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Our Mission

To foster an understanding of remote sensing science. Emphasis is placed on developing a meaningful dialogue among geographers interested in understanding and applying remote sensing technology in research, instruction, public service, and private enterprise.

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Bylaws

  • Article 1 Name
    1. The name of this association shall be the Remote Sensing Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers (RSSG/AAG).
  • Article II Purpose
    1. To encourage remote sensing research.
    2. To promote education in remote sensing.
    3. To promote the exchange of ideas and information about remote sensing.
    4. To promote interest in and correct utilization of aerial photographs and other imagery by all people.
    5. To promote and facilitate the remote sensing specialist’s role within the geographic discipline.
    6. To promote and coordinate activities and directions with other professional organizations involved with remote sensing.
    7. Initiate remote sensing research and education proposals to be submitted through the AAG Project Development and Review Committee.
  • Article III Membership
    1. Any member of the AAG may elect membership in RSSG.
    2. Any member of RSSG may hold office in RSSG if duly elected or appointed.
    3. The AAG Central Office will certify membership in RSSG each year after payment of AAG dues.
  • Article IV Officers
    1. The RSSG will be governed by an elected board of directors consisting of the following six voting members, all of whom must be members of RSSG: a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a director/treasurer, two directors and one student director.
    2. The Board of Directors will meet at least once each year. A quorum of four is necessary to conduct RSSG business.
    3. The chairperson will serve for a term of two years.
      1. The chairperson will be the chief executive officer of the RSSG.
      2. The chairperson will preside over all meetings of the Board of Direction.
      3. The chairperson will appoint the chairpersons of all standing and ad hoc committees and be an ex officio member of all committees.
    4. The vice-chairperson will be elected for a two-year term. The first year he/she will he vice-chairperson and the second year he/she shall become and assume the duties of the chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.
    5. The director/treasurer will be elected for a two-year term,
      1. The director/treasurer will record minutes of each meeting of the Board of Direction and transmit such minutes to the member of the Board of Direction and the AAG Central Office within 60 days of such meeting.
      2. The director/treasurer shall maintain an account of all income and expenditures of the RSSG. An annual financial report will be presented to the Board of Direction.
      3. The director/treasurer will make all required information reports of RSSG activities to the AAG Council and Central Office.
    6. Two non-student directors will each be elected for a two-year term.
      1. Terms will be staggered such that in years when the director/treasurer is elected, one director will be elected, and in the intervening years two directors will be elected.
    7. One student director on the Board of Direction will be elected each year for a one-year term.
    8. The Board of Direction for cause or emergency in the best interests of RSSG may meet and declare any position on the Board of Direction vacant by a vote of at least four of its members. If a vacancy on the Board of Direction occurs the following procedures apply:
      1. Office of chairperson vacant: the vice-chairperson shall assume duties of the chairperson and serve the remainder of current term, plus the second year of his/her elected term as chairperson.
      2. Office of vice-chairperson vacant: any member of the Board of Direction, except the chairperson, may be appointed by the Board of Direction to serve in the capacity of vice-chairperson until the next regularly-scheduled election,
      3. Office of director/treasurer vacant: any member of the Board of Direction, except the chairperson and the vice-chairperson, maybe appointed to fill the unexpired elected term of the director/treasurer.
      4. Office of director vacant: the Board of Direction by approval of two-thirds majority may appoint any RSSG member to fill the unexpired term created by the vacancy.
      5. Office of student director vacant: the Board of Direction by approval of a two-thirds majority may appoint any RSSG student member to fill the unexpired term created by the vacancy.
    9. The elected RSSG members will assume office at the beginning of the AAG annual meeting each year. Their terms of office end just prior to the beginning of the AAG annual meeting.
  • Article V Committees
    1. There will be the following standing committees in RSSG:
