Section 2

Constitution

2.1 The Society consists of Fellows, Honorary Fellows, and Candidate Fellows. The number in each class of Fellowship is unlimited other than for a maximum number of one hundred Honorary Fellows. Fellows may be of any nationality.

2.2 All new Fellows shall be proposed by Council for election by the Fellows according to criteria and procedures set out in these Bye-laws [2.8, 2.11, 9.20(i)], and in Regulations [6.22]. Council shall maintain a list of all Fellows and Candidate Fellows elected to the Society with the date of their election, address, qualifications, titles if appropriate, and areas of interest. This list shall be available electronically, and a free hard copy provided on request.

2.3 Fellows and Honorary Fellows are subject to the Bye-laws and Regulations and have the right to vote at Meetings of the Society. They are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct of the Society which is set out as a Regulation.

2.4 Candidate Fellows are subject to the Bye-laws where expressly stated and are subject to the Rules for Candidate Fellowship established by Regulation. Candidate Fellows do not have the right to vote.

Fellows

2.5 A candidate for admission into the Society as a Fellow must be proposed by at least two Fellows, who shall have personal knowledge of the candidate. Under exceptional circumstances, for applicants resident overseas and for others who have difficulty in identifying Fellows to act as proposers, Council may vary these requirements.

2.6 To be elected as a Fellow, the candidate shall either

(i) hold a recognised degree or equivalent qualification which shall be an honours degree in geology or a cognate subject awarded from a University or other educational institution in the European Union and recognised by Council, or an equivalent qualification recognised by Council; or

(ii) have not less than six years' relevant experience in geology or a cognate subject.

2.7 Council shall

(i) recognise such degrees or other academic qualifications awarded elsewhere than the European Union which are not of a lesser standard than a recognised degree or equivalent qualification;

(ii) withdraw recognition from any academic qualification where it deems that the standard has fallen below that of a recognised degree or equivalent qualification; and

(iii) determine what experience shall be deemed to be relevant experience for the purposes of Bye-law 2.6 (ii).

2.8 Council shall establish Regulations for the nomination and election process of a new Fellow. These shall include, but are not restricted to, the processing of the application, inspection of the application by any Fellow who may comment in writing, and appeals by aggrieved candidates [5.2].

2.9 A Fellow who has been a Fellow for fifty years shall be designated a Senior Fellow.

2.10 A Fellow shall be entitled to adopt the style "FGS".

Honorary Fellows

2.11 Persons of distinction, scientists of exceptional merit normally resident outside the United Kingdom, and persons who have rendered signal service to geological science, may be elected as Honorary Fellows. Honorary Fellowship would not normally be awarded to British geologists resident in the United Kingdom, or to a British expatriate geologist resident overseas.

2.12 Council shall establish Regulations for the nomination and election of Honorary Fellows. Fellows may propose as candidates for Honorary Fellowship any person who meets the criteria [2.10]. The forms containing the names of candidates, their citations and the names of proposers shall be available for inspection by Fellows who may comment in writing. Council shall determine which candidates to nominate for subsequent election by ballot. Election shall take place either at an Annual General Meeting or at an Ordinary General Meeting. A proposal for election of an Honorary Fellow shall lapse after two years.

2.13 Honorary Fellows shall be exempt from payment of the Annual Subscription.

2.14 An Honorary Fellow shall be entitled to adopt the style "Hon FGS".

Rights and Privileges of Fellows

2.15 Fellows shall have the right to

(i) use the designations FGS and Hon FGS as appropriate;

(ii) use the designation CGeol in the case of Chartered Geologists [Section 3];

(iii) make direct and remote-access use of the Library, map collection and database;

(iv) visit the Apartments during opening hours;

(v) attend all Meetings of the Society - payment may be requested for attendance at all or part of Thematic Meetings [9.23];

(vi) receive free copies of specific publications of the Society as determined by Council and to purchase other publications at a substantial discount;

(vii) be reimbursed expenses incurred in the course of carrying out responsibilities on behalf of the Council and at its request;

(viii) vote at Meetings of the Society; and

(ix) be eligible for election as a member of Council, and Officer of the Society.

Candidate Fellow

2.16 Candidates for Candidate Fellowship shall normally be registered for an honours degree in geology or a cognate subject acceptable to Council. A Candidate Fellow may remain as a Candidate Fellow for a maximum of one year following graduation.

2.17 Applications for Candidate Fellowship shall be considered from students undergoing secondary education over the age of 16 who can provide satisfactory evidence of their intent to take a degree in geology or a cognate subject.

2.18 Council shall introduce and maintain Regulations for the nomination, election, and privileges of Candidate Fellow.