BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES OF THE SOUTH CENTRAL CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF WETLAND SCIENTISTS

ARTICLE I
Names and Objectives

The name of the organization shall be the SOUTH CENTRAL CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF WETLAND SCIENTISTS, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter and as the Society. Qualified persons residing within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas who are also members in good standing with the Society are eligible for Chapter membership.

The objectives are as follows:
(a) Operate solely and exclusively as a charitable and educational organization to foster conservation and understanding of wetlands.

(b) Provide an independent forum for an interchange of ideas and data developed within wetland science in the South Central Region (hereinafter referred to as the Region).

(c) Develop and promote wetland science as a distinct discipline within the Region.

(d) Promote and evaluate the educational, scientific, and technological development and advancement of all branches of wetland science and practice within the Region.

(e) Further the knowledge of wetland resources and encourage wetland protection, restoration, and stewardship within the Region.

(f) Encourage a fraternity of scientists based on shared knowledge, dedication, friendship, and mutual professionalism within the Region.

For the administration of the affairs and the attainment of the objectives of the Chapter, the Chapter shall have the power, either directly or indirectly, either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, to do any and all lawful acts and things, and to engage in any and all lawful activities that may be necessary, useful, suitable, desirable, or proper for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering, or attainment of any or all of the objectives for which the Chapter is organized, as set forth in Article First 4a-f, and to aid and assist other organizations whose objectives are such as to further accomplish, foster, or attain any of such objectives. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Chapter shall neither have nor exercise any power, nor shall it directly or indirectly engage in any activity that would cause the Society to lose 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 hereafter be amended from time to time.

ARTICLE II
Membership and Election of Members

1. The membership of the Chapter shall be of the following classes:

(a) Active Members. Persons involved in the study, management, or regulation of wetlands; or in any other appropriate wetland activity, including research and academic endeavors within the Region.

(b) Student Members. Persons who are involved in academic training in any appropriate wetland endeavor within the Region are extended voting membership status as long as they maintain their student status as members of the Society.

(c) Institutional/Corporate Members. Any institution, government agency or corporate organization with interest in the Chapter and the Society and the furtherance of the objectives may become an Institutional/Corporate member, but shall not be eligible to vote.

(d) Family Members. Two members of a family may be Chapter members with full, active member privileges, but shall receive a limited set of publications (usually only one copy per issue of the Chapter newsletter).

(e) Lifetime Members. Members joining for the rest of their lives will receive full active members privileges. Any Lifetime Member of the Society who resides or works within the Region is extended Lifetime membership status within the Chapter. 2. As used in the Bylaws and Standing Rules, the term "member in good standing" refers to a Chapter member within the Region who is a member of the Society in good Standing, with dues paid in the current calendar year.

ARTICLE III
Officers and Board of Directors

1. The Officers of the Chapter shall be President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Board Members who are elected by Chapter members. The Immediate Past President and the elected officers and board members constitute the Executive Board of the Chapter who shall have the authority to meet in closed sessions.

2. Only active members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination for an elected Chapter office.

3. (a) The President, President-elect, and Past-president shall serve for a period of one year or until the next annual meeting, and the Secretary, the Treasurer and Board members shall serve for a period of two years. Board members shall be elected to serve two-year terms, so that in each calendar year, two new Board members are elected and two will rotate off the Executive Board, with four elected Board members serving in overlapping years.

(b) The President shall serve only one term in office, and upon the termination of that term shall immediately become the Past President, and continue as a member of the Executive Board.

(c) The President-elect shall serve one term in that office, and shall automatically succeed the President for one term in office.

(d) In the event of cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and board members of the Chapter and the members in any Standing or special Committee shall continue to serve and be responsible for the business and activities of the Chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws, or Robert's Rules of Order in the absence of specific guidelines, until new elections and an annual meeting are held.

(e) If an officer or board member cannot fulfill or complete the term of office to which he or she was elected, the Executive Board is authorized to appoint a replacement until an election is held at the next annual meeting. (f) If the President cannot attend the Society annual meeting or meetings of the Society Board of Directors to represent the Chapter, the President shall appoint another active member in good standing to represent the Chapter at that specific meeting.

ARTICLE IV
Meeting and Voting

1. The Chapter shall meet twice annually at the site of the Society annual meeting and at a place to be determined by a majority of the active members attending the previous annual meeting. The Program Committee will consist of members residing in or near the place of meeting and other duly appointed active members.

2. In the event of an emergency, the Executive Board may cancel a meeting or change the place of meeting, or order a Special Meeting. If a meeting is canceled, the Executive Board shall schedule the next meeting and a place agreed upon among the Board.

