In the event of any conflict, whether it pertains to interests, politics, finances, geological disputes, sectarian or linguistic differences, or any other issues, the GeoHikingClub will take decisive action to ensure the continuity of its activities. The following measures will be implemented:

1. Immediate Dissolution: The club’s governing body will be dissolved for one month to address the conflict without hindering the club’s activities.
2. Emergency Meeting: Within this period, at least five active board members and five pioneer members will convene to determine the way forward.
3. Decision Making: The suggestions and decisions of senior members and those who have spent the longest time with the GeoHikingClub will be given significant weight.

These steps are designed to swiftly and effectively resolve conflicts, ensuring the GeoHikingClub remains focused on its mission and objectives.

The GeoHikingClub follows a democratic election system where each member has one vote. The officers of the Executive Committee are elected from among the members through a secret ballot or e-ballot as outlined below:

1. Election Committee Appointment: Each March, the Chairman will appoint an Election Committee composed of at least three members. This committee is responsible for inviting nominations from the GeoHikingClub members over a period of fifteen (15) days.
2. Candidate Qualification: After the nomination period ends, the Election Committee has fifteen (15) days to determine the qualifications of the nominated candidates for the Executive Committee offices.
3. Candidate Presentation: The Election Committee will present at least one candidate for each office at the upcoming Executive Committee Meeting. The names of these candidates will be distributed to members via post, email, and the official GeoHikingClub website. Additionally, this information may be published in a reputable English daily newspaper.
4. Ballot Preparation and Distribution: The Executive Committee will prepare ballots, which may be printed, electronic, or in another suitable format. These ballots, listing the candidates for each office, will be sent to each member by April 5th. Ballots can be mailed, electronically distributed, or provided by other suitable means.
5. Voter List Availability: The voter list will be made available on the website or sent to the contestants before the election.

This process ensures a fair and transparent election, giving all members an equal opportunity to participate in the selection of the Executive Committee officers.

1. Chairman: Elected from among regular and long-standing members of either Industry or Academia, selected by the two most recent chairmen.
2. Secretary: Elected from among regular and long-standing members of either Industry or Academia.
3. Finance Secretary: Elected from among regular and long-standing members of either Industry or Academia.
4. Technical Coordinator: Elected from among regular and long-standing members of either Industry or Academia.
5. Student Liaison: Elected from among regular and long-standing members of either Industry or Academia.

a. Election of Executive Committee Officers

The officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected between January and April each year, before the expiry of their terms, through a secret ballot of the members present.

b. Election Procedure:

1. Appointment of Tellers: The Chairman will appoint tellers to count the ballots and announce the results.
2. Vote Counting: A plurality of all votes cast for an office of the Executive Committee is necessary for election. In the event of a tie, the Executive Committee will cast one additional deciding vote.
3. Notification of Results: Elected candidates will be immediately notified and shall attend and announce the next scheduled meeting of the Elected Executive Committee following the announcement of the election results.

This procedure ensures a fair and transparent election process for the selection of the Executive Committee officers.

c. Term of Office:

Term of office of the Members of Executive Committee shall not be more than three (03) years.

d. Filling Vacancies in the Executive Committee

If a vacancy occurs in the Executive Committee, it shall be filled by the runner-up candidate from the most recent election for that office. If the runner-up is unavailable, the Executive Committee will nominate a member of the GeoHikingClub to temporarily fill the position until the next scheduled election, typically held in April. Fresh elections will then be conducted to permanently fill the vacant office.

a. Fiscal Year and Membership Dues

The fiscal year of the GeoHikingClub begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st. Each Active Member, Honorary Member, Junior Member, Student Member, and Associate Member will receive a statement by January 1st, indicating the amount of annual dues.

Dues Notification and Payment:

Reminders: The Membership Secretary will send reminders via email, post, fax, friends and acquaintances, and the website at least two weeks before the membership dues expire for current individual and corporate members.

Due Date: Membership fees are due on December 31st each year. Members can pay the fee for the following year up to 12 weeks in advance.

