ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Florida Envirothon®, Inc.
 

ARTICLE II: Purpose and Goals
 

Section 1. Purpose

The Florida Envirothon is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes; including, and for such purposes, the receiving of grants and sponsorships to organize district, regional and state level competitions.

Section 2. Goals

A. To cultivate a desire among high school students to learn about Florida's natural environment through competitive events.

B. To develop a greater appreciation and understanding among high school students for Florida's dependence on the natural environment.

C. To plan and organize the Florida Envirothon competition among high school teams on natural resources.

D. To provide guidance and advice to all levels of competition in the Florida Envirothon.

E. To promote the growth of the Florida Envirothon at the District, Regional and State levels.

F. To promote and sponsor Envirothon demonstration programs for Florida high school teachers.

G. To secure the cooperation and assistance of local and state agencies and/or organizations interested in natural resource conservation.
 

Section 1: The Florida Envirothon shall be directed by a Board comprised of at least four Members-at-Large and one member from each of the
                 following:

A. The Office of Soil and Water Conservation
B. The Florida Association of Conservation Districts
C. The Florida Division of Forestry
D. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
E. A Water Management District
F. The University of Florida Institute of Florida Agricultural Sciences
G. The Marine Field
H. Private/Business Representatives

Section 2: Each nominee shall have consented to the nomination and have a Letter of Support from his/her respective agency/organization for
                 participating as a member of the Florida Envirothon Board of Directors.

Section 3: The Board of Directors shall be responsible for developing and promoting the growth of the Florida Envirothon.

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Florida Envirothon and perform all other duties as are specified
                  in  these Bylaws.
 

Section 1: General

A. Elected Officers of the Florida Envirothon shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer

B. Appointed Officers shall be Parliamentarian and an Historian.

Section 2: Length of Office

A. The length of office is for one year.

Section 3: Nominations

A. Nominations shall be made in writing to the Nominating Committee prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 4: Elections

A. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a Slate of Officers and present said Slate to the Board of Directors prior to the Annual Meeting.

B. A majority vote of the Board of Directors quorum at the Annual Meeting shall elect the Officers from the Slate presented by the Nominating Committee.

C. Newly elected Officers shall be installed at the Annual Meeting immediately after the election.

D. Officers shall hold office until the new Officers are installed. If a slate of Officers cannot be selected, the previous years Officers shall hold office until such time as a new election can be held.

Section 5: Duties are prescribed by these Bylaws and by Robert's Rules of Order (Modern Edition).

A. The Chairperson

1. The Chairperson shall be the executive head of the Florida Envirothon.

2. The Chairperson shall preside at all Florida Envirothon meetings.

3. The Chairperson shall appoint all committee chairpersons. The Events Chair shall be appointed in the Spring immediately after the annual Florida Envirothon Event.

B. Vice Chairperson

1. The Vice Chairperson shall chair the Nomination Committee.

2. Assumes the Office of Chairperson should it unexpectedly become vacant between elections.

3. Will assume the position of Chairperson upon end of current Chair's term.

C. Secretary

1. The Secretary shall be in charge of minutes, executive correspondence and the roll of members.

D. Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall coordinate fiscal matters of the Florida Envirothon Board.

2. The Treasurer shall develop an operating budget for the Florida Envirothon Board.

E. Parliamentarian

1. The Parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on points in question.

F. Historian

1. The Historian shall keep all official and historical Documents for the Florida Envirothon and be familiar with the Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, and previous minutes. The purpose of the Historian shall be to provide continuity for the Florida Envirothon.

Section 6: Removal of Officers

A. Any officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

B. Reasons for removal shall be misfeasance and/or nonfeasance.

C. Prior to any vote to remove an officer, all Board members will be notified in writing that this subject will be on the agenda for the next Board meeting.

D. Prior to removal said officer shall receive written notification and be allowed to respond.
 

Section 1: The Annual Meeting

A. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the fall.

B. The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to elect officers as prescribed by the Florida Envirothon Bylaws, and vote on any changes proposed to the Florida Envirothon Bylaws..

Section 2: Board of Directors Meetings

A. There shall be no fewer than four (4) regular meetings of the Board each year scheduled by the Chairperson.

B. All meetings shall be held at a site agreed upon by the majority of Board Members.

C. Special meetings of the Board can be called by the Chairperson and the elected Executive Board.

D. Board Members are expected to attend at least a majority of regularly scheduled meetings within the fiscal year.

E. A quorum is made up of a majority of the Board Members.

F. Board business deemed urgent and needs immediate Board approval may be voted upon outside a formal meeting, polled by the Chair provided the vote can be recorded for the records through electronic availability such as e-mail, fax or other means.
 

Section 1: Standing Committees:

A. The Nominating Committee shall:

1. Determine Boards membership needs and recruit candidates for positions.

2. Prepare a slate of nominees when openings occur.

3. Propose a slate of Officers to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

4. Assist in the orientation of new Board Members.

B. The Development Committee shall:

1. Produce an annual development plan for long term fund raising based on the Florida Envirothon Strategic Plan and the fund-raising policy adopted by the Board.

C. The Events Committee shall:

1. Select the annual site for the Florida State Envirothon.

2. Establish a budget for the annual event.

3. Establish the logistics for facilitation of the annual event.

D. The Education Committee shall:

1. Develop and revise the Florida State Envirothon Resource Guide as needed.

2. Coordinate with resource specialists in developing the Current Issues section each year.

3. Facilitate the student team assessment as specified in the Florida Envirothon Strategic Plan.

E. The Communications Committee shall:

1. Be responsible for all internal and external communications.

2. Be responsible for all communications and follow-up with the Regional Contacts regarding all pertinent forms and the Florida State Envirothon Resource Guide.

3. Be responsible for all communications and follow-up with the National Envirothon Committee and the host state.

Section 2: Ad-Hoc Committee

A. All ad hoc committee chairs shall be appointed by the Florida Envirothon Chair and report to the Board.

B. Ad Hoc Committee Chairs need not be members of the Board of Directors.

Section 3: All Standing and Ad Hoc Committees shall have at least one member of the Board of Directors to serve in an over-sight and liaison
             capacity  to the Board.

A. These by-laws can be amended at the annual meeting of the Florida Envirothon by a two thirds vote of the Board quorum members in attendance.

B. The by-laws can be amended provided that the change has two separate readings at two separate Board meetings. Two thirds of the Board members must be in attendance at each meeting and an affirmative vote is required by three fourths of those present.