The Wildlife Society
Missouri Western State University Student Chapter
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BYLAWS OF THE Missouri Western State University STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY
Organized: 15 April 2000
Approved by TWS Council: 15 November 2001
Section 1. NAME - The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Western State University Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society (hereinafter referred to as the Student Chapter).
Section 2. AREA - The Student Chapter shall have as its area of organization the campus and environs of Missouri Western State University
Section 3. CRITERIA FOR AFFILIATION - The Student Chapter shall conform to bylaws, code of ethics, objectives, policies, and positions as adopted by The Wildlife Society, Inc.[1] (hereinafter referred to as The Wildlife Society). The Student Chapter also shall maintain appropriate affiliation with the campus or student government organizations required by Missouri Western State University regulations.
Section 1. GOALS - Consistent with the goals of The Wildlife Society, the goals of the Student Chapter are:
CLAUSE A - Provide opportunities for improved communication among individual members locally and with other student chapters, non-student chapters, the North Central Section, and The Wildlife Society.
CLAUSE B - Augment the educational opportunities for students in natural resources at Missouri Western State University.
CLAUSE C - Prepare members for careers in wildlife biology, conservation, and management.
CLAUSE D - Encourage professionalism and high standards of scholarship.
CLAUSE E - Foster campus and community awareness of wildlife issues.
Section 2. OBJECTIVES - To aid in the achievement of these goals, the Student Chapter proposes to:
CLAUSE A - Hold chapter meetings and activities on a regular basis that expand members' knowledge of wildlife science and natural resources management.
CLAUSE B - Participate in activities and conferences sponsored by other student chapters, non-student chapters, North Central Section, and The Wildlife Society, as feasible.
CLAUSE C - Provide opportunities for Student Chapter members to gain field experience and to develop an understanding of employers' objectives and needs.
CLAUSE D - Conduct educational programs on wildlife issues for the campus and surrounding community.
CLAUSE E - Ensure the continuation of the Student Chapter through the ongoing recruitment of new members.
Section 1. FULL MEMBER - Full Membership in the Student Chapter shall be available to any Voting Member of The Wildlife Society who is a registered student at Missouri Western State University. Only Student Chapter Full Members may hold elective offices in the Student Chapter and officially represent the Student Chapter on business of The Wildlife Society by Executive Board or officer appointment.
Section 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBER - Associate Membership in the Student Chapter shall be available to any registered student at Missouri Western State University who is not a member of The Wildlife Society, but who has an interest in the goals and objectives of the Student Chapter. Associate Members shall be entitled to all rights, privileges and responsibilities of Student Chapter Full Members, including voting in Student Chapter elections, except those reserved for Full Members (Article III, Section 1).
Section 3. CHARTER MEMBER - Full and Associate Members in good standing on the membership rolls as of January 16, 2001 shall be considered Charter Members.
Section 4. HONORARY MEMBER - The Student Chapter may elect individuals to Honorary Membership in recognition of their professional achievements or contributions to the Student Chapter. Honorary Members must be non-students and are elected by a majority vote of the Student Chapter membership. An Honorary Member need not pay Student Chapter dues and may not vote or hold office.
Section 5. STUDENT CHAPTER ADVISOR - At least one faculty member who is a current Voting Member of The Wildlife Society shall serve as Student Chapter Advisor.
Section 6. DUES - Annual semester dues shall be determined at each annual meeting by majority vote of the Student Chapter membership. Dues shall be payable by each member to the treasurer. Members who have not paid Student Chapter dues lose all privileges of Student Chapter membership. Members who have not paid dues to The Wildlife Society for the current year shall lose their Full Member status in the Student Chapter.
Section 7. RESIGNATION - Members may resign at any time by giving notice to the secretary and/or will be considered to have resigned if annual semester Student Chapter dues are not paid in accordance with Article III, Section 6.
Section 8. REINSTATEMENT - Persons who are dropped from the membership roster of the Student Chapter for non-payment of dues or resignation may have their membership reinstated upon payment of appropriate dues.
Section 1. NOMINATIONS - The Nominating and Elections Committee (Article VII, Section 2, Clause A) shall nominate a slate of two candidates from the Student Chapter Full Membership for each of the elective positions, namely: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 2 additional Board Members.
CLAUSE A - Nominees must be Full Members (Article III, Section 1).
CLAUSE B - Nominees must consent to becoming candidates.
CLAUSE C - Nomination slate shall be submitted by the Secretary to the membership at least 14 days prior to balloting (Article IV, Section 2).
