Article (1):
This Society, which conforms to the laws governing the establishment of clubs and societies in Sultanate of Oman that are stated in the Royal decree number 14/2000, shall be called "The Geological Society of Oman (GSO)". The GSO activities shall cover the whole Sultanate of Oman, while its headquarters should be based in the Muscat area. Henceforth, this entity will be referred to as the "Society" in this document.

Article (2):
The purposes of this Society are as follows:

• To advance the science of geology, especially as it relates to petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids including water, and mineral resources;

• To promote the technology of exploring for, finding, and producing these materials and resources in an economically and environmentally sound manner;

• To promote awareness relating to geoscience with the aim of providing students and young Omanis with wider career choices and opportunities.

• To foster the spirit of scientific research throughout its membership;

• To serve as a venue through which information relating to the geology and the associated technology of petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids including water, and mineral resources are disseminated;

• To inspire and maintain a high standard of professional conduct on the part of its members;

• To provide the public with means to recognize adequately trained and professionally responsible Omani geologists;

• To advance the professional well-being of its members

Article (3):
The society shall not engage itself in political issues nor in the formation of political parties and shall refrain from religious and tribal affairs.

Article (4):
The society have the right to use Arabic or English languages or any other language that it feels essential to accomplish its purposes.
 

Article (5):
The members of this Society shall consist of persons concerned with professional applications of the geological sciences. The membership of the Society shall not be limited by age (members have to be 18 years of age).

Article (6):
The classifications of memberships of the Society are as follows:

• Active Members

• Honorary Members

• Juniors

• Students

• Associates

Article (7):
Unless otherwise expressly provided in these Bylaws, the term "member" shall refer only to Active, Honorary, and Junior Members. Only members may hold office, vote in Society affairs, and sponsor membership applications.
Associate member is not allowed to hold

Article (8):
Definitions:

Active Members
Any person engaged in the practice or teaching of geology may apply for Active membership, provided the applicant holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctor’s Degree in geological science from a college of acceptable academic standards and/or, in addition, has had three (3) years of experience in the practice or teaching of geology. Credit for experience can be counted as follows: Master’s Degree: one (1) year; Doctor’s Degree: two (2) years. The Executive Committee may waive degree or current professional activity requirements if in its judgment an applicant has adequate professional experience and has attained standing in the profession.

Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be those members of this Society who shall have contributed distinguished service to the cause of petroleum geology and those who received recognition for outstanding services to the Society. Such determination shall be made by the Executive Committee. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues, but shall have all the privileges and advantages of Active membership in the Society.

Juniors
Any graduate with a major in geology or an allied science from a college of acceptable academic standards may apply for Junior membership provided that:

• The applicant is engaged in geological exploration or research; or

• The applicant is engaged in teaching geology.

Students
Any student majoring in geology or in a field of study related to or generally associated with geology at a college of acceptable academic standards may apply for student membership. Student membership shall terminate upon termination of academic enrollment.

Associates
Any person not qualified for any other class of membership who is a graduate of a college of acceptable academic standards whose employment is associated with geology, may apply for Associate membership. The Executive Committee may waive degree requirements, if in its judgment an applicant has adequate professional experience, and has attained professional standing.

Article (9):
Election of Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be elected by the General Assembly during the meeting of General Assembly. A committee shall be formed to coordinate, conduct and oversee the voting process and the announcement of the voting results immediately after the election.

Article (10):
Resignation
Any member of any classification may resign at any time from the Society; such resignation shall be in writing and shall be accepted by the Executive Committee. Membership fees and any other donations made by the resigning member shall not be returned.

Article (11):
Loss of Membership Rights
Any member of any classification who resigns, or who forfeits membership for non-payment of dues, or who is expelled for ethical reasons ceases to have any rights in the Society and ceases to incur further indebtedness to the Society.

Article (12):
Reinstatement
Any person who has ceased to be a member of whatever classification, who has resigned, or who has forfeited membership for non-payment of dues, unless expelled for ethical reasons, may be reinstated by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, upon fulfillment of such requirements as may be established by the Executive Committee.
 

CHAPTER I
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
Article (13)
The executive authority of this Society shall be vested in an Executive Committee comprised of 8 individuals elected by the General Assembly.

Article (14)
The Jurisdiction of the Executive Committee is outlined below:

The Executive Committee shall have general executive control and management of the affairs and funds of this Society; these shall include, but not be limited to: designation of time and place of the annual meeting of the Society; supervision of election of officers and filling vacancies; determination of applicant qualifications and classifications; maintaining a headquarters and staff; accepting, creating, and administering funds for purposes provided under the Constitution and Bylaws of this Society; appointing trustees to manage such funds; establishing such fiscal policies as may be appropriate; and performing such other administrative duties as required to accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Society.
The Executive Committee shall also serve as an appeal authority in all matters involving grievance proceedings.
The Executive Committee shall have sole responsibility and authority for all matters involving the external affairs of this Society.
Article (15) The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice every month at such places as designated by such Executive Committee.

