The Penn State University

Society of American Foresters

Student Chapter

Chapter Documents

The Penn State Forestry Society

Originated in 1908

Constitution Revision 2003

Article I.          Purpose

The purpose of this society shall be to advance the science, technology, education, and practice of professional forestry and allied sciences, and to use the knowledge and skill of the profession to benefit society.

Article II.        Membership

A.    The membership shall be divided into active and associate members.

1.      Only currently employed faculty, staff, and currently registered undergraduate and graduate students shall be eligible for active membership.  The majority of the active members, that is 50%+1, must be currently registered undergraduate students.

2.      All others interested in furthering the purpose of the Penn State Forestry Society shall be associate members.  Associate members may not hold office, vote, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the organization.

B.     Currently registered students must be admitted as active members.

Article III.       Officers  

A.    Only full-time, officially registered students shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers.  Limitations are subject to USG Supreme Court approval.

B.     Offices

1.      President: the spokesperson for the organization; he or she presides at all meetings and appoints officers and committees not otherwise provided for in the constitution. 

2.      Vice-President: serves as the president when the president is unable to do so, and shall perform all delegated to him or her by the president.

3.      Treasurer: shall collect all dues, receive donations, keep a full account of all monies paid out or received, and pay all bills as instructed by the President.

4.      Corresponding Secretary: shall carry on all correspondences not within the province of the other officers, and to publish programs and notices.  The primary task of the corresponding secretary is to contact and arrange for guest speakers.

5.      Recording Secretary: shall keep full minutes of all Society meetings, record the number of members present at each meeting, and keep a full and up to date roster of active and associate members.

6.      Agricultural Student Council Representatives: shall serve as the correspondence between the Society and the Ag. Student Council.  He or she shall attend all Council meetings and report all pertinent information back to the Society.  The Society may elect one or two representatives, depending on the number of members interested in the position.

C.     All officers serve for a term of one year beginning in May and ending in May of the following year.

D.    Filling unexpired vacancies:

1.      Nominations are taken at the meeting following the vacancy.  Elections will also occur at this meeting.

2.      The quorum is 33% of the active membership.

3.      The majority required to elect a new officer is 50%+1 of the active members present at the meeting.  If 50%+1 is not obtained by one of the candidates, the candidates receiving the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and the active members will vote again.

4.      The majority is derived from the active membership preent at the meeting.

5.      When nominations are being taken to fill unexpired terms, any member of the Society may nominate another member of the Society, by simply raising their hand and indicating such when recognized.

Article IV.       Meetings

A.    The Penn State Forestry Society will meet every other week on a designated night and at a designated time. 

B.     Adequate advance notice must be given to the membership.

Article V.        Voting

A.    Only active members may vote.

B.     The quorum is 33% of the membership.

C.     The majority is 50%+1 of the active members, that is, the majority is derived from the active members present.

Article VI.       General Business Meetings

            The quorum needed for the general conduct of business is 33%.

Article VII.     Finances

A.    All funds are not to be deposited or handled through the Associated Student Activities (ASA) in 240 HUB

B.     The Penn State Forestry Society shall collect dues that are not excessive; currently the amount is $10 per year or $5 per semester.

C.     Dues are a condition of membership.

D.    Dues shall be collected semi-annually.

Article VIII.    Advisor

            The Penn State Forestry Society will retain an advisor or advisors.  The advisor(s) will be a member(s) of the University community.

Article IX.       Elections

A.    Nominations and elections shall take place during the spring semester prior to April 20^th.

B.     Election Codes:

1.      The quorum to conduct nominations and elections shall be 33% of the membership.

2.      The majority needed to elect shall be 50%+1.

3.      The majority is derived from the active membership at the meeting to elect.

4.      Any member of the Society may nominate an active member for any office by raising his/her hand at the appropriate time and being recognized by the presiding official.  Next, the active membership shall cast secret, written ballets for the candidate of their choice.  Each active member shall have one vote per office.  If 50%+1 cannot be obtained, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from consideration, and the active members shall vote again.

