As a Company governed by the Corporations Law Act 2001 (Cth), The Ecological Society has a series of formal documents that guide its activities and delivery of member services. These are provided below for information.
In 2013, the Society became a Public Company Limited by Guarantee. This change enables ESA to trade as a national company and also to seek Deductible Gift Recipient status allowing tax deductible donations. In October 2014, the ESA was approved as a Registered Environmental Organisation by DEWHA which means we are now officially a Registered Charity with DGR status.
Constitution & By-Laws
The Constitution was first published in 1976 on the incorporation of the Society. Minor amendments were made in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011,2015 & 2016 and passed by members at the respective AGM. The by-laws are annexed at the end of the Constitution document.
Strategic Plan 2019/20 - 2024/25
The current Strategic Plan was developed following a Strategic Planning Council Retreat and ratified in June 2019.
Financial Governance & Investment Policy
An operational framework developed to complement the Strategic Plan, and inform and guide management of the Society financial resources. This Policy is currently under review and the updated version will be published following ratification by the ESA Board.
Business Plan
The ESA Business Plan is now incorporated into the Strategic Plan and is no longer a separate document. The financial delivery of the Strategic Plan is managed by the Finance and Governance Working Group and supported by the Financial Governance and Investment Policy.
Board of Directors
ESA Board Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting (with the exception of the Past President) and hold their position for a three-year term. Board members are entitled to a year of complementary membership for each year successfully served on the Board. A list of current board members is available here.
Annual General Meeting & Minutes
Notice of the Annual General Meeting is posted here. Minutes of past AGMs and Board Meetings can be found by following this link.
Public Liaison Guidelines
Public Liaison is a critical component of ESA activity in promoting scientific study and awareness. These Public Liaison Guidelines have been developed as central guiding principles in any ESA public liaison undertaken by office bearers or members on behalf of the Society.
Sponsorship Guidelines
As a not-for-profit organisation, seeking sponsorship to support the Society’s activities and events is an essential part of providing our members with services and opportunities such as our annual conference and grants and awards. However, determining ethical boundaries around potential sources of funding can at times be difficult and, as a Society with a diverse membership, there will always be conflicting points of view. With this in mind, ESA has developed some broad guidelines around seeking sponsorship to assist committees or members who may be organising an event on ESA’s behalf.
ESA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement
ESA is committed to equitable opportunity, promoting diversity and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment, and where individuals are treated with fairness, respect, equity and dignity. We are a Society which recognises the contribution of all our members, employees, and collaborative and sponsoring partners
Our aims are to be supportive, fair, just and free from discrimination within our membership, Board and staff appointments, and across our publications, events and activities.
