Membership categories, National representatives, and related implications

ProGEO membership is of two types: Individual and Institutional.

Individual membership is a category open to all with an interest in geo-conservation, regardless of whether they are professional or amateur, their status as a member is in no way dependent on any affiliation to an organisation. Their rights are stated in the Articles.

Institutional membership is a category chosen by organisations and other bodies involved in research, administration and surveys in the field of geological sciences and engaged in the conservation of geological features in their country. Typically, several such memberships are found in one given country. Institutional membership is embodied in a single person, i.e. a person chosen by an Institutional member to represent them in ProGEO activities and at meetings.

Several such Institutional memberships might be found in a given country. Each Institutional member elects its representative for a period defined by the Member. For the sake of continuity and stability, it is best if representation does not change frequently. All other persons in the same organisation may join the Association as Individual Members besides the one officially appointed.

Therefore, any number of ProGEO Individual members and Institutional members may come from one country, and both types of member may be present in any national organisation. Institutional and Individual members both have the right to vote in matters defined in the ProGEO Articles, and each vote has the same weight.

Explanatory notes:

Membership in ProGEO is valid only when an annual fee is paid, and recorded by the Treasurer. As a token of received payment a receipt will be distributed.

The Treasurer will inform the Secretary and the President of all membership payments. This information alone guarantees a member's eligibility to receive voting papers and to vote in elections. Non-payment disqualifies any member or applicant member from voting, and she or he will not be sent voting papers.

One National representative, a member of ProGEO elected by the National ProGEO group or equivalent body, represents each member nation in ProGEO. The National representative may be either an Institutional or Individual member: this is entirely a matter for nationals to decide. The National representative is the spokesman of the nation at regional and Association meetings. In other matters, the National representative has the same status and voting rights as all other members, Institutional or Individual.

Gunnel Ransed, Financial comm.
Sven Lundqvist, Treasurer
W.A.P. Wimbledon, President