      1. Awards
      2. Goals
      3. Nominations
      4. Program
      5. Publications
    2. The Awards Committee shall consist of a chairperson and two additional members, all appointed annually by the chairperson of RSSG.
      1. The Awards Committee shall he empowered to recommend to the RSSG Honors Committee names of RSSG members for consideration.
      2. The Awards Committee shall be empowered to select the recipients of any awards or prizes established and/or handled by the RSSG.
    3. The Goals Committee shall consist of a chairperson and two additional members, all appointed annually by the chairperson of RSSG.
      1. The vice-chairperson of RSSG will also serve on this committee.
      2. The Goals Committee shall annually solicit from the membership suggestions for future activities of the RSSG.
      3. The Goals Committee shall annually submit a report with recommendations to the Board of Direction of RSSG. Such report will contain specific suggested long-term goals for the RSSG.
    4. The Nominations Committee will be chaired each year by the immediate past chairperson of RSSG. The incoming chairperson will appoint two additional members of this committee.
      1. Nominations must be solicited from the entire membership by written notification.
      2. At least two candidates shall be nominated for each vacant position on the Board of Direction.
      3. The Nominations committee will prepare a slate of candidates for approval by the Board of Direction RSSG.
      4. The slate of candidates will be completed by January 1, the ballot printed and mailed to the RSSG membership of record on January 15 each year, by March 15 the ballots will be returned and counted and candidates notified of the results at least two weeks prior to the AAG annual meeting. (Specific dates for each election should. he established each year by the RSSG chairperson.)
    5. The Program Committee shall consist of a chairperson and two members of RSSG appointed annually by the chairperson of RSSG.
      1. Two of the members of the Program Committee should be appointed as follows: One from the geographic region of the U. S. in which the next annual meeting of the AAG will be held and one from the geographic region of the U.S. in which the following annual meeting of the AAG will be held.
      2. The Program Committee shall ensure that an adequate number of sessions of interest to RSSG members are scheduled at each meeting of AAG. Special topics, workshops, symposia, traveling exhibits, etc., of a remote sensing nature should be coordinated by the Program Committee.
    6. From time to time, as needed, the chairperson of RSSG may establish ad hoc committees to address specific short-term needs.
    7. The Publications Committee will consist of a chairperson and two members of RSSG appointed annually by the chairperson of the RSSG.
      1. A newsletter will be produced by the committee.
      2. The committee will coordinate all research and education publications issued in conjunction with RSSG.
  • Article VI Dues and Fees
    1. The RSSG Board of Direction may assess annual dues from its membership. Such dues must be approved by the AAG Council and by a majority of the RSSG membership.
      1. The RSSG Board of Direction shall manage all dues so collected.
      2. Annual reports of income and expenditures shall be made by the treasurer of RSSG to the AAG Central Office.
    2. The RSSG Board of Direction may establish reasonable fees for publications, workshops, symposia and other activities
      1. The RSSG Board of Direction shall manager all fees so collected.
      2. Annual reports of income and expenditures shall he made by the treasurer of RSSG to the AAG Central Office.
  • Article VII Meetings
    1. The RSSG will hold at least one general membership meeting annually, usually at the AAG annual meeting.
    2. The Board of Direction will hold at least one Board meeting annually. An annual report of the RSSG activities and finances will be submitted by April 1 each year to the AAG Central Office.
  • Article VIII Amendments
    1. Changes to this Constitution must be approved by at least 4 votes of the Board of Direction and ratified by a letter ballot of the RSSG membership. Approval by 60% of those RSSG members voting shall be required.
  • Article IX Bylaws
    1. Bylaws essential to the conduct of the affairs of the RSSG may be enacted by the Board of Direction. Approval of Bylaw requires at least 4 positive votes of the Board of Direction. Such Bylaws will be in effect until the next general membership meeting of RSSG at which time approval must be obtained from a majority of the RSSG members in attendance.
  • Article X Operation Date
    1. RSSG will operate fiscally on a calendar year basis. An annual budget must he approved by the Board of Direction no later than the AAG annual meeting date.
  • April, 1981

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