Attachment B:
Bylaws

I. Decision making process

	Decisions made by this body will be through a consensus-based approach. By consensus we mean, general agreement either for the proposed item or agreement not to block any action to achieve the item; no official vote will be taken. If consensus cannot be reached, then a vote will be taken. The members present at that meeting will make the decision by majority vote.
	A. Voting Procedures Any decision which is to be voted upon will follow the procedure outlined below: A winning vote will call for a voting majority, fifty percent plus one, of the members present.
	B. Quorum Quorum will be needed for any vote to be taken. Quorum consists of fifty percent plus one of the total core membership.

II. Membership

	Membership will be open to any faculty or staff member of the University of Cincinnati, or other interested individual, who is nominated by another member, and is actively conducting research in the area of Health and Environmental Risk. Membership will consist of core, affiliated, and collaborative members as defined below.
	A. In order to become a member, the following procedure needs to be followed: Any interested faculty or staff member will attend any given HERI meeting and express interest in becoming a member. To become a member, any faculty or staff member must be nominated by a current HERI member who determines if they are active in research. All candidates for membership will submit a curriculum vitae. Membership will be granted once a year at the membership meeting in May. An open vote will be taken and membership granted by 2/3rds vote. Current members may continue their membership as long as they meet the requirements described in Section II. B. or II. C. of this document.
	B. Core members shall have an interest in the HERI as an ongoing commitment and shall: Attend six meetings per year. Submit a current curriculum vitae annually (May). Submit a summary of activities to be used in the Annual Report (May).
	C. Affiliated members are those members who are interested in a sustained relationship in the activities of HERI and who: Provide a current curriculum vitae annually (May).
	D. Collaborative members are non-University of Cincinnati employees who are interested in a sustained relationship in the activities of HERI and who: Provide a current curriculum vitae annually (May).
	E. HERI membership benefits include: Participation in interdisciplinary research. Voting privileges. Eligibility for funds to support research initiatives or the work of HERI. Recognition and visibility for being a HERI member.

III. Leadership structure

	HERI shall be directed by a Steering Committee consisting of three core members each representing a different college.
	A. The Steering Committee will operate by: A rotating Steering Committee with each committee member serving a 3 year term that does not repeat. Staggered terms so that each year one member will rotate off the committee and one will rotate on the committee. Electing one new Steering Committee member each year at the May membership meeting, beginning May 1998.
	B. This committee will have the following responsibilities: Oversee the completion of the Annual Report. Review HERI's financial status annually. Meet quarterly. Promote HERI internally and externally. Prepare an annual budget. Act as official representatives of HERI.

IV. Communication and Development Support

	The Center for Environmental Communication Studies (CECS) will provide HERI with administration, communication, and development support.
	A. Administration: CECS staff will coordinate monthly HERI meetings, including agenda development, member notification, lunch arrangements, note-taking during meetings, and other hosting duties. CECS staff will also assist faculty in coordinating other meetings, including meetings of special interests, grant writing, and potential clients. CECS staff will provide other assistance to HERI Steering Committee as needed.
	B. Communication: CECS staff will handle both internal and external communication activities for HERI. Internal communication includes: development of general and specialized e-mail lists and phone message coordination. External communication includes: maintenance of HERI web site; development, publication, and distribution of HERI Annual Report and newsletter; and development of HERI promotional materials (brochures, fact sheets).
	C. Development: CECS staff will coordinate outreach and fund-raising activities for HERI, including preparation and execution of a marketing plan, development and maintenance of client/interested parties mailing list; development of potential funders data base; and development of standardized computer file materials about HERI capabilities (c.v.s, program descriptions) to be used in grant proposals. Staff will also be available to assist HERI faculty in preparation of grant and contract proposals.

V. Annual Report

	A. The Annual Report will be the responsibility of the Steering Committee and will published by August 1st by HERI.
	B. All grant activities, presentations, and publications of HERI members to be included in the Annual Report shall be submitted by the May meeting.

VI. Meeting Logistics

	A. There will be at least nine meetings a year and an annual retreat.
	B. The location shall rotate between colleges/departments. The host college/department will be responsible for meeting space and for meeting facilitation.
	C. The standing meeting time will be established at the first meeting of every quarter.

VII. Budget: how funds are used (self generated and University)

	A. The Steering Committee is authorized to develop annual budgets for HERI, including University funds and funds received through the sales and service account.
	B. Any special request for HERI-controlled funds must be approved by the HERI membership.
	C. Money coming into the sales and service account will be allocated in a 50/50 split between the HERI general fund and specific member accounts.
	D. Rates charged through the sales and service account will be established yearly by HERI membership.