In lieu of an in-person Pittcon this year, the Board of Directors met virtually on April 18, 2022 for their annual meeting. During the meeting, Board Member Tim Paschkewitz presented the following resolution during new business:
WHEREAS, the bylaws of the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC) were originally drafted in 1984; and
WHEREAS, the bylaws of the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC) were most recently updated on August 15, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the language used in the original construction of the bylaws was consistent with the climate of the times; and
WHEREAS, the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC) desires to demonstrate on a fundamental level that sex nor gender should remain defined in the bylaws; and
WHEREAS, the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC) wants to be an open, affirming, inclusive, and safe organization for all its members, leaders, and board of directors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOCIETY FOR ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY:
All gender-specific and binary pronouns—he, his, and him—that exist in the current version of the bylaws be replaced with unbiased non-binary pronouns—they, their, and them. Find the specific changes to the bylaws in the attached document.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
This action, while somewhat arbitrary, serve as an official action that represents SEAC’s commitment to be a more open, progressive, and inclusive organization across sex, gender, and sexual orientation for all its members, leaders, and board of directors.
A copy of the bylaws, with proposed changes, was made available to the board. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to approve the resolution. Upon vote, the motion passed.
Subsequently, the bylaws have officially been updated.