SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
The
name of this organization shall be the South Carolina Chapter (hereinafter
referred to as the Chapter) of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
(hereinafter referred to as the Society).
ARTICLE II
Area
Four
areas are hereby established. Chapter members residing in counties designated
for each area will automatically become a member of that area.
Each
area shall be represented on the Executive Board by one Board member elected as
described in Article VII.
The
primary year-round activities will be carried out by the areas. The Executive
Board will assist the areas in planning and implementing the activities desired
by the area membership. Suggested area programs and activities include: round
table or panel discussions, contests, field trips and tours, visits to research
stations, conservation education for teachers and students, etc.
Area I: Abbeville,
Area II: Cherokee,
Area III: Aiken, Allendale,
Area IV:
ARTICLE III
Objectives
The
objectives of the Chapter shall be the same as those of the Soil and Water
Conservation Society as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing
science, education and art of good land stewardship and water use. The further
objective is to bring together members of the Society residing in
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section
1. Regular membership in the Chapter
shall be limited to persons and organizations holding membership in the
Society.
Section
2. Persons who qualify under Section 1
as a regular member shall have one vote in the Chapter elections, may serve on
committees, and may hold office in the Chapter.
Section
3. Contributor memberships are for
support of the SC Chapter only. Contributor members can not vote in chapter
elections or hold office in the chapter but may serve on committees.
Contributor members are not members of the Society and do not have regular
member benefits.
Section
4. Regular membership in the Chapter
shall end upon termination of membership in the Society, by voluntary
resignation or by two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
Section
5. Chapter dues are set by the SWCS
Board of Directors. Society and Chapter dues shall be payable together to the
Society headquarters or the Chapter Treasurer. Contributor member dues shall be
payable to the Chapter Treasurer.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section
1. Officers of the Chapter shall be
President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section
2. The office of Vice President shall be
elected annually from the membership and shall perform the duties until a
successor assumes these duties. A Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by
the Executive Board at its last meeting prior to the Chapter's annual winter
meeting, or Jan. 1, if an annual meeting is not held. Officer’s terms shall
commence immediately following the Chapter's annual winter meeting, or on Jan.
1 if an annual winter meeting is not held, and continue until immediately
following the next annual meeting, or Jan 1 if an annual winter meeting is not
held. Vacancies between elections shall be filled as provided under Article VI.
Section
3. The President shall have general
responsibility for the affairs of the Chapter; preside at Chapter meetings and
sessions of the Executive Board (see Article VI); ensure the timely election of
Chapter officers; and appoint committees and representatives provided under
Articles VII and VIII.
Section
4. The President Elect shall
automatically become President when the President's term expires (or the
position otherwise becomes vacant). The President Elect may appoint committee
members and plan activities to become effective at the time he or she becomes
President. In the absence of the President, the President Elect shall assume
the responsibilities and perform the duties of the President.
Section
5. The Vice President will automatically
become President Elect when the President Elect's term expires (or the position
otherwise becomes vacant). In the absence of the President Elect, the Vice
President shall assume the responsibilities and perform the duties of the
President Elect.
Section
6. The Secretary shall give notice of
Chapter meetings and other activities to Chapter members; keep a record of
business meetings; serve as registrar for society sponsored or co-sponsored
meetings, symposia, conferences, workshops, etc. as approved by Executive
Board, be responsible for Chapter correspondence, keep the master copy of the
bylaws, membership list, all records pertaining to the Chapter and serve as
liaison to the Membership Committee. The Secretary shall perform other duties
incident to the office of Secretary.
The
Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the Chapter; keep account of
all financial transactions; and report at each business meeting the financial
status of the Chapter. The Treasurer also shall arrange with Society
headquarters for proper notice of dues payment, and alert the Executive Board periodically
of delinquent members so they may be encouraged to rejoin. The Treasurer also
shall receive any and all contributions to the Chapter, either for meeting
Society objectives generally, or earmarked for specific projects or aims; shall
invest these and other funds as authorized or approved by the Executive Board;
and shall keep account of all transactions, expenditures and transfers of such
funds or a committee established by or reporting to the Chapter Officers. The
accounts of the Society shall be audited at least annually and when directed by
the Executive Board. The Treasurer may be bonded in such amounts as the
Executive Board may determine, at the cost of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall
perform other duties incident to the office of Treasurer.