CLAUSE D - Additional nominees may be added to the Nominating and Elections Committee's slate upon the signed support of six or more members, provided that Clauses A, B, E, and F of this Article are followed.
CLAUSE E - A member shall not be a nominee for more than one elective position at a time and may serve in only one elective position at a time.
CLAUSE F - A member may serve in the same elective position for no more than two consecutive terms of office.
Section 2. BALLOTING - Balloting shall occur at the Annual Meeting. Written ballots shall be received from the members and counted by the Nominating and Elections Committee. For ballot counting purposes, the President shall appoint a replacement for any member of the Nominating and Elections Committee who has been nominated for an elective position.
CLAUSE A - Members in arrears shall forfeit their rights to vote during the period of their delinquency.
CLAUSE B - Members may submit an absentee ballot to the Nominating and Elections Committee in a sealed, signed envelope prior to the scheduled time for counting ballots.
CLAUSE C - The candidate receiving the largest number of votes on the written ballot shall be declared elected.
CLAUSE D - In the event of a tie, a coin toss shall decide the election.
Section 3. OFFICERS - Officers of the Student Chapter shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Their duties shall be the following:
CLAUSE A - PRESIDENT - The President shall preside as chair at all meetings of the membership and Executive Board and shall be responsible for supervising the Executive Board. In consultation with the Executive Board, the President shall develop agendas for the business portion of all meetings of the membership and Executive Board and shall appoint chairs for all standing and special committees. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees, except the Nominating and Elections Committee. The President may represent the Student Chapter or appoint alternate representatives to boards, committees, or meetings of other student chapters, chapters, North Central Section, or The Wildlife Society. The President shall be responsible for submitting an annual report on the Student Chapter's activity to The Wildlife Society, the North Central Section Representative, the North Central Section President. The President shall cause to be submitted an annual fall and spring report to the Dean of Student Affairs of Missouri Western State University.
CLAUSE B - VICE-PRESIDENT - The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence, or upon the inability, of the President to serve, and shall perform any duties assigned by the President. Further, the Vice-President shall serve as liaison between Missouri Western State University and the Student Chapter. In the event the Vice-President cannot serve in the President's absence, the Executive Board shall appoint a President, pro tempore.
CLAUSE C - SECRETARY - The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the files and membership roster of the Student Chapter, recording and issuing minutes of all meetings of the membership and Executive Board, and to cause to be produced and issued newsletters and announcements to the membership.
CLAUSE D - TREASURER - The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the financial records and managing the funds of the Student Chapter, preparing an annual budget for the Student Chapter for approval by the Executive Board, and reporting on the financial status of the Student Chapter at each meeting of the membership and Executive Board. Duties shall include the receipt and disbursement of funds under the direction of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall be responsible for submitting a calendar-year financial statement to The Wildlife Society in January of each year for federal tax reporting by The Wildlife Society office. The statement shall consist of starting and ending balances, income, and expenses.
Section 4. BOARD MEMBERS - Board Members shall perform any duties assigned by the President.
Section 5. STUDENT CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NORTH CENTRAL SECTION - The Student Chapter Representative to the North Central Section shall represent and serve as liaison to the North Central Section for the Student Chapter, provide the editor of North Central Section newsletter with news and items of interest from the Student Chapter area, serve as a contact for other student chapters and chapters within North Central Section, and assist in routine Section business.
Section 6. EXECUTIVE BOARD - The Executive Board shall be made up of the officers (Article IV, Section 3), Board Members (Article IV, Section 4), and Student Chapter Representative to North Central Section (Article IV, Section 5).
Section 7. TERM OF OFFICE – Officers, Board Members, and the Student Chapter Representative to the North Central Section serve for approximately one year, are inducted at the Annual Meeting, assume office immediately thereafter, and, unless reelected, terminate their duties at the conclusion of the following Annual Meeting, or at such time as their successors are elected and installed.
Section 8. VACANCIES - If the office of President is vacated for any reason, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President for the balance of the term of the President. The Executive Board shall fill all other vacancies in any non-expired terms of elective offices, through appointment. Appointees shall conform to the criteria for nominees found in Article IV, Section 1, CLAUSES A, B, E, and F.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS - Meetings of the membership shall be for the purposes of conducting business of the Student Chapter, providing educational opportunities and career training for Student Chapter members, and promoting information exchange and networking among Student Chapter members. Meetings shall be held as follows:
CLAUSE A - REGULAR MEETINGS - Regular meetings of the Student Chapter membership shall be held at such times and places as determined and published by the Executive Board. There shall be no less than ten (10) regular meetings each school year.
