Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS), Stanford Chapter Constitution
Article I: Name
Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS), Stanford Chapter
Article II: Purpose
The Stanford chapter of Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) aims to increase awareness of local ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability with a focus on how these issues intersect with inequality and social justice through ecology education and community outreach. Furthermore, SEEDS provides academic and professional opportunities for students of all backgrounds in the fields of ecology and environmental sciences and promotes local and global conservation efforts. Stanford SEEDS is affiliated with the Ecological Society of America’s SEEDS program.
Article III: Activities and Scope
Our main activity each year consists of working with students from the Redwood Environmental Academy of Leadership (REAL) Program, which is part of Redwood High School in Redwood City, CA. REAL is a hands-on learning program where students learn environmental and community leadership skills while earning academic credit in science, and career and technical education.
Stanford SEEDS hosts quarterly hands-on learning programs with REAL Program Students in groups of 15-25 people that are between the ages 14-20. These programs take place at Redwood Continuation High School, at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and the Stanford O’Donohue Farm.
Most years, we hold a Bio Blitz at Lake Lagunita around Earth Day in Spring Quarter. Bio Blitz is a citizen science event where students and community members search Lake Lagunita for as many wildlife species as they can find. Plants, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds, and insects are included, and the results are compared from year to year to see changes in local ecology over time. Faculty, students, and community members are invited to attend, including youth from the Bay Area from ages 8 and up.
In years that Stanford SEEDS does not host a Stanford specific Bio Blitz, we participate in the National SEEDS Bioblitz as hosted by the Ecological Society of America and iNaturalist.
Article IV: Membership Requirements
Membership is open to all interested Stanford students in both undergraduate and graduate levels. Students on a leave of absence may not be active members, plan University-sponsored events, or hold leadership positions. In order to be considered a member, a student must demonstrate interest in the group by being a part of the SEEDS mailing list.
Article V: Leadership Structure and Officers
Officers: The group’s three authorized representatives are:
President: Sriram Narasimhan
Vice President: Sydney Schmitter
Financial Officer: Calvin Zau
Elections: An election with all voting members must be held for President, VP, and FO. While we prefer elections for all key leadership positions, other positions may be elected in the same manner, or selected by a committee of at least 3 people from a variety of years. This election must be held May 15th of each year.
Officer and Member Removal: If a member has concerns that an officer or member is not fulfilling their duties, they should bring their concern to the President (or Vice President, if the president is the person in question). The President should then notify the person in question about the concern and give them at least a week to attempt to resolve it. If the issue remains unresolved, the President should call a meeting of the leadership team. The person in question should be given an option to defend themselves in person at the meeting or provide a written statement. During the meeting, the person in question may be removed by majority vote with the person in question excluded from voting. If the group votes to remove an officer, another election will be held as soon as possible to fill the position.
Transition: From the time new officers are elected to the end of spring quarter, the new officers should shadow and assist the outgoing officers to be prepared to take on their new roles. Any important documentation or records, including this constitution, should be shared with incoming officers. Officers will officially start and end their terms at the end of spring quarter.
Article VI: Decision Making Process
Decision making is made through consensus by SEEDS officers by a simple majority vote. The Stanford SEEDS chapter is affiliated with the Ecological Society of America’s SEEDS program in participating in conferences and national events. Otherwise, Stanford SEEDS operates autonomously in its programs.
Stanford SEEDS maintains strong relationships with and collaborates closely with the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. The advisor for Stanford SEEDS is Dr. Jorge Ramos, Associate Director for Environmental Education at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, who supports SEEDS in its REAL Program, updating the SEEDS website, publicizing the work of SEEDS, and providing advice to officers.
Article VII: Dissolution of Organization
In the event that the organization is dissolved, any remaining funds and equipment will be given to the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve.
Article VIII: Procedure to Amend Constitution
Amendments to this constitution can be proposed by any officer. Proposed amendments should be discussed by all officers and require a simple majority vote to pass.
Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS), Stanford Chapter
Article II: Purpose
The Stanford chapter of Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) aims to increase awareness of local ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability with a focus on how these issues intersect with inequality and social justice through ecology education and community outreach. Furthermore, SEEDS provides academic and professional opportunities for students of all backgrounds in the fields of ecology and environmental sciences and promotes local and global conservation efforts. Stanford SEEDS is affiliated with the Ecological Society of America’s SEEDS program.
Article III: Activities and Scope
Our main activity each year consists of working with students from the Redwood Environmental Academy of Leadership (REAL) Program, which is part of Redwood High School in Redwood City, CA. REAL is a hands-on learning program where students learn environmental and community leadership skills while earning academic credit in science, and career and technical education.
Stanford SEEDS hosts quarterly hands-on learning programs with REAL Program Students in groups of 15-25 people that are between the ages 14-20. These programs take place at Redwood Continuation High School, at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and the Stanford O’Donohue Farm.
Most years, we hold a Bio Blitz at Lake Lagunita around Earth Day in Spring Quarter. Bio Blitz is a citizen science event where students and community members search Lake Lagunita for as many wildlife species as they can find. Plants, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds, and insects are included, and the results are compared from year to year to see changes in local ecology over time. Faculty, students, and community members are invited to attend, including youth from the Bay Area from ages 8 and up.
In years that Stanford SEEDS does not host a Stanford specific Bio Blitz, we participate in the National SEEDS Bioblitz as hosted by the Ecological Society of America and iNaturalist.
Article IV: Membership Requirements
Membership is open to all interested Stanford students in both undergraduate and graduate levels. Students on a leave of absence may not be active members, plan University-sponsored events, or hold leadership positions. In order to be considered a member, a student must demonstrate interest in the group by being a part of the SEEDS mailing list.
Article V: Leadership Structure and Officers
Officers: The group’s three authorized representatives are:
President: Sriram Narasimhan
Vice President: Sydney Schmitter
Financial Officer: Calvin Zau
Elections: An election with all voting members must be held for President, VP, and FO. While we prefer elections for all key leadership positions, other positions may be elected in the same manner, or selected by a committee of at least 3 people from a variety of years. This election must be held May 15th of each year.
Officer and Member Removal: If a member has concerns that an officer or member is not fulfilling their duties, they should bring their concern to the President (or Vice President, if the president is the person in question). The President should then notify the person in question about the concern and give them at least a week to attempt to resolve it. If the issue remains unresolved, the President should call a meeting of the leadership team. The person in question should be given an option to defend themselves in person at the meeting or provide a written statement. During the meeting, the person in question may be removed by majority vote with the person in question excluded from voting. If the group votes to remove an officer, another election will be held as soon as possible to fill the position.
Transition: From the time new officers are elected to the end of spring quarter, the new officers should shadow and assist the outgoing officers to be prepared to take on their new roles. Any important documentation or records, including this constitution, should be shared with incoming officers. Officers will officially start and end their terms at the end of spring quarter.
Article VI: Decision Making Process
Decision making is made through consensus by SEEDS officers by a simple majority vote. The Stanford SEEDS chapter is affiliated with the Ecological Society of America’s SEEDS program in participating in conferences and national events. Otherwise, Stanford SEEDS operates autonomously in its programs.
Stanford SEEDS maintains strong relationships with and collaborates closely with the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. The advisor for Stanford SEEDS is Dr. Jorge Ramos, Associate Director for Environmental Education at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, who supports SEEDS in its REAL Program, updating the SEEDS website, publicizing the work of SEEDS, and providing advice to officers.
Article VII: Dissolution of Organization
In the event that the organization is dissolved, any remaining funds and equipment will be given to the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve.
Article VIII: Procedure to Amend Constitution
Amendments to this constitution can be proposed by any officer. Proposed amendments should be discussed by all officers and require a simple majority vote to pass.