CHAPTER II
OFFICERS

Article (16)
The elected officers of this Society shall be the following:

• President

• Vice President

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Editor

• Executive Director

• Membership Officer

• Committee Member

Article (17)
Society officers and their designations

President:
The President shall be the chief executive officer of this Society. The President shall be spokesman for the Society on all matters pertaining to the public and Government agencies; shall appoint the members of all committees within the limits prescribed in the Constitution and Bylaws; shall appoint delegates to cooperate organizations to represent the Society; and shall serve as chairman of the Executive Committee.

Guidelines & Responsibilities

• The duties of the elected president are to see that Society’s yearly plans are drafted and executed. Various committees and officers (assigned by the President or the Executive Committee) will execute these plans. Each program plan should be detailed enough to facilitate its completion and, all objectives and deadlines are met.

• Preside at all Society meetings, including meetings of the Society Executive Committee.

• Appoint all Society committees and members of committees; replace committee members as needed.

• Coordinate all activities of the Society, including charges to standing and ad hoc committees.

• Plan and conduct monthly officer meetings.
  Call regularly for reports from officers and committee chairpersons.

• Hold meetings with officers during months in which the Society does not hold regular meetings to plan section activities for the coming year.

• Conduct election of Society’s officers and ensure that results are published within the Society’s publications Newsletter.

• Review the annual report of the Society's programs and activities during the year.

• Review the financial report of the Society before the Executive Committee meeting.

• Ensure that the Society Financial report is finalized at end of each year.

• Present Society Awards to qualified Society members.
   

Vice President:
The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. The Vice President shall assume the office of the President in case of a vacancy (for any cause) in that office; and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by to the President. Guidelines & Responsibilities are as outlined above.

Secretary:
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the actions of the Executive Committee; shall keep possession of the Society’s seal and perform other duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee.

Guidelines & Responsibilities

• The Society’s secretary is responsible for recording the official business of the Society through the writing, retention, and distribution of minutes. Minutes should be recorded for all meetings of the Society Executive Committee.

• At each meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting should be read (if they were not printed and distributed earlier), so that the group can approve or revise them.

• Because minutes often resolve misunderstandings, they should be accurate, complete, and clear. Avoid subjective adjectives and adverbs. Minutes should have a tone of complete objectivity and impartiality.

• When writing minutes, make memory-jogging notes during the meeting and then expand them with the appropriate detail immediately after the meeting.

• Minutes of meetings should contain the following:

1. Name of the Society or committee

2. Place and date of the meeting.

3. The kind of meeting that is being reported; that is, a regular meeting or a special meeting to discuss a specific subject or a problem.

4. Names of members present. (meetings of the Society at large should include names of officers and of other meeting attendees.)

5. If there were any absentees from Executive Committee, their names and the names of their substitutes should be recorded in the minutes.

6. If the minutes of the previous meeting were amended or approved, then a statement to that effect should be included in the current meeting’ minutes.

7. A list of reports that were presented and accepted. It is not necessary to give a detailed account of the substance of the reports submitted if the reports are written and attached to the minutes.

8. All the main motions that were made, with statements as to whether they were carried or lost. It is not necessary to include motions that were withdrawn.

9. Resolutions that were adopted, recorded in full. If a resolution was rejected, a simple statement to that effect is adequate.

10. A record of all ballots, complete with numbers.
     

Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall supervise the receipt of all funds and, under the direction of the Executive Committee, be responsible for all disbursements of funds of the Society; shall serve as a member of the Committee; shall give bond, the amount of which shall be determined by the Executive Committee, shall make the annual report as Treasurer, and perform such other duties as directed by the Executive Committee.

Guidelines & Responsibilities

• The treasurer is the chief financial officer of the Society. The duties of the treasurer are to collect and disburse Society funds as directed by the Executive Committee.

• The treasurer is responsible for filing the only mandatory report of the Society " the annual Society Financial Statement ". This report is required by law.

• As an officer of the Society, Treasurer should attend all Society’s Executive Committee Meetings to give monthly financial reports and make recommendations on the management of cash and reserves of the Society.

• The overall goal of the Society is the dissemination of technical information rather than the generation of surplus funds. Society programs should be self-sufficient and budgeted to break even.

• It is not the purpose of the Society to accumulate reserve funds but rather use these funds to provide programs for its members. Surplus funds may be placed in an interest-bearing reserve account and allowed to grow to a level of two times the annual operating budget for necessary Society services.

• The operating budget is considered to include only ongoing professional activities.

• Any additional funds in excess of these reserves, regardless of the source, should be invested back into Society professional enrichment programs.

• Prepare an annual operating budget when new officers assume their positions. The budget serves as a planning device, identifying long- and short-term goals. The budget will help identify basic financial requirements and revenue sources. Financial statements should be compared to the budget to determine if the Society is meeting its financial goals.

• The Society should perform an annual audit of financial records. This audit would normally take place before the treasurer assumes office. An informal audit, conducted by designated members of the Society will be appropriate. The audit provides protection of Society officers and helps to ensure an orderly transfer of financial records.