CLAUSE B - ANNUAL MEETING - The regular meeting of the Student Chapter membership in April shall be known as the Annual Meeting, and shall be for the purposes of electing and/or inducting a new Executive Board, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.
CLAUSE C - SPECIAL MEETINGS - Special meetings of the Student Chapter membership may be called by the Executive Board at any time, provided the purpose of the call is given. Only items listed in the call for a special meeting shall be acted upon at the special meeting.
Section 2. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS - Meetings of the Executive Board shall be for the purpose of conducting business of the Student Chapter and shall be held at such times and places as determined and published by the Executive Board. There shall be no less than four (4) Executive Board meetings each school year.
CLAUSE A - ATTENDANCE - Members may attend Executive Board meetings, but may participate therein only when asked to do so and they may not vote at such meetings.
Section 3. PROCEDURES - The following procedures shall govern all meetings.
CLAUSE A - DUE NOTICE - Members must be notified at least ten days prior to regular, annual, and special meetings of the Student Chapter membership. Members of the Executive Board must be notified at least ten days prior to meetings of the Executive Board.
CLAUSE B - QUORUM - Quorum for regular, annual, and special meetings of the Student Chapter membership shall be over fifty percent of the membership or ten members in good standing, whichever is less. Quorum for meetings of the Executive Board shall be four (4) members of the Executive Board.
CLAUSE C - MEETING RULES - Order of business and parliamentary procedures at meetings of the Student Chapter membership and Executive Board shall follow Robert's Rules of Order, latest revision.
CLAUSE D - BYLAWS - The bylaws of the Student Chapter shall be available for inspection during every meeting of the membership and Executive Board.
Section 1. EXECUTIVE BOARD - The Student Chapter shall be governed by the Executive Board (Article IV, Section 6).
CLAUSE A - CONDUCT - The Executive Board shall conduct its affairs in conformance with the provisions of these bylaws and those of The Wildlife Society. The Executive Board is authorized to act for the Student Chapter membership between meetings of the Student Chapter membership and shall report its interim actions to the members at the next membership meeting. Any Executive Board action may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of members attending a membership meeting.
Section 2. FINANCES - Funds of the Student Chapter shall be under the direction of the Executive Board and shall be managed by the Treasurer. The financial records of the Student Chapter shall be examined periodically by the Audit Committee (Article VII, Section 2, CLAUSE E).
CLAUSE A - LIABILITY - The Treasurer need not be bonded.
CLAUSE B - SOURCE OF FUNDS - Funds shall be derived from dues, meeting fees, sale of chapter-sponsored merchandise or publications, special activities, contributions, and other sources approved by the Executive Board.
CLAUSE C - MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS - Funds shall be placed in a federally insured bank, savings and loan association, or other financial institution or instrument approved by the Executive Board.
CLAUSE D - FISCAL YEAR - The Student Chapter operating and fiscal year shall begin September 1, or first business day thereafter.
Section 3. REPORTS - Within twenty days of an election or other official action, the Secretary shall report such action to the Executive Director of The Wildlife Society, the North Central Section Representative, and the North Central Section President. An annual report on the activities of the Student Chapter shall be forwarded to these same parties as described in Article IV, Section 3, CLAUSE A. The Student Chapter also shall submit a calendar-year financial statement to The Wildlife Society as described in Article IV, Section 3, CLAUSE D.
Section 4. FILES - The Student Chapter shall maintain files containing: bylaws of The Wildlife Society, the North Central Section, and the Student Chapter; minutes of all meetings of the membership and Executive Board; financial statements and records; Student Chapter newsletters; correspondence pertinent to Student Chapter affairs; all committee reports; list of Charter Members, and all other material designated as pertinent by the Executive Board. A "procedure for filing" shall be kept in the Student Chapter files for the guidance of each succeeding Secretary. The Wildlife Society Operations Manual, provided by The Wildlife Society, shall be maintained by the Student Chapter President and a written record of transfer of this manual to the incoming President shall be submitted to The Wildlife Society.