Section
7. The President Elect shall be the
official Chapter Delegate. Should the President Elect be unable to perform as
the Chapter Delegate, the Vice President will become the official Chapter
Delegate. Should the Vice President be unable to perform as the Chapter
Delegate, the Executive Board shall appoint a Delegate.
ARTICLE VI
Executive Board
Section
1. The Executive Board shall consist of
the President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate
Past-President, and Board members representing each Chapter Area, all of which
are elected as described in Article VII.
Section
2. The Executive Board shall be the
legal representative of the Chapter and shall have, hold, and administer all
funds and property of the Chapter, which shall be in the direct custody of the
Treasurer.
Section
3. Vacancies in the Chapter officers
occurring between elections shall be filled by appointment by the Executive
Board, except as provided in Article V, Section 4 and 5.
Section
4. The Executive Board shall meet at
least semiannually for the transaction of its business and at other times as
determined by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board, and shall
have the power to act on matters that arise between regularly scheduled Chapter
meetings and are not otherwise specifically provided for in the Bylaws. At
least 7 days notice of the date and place of each meeting and the general
nature of the business to be acted upon shall be given to all members of the Executive
Board.
Section
5. A Quorum of the Executive Board,
defined as a majority of the Executive Board members, must be present in order
that business can be legally transacted.
Section
6. The Executive Board shall direct the
policies of the Chapter within the framework of the Society and support the
objectives of the Society in coordination with the member of the Society's
Board of Directors who represents the Southeast region. The Executive Board
shall develop or review operating plans and budgets; give counsel and guidance
to, and coordinate the work of committees; decide the Chapter business not
requiring action by the membership; and perform similar duties. The Executive
Board shall approve any formal statement of the policy of position of the Chapter
on any issue. Executive Board members or other members appointed by the
President may speak for the Chapter.
Section
7. The Executive Board shall encourage
active participation of officers, committee chairs, and other members in the
Chapter, regional, and international workshops, meetings, and other events.
ARTICLE VII
Elections
Section 1. Not later than 90 days before
the winter annual meeting, or before October 1 if a winter annual meeting is
not to be held, the Secretary shall notify the membership that a Nominating
Committee has been appointed. The announcement shall include provision for
nominations by the Chapter members, oral or written, to the Chair of the
Nominating Committee no later than 60 days before the winter annual meeting or before
November 1, if a winter annual meeting is not to be held.
Section
2. For the offices of Vice President,
and Board Members, the Nominating Committee shall consider members from the
various institutions and professions represented in the Chapter.
Section
3. Area Board members shall be elected
by members within the respective area and shall serve for a term of two years.
Terms will be staggered. Board members in Areas 1 and 3 will be nominated in
odd years and elected in January of the following year, and Board members in
Areas 2 and 4 will be nominated in even years and elected in January of the
following year.
Section
4. Before any member's name is nominated
for an office or Board member, the member shall agree that he or she is willing
to serve.
Section
5. The Chair of the nominating committee
will present the proposed slate of officers at the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the
floor in accord with Article VII Section 2.
The nominee receiving the plurality of votes cast for each office shall
be declared elected.
Section
6. If an annual winter meeting is not to
be held, the nominating committee's proposed slate of officers will be sent by
mail to each member. Each member will
have the opportunity to vote for the proposed slate of officers or write in a
candidate and return to Chair of nominating committee by December 15. The nominating committee will count ballots
and notify winners by Jan 1. The
chairman of the nominating committee will certify the election results to the
Secretary and deliver the ballots to the Secretary who will hold the same
available for inspection by any member for six months thereafter, whereupon,
ballots will be destroyed. The nominee
receiving the plurality of votes cast for each office shall be declared
elected.
