Article I: Purpose
The purpose of the SIAG-MPE is to provide a forum for mathematicians and computational scientists to study Planet Earth, its life-supporting capacity, and the impact of human activities. By opening up a new area of applications, the SIAG shall stimulate interesting research in the mathematical sciences.The SIAG shall conduct activities to implement this purpose within the framework of SIAM.
Article II: Activities
To implement its purpose, the SIAG-MPE shall organize the following activities:
• A biennial SIAM Conference on Mathematics of Planet Earth, to be held in even-numbered years. The location and time of the conference are subject to approval by the SIAM VP for Programs. The Organizing Committee for the conference shall be chaired by the SIAG Program Director or the SIAG Chair, or their designee. The Organizing Committee is subject to the approval of the SIAM VP for Programs. The SIAG Chair shall request such approval at least 16 months prior to the conference.
• In years when there is no SIAM Conference on Mathematics of Planet Earth, one or more minisymposia at the SIAM Annual Meeting and/or other SIAM conferences.
• At least once every seven years, either a track of at least six minisymposia at the SIAM Annual Meeting, or a SIAG meeting held jointly with the SIAM Annual Meeting. The SIAG Chair shall coordinate the scheduling of such activities with the SIAM VP for Programs and the SIAM VP at Large.
In addition, the SIAG-MPE may engage in the following activities, subject to the approval of the SIAM President and the SIAM VP for Programs:
• Specialized workshops and meetings. The SIAG shall consider coordinating such activities with the SIAM Annual meeting or other SIAG meetings.
• Special sessions at SIAM meetings, and special one- or two-day meetings immediately before or after a regular SIAM meeting.
Article III: Membership
Membership in the SIAG-MPE shall be open to any member of SIAM, but to no others.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1. The SIAG-MPE shall have four officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Program Director. All officers shall be regular members in good standing of the SIAG. The term of each officer shall be two years, coinciding with a period of activity of the SIAG defined in Article XIII. On the initial formation of the SIAG, the SIAM President shall appoint a slate of officers with the approval of the SIAM Council. Beginning in the second year of operation and subsequently every two years thereafter, the SIAG shall hold an election to fill each of the four offices.
Section 2. The SIAG-MPE Chair is responsible for keeping the intellectual scope of all SIAG activities consistent with the purpose of the SIAG defined in Article I. The SIAG chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the SIAG, coordinate the completion of the bi-annual charter report to the SIAM Council, and represents the SIAG at meetings of the SIAG chairs. In the absence of the Chair, the line of succession is the Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Program Director.
Section 3. The secretary of the SIAG shall keep a record of the affairs of the SIAG. The Secretary oversees the production and distribution of a SIAG newsletter and Web site, and ensures that the information about the SIAG on the SIAM Web site is correct.
Section 4. The SIAG-MPE Program Director is responsible for the scientific programs of all SIAG activities, including the biennial SIAM Conference on Mathematics of Planet Earth, SIAG activities at the SIAM Annual Meeting, and SIAG-sponsored meetings, conferences, and workshops. The Program Director is an ex officio member of the Organizing Committee of the biennial SIAM Conference on Mathematics of Planet Earth.
Article V: Elections
All dues-paying SIAM members who are members of the SIAG-MPE shall be eligible to vote in the election of officers of the SIAG. Elections shall follow standard SIAM Activity Group practices. At least six months before an election, the SIAG Chair shall assemble a Nominating Committee consisting of at least three members in good standing of the SIAG. Nominations for each office shall be solicited by the Nominating Committee from the current SIAG membership. At least two candidates shall be nominated for each office.
Article VI: Advisory Board
The SIAG-MPE shall have an Advisory Board consisting of no more than twelve members. Advisory Board members serve in an individual capacity. The Advisory Board shall provide advice to the SIAG officers on important issues concerning the Activity Group, including but not limited to the scientific structure of SIAG meetings. Nominations for the SIAG Advisory Board are prepared by the SIAG Chair and subject to approval by the SIAM President.
Article VII: Prizes and Awards
The SIAG-MPE may present awards or prizes that recognize scientific achievements, professional service, or similar meritorious accomplishments. Petitions to establish prizes or awards must follow standard SIAM procedures and are subject to prior approval by the SIAM Major Awards Committee, the SIAM Council, and the SIAM Board of Trustees.
Article VIII: Publications
The SIAG-MPE may publish articles and news columns in SIAM News, subject to the approval of the Editor-in-Chief of SIAM News. On special occasions, a section of a SIAM journal may be devoted to topics suggested, organized, or prepared by the SIAG, subject to the approval of the SIAM VP for Publications. No separate SIAG publications are permitted without the specific written approval of the SIAM VP for Publications.
Article IX: Fees
Each member of the SIAG-MPE shall be assessed a yearly membership fee at the time of payment of the SIAM annual dues. This fee shall be established by the SIAM Board. Such fees shall be collected and accounted for by SIAM. Such fees shall not be used for purposes other than support of the activities of the SIAG-MPE, except that such fees may be assessed on a per-member basis for costs incurred by SIAM in providing services to the members of the SIAG.
Article X: Funds for Support
Requests for funds to support SIAG-MPE activities may be made in writing to the SIAM Treasurer. A loan or grant to the SIAG in the amount of $200 or less can be made by the SIAM Treasurer. Only one such loan or grant may be made to the SIAG during any fiscal year. Other loans or financial grants to the SIAG are subject to approval by the SIAM Board. All requests for funds shall be substantiated by a proposed budget for expenditures. All distributions of said funds shall be in the form of disbursements from SIAM, which disbursements shall be made on receipt of substantiating vouchers.
Article XI: Contracts
No officer or member of the SIAG-MPE shall apply for a grant to support SIAG-MPE activities, or enter into any contract to support such activities or provide services without specific approval in writing by the SIAM President and either the SIAM Treasurer or SIAM Chief Executive Officer acting on behalf of the Treasurer. No SIAG officer or any representative thereof shall have any authority to contract debts for, pledge the credit of, or in any way bind SIAM.
Article XII: Reporting
This SIAG must submit a formal, standardized charter report to the SIAM Board and Council on the final year of their renewed operation period.
Article XIII: Period of Activity and Renewal
The SIAG-MPE shall begin its activities when its Rules are approved by the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees. When approving the Rules, the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees shall specify the initial period of activity of the SIAG.
A period of activity of the SIAG is two years, with the possible exception of the initial period of activity. Seven months prior to the end of each period of activity, the SIAG shall apply to the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees for renewal. The renewal application shall be based on the SIAM Board and Council Guidelines for the Renewal and Termination of Activity Groups. The application for renewal shall describe how the SIAG will continue to complement SIAM activities during the renewal period and how its activities will support the purpose of the SIAG defined in Article I.
Each renewal is subject to approval by the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees. The activities of the SIAG shall not be continued to a new two-year period of activity without approval by the SIAM Council and Board.
Article XIV: Termination
In the event that a request for renewal is declined by the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees, the SIAG-MPE shall be considered terminated at the end of that period of activity. To continue the SIAG’s activities, a new SIAG must be established according to the practices for the initiation of a SIAG. Principles for the termination of SIAGs are described in the SIAM Board and Council Guidelines for the Renewal and Termination of Activity Groups.
Article XV: Amendments
Amendments to these Rules may be made at any time by the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the SIAM President. Amendments to these Rules may be made by the SIAG-MPE with the approval of the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees. Approval These Rules are approved for an initial term ending December 31, 2016. Approved by the Executive Committee of the SIAM Council, 3 October 2014 Approved by the SIAM Board of Trustees, 13 December 2014