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Background
The American University of Beirut (AUB) is a private, independent, non-profit institution of higher learning, functioning under a charter from the State of New York. Its mission is to enhance the education primarily of the peoples of the Middle East, to serve society through its educational functions, and to participate in the advancement of knowledge.
The Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures (IBSAR) includes AUB academics who are committed to explore and develop biodiversity related economic opportunities through multidisciplinary research activities. IBSAR’s mission is to create an enabling environment to explore and develop economic opportunities associated with the sustainable use of the biodiversity existing in the region, relying primarily on biotechnology and multidisciplinary approaches.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this committee shall be The Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures (IBSAR) Advisory Board.
ARTICLE II
Purposes of the IBSAR Advisory Board
The purpose of this Board shall be:
To advise on the vision and priorities of IBSAR;
To advise on the direction of IBSAR’s research programs and activities, and on ways of strengthening the delivery of these programs;
To promote IBSAR to the general community, other institutions, businesses, and governments;
To advise on partnerships, capacity building, and networking;
To advise on, facilitate and assist in fundraising;
To secure contacts and develop public relations.
ARTICLE III
Selection of Board Members and Terms of Office
Members of the IBSAR Advisory Board shall be active academic/research, community or business leaders drawn from a cross section of society with interests in biodiversity.
The Executive Director is considered an ex officio member of the IBSAR Advisory Board, along with a member of the Executive Committee nominated by the latter.
Members from Lebanon or abroad are nominated by IBSAR members and their nomination is approved by the IBSAR Executive committee in consultation with AUB administration. IBSAR Advisory Board members shall serve renewable 3-year terms. The terms of the IBSAR Advisory Board members shall be overlapping, so that no more than one-third of the members’ terms shall end in each year. Terms may be extended by mutual agreement.
The IBSAR Advisory Board shall consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 voting members.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
The election of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary shall take place at the first meeting of the IBSAR Advisory Board every other year, or immediately after a vacancy occurs. Officers shall serve a term of 2 years and may be re-elected.
- Duties of the Chairperson of the Advisory Board
The Chairperson of the IBSAR Advisory Board shall preside over meetings of the Advisory Board, and enforce the Bylaws. The Chairperson shall oversee the formation of subcommittees, based on recommendations by the Board, and shall be an ex-officio member of any subcommittee organized by them. The Chairperson is a voting member on all matters coming before the IBSAR Advisory Board.
- Duties of the Vice Chairperson
In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall act in his or her place.
The role of Secretary shall be filled by the IBSAR Executive Committee member acting as ex officio Advisory Board member, as defined in Article III. The Secretary shall keep a record of the IBSAR Advisory Board meetings, and record all actions and recommendations of the Advisory Board. The minutes of the IBSAR Advisory Board meetings shall be made available to IBSAR Executive Committee members. In the absence of the Secretary, the Director shall act in his or her place.
ARTICLE V
Advisory Board Committees
The IBSAR Advisory Board shall perform its work as a committee, and should strive for consensus. Subcommittees may be organized by and consist of members of the IBSAR Advisory Board, under the supervision of the Chairperson.
ARTICLE VI
Procedures, Expenditures and Reporting
The IBSAR Advisory Board shall develop working procedures including an annual meeting with IBSAR, with use of teleconferencing as needed.
The IBSAR Advisory Board shall identify sources of funding to help IBSAR cover the Advisory Board’s expenses (travel expenses and other activities).
ARTICLE VII
Meetings and Records
Section 1. Written notice of meetings shall be given to all members of the IBSAR Advisory Board, and shall include the agenda, date, and time of the meeting.
Section 2. Meetings shall be held at least once a year, or at the call of the Chairman of the IBSAR Advisory Board.
Section 3. Attending members, including those attending by telephone or teleconferencing, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Board.
Section 4. All business of the IBSAR Advisory Board shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, unless otherwise provided.
Section 5. Minutes shall be kept for all the meetings and shall be mailed to the members of the IBSAR Advisory Board before the meeting for their review.
ARTICLE VIII
Quorum
One more than 50% of current IBSAR Advisory Board members (excluding ex officio members) shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of meeting and conducting business.
ARTICLE IX
Conflict of interest
Board members shall declare any conflict of interest publicly and for the record at the Board meeting at which a particular issue is considered, and shall excuse themselves from that meeting while the Board discusses the issue in question.
ARTICLE X
Amendments to Bylaws
The bylaws shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present, and shall be reviewed every two years. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be sent to all IBSAR Advisory Board members at least thirty (30) days in advance of a scheduled meeting. Discussion of proposed amendments shall appear as a separate item on the meeting agenda. Passage of amendments shall require a majority vote of IBSAR Advisory Board members.
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