The Bylaws

Bylaws of The Green Fund

Mission Statement

The Green Fund will be available for use by approved sustainably-progressive projects, educational programs and activities for Slippery Rock University and its surrounding community, as well as research grant and scholarship programs for Slippery Rock University students and faculty. The Green Fund will be sustained by both The Green Fund Foundation account, as well as bi-yearly student contributions, and will be administered by the Green Fund Advisory Board.

Article 1 — Green Fund Advisory Board

Section 1.1 — Powers and Voting

The Green Fund Advisory Board (GFAB) has authority over The Green Fund. A simple majority of the board’s full membership is required to make funding and any other official decisions, except as provided for elsewhere in these bylaws. Apart from his/her normal function as part of the board, a member has no individual authority.

Section 1.2 — Member Numbers and Representation

It is suggested that the GFAB consist of eight to twelve voting members. The composition of these members is at the discretion of future GFAB members. It is suggested, but not required, that the board consist of:

  • Two Student Government Association members: one senator, and one executive board member
  • A member of the Slippery Rock University (SRU) Facilities staff;
  • Two SRU faculty members;
  • One Administrator;
  • One Masters of Science in Sustainable System graduate student;
  • Two undergraduates of any major, as decided by the faculty members of the GFAB;
  • One community member;

Section 1.3 — Election and Terms of the Green Fund Advisory Board Members

The original members of the GFAB will be appointed by the founders of The Green Fund. Thereafter, the decision to select or instill new board members will be determined by the presiding or active GFAB members. Terms are as follows:

  • Students will have 1 year terms, with no limitations to number of terms served. Students will be decided by the professors on the GFAB, unless a student has taken the initiative to involve himself/herself with The Green Fund.
  • The Masters of Science and Sustainable Systems graduate student will be appointed by the department chair each year to serve a one year term.
  • Student Government Association members will be appointed by the SGA each year and will serve a one year term.
  • Faculty members, administrator, and the community member will serve two-year terms with no limitations to number of terms served. These members must be re-elected by other GFAB members. In the event that any of these members step down, it is their responsibility to offer suggestions for possible replacements, who will then be voted on by all current members of the GFAB.

Section 1.4 — Duties of the Green Fund Advisory Board

The duties of the Green Fund Advisory Board shall be:

  • Accept and review project applications to determine the fund apportionment;
  • To meet two to three times a semester. If necessary, the GFAB can hold additional meetings at their discretion.
    • The first meeting shall occur between six and eight weeks after the start of each semester. It is at this point that the GFAB will accept applications. If no applications exist at this time, ideas of the GFAB will be presented. This meeting will be followed by a three week researching period, in which it is the responsibility of the GFAB to interview applicants, determine outcomes of proposed projects, and evaluate whether the proposed projects qualify for funding by The Green Fund.
    • The second meeting of the semester will be held three weeks after the first meeting. This is to be a closed meeting. It is at this meeting that those who have researched the proposals will present their findings to the rest of the GFAB, and a vote will take place determining which projects will receive funding. If no projects have been proposed, it is at the discretion of GFAB to decide if funds will be set aside for future gift cycles or spent on initiatives designed by the members of the GFAB.
    • A third meeting will be held at a later time determined by the GFAB. At this meeting the recipients of the Green Fund Gifts will present the progress and accomplishments to the GFAB and community members.

Section 1.5 — Organizers

The GFAB will have three organizers: a head organizer, a financial organizer, and a technical organizer. The organizers responsibilities include

  • The head organizer will be responsible for scheduling and presiding over meetings. The head organizer can also assign other members responsibilities at his or her discretion. The head organizer is also responsible for keeping track of terms and holding any necessary election regarding GFAB members.
  • The financial organizer shall keep a detailed account of the funds available as well as the funds spent.
  • The technical organizer will ensure that the necessary documents are made public as well as issue an annual e-mail to the Slippery Rock University student body. The e-mail will highlight the current status of the program.

These positions shall be filled by members of the board that are not students. Though these members will have more responsibility, they will not have more power in regards to the voting process.

Section 1.6 — Conflicts of Interests

The Grant Making Committee shall conduct itself in such a way that conflicts of interest are minimized and all potential conflicts of interest are made public.

Section 1.7 — Voting Conflicts

In the event of an even vote, the issue being voted on will be opened for discussion and debate by the board as well as community members. It is up to the GFAB to reach a compromise on the issue.