Article X.        Amendments

A.    Amendments to this constitution may be introduced at the conclusion of any meeting.  Voting shall occur at the meeting following its introduction, with the amendment taking affect following USG supreme court approval.

B.     Quorum is 33%.  The majority is 50%+1 of the active membership present at the meeting.

C.     Any member may introduce a constitutional amendment at the conclusion of a meeting.  At the following meeting, the active members shall vote on the amendment, as outlined in Article V.  If the amendment passes it shall be sent to the USG Supreme Court for approval.

D.    All amendments are subject to the approval or disapproval of the USG Supreme Court.

Article XI. Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of order, Newly Revised, by Sarah Corbin.  Roberts shall be used in all cases not covered by this Constitution.

***Copies of the Constitution shall be made available to anyone upon request***

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SAF Code of Ethics

Service to society is the cornerstone of any profession. The profession of forestry serves society by fostering stewardship of the world's forests. Because forests provide valuable resources and perform critical ecological functions, they are vital to the wellbeing of both society and the biosphere.

Members of the Society of American Foresters have a deep and enduring love for the land, and are inspired by the profession's historic traditions, such as Gifford Pinchot's utilitarianism and Aldo Leopold's ecological conscience. In their various roles as practitioners, teachers, researchers, advisers, and administrators, foresters seek to sustain and protect a variety of forest uses and attributes, such as aesthetic values, air and water quality, biodiversity, recreation, timber production, and wildlife habitat.

The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to protect and serve society by inspiring, guiding, and governing members in the conduct of their professional lives. Compliance with the code demonstrates members' respect for the land and their commitment to the long-term management of ecosystems, and ensures just and honorable professional and human relationships, mutual confidence and respect, and competent service to society.

On joining the Society of American Foresters, members assume a special responsibility to the profession and to society by promising to uphold and abide by the following:

Principles and Pledges

1. Foresters have a responsibility to manage land for both current and future generations. We pledge to practice and advocate management that will maintain the long-term capacity of the land to provide the variety of materials, uses, and values desired by landowners and society.
2. Society must respect forest landowners' rights and correspondingly, landowners have a land stewardship responsibility to society. We pledge to practice and advocate forest management in accordance with landowner objectives and professional standards, and to advise landowners of the consequences of deviating from such standards.
3. Sound science is the foundation of the forestry profession. We pledge to strive for continuous improvement of our methods and our personal knowledge and skills; to perform only those services for which we are qualified; and in the biological, physical, and social sciences to use the most appropriate data, methods, and technology.
4. Public policy related to forests must be based on both scientific principles and societal values. We pledge to use our knowledge and skills to help formulate sound forest policies and laws; to challenge and correct untrue statements about forestry; and to foster dialogue among foresters, other professionals, landowners, and the public regarding forest policies.
5. Honest and open communication, coupled with respect for information given in confidence, is essential to good service. We pledge to always present, to the best of our ability, accurate and complete information; to indicate on whose behalf any public statements are made; to fully disclose and resolve any existing or potential conflicts of interest; and to keep proprietary information confidential unless the appropriate person authorizes its disclosure.
6. Professional and civic behavior must be based on honesty, fairness, good will, and respect for the law. We pledge to conduct ourselves in a civil and dignified manner; to respect the needs, contributions, and viewpoints of others; and to give due credit to others for their methods, ideas, or assistance.

The Society of American Foresters' Bylaws specify processes through which a member's violation of the code may lead to reprimand, censure, expulsion from the Society, or other disciplinary action. Any two persons, whether or not SAF members, may charge a member with violation of the code. Such a charge must be made in writing to the SAF President and must refer to the specific Pledges alleged to have been violated.

Adopted by the Society of American Foresters by Member Referendum, November 3, 2000, replacing the code adopted June 23, 1976, as amended November 4, 1986, and November 2, 1992. The 1976 code replaced the code adopted November 12, 1948, as amended December 4, 1971.

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Mission Statement

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. SAF is a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements of 501 (c) (3). SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students.

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This page was last updated on

September 7, 2005