ARTICLE VIII
Committees
Section
1. The Chapter President shall appoint
committees and representatives as are necessary to conduct the affairs of the
Chapter and contribute toward regional and/or international objectives of the
Society. Such committees and representatives will function during the term of
office of the President or until their assignment is accomplished.
Section
2. Standing committees shall include
Audit, Awards, Education, Membership, Nominations and Program.
Section
3. The Nominations Committee shall
consist of a chair (immediate past-president) and the previous 2 past
presidents. Only the chair may be a member of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX
Meetings
Section
1. An annual meeting of the Chapter
membership should be held. The Executive Board will determine the timing and
location of the Annual meeting, special conferences, symposia, workshops, and
other meetings.
Section
2. Any member of the Society, Chapter or
guests may attend and participate in meetings of the Chapter. Only regular
members of the Chapter may vote.
Section
3. Officers and Committee chairs or
their representatives shall report verbally or in writing to the membership
regarding their current or proposed activities, at intervals directed by the
Executive Board.
ARTICLE X
Parliamentary Authority
Section
1. The rules contained in "Robert's
Rules of Order Revised" shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which
they are applicable.
ARTICLE XI
Status and Dissolution
Section
1. The Chapter shall not participate in any activities not permitted by an
organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding revisions of any future United
States Internal Revenue Law).
Section
2. The Chapter may receive in the name
of the Society gifts, bequests, donations, grants or funds for any purpose
within the scope of Society objectives. No part of the funds of the Chapter shall
be distributed to Chapter members. The Chapter shall be authorized and
empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, provide awards,
scholarships, and other incentive programs that will further the objectives and
purposes of the Society and will financially support the Chapter, Regional and
Society activities and programs.
Section
3. This Chapter may be dissolved by a
resolution requesting dissolution passed by a majority vote of mail ballots
received. Notice of such action must be mailed to all members at least 60 days
prior to the closing date for receiving these mail ballots.
Section
4. Should the Chapter dissolve in
accordance with Section 3 or from any other cause, any assets not required for
payment of its liabilities and obligations and not held upon condition
requiring return, specific transfer, or conveyance upon dissolution, shall be
paid over and transferred to the Society.
If the Society is dissolved, then the Executive Board of the Chapter at
the time of dissolution shall transfer its assets to selected organization(s)
or societies engaged in similar activities to those of the Society and
regularly organized and qualified as charitable, educational, scientific, or
philanthropic organizations.
Section
5. Should the Chapter dissolve, the
Executive Board shall forward to the Society (or if the Society is dissolved,
to the National Agricultural Library) all significant records, correspondence,
and other papers.
ARTICLE XII
Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws
Section
1. These Bylaws may be amended by 2/3
vote of mail ballots received or of the Chapter members present at any regular
meeting of the Chapter, provided notice of all proposed changes has been mailed
to all members at least 30 days prior to: (a) the closing date for receiving
these mail ballots, or (b) the date of the meeting at which the vote is to be
taken.
Section
2. Amendments shall, unless otherwise
provided therein, take effect when it is determined that a majority of the
votes cast are favorable. The Chapter Secretary shall notify the members of the
result.
Section
3. No Bylaw provision or amendment may
be adopted which is not in keeping with the Society Bylaws of the Chapter. Upon
official notification by the Society that a provision or amendment is not in
keeping, and after due opportunity for hearing the Chapter, such provision or
amendment shall be void and of no effect.
Section
4. Any changes required by the Internal
Revenue service in order to establish or maintain status of the Society or the
Chapter as an educational and scientific organization under section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code shall automatically be deemed a fully approved
amendment to these Bylaws. The Secretary shall notify each Chapter member of
such change(s) and reasons therefore, and provide revised text of the Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIII
Effective
Date
These
Bylaws are revised and adopted by vote of membership by email and regular mail
and certified by the Executive Board on
President – Mary Morrison
Secretary/Treasurer – R. Hugh Caldwell