CLAUSE A - GUIDELINES - The Student Chapter may issue resolutions and position statements pertaining to subjects in its area (Article I, Section 2) when: (1) the content of the resolution or position statement falls within the established policy of The Wildlife Society, or (2) in the absence of existing policy by The Wildlife Society. The Student Chapter shall not issue resolutions or position statements that are in conflict with the policy of The Wildlife Society without prior approval of The Wildlife Society's Council. All resolutions and position statements shall follow The Wildlife Society's "Guidelines for Wildlife Policy Activities" (Appendix 4.421 of The Wildlife Society Operations Manual).
CLAUSE B - PROCEDURES - Proposed resolutions and position statements may be drafted by a special committee or individual member for consideration by the Executive Board. If approved by the Executive Board, the resolution or position statement is then submitted to the membership for a vote. Approval by a majority of the membership voting is required before it can be issued as a Student Chapter resolution or position statement. The Wildlife Society, the North Central Section Representative, and the North Central Section President must receive copies of all resolutions and position statements within twenty days of approval by the Student Chapter membership.
Section 1. APPOINTMENTS - The President shall appoint chairs for all standing and special committees (except the Nominating and Elections Committee). Members of the Executive Board are encouraged to suggest the names of persons to serve as chair and members of all committees. Committee chairs shall complete their committees with the President's assistance.
Section 2. STANDING COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES:
CLAUSE A - NOMINATING AND ELECTIONS - This three-person committee is appointed by the Executive Board and performs duties as identified in Article IV, Sections 1 and 2.
CLAUSE B - MEMBERSHIP - This committee shall work to promote membership in the Student Chapter, North Central Section, and The Wildlife Society to all interested students at Missouri Western State University.
CLAUSE C - PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES - This committee shall arrange programs for all regular meetings, including the Annual Meeting, and organize field trips, work projects, service activities, and social functions, as approved by the Executive Board. When necessary, club meetings and other events will be scheduled by this committee through the office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
CLAUSE D - EDUCATION AND INFORMATION - This committee shall conduct educational programs on wildlife issues for the campus and surrounding community and seek opportunities to inform the public of the activities and positions of the Student Chapter, North Central Section, and The Wildlife Society.
CLAUSE E - AUDIT - This committee shall review the financial records and support documents maintained by the Treasurer at least annually, and prior to the change in the office of Treasurer, to ensure that the funds of the Student Chapter are being managed in a fiscally responsible manner and to make recommendations for procedural changes to the Executive Board, as appropriate.
Section 3. SPECIAL COMMITTEES - The President shall appoint any special committees that the Executive Board deems necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Student Chapter.
Section 4. ACCOUNTABILITY - All committees shall be accountable to the Executive Board and under the general supervision of the President.
Section 5. TENURE - All committees shall serve until new committees are appointed in their stead or until the duties assigned to the committee have been discharged.
Section 6. REPORTS - All committee chairs shall provide updates on committee activities to the President on a regular basis and shall submit a written summary of committee activities to the President and Executive Board at the Annual Meeting and at the end of the committee's tenure.
Section 1. STANDARDS TO CONTINUE - The Student Chapter must continue to demonstrate its viability to the Council of The Wildlife Society by meeting the following standards: a) complying with the criteria for affiliation (Article 1, Section 3), b) submitting the required reports to The Wildlife Society (Article VI, Section 3), and c) fulfilling the purposes and intent of these bylaws.
Section 2. DISSOLUTION - The Council of The Wildlife Society may dissolve the Student Chapter if it finds the Student Chapter is not meeting the standards established in Article VIII, Section 1. Upon dissolution of the Student Chapter, its Executive Board shall transfer all assets, accrued income, and other properties to The Wildlife Society. Said assets shall be held by The Wildlife Society for five years from the date of dissolution for possible redistribution to another student chapter that may form at Missouri Western State University. If another student chapter is not established at Missouri Western State University within the five-year period, The Wildlife Society Council may use or distribute all assets, accrued income, and other properties in any manner consistent with the bylaws of The Wildlife Society.
Section 1. PROCEDURE - These bylaws may be altered or amended by a majority vote of the members of the Student Chapter voting at any regular or special meeting provided due notice (Article V, Section 3, CLAUSE A) of the proposed changes has been given. A member who will be absent from the meeting may file an absentee ballot (Article IV, Section 2, CLAUSE B). Amendments to these bylaws that are approved by the membership of the Student Chapter must be submitted to The Wildlife Society and do not become effective until approved by The Wildlife Society.
Section 2. CONFORMANCE - No amendment to these bylaws shall be enacted that results in a conflict with the bylaws of The Wildlife Society or the criteria to be recognized as a club by Missouri Western State University.