of four years and may be re-elected.

Section 4. Qualifications

All Board members must be members in good standing of the Association during their terms of office.

Section 5. Resignation

Any officer or Board member may resign at any time. Resignations shall be submitted in writing (by email or regular mail) and shall take effect as of the specified time; if no time is specified, they shall take effect upon receipt by the Secretariat; if a vacancy occurs, it shall take effect when received by the Chair. Acceptance of a resignation is not a necessary condition for its effectiveness.

Section 6. Vacancies

If any elected or appointed position becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or disqualification, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may, by a majority vote, appoint any eligible member of the Association to fill the vacancy, and such member shall serve for the unexpired term until a successor is duly installed.

Section 7. Quorum

A majority of the members entitled to vote in the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 8. Action without Meeting

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all directors or committee members consent in writing (on paper or electronically) to the action, and such consents are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee. A period of at least two weeks must be allowed for responses.

Chapter Four - Nominations and Elections

Article 1. Initial List

The initial list of members of the Board of Directors and the Chair shall be elected by a majority vote of the founding members of the Association and shall serve until the expiration of their terms and the installation of their successors.

Article 2. Vice Chair, Secretary-General, and Treasurer

The Vice Chair, Secretary-General, and Treasurer shall be nominated by the Chair and approved by the Board of Directors, except for the initial list.

Article 3. Election Committee

The outgoing Association Chair shall serve as Chair of the Election Committee, which shall conduct elections independently. The Election Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. No member of the Election Committee shall be eligible to be a candidate in the elections.

Article 4. Election Procedures

Elections for Board of Directors members shall be conducted biennially by electronic vote, open to all Association members, with the deadline for voting determined by the Election Committee. Half (five or six) of the Board of Directors members shall be elected each time. The election results shall be determined by the Election Committee based on the highest number of votes received for each position. In the event of a tie, the Board of Directors shall decide which candidate shall hold the position among those tied for the same number of votes.

The Chair shall be elected biennially by electronic vote by all members of the Board of Directors.

Chapter Five – Duties of Officers

Article 1. Chair

The Chair shall be primarily responsible for the well-being of the Association and for executing the decisions of the Board of Directors. The Chair personally or a representative appointed by the Chair shall preside over all business meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors. The Chair or a representative appointed by the Chair shall be responsible for planning and organizing all Association meetings during their two-year term.

Article 2. Chair-Elect

The Chair-Elect shall be responsible for organizing the next Board of Directors member elections and the next Chair elections.

Article 3. Vice Chair

The Vice Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in their absence or incapacity and shall perform any other duties assigned by the Board of Directors and/or the Chair.

Article 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the custody of Association funds, following the directives of the Board of Directors. He/she shall accurately record all income and expenditures in the Association's books. He/she shall deposit all funds and other valuable items belonging to the Association in its name in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse Association funds upon orders of the Board of Directors or of such employees, officers, or other members of the Board of Directors as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

Article 5. Secretariat

The Secretariat's primary responsibility is to maintain the continuity of the Association. The Secretary shall notify or arrange for notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep records of all proceedings of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for their safekeeping and preservation. He/she shall also act as the activities manager for the Association Executive Secretary.

Article 6. Executive Committee

The officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. They shall be empowered by the Board of Directors to ensure the smooth operation of the Association's daily administrative duties.

Chapter Six - Limitation of Liability

No member or officer shall be personally liable for the debts, contracts, or other obligations of the Association, except for the dues paid by the members. This provision shall be included in all contracts entered into by the Association.

Chapter Seven - Meetings

Article 1. Annual Meetings

The Association's annual meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may schedule other meetings in addition to the annual meeting. Members shall be notified of the time and place of the annual meeting at least 30 days in advance.

Article 2. Annual Business Meeting

The Association's business meeting shall be held during the annual meeting. At this meeting, a summary of the actions of the Board of Directors shall be presented to the members as part of the report by the Secretariat. Reports shall also be submitted by the Chair, Treasurer, Editor, and representatives of active committees.

Article 3. Other Meetings

The Secretariat shall normally give at least 21 days' notice to each member of the Board of Directors of any meeting or assembly. If the Secretariat deems it necessary to convene a meeting earlier, it may give at least seven days' notice to each member of the Board of Directors by telephone or electronic means. The Chair or a majority of the members elected to the Board of Directors may also call a meeting by submitting a signed written or electronic request to the Secretariat, who shall then follow one of these procedures.

Chapter Eight - Amendments to the Bylaws

Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors, by petition containing the signatures and addresses of 10% of the members, or by a majority of the members present at any annual business meeting. Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members voting, which may be conducted at any Association meeting or by mail or electronic vote at any time, provided that a copy of the proposed amendment is sent to each voting member's last recorded email address at least 30 days before such a meeting.