• Bank accounts should be established in official Society name. Society should require two signatures on all financial instruments; the President and Society treasurer. As an alternative, Society members and officers who have access to money accounts should be bonded. The Society should maintain financial records for at least three years.

• Maintain all accounting records for the Society, including deposits and payments, and provide detailed financial reports to the Society on a monthly basis. More frequent reporting should be considered whenever there has been significant income or expenditures, or as requested by the President.

• The Society should establish its own Bank account at a convenient local bank and process all income and expenditures through this account for record keeping and control purposes. Treasurer should reconcile the bank account to the monthly financial statement, and provide a copy of the statement to the President.

• Monthly financial statement should be available. This monthly financial statement to be designed as a reporting form, which the Treasurer may use for making regular or special reports to the Society or the Executive Committee. Any standard accounting system may be used.
   

Editor:
The Editor shall have general supervision and final authority in soliciting, accepting, and rejecting all material on technical subjects for publication in the Society’s publications. With the approval of the Executive Committee, the Editor shall appoint, replace, and reappoint such volunteer associate editors from among the membership of the Society that may be required to accomplish the publication activities of the Society. The Editor shall submit an annual report of editorial activities to the Executive Committee.

Executive Director:
Executive Committee policies shall be implemented by the Executive Director who shall have charge of the Society’s headquarters and staff personnel as authorized by the Executive Committee. The Executive Director shall be the person to whom all official notices to the Society will be addressed; shall be responsible for the physical custody of all official documents held in repository at Society headquarters; shall be under the personal direction of the President; and will assist in the work of all committees to ensure the effectiveness of the activities of this Society. The Executive Director shall be chief administrative official of the Society, shall have the authority to execute contracts on behalf of the Society.

Membership Officer:
Working with the President and Executive Director, the Membership Officer contributes to the creation of a positive environment for improvement and growth in the society. This environment keeps existing members involved and attracts qualified new members. The duties of the Membership Officer can be divided between retention of existing membership and recruitment development of new members. The Society will be successful by the dedication of its the membership and the efforts of individual members to recruit new members.

Guidelines & Responsibilities
The duties of the Membership Officer are as follows:

• develop long range membership goals and plans

• establish a Society membership committee

• generate an action plan to achieve goals

• budget funds for membership activities

• coordinate with other Society activities

• establish recruitment awards and present them at monthly meetings.

• promote and monitor Society Membership Contest

• liaise with Society’s staff

• publicize the benefits and services available to Society’s members.

• communicate information to the members on the monthly membership statistics (total members, new, transferred, dropped, membership recruitment credits, etc.) and the status of the section membership contest. This may be published in the monthly newsletter or presented at the Society's monthly meeting

• identify recruitment or retention issues in the Society and create local solutions.
   

CHAPTER III
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Article (18):
The Membership Officer is responsible for setting up a Membership Committee. He/she will have the authority for determining the number of members involved in such committee. Committee members should be assigned responsibility for each of the following areas:

Membership Retention Responsible for contacting members who are delinquent in their dues and former members who have been dropped from the membership encouraging them to renew/reinstate. The following information should be available to support this activity:

• Society monthly unpaid dues list

• Society dropped members report

• change of address forms

• percentages of members in the Society who have paid dues

Membership Recruitment
Responsible for maintaining lists of prospective new members, and developing recruitment campaigns and programs to encourage membership. These goals can be achieved by:

• identifying non-members at meetings and through Society members

• identifying potential members from local industry publications
  liaising with other technical societies

• publicizing Society membership benefits through Society literature
   

Publicity and Advertising
The Membership Committee is responsible for publicizing Society membership benefits, developing graphical displays for meetings and conferences, newsletter reports and advertising where appropriate Resources include:

CHAPTER IV
TERMS OF OFFICE

Article (19):
The Executive Committee shall serve a two year term.

CHAPTER V
ELECTIONS

Article (20):
These officers shall be elected by the members of the Association by means of secret ballot in the following manner: nominations for the above positions must be accompanied by a written petition of twenty five (25) or more members in good standing. A committee shall be formed to coordinate, conduct and oversee the voting process and the announcement of the voting results.

CHAPTER VI
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article (21):
The General Assembly is composed of all members who have paid their membership fees according to the society rules providing that six months have passed since they joined the society.

Article (22):
The General Assembly shall meet for discuss the following:

• The Executive Committee’s report on the society activities and achievements.

• The financial report for the year ending.

• Budget for the coming year

• Election of the new Executive Committee members.

In additions to any other issues that the Executive Committee puts on the meeting agenda.

Article (23):
The Executive Committee has the right to call the General Assembly for unplanned meeting if circumstances requires or if an amendment to the society constitution is required or for any other reason determined by the government laws governing societies.

Article (24):
The Society’s income shall come from the following sources:

• Membership fees

• Donations, gifts, and inheritance after getting permission from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and Vocational Training

• Aid and any other sources agreed to by both the Executive Committee and Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and Vocational Training

Article (25):
The fiscal year of the Society shall begin on 1st of May and end on the 30th April of the following calendar year.

Article (26):
The Society’s funds shall be deposited under its name in an accredited bank agreed to by the Executive Committee.