Article 2 — Allocation of Funds and Project Selection

Section 2.1 — Budget Restrictions

There shall be no minimum spending limitations. The GFAB can choose to set funds aside to build for future endeavors or larger projects.

Section 2.2 — Restrictions and Priorities

There is no limit to how many items The Green Fund can support each year, provided all gift totals fall within the budget. Within the budget, priority will first be given to projects, then scholarships, then research grants. Members of GFAB are not exempt from applying for any funding, but are required to be held at the same standard as all other applicants, and should excuse themselves from voting when personal involvement is present.

Section 2.3 — General Requirements for Proposed Projects

  • All projects shall promote sustainable practices, thinking, and development, with a goal of a healthier campus and community.
  • No Green Fund support shall go to a project that involves paving any green space.
  • Project proposals may be submitted by SRU faculty, students, staff, as well as Slippery Rock community members.
  • Projects shall have received all necessary written approval by appropriate campus officials prior to consideration.
  • The Green Fund funding will not support projects already mandated by law or Slippery Rock University policy directive (e.g., basic standards for new building construction), since SRU is already obligated to allocate funds for such projects. The Green Fund will however, fund projects which go above and beyond minimum requirements and which are unable to gain funding from other sources.
  • If determined necessary by the GFAB, recipients of funding shall be prepared to periodically report on their progress to the GFAB as well as community members.
  • Projects are highly encouraged to benefit the students of SRU, whether it be financially, educationally, or through direct involvement.

Section 2.4 — The Green Fund Foundation

  • If the student fee fails to be implemented, the foundation account will be the sole source of income for The Green Fund. In this event, a majority of the money will be spent on campus and community initiatives, with remaining funds going to research grants and scholarships.
  • If the student fee does pass, a portion of the foundation account designated by the GFAB will be used for research grant and scholarship programs.

Section 2.5 — General Requirements for Scholarships

Students who show an affinity for improving the natural environment can apply to The Green Fund Foundation for scholarships. The amount of scholarships available, as well as the monetary value of these scholarships will be decided by the GFAB each semester based on financial ability within the foundation account. These scholarships shall be awarded based on the student’s enthusiasm and actions toward advancing the goals of The Green Fund. QPA, academic major, and financial need are only secondary considerations.

Section 2.6 — General Requirements for Research Grants

Professors and students at Slippery Rock University are eligible monetary assistance from The Green Fund Foundation to conduct research projects with a positive impact on the natural environment. The amount of research grants available, as well as the monetary value of these research grants will be decided by the GFAB each semester based on financial ability within the foundation account. Researchers funded by these grants are required to relate and associate their findings to the immediate community. This is defined by the GFAB. Recipients of these research grants will be required to:

  • Present findings to community;
  • Submit report to GFAB indicating the project outcomes;

Article 3 — Other Rules for Governing The Green Fund

Section 3.1 — Guidelines for Fund Allocation

  • Any funds not distributed or dispensed in a given year shall remain in The Green Fund account for future use.
  • Funds allocated to a project that are not spent within the timeframe determined on the project’s proposal shall be returned to The Green Fund for reallocation.
  • Funds distributed by The Green Fund are not to be used or reallocated for purposes other than those described in this document.
  • The Green Fund shall continue to operate even after student fees are no longer collected into the Fund, as long as sufficient money remains in The Green Fund account.

Article 4 — Accountability, Records, and Reports

Section 4.1 — The Green Fund’s Accountability to the Student Body

The Green Fund shall be accountable to the student body and shall therefore:

  • Make all its records available to the public;
  • Issue an annual electronic report to all students, faculty and staff;
  • Make a report accessible online or interested community members;

Section 4.2 — Records and Reports

The GFAB must keep on record:

  • Minutes of all GFAB meetings of indicating the time, place, names voting members present, and the proceedings thereof;
  • Adequate and correct books and records of account and foundation account, transactions and accounts of its assets, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses;
  • Record of projects selected each year and the funds allocated to each;
  • Reports made back to the GFAB on completed projects;
  • Copies of all annual reports which the GFAB has issued via electronic mail to students, faculty and staff.

Article 5 — Amendment of Bylaws

A two-thirds (2/3) vote by existing GFAB may amend, create, or repeal portions of these Bylaws, unless doing so would materially and adversely affect the mission of The Green Fund.