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CHAPTER BYLAWS
Section 1 - Name and Objectives
  1. The name of this organization shall be the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter and Society respectively.

  2. The objectives of the Chapter shall be those of the American Fisheries Society as set forth in Article 1 of the Constitution of the Society and to encourage the exchange of information by members of the Society residing and/or working within the State of Mississippi.
    3.
Section 2 - Members
  1. The membership of the Chapter shall be composed of those individuals interested in the conservation, development and wise use of the aquatic and fishery resources of the state of Mississippi. Membership shall consist of voting members and affiliate members.

  2. Voting members of the Chapter shall be composed of those Society members in good standing and residing and/or working in the State of Mississippi. Voting members can hold a Chapter office, chair a Chapter committee, or vote on Chapter affairs.

  3. Affiliate members, defined as members of the Chapter but not the Society, are encouraged to attend and participate in Chapter functions. Affiliate members are entitled to receive any correspondence distributed by the Chapter and can attend the Annual Meeting. Affiliate members are also permitted to discuss business at the Annual Business Meeting and serve on a Chapter committee with prior notice to the Chapter Executive Committee (EXCOM). Affiliate members may not vote, hold office, or chair a committee.
    4.
Section 3 - Meetings

  1. The membership of the Chapter shall also be composed of members of student subunit(s) whose petition for student subunit status recognition has been approved by the membership at the annual meeting. The petition must be received by the Chapter EXCOM at least 90 days prior to the annual Chapter meeting.

  2. Student subunit members who do not meet the requirements of voting members may participate in Chapter business as affiliate members.

  3. Officers of all subunits must be active members of the Society.
Section 4 - Meetings
  1. The Chapter shall hold at least one meeting annually at the time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The program and presentation of papers shall be the responsibility of the Program Committee.

  2. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or the Constitution of the Society, business shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 5 - Officers
  1. The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Past-President, and one representative from each student subunit. All officers must be members of the Society.

  2. The term of elected Chapter officers will begin at the annual meeting. The term of office, except for Secretary-Treasurer, is one year. The term for the Secretary-Treasurer shall be two years.

  3. In the event of a vacated position, the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified replacement to fill the unexpired term.

  4. 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.
Section 6 - Duties of Officers
  1. The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings, shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee, shall serve as a member of the nominating committee, shall represent the Chapter to the Southern Division and to the American Fisheries Society, shall conduct Society business on behalf of the Chapter, and shall make such appointments and perform other duties and functions as are authorized and necessary.

  2. The President-elect shall assume the duties of President if the President is absent or unable to act, serve as Chair of the Program Committee and, at the request of the President, assist in the performance of any function designated.

  3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the official records of the Chapter, collect and be custodian of registration fees collected under Section 10 of the Bylaws and of any funds which may be authorized and necessary, shall disburse funds as authorized by either the membership or Executive Committee, and shall submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the annual meeting of the Chapter. The Secretary-Treasurer shall also perform such duties as may be requested by the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Fisheries Society and of the Southern Division.

  4. The Past-President shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and the Nominating Committee. He or she shall also Chair the Awards Committee and be responsible for soliciting nominations for Chapter awards.
Section 7 - Executive Committee
  1. The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall consist of the elected officers and one representative from each student subunit.

  2. The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Chapter between annual meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions.

  3. A quorum is required for transaction of official business at an Executive Committee meeting. A quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of at least three of the four officers. Executive Committee members can appoint a proxy.

  4. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote on Executive Committee decisions. In the event of a tie, the President’s vote shall be the deciding vote.

  5. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Committee.
Section 8 - Chapter Committees
  1. Committees and Chairs of Committees, except as covered in Section 6 of the Bylaws, shall be appointed by the President as may be necessary for the conduct of Chapter business.

  2. Standing Committees
    • The Nominating Committee shall consist of the President, the Past-President, and an appointed Chair who has previously served as Chapter President. The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least two candidates for each elective office and shall report at the annual meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be permitted. In the event that more than two candidates are nominated for any office, a plurality will elect. Elections will be by ballot during the annual meeting.

    • The Program Committee, chaired by the President-Elect, shall develop the program and presentation of papers at the Chapter’s annual meeting. Members of the Program Committee serve at the pleasure of the President-Elect.

    • The Awards Committee, chaired by the Past-President, shall be responsible for soliciting nominations and selecting recipients of Chapter awards. Members of the Awards Committee must be former Chapter Presidents and will serve a one year term. Members may serve multiple terms if selected by each Chair. The Awards Committee will not consist of more than five members in a given year.

    • The Student Affairs Committee shall be responsible for judging student oral and poster presentations at Chapter meetings and presenting student awards. The Chair of the Student Affairs Committee shall be appointed by the President on an annual basis. Members of the Student Affairs Committee serve at the pleasure of the Chair.

    • The Webmaster shall coordinate all additions or modifications to the Chapter website and shall assist with online registration for Chapter meetings. The Webmaster shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

    • The Historian shall facilitate the collection and storage of all Chapter historical documents. The Historian shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

  3. Special committees may be commissioned by the President at any time for specific, time-limited purposes. A special committee shall be disbanded upon completion of the specified project and subsequent report to the Executive Committee or the Chapter.
Section 9 - Voting and Quorum
  1. A quorum at any meeting for the transaction of official Chapter business shall be 1/4 of the voting members of the Chapter in good standing.

  2. Business and voting may be conducted via mail or electronic media if approved by the Executive Committee.

  3. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or the Constitution of the Society, business shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

  4. Decisions at meetings are by simple majority of active members vote, except 2/3 majorities are required in special cases such as amending the Bylaws and suspending a Rule.
Section 10 - Registration
  1. The Executive Committee may assess each registrant attending an annual meeting of the Chapter a registration fee and dues necessary to cover the cost of the meeting and Chapter activities.

  2. The Executive Committee shall establish annual dues subject to approval of the members voting at the annual meeting.
Section 11 - Amendments of the Bylaws
  1. The Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of active members choosing to vote, provided that the proposed amendment(s) are circulated in writing to the membership at least 30 days prior to voting.

  2. 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.

  3. Amendments take effect when the Chapter receives written notice of their approval by the Governing Board from the Executive Director.


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