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Bylaws
Approved by the membership (February 8, 2003)
Adopted by the Corporation (March 25, 2003)
Amended ---need this date information – BOD resolution and member vote on dues change—also need the revised By Laws with the change, I modified this version but it is not official. The bylaws were passed as amended at the Kyle February meeting…that much I am certain of. I don’t have a copy of those meeting records. I do have a copy of the bylaws with the change and will send separate.
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization is Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations otherwise referred to as TOWMA.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The purpose of TOWMA is to enhance the operation and effectiveness of Wildlife Management Associations through education, coordination and pursuit of issues resulting in enhanced land stewardship in Texas.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section I. MEMBERSHIP
Members - Any Wildlife Management Association shall become an active member of TOWMA upon application and payment of the annual dues. Each member Association will have one director to cast its one vote on issues before the organization.
Associate Members - Individual members of member Associations in good standing are considered associate members and are encouraged to attend biannual and other member meetings but may not vote on issues.
Affiliate Members - Individuals who are not a member of a Wildlife Management Association may become an affiliate member by paying the proper dues as indicated in Section II below. Affiliate members are encouraged to attend biannual and other member meetings but may not vote on issues.
Ex Officio Members – Individuals may be elected as an ex officio member. No dues or voting rights are associated with this membership. [These individuals are important to the organization as technical or advisory resources.]
Section II. DUES
Members – Annual dues of $1.00 per WMA member per year are payable January 1 of each year. If dues are not paid by January 1, that member association will not be in good standing and will be considered inactive.
Associate Members – No dues.
Affiliate Member – Annual dues of $10 per year are payable by the January 1 of each year. If dues are not paid by January 1, that member will not be in good standing and will be considered inactive.
Ex Officio Members – No dues.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Section I. TITLES OF OFFICERS
President
Vice President/President Elect
Secretary-Treasurer
Section II. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President
The President shall represent TOWMA to the general public;
Shall preside at all meetings;
Shall appoint all committee chairs not otherwise provided for;
Shall be an ex officio member of all committees;
Shall have general supervision of the affairs of TOWMA;
Shall arrange for an annual audit of the financial records of TOWMA;
Shall arrange for a nominating committee on even numbered years for the purpose of recruiting a Vice President/President Elect;
Shall perform all other duties incident to the office; and
With the consent of the Board, the President may enter into agreements with consultants or contractors that may be required for the administration of TOWMA’s business. For theses services, a written contract, including annual fee structure, shall be agreed upon in advance by the Board. Any long-term commitment shall be renewed on a yearly basis.
Vice President/President Elect
The Vice President/President Elect shall exercise the functions of the President during any absence or disability of the President;
Shall be responsible for public relations, press releases and for developing media and organizational contacts;
May be assigned other duties by the President; and
Shall fill any un-expired term of the President’s position should that position become vacant
.
Secretary-Treasurer
The Secretary-Treasurer shall record the proceedings of all TOWMA meetings;
Shall be responsible for maintaining membership records;
Shall maintain correct accounts of TOWMA’s receipts and disbursements;
Present financial reports at board and biannual meetings;
Be responsible for safe and orderly storage of financial records and correspondence; and
Perform other duties pertinent to the office as directed by the President.
Section III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Term
The Presidents term will be two (2) years.
The Vice President/President Elect will be elected for four (4) years service. Two (2) as Vice President/President Elect and two (2) years as President.
The Secretary-Treasurer’s term will be for two (2) years concurrent with the President’s term.
Nominating Committee.
A nominating committee consisting of no less than three directors shall be appointed by the President by May 1 of each year to choose a candidate for the Vice President/President Elect. The nominee shall be a member in good standing of a member Association or be an affiliate member in good standing. The Nominating Committee shall have the consent of the nominee to serve on the board for four years.
Election
The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall present the Committee’s report at the August meeting of the even numbered years. Nominations may be made from the floor, on the condition that the nominee has agreed in advance to serve if elected. If there is more than one nominee, voting shall be by show of hand. If there is only one nominee, voting shall be by voice vote. The President will select a candidate for Secretary-Treasurer and present the candidate to the Board for their final consent.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Biannual meeting of the members shall be on the second Saturday in the months of February and August at a location decided upon by the Board of Directors. The presence of eleven (11) directors or their alternates shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section I. MEMBERSHIP
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and one designated director (President or other designated member) from each Wildlife Management Association.
Section II. DUTIES
The duties of the Board shall be to implement the mission and policies of the Organization.
Section III MEETINGS
There shall be at least one board meeting immediately following the August biannual meeting. Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or at the request of a majority voting membership of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
Section I. ADVISORY COMMITTEE (
The President may select and appoint up to twelve (12) Associate Members in good standing and three (3) Ex Officio Members to serve at the President’s pleasure. This Committee will meet at the will of the officers and assist the officers on matters of importance to the Organization. This committee will submit their verbal or written resignations at the end of the appointing President’s term. The new President may reappoint any members at his pleasure.
ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern TOWMA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any special rules of order TOWMA may adopt.
ARTICLE X. METHOD OF AMENDING THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of the votes cast, provided written notice of each proposed amendment is submitted to the membership at least thirty days before the votes are to be counted. Voting may be by mail or at the biannual meeting.
ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION CLAUSE
In the event of the dissolution of the Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations, the assets of the Organization, remaining after payment of or provision for all debts and liabilities of the Organization, shall be donated to the Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas specifically for the continued support of wildlife management associations in the State.