Fee Revisions: The membership fee can be revised with the approval of a 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee. Any changes will be communicated to members through all available channels and means of communication.

b. Membership Benefits

Payment of annual dues entitles Active Members, Junior Members, Student Members, and Associate Members to receive, without additional charge, copies of any periodicals published by the GeoHikingClub for that fiscal year.

c. Annual Dues Payment

The annual dues for Active Members, Junior Members, Student Members, and Associate Members shall be payable in advance of the fiscal year, according to a schedule established annually by the Executive Committee. The dues shall not exceed the following amounts:

i. Active: up to PKR 1500 ii. Corporate: up to US$ 2500 iii. Honorary: None iv. Junior: up to PKR 1500 v. Student: up to PKR 1500 vi. Associate: up to PKR 1500

Conditions:

1. Non-Refundable Dues: Dues are not refundable.
2. Exemptions: Members who previously obtained exemption under the former Life Member category are not required to pay dues.
3. Junior Members: Juniors will pay the same rate as Active Members after four (4) years, unless they are full-time students at a college of acceptable academic standards. In such cases, they may apply annually for an extension of dues payment at the Junior rate until full-time enrollment ends.
4. Student Members: Students will pay the same rate as Juniors after four (4) years of Student membership.
5. Annual Change Limit: The annual change in dues for Active Members cannot exceed twenty percent (20%), and this change is non-cumulative.
6. Delinquency Penalty: A penalty, established annually by the Executive Committee, will be levied for each quarter-year of delinquency beginning on January 1st.

d. Suspension for Arrears

Any member, regardless of classification, whose dues are in arrears for more than sixty (60) days but less than one (1) year will be suspended from membership in the GeoHikingClub and will forfeit their membership privileges.

e. Forfeiture of Membership

Any member, regardless of classification, who is more than one (1) year in arrears with payment of dues will forfeit their membership in the GeoHikingClub. The member’s name will be removed from the membership rolls.

Code of Ethics for Members

All members of the GeoHikingClub, regardless of their classification, shall adhere to the following Code of Ethics:

General Principles:

1. Professional Responsibility: The practice of earth sciences is a profession that demands professional morality and responsibility.
2. Professional Obligations: Members must uphold honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, impartiality, candour, fidelity to trust, and confidentiality.
3. Standards of Conduct: Members shall be guided by high standards of business ethics, personal honour, and professional conduct. The term “member” in this code applies to all membership categories.

Relations with the Public:

1. Accuracy in Communication: Members shall not make false, misleading, or unwarranted statements or claims regarding professional matters and shall avoid deceptive advertising.
2. Use of Reports: Members shall not allow their reports or maps to be used for unsound or illegitimate purposes.
3. Informed Opinions: Members shall not provide professional opinions, reports, or legal testimony without being adequately informed.

Relations with Employers and Clients:

1. Disclosure of Interests: Members must disclose any relevant competitive or conflicting interests to prospective employers or clients.
2. Confidentiality: Members shall not use or disclose any confidential information from employers or clients without permission and shall avoid conflicts of interest arising from information obtained during geological investigations.

Relations with Fellow Members:

1. Reputation and Integrity: Members shall not attempt to falsely or maliciously harm the reputation or business of others.
2. Recognition and Credit: Members shall acknowledge the contributions of others, avoid plagiarism, and not accept credit for work that is not their own.
3. Professional Cooperation: Members shall strive to cooperate with others in the profession and promote the ethical dissemination of geological knowledge.

Duty to the GeoHikingClub

Membership Responsibilities and Discipline

a. Ensuring Qualifications: Members of the GeoHikingClub shall assist in preventing the election of individuals who are unqualified or do not meet the standards outlined in this Code of Ethics.

b. Commitment to Ethics: By applying for or maintaining membership, each member agrees to uphold the ethical standards set forth in this Code of Ethics.

c. Use of Membership: Members shall not use their GeoHikingClub membership to imply endorsement, recommendation, or approval of specific projects or proposals by the GeoHikingClub.

d. Disciplinary Actions: Members who violate any standard prescribed in this Article shall be subject to discipline as outlined in the Bylaws.

Composition and Term of Office:

The Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members, each serving a three-year term in rotation:

i. The immediate past chairman and the two most recent former chairmen, or their designated representatives from the respective Executive Committee.

ii. Between three (3) and six (6) GeoHikingClub Members appointed by the Executive Committee, with at least one but no more than two appointed each year.

iii. Between four (4) and six (6) distinguished professionals in the geological sciences.

c. Meetings:

The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once annually during the GeoHikingClub’s Annual General Meeting and shall submit an annual report to the Executive Committee. Additional meetings may be convened at the call of the GeoHikingClub’s Chairman. A quorum consists of a simple majority of the members. Meetings shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order. No proxies or alternates are allowed for absent members. Mail canvassing may be conducted as necessary for interim actions requested by the Executive Committee.

d. Presiding Officer:

The immediate past chairman of the GeoHikingClub will serve as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee. If the immediate past chairman is unable to serve, the Advisory Committee members will elect another member to the position. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee will appoint a Recording Secretary to keep minutes of each meeting.