THE RANGELANDS PARTNERSHIP CHARTER AND BY-LAWS (Revised 2023)

ARTICLE I. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the “Rangelands Partnership” (RP). It is authorized by the Agriculture Administrators of the western U.S. region (Experiment Station Directors, Extension Administrators, and others) as the Western Extension and Research Administrative Committee (WERA) 1008, an information-sharing and outreach group. 

ARTICLE II. Aims and Objectives. 
The Rangelands Partnership is a community of practice dedicated to providing public and private land managers, researchers, Extension professionals, and educators around the world with science-based information, resources, and tools to improve management and ensure sustainability of the world’s rangelands. The Partnership also facilitates communication among diverse audiences about key rangeland issues and management practices. 

ARTICLE III. Membership.
[approved at March 2012 meeting by unanimous vote] Members may be from land grant universities or other institutions, agencies, and organizations which offer programs in rangeland science or management. The eligibility of institutions, agencies, or organizations for membership status will be determined by the Executive Committee. To officially be a member of the RP, individuals must complete Appendix E of the WERA 1008.

ARTICLE IV. Organization and Administration. 
Section 1. Officers of the Partnership.
The officers for the Rangelands Partnership shall consist of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. Duties of Officers. 

The Chair shall:

• Serve on and preside over the Executive and Steering committees and the annual meeting of the Partnership.
• Coordinate the planning for the annual meeting.
• Respond to questions from the membership.
• Be responsible for securing the incoming Secretary and helping to identify the next meeting location.
• Lead the review of RP bylaws at least every five years.
• Provide letters of support as requested.

The Vice Chair is charged with:

• Preside over meetings in the absence of the Chair and serve on the Executive Committee,
• Prepare and submit the WERA report within 60 days after the annual meeting,
• Coordinate identification and contact of new members as vacancies occur and identify new recruiting opportunities, and
• Help to coordinate the planning for the annual meeting and assist with the administration of the Partnership.

The Secretary will: 

• Serve on the Executive Committee,
• Prepare minutes of the annual meeting and monthly meetings,
• Maintain the official role of voting members and confirm listserv and newsletter subscribers,
• Assist with the WERA report,
• Prepare other documents for necessary reporting, and
• Post annual meeting material and update the Rangelands Gateway member’s section. 

The Treasurer will serve on the Executive Committee, maintain the budget of the Partnership, assist with purchasing as needed, create the annual meeting registration website, and provide reports as needed. 

Section 3. Committees & Task Forces.

Executive Committee. 
The Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer will serve as the Executive Committee of the Partnership. With guidance from the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Partnership between annual meetings. The Executive Committee will coordinate appointments of action groups or committees to accomplish the goals of the Partnership.  For expenses outside the annual meeting, expenses over $1,000 shall need approval by a majority of voting members.

Action Groups and Committees.
The work of the organization will be accomplished through action groups or committees appointed from the membership. Action groups will be appointed for short-term (1 year or less) project work and committees for long-term activities. 

Steering Committee.
Steering Committee consists of Action Groups and Committees Chairs and Rangeland Gateway’s technical team. The Steering Committee will work to improve communication and coordination within the Partnership. The Steering Committee provides guidance to the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE V. Voting Privileges and Representation. 
Acceptance / approval of institutions, agencies, or organizations for voting membership status will be determined by a majority vote of voting delegates. Each voting institution will have up to two voting delegates, preferably one rangeland professional and one librarian. Each approved institution, agency, or organization will determine who will represent their interest with voting privileges.

ARTICLE VI. Nomination and Election of Officers.
Section 1. Eligibility.

Only individuals listed in WERA 1008 Appendix E can be elected an officer.

Section 2. Term of Officers. 

The term of officers is for a total of three years with a Secretary elected each year. Progression is from Secretary to Vice Chair (in second year) to Chair (in third year). The Treasurer may remain the same depending on the University where Partnership funds are housed. 

Section 3. Nomination for Office. 

Candidates for the office of Secretary shall be nominated or recruited from active members of WERA 1008, Appendix E. If only one person is willing to run, that candidate may run uncontested.

Section 4. Election for Secretary. 

Election of the Secretary shall be held at the annual meeting. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes from voting delegates shall be declared the winner. The nominee may be elected in non-abstention if the EC has communication clearly identifying their willingness to fulfill the role. 

Section 5. Vacancies in Office. 

Vacancies in any unexpired term of office shall be filled by remaining officers moving up in appointments to fill the vacancy. The Secretary position will then be filled from among the eligible voting delegates by appointment of the Executive Committee with input of Steering Committee. 

Section 6. Balance of Representation.

A mix of librarian/information technology and rangeland professionals among officers is desired. The desired model would be that incoming officers would alternate between librarian/information technology and rangeland specialists. However, variation from this pattern is acceptable in efforts to engage qualified officers and in the case of vacancies. 

ARTICLE VII. Meetings 
At least one meeting of the Partnership will be scheduled each year. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Committee with the approval of a simple majority of the voting delegates.

ARTICLE VIII. Amendments to the Charter and By-Laws
Amendments to the Charter and By-Laws may be proposed by any delegate four weeks before the annual business meeting of the Partnership. Proposals shall be submitted to the Chair of the Rangelands Partnership via email. A simple majority of the Partnership voting delegates are required to amend the Charter and By-laws.