SWS Mid-Atlantic Chapter Officers, By-laws, and Standing Rules
Chapter Officers:
Ellen Hartig, President
NewYork City Department of Parks
Amy Jacobs, Vice President
Delware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
Ron Prann, Treasurer
The Shaw Group, Inc.
Andy Baldwin, Past President
University of Maryland, College Park
By-Laws
Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia
Approved July 11, 2006
ARTICLE 1. NAME AND PURPOSE
The official name of this chapter shall be the MID-ATLANTIC CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF WETLAND SCIENTISTS. The objectives of the Chapter shall be to encourage communication of wetlands issues and research activities in the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia), and to sponsor meetings and other activities which foster interaction of wetland scientists and managers in the region. The Chapter shall be governed in all of its operation by the constitution and bylaws of the SWS. The Chapter shall have the power, either directly or indirectly, either alone or in conjunction with others, to do any and all lawful activities for the fostering, advancing, or accomplishing of Chapter affairs and objectives, and to aid and assist other organizations whose objectives may further foster, advance or accomplish Chapter objectives. The Chapter shall not have nor exercise any power, nor directly or indirectly engage in any activity, that would cause the SWS to lose its exempt status from Federal income taxation as a corporation as described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and its regulations, as the same now exist or as they may be amended in the future.
ARTICLE 2. MEMBERSHIP
Any member in good standing of the SWS who resides, has business or other interest within the Chapter’s region is considered an active member of the Chapter. Herein, a "member in good standing" means a member whose dues are paid.
ARTICLE 3. GOVERNANCE
The elected officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. These officers, plus the immediate Past President, constitute the Executive Committee and are authorized to act on behalf of the Chapter during intervals between SWS International Annual meetings. The terms of office shall be one (1) year for the Vice-President, President and Past-President and three years for the Treasurer. A new Vice-President will be elected each year with the incumbent Vice-President assuming the position of the President and the President assuming the position of the Past-President. The Treasurer shall be elected every third year. Terms of all elected officers will commence and terminate at the SWS International Annual Meeting. At the SWS International Annual Meeting, the outgoing President or their designee shall attend the old board meeting and the incoming President or their designee shall attend the new board meeting. Nominations for office shall be solicited by the President and new officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members in good standing, conducted prior to the next SWS International Annual Meeting. Only active members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination for an elected office. Election shall be by electronic mail. The Vice-President shall certify the voting status of members and the results of the elections.
No member of the Chapter will represent the Chapter without prior approval of the Executive Committee, nor represent the SWS without prior approval of the Society's Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 4. MEETINGS
The Chapter shall hold its annual business meeting at the International Annual meeting of the SWS, and the members present shall constitute a quorum for transaction of official business. The Chapter shall also meet mid-year and may organize Chapter meetings at other times and places as appropriate.
ARTICLE 5. STANDING RULES
The Executive Committee is authorized to adopt and amend Standing Rules for conduct of Chapter business, as necessary, by majority vote. Standing rules shall include, but not be limited to, matters pertaining to Chapter finances, duties of Chapter officers, provisions for establishment of standing committees or special committees, and authorization of Chapter publications.
ARTICLE 6. VOTING PROCEDURE
With the exception of the Past President, all Executive Committee members have voting rights on issues that pertain to Chapter business. Any Executive Committee member may motion for a vote by e-mail to the other Executive Committee members. The other Executive Committee members must respond by e-mail for or against the resolution within seven (7) calendar days of the motion. If any of the other Executive Members do not exercise their voting right, the motion will move forward without their vote. In the event of a tie or no response by the other two Executive Committee members, the Past President will be asked to vote on the issue and have seven (7) days to respond.
ARTICLE 7. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Chapter bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing attending the annual business meeting of the Chapter (which is held at the SWS International Annual meeting), provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been provided to the members at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.
Standing Rules
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
of the Society of Wetland Scientists
July 11, 2006
Section 1. Duties of the President. The President shall preside at the business meeting of the Chapter, shall authorize expenditures of Chapter funds, and shall promote the interests of the Chapter in every reasonable way. The President shall represent the Chapter on the Board of Directors of the SWS and shall appoint standing or special committees as required to promote the interest of the Chapter. The President shall serve as the Program Chair and shall plan and arrange Chapter programs and activities. The President shall be responsible for producing the Chapter newsletters.
Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President. The Vice-President shall assist the President and shall perform the duties of the President whenever that person is unable to act. The Vice-President shall maintain and update copies of the Chapter bylaws and standing rules and hold Chapter elections.
Section 3. Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall maintain files and records of Chapter business, maintain financial ledgers and accounts of the Chapter, and process requests for payment.
Section 4. Salaries and Expenses. Officers or committee-persons of the Chapter shall not receive any salary from SWS; neither shall they receive any clerical or other expenses unless approved in advance by the Executive Committee. If necessary to ensure Chapter representation, the Executive Committee may approve limited travel expenses to the SWS annual meeting and mid-year SWS business meeting for the President or his/her designee.
Section 5. Newsletter. A Chapter newsletter in the form of e-mail shall be prepared and distributed monthly by the President, which will include reports of business from meetings of the SWS and Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM), solicitation of nominations for officers, announcements of meetings and elections, and other items of interest to members.
Section 6. Standing Committees. Standing committees, composed of members in good standing, shall be appointed by the President and shall assist in the conduct of affairs of the Chapter. Such committees shall serve until the conclusion of the next annual business meeting of the Chapter and be reappointed at the discretion of the President. Standing committees shall report at the annual business meeting of the Chapter.
Section 7. Special Committees. Special committees may be appointed to assist the President and Executive Committee with activities or services that are generally short-term and of a non-recurring nature. Special Committees will report to the President and to the membership at the annual business meeting.