BYLAWS of the IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT SUBUNIT of the IOWA CHAPTER of the AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY PDF


March 17, 2008

1 Name and Objectives

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Iowa State University Student Subunit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, hereinafter referred to as the Student Subunit and Society respectively.
  2. The objectives of the Student Subunit shall be those of the Society as set forth in Article I of the Constitution.
  3. Encourage the exchange of regional fisheries and other technical information among members of the Iowa Chapter and members of this Student Subunit.
  4. The subunit shall serve as a clearing house for education and professional development in the fisheries science field and assist in the transition from an educational to a professional setting for fisheries science students.
  5. Encourage community outreach and educational activities in fisheries.
  6. All activities of this subunit shall conform to the Society’s Constitution, Rules, and Procedures.

2 Membership

  1. Individuals or organizations interested in the subunit and its objectives may become members in one of the following ways:

2.1 ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

is open to individuals who are currently students enrolled at Iowa State University. Members pay dues annually and their membership extends through the academic year for which dues are paid. Active members have all voting rights under Article IV, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Society.

2.2 AFFILIATE MEMBERS

are non-voting individuals or organizations who wish to support the subunit and its objectives and have paid annual dues.

3 Meetings

  1. The subunit shall hold an annual business meeting arranged by the Subunit Executive Committee. The purpose of this meeting is for election of officers and other pertinent subunit business, and hereinafter is referred to as the annual meeting.
  2. This meeting will be held during the spring semester, no later than March 31. 3. Periodically, meetings shall be held for the exchange of information and to engage in fisheries related activities. Sponsored events, e.g., symposia, which professionally extend beyond the subunit membership shall be approved by the Iowa Chapter Executive Committee.

4 Officers

  1. The offices of the subunit shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. Officers shall be active members of the subunit and shall be elected at the annual meeting.
  2. The subunit officers shall serve for a period of one year in each office. The Secretary and Treasurer may be re-elected after the expiration of their term.
  3. In case of a vacated position, subunit members shall elect a qualified replacement to fill the unexpired term. In the event of a cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and the members of any committees shall continue to serve until the next scheduled meeting.

5 Duties of Officers

  1. The President shall: A. Serve as chair of the Executive Committee and shall preside at the business meetings of the Student Subunit. B. Be responsible for the election of new officers at the annual meeting C. Submit an annual report to the Iowa State Chapter Executive Committee.
  2. The President-Elect shall: A. Perform the duties of the President, in the absence of the President. B. Be responsible for the organization of the annual meeting. C. Advance to the office of President at the end of the term.
  3. The Treasurer shall: A. Maintain a current membership list, receive all funds, pay all bills, keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, and present an annual report to the membership at the business meetings. B. Submit a report to the faculty representative after each meeting is held and at other times as requested by the Executive Committee.
  4. The Secretary shall: A. Notify all members at least 1 week in advance of meetings. B. Keep minutes of the meeting proceedings. C. Keep current the registry of the subunits membership to include name, address and email of members.

6 Executive Committee

  1. The Executive Committee (EXCOMM) of the Student Subunit shall consist of the four elected officers and a faculty advisor.
  2. The faculty advisor has no voting power except in the case of a split vote, where the faculty advisor shall decide the outcome.
  3. The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Student Subunit between meetings.
  4. A minimum of three officers constitutes a quorum at a meeting of the EXCOMM.

7 Student Subunit Committees

  1. Committees and Chairs of committees, except as listed in Sections V and VI of these Bylaws, shall be appointed and charged by the President.
  2. Except for Standing Committees, these Student Subunit committees shall cease to function upon discharge of the duties for which they were appointed or with the end of the term of the appointing officer.

8 Voting and Quorum

  1. A quorum at any meeting dictating the transaction of official business shall be decided by a minimum of 1/3 of the active Student Subunit membership. A. All decisions at meetings are decided by simple majority vote, except for revisions, amendments to the bylaws and slate of officers. B. Of the quorum voting on official business three must be presiding officers.

9 Election of Officers

  1. The election of officers shall be conducted at the annual meeting during the spring semester of each year. A. Nominations are at large where members desiring an officer chair must run for that position. B. Nominees shall be appointed to office by simple majority vote. C. The outgoing president shall preside as electing official.

10 Dues and Fees

  1. All dues and fees will be established by the EXCOMM at the annual meeting. A. Annual dues will be paid at the beginning of the academic year by each active and affiliate member of the Student Subunit. B. Established dues and fees will be subject to vote by the general membership body. C. In the case of the Student Subunit dissolving, all available funds will be given to the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

11 Amendments to Bylaws

  1. Bylaws of the Student Subunit may be amended by a two-thirds majority approval of those members voting in accordance with quorum rule Section VIII B.
  2. Any change(s) must be provided to the membership body at least 30 days prior to a meeting where voting will take place.
  3. Following the approval by the Student Subunit membership, amendments must be submitted to the Iowa Chapter President for reviewing by the EXCOMM of the Iowa Chapter.
  4. In accordance with the Society Constitution, an adopted amendment shall be reviewed by the Society’s Constitutional Consultant for conformity with the Constitution, Rules and Procedures of the Society. The Constitutional Consultant presents the adopted amendment to the Society Governing Board for approval.
  5. Amendments take effect when the Student Subunit receives written notice of their approval by the Governing Board from the Executive Director.