CHAPTER BYLAWS
Section
1 - Name and Objectives
The name of this organization shall be the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter.Section 2 - Members
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.
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 guests.Section 3 - Meetings
The voting members of the Chapter shall be composed of those American Fisheries Society members (parent society members) in good standing residing and/or working in the State of Mississippi. The voting members can hold a Chapter office, chair a Chapter committee, or vote on Chapter affairs.
The voting 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.
The guests of the Chapter are entitled to receive any correspondence distributed by the Chapter and can attend the Annual Meeting. Guests are permitted to discuss business at the Annual Business Meeting. Guests are also permitted to serve on a Chapter committee but the Chapter Executive Committee must be notified that a non-voting member is present on the committee.
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.Section 4 - Officers
The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and one student subunit representative.Section 5 - Duties of Officers
A 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 term of elected Chapter officers will begin at the annual meeting. The term of office is one year.
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.
The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings, shall serve as the Chairman of the Executive Committee, shall represent the Chapter to the Southern Division and to the American Fisheries Society, and shall make such appointments and perform other duties and functions as are authorized and necessary.Section 6 - Executive Committee
The President-elect shall assume the duties of President in the absence or disability of the President. He shall be Chairman of the Program Committee and, at the request of the President, assist in the performance of any function designated.
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 and shall submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the annual meeting of the Chapter. He shall perform such duties as maybe be requested by the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Fisheries Society and of the Southern Division.
The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate Past President, and one student subunit representative.Section 7 - Chapter Committees
The Chairman shall attend meetings of the Executive Committee, but shall have no vote. The Executive Committee is authorized to act for the Chapter between meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions.
Committees and Chairmen of Committees, except as covered in Section 5 of the Bylaws, shall be appointed by the President as may be necessary for the conduct of the Chapter.Section 8 - Election of Members
The terms of office for members of Chapter Committees shall end upon the discharge of the duties for which they were appointed, or at the next annual meeting of the Chapter, whichever comes first.
Applications for membership in the American Fisheries Society may be received by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chapter and shall be forwarded to the Executive Secretary of the Society.Section 9 - Voting and Quorum
Decision at meeting of the Chapter shall be in accordance with Article V, Paragraph 4, of the Constitution of the American Fisheries Society.Section 10 - Registration
A quorum at any meeting for the transaction of official Chapter business shall be 25% of the voting members of the Mississippi chapter in good standing.
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. Collections shall be made for financing the Chapter operations, as may by directed by the membership or by the authorization of the Executive Committee.Section 11 - Amendments of the Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Chapter may be amended and approved in accordance with Article IV, Paragraph 4, of the Constitution for the American Fisheries Society and by Section 9 of these Bylaws.