3. A quorum for the transaction of official business of the Chapter shall consist of any number of active members in good standing present.

4. A motion to amend the Bylaws or to establish or dissolve a Standing Committee shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting. A Special Committee may be established or dissolved at the Executive Board's discretion or upon completion of that committee's appointed task(s).

5. The Chapter Secretary shall certify the voting status of members.

ARTICLE V
Adoption of Standing Rules

1. The Executive Board is authorized to adopt and amend Standing Rules necessary for conduct of Chapter business by a majority vote.

2. The Standing rules must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a) Matters pertaining to Chapter finances.

(b) Prescribed duties of Chapter officers and Board Members.

(c) Provisions for the establishment, duties, and methods of selection of Standing Committees and other committees necessary to conduct the business of the Chapter. A Standing Committee is defined as one that is established permanently in the Bylaws as part of the basic organization of the Chapter, or by amendment of said Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI
Amendment of Bylaws

1. The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing who attend a chapter business meeting. Proposals for amendments may be generated in the following ways:

(a) Recommendation of a majority of voting members of the Executive Board.

(b) Petitions signed by not fewer than twenty members in good standing or 10 percent of the Chapter membership eligible to vote, whichever is fewer, and presented to the President at the next business meeting.

2. Proposed amendments shall be submitted or petitioned at one business meeting, and be voted on at the next business meeting of the Chapter.

ARTICLE VII
Dissolution of the Chapter

1. If the Society is dissolved, the Chapter is also dissolved, and all Chapter net assets will be distributed to a similar not-for-profit organization. Designation of the organization(s) to receive said assets will be at the discretion of both the Chapter Executive Board and the Society Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII
Chapter and Society Representation

1. No member of the Society will represent the Society without prior approval of the Society Board of Directors, nor represent the Chapter without prior approval of the Chapter Executive Board.

STANDING RULES
The following rules are established to assist in conducting the Chapter business.

Section 1. Duties of the President
The President shall be responsible for the business of the Chapter, make appointments authorized in the Standing Rules, establish special committees required for the business of the Chapter, and exercise such other responsibilities determined from time to time by action of the Chapter and its Executive Board. The President shall chair all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Board, and serves as an ex-officio member of all Standing and Special Committees. The President serves as Chapter Representative to the Society and as a member of the Society Board of Directors.

Section 2. Duties of the President-elect
The President-elect shall succeed the President without further election. The duties of the President-elect are to assist the President and to perform the duties of the President when that officer is absent or unable to act. The President-elect shall serve as chairperson of the Program
Committee.

Section 3. Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall maintain a roster of Chapter members in good standing and serve as chairperson of the Membership Committee. The Secretary shall coordinate Chapter membership with Society Secretary and reply to or direct all correspondence pertinent to Chapter membership. The Secretary shall maintain and update copies of the Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules. The Secretary will work to maintain up to date contact information for active members and shall prepare and disburse literature pertinent to increasing membership and/or coordinate that function with the Newsletter Editor.

Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall coordinate Chapter finances with the Society Treasurer, and reply to or direct all correspondence pertinent to Chapter business affairs. The Treasurer shall maintain files and 6 records of Chapter business. The Treasurer shall attend to all appropriate financial matters of the Chapter, including payment of bills, collection of Chapter dues through the Society, and any Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements.

Section 5. Duties of Board
Members Elected Board Members shall serve as two-year voting members of the Executive Board. Special duties of these board members are at the discretion of the President, and could include the duties of the newsletter editor and committee chairs.

Section 6. Duties of the Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President serves as a member of the Executive Board for one year following completion of his/her term of office. The Immediate Past President serves as chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

Section 7. Duties of the Newsletter Editor
A Newsletter Editor appointed by the President shall prepare and distribute a regularly-scheduled newsletter to all Chapter members with pertinent Chapter business and information, including news of individual members and notices of Chapter meetings. The Editor is authorized to solicit information from all member and Society sources.

Section 8. Salaries and Expenses
Officers, Board Members, and committee-persons of the Chapter shall not receive any salary. They will not receive any clerical or other expenses unless approved by the Executive Board in advance. In emergency situations, the Executive Board may approve limited travel expenses for the President or his/her designee to the Society annual meeting to insure Chapter representation.

Section 9. Dues and Fees
(a) Chapter dues shall be determined by the International Society Board and collected as part of the dues of the Society. Student Members in good standing with the Society will be included as Student Members of the Chapter for no additional fee. Changes in Chapter dues and fees for all Chapter members shall be recommended by the Executive Board and approved by a vote of the membership at an annual meeting.

(b) Chapter dues are payable with Society dues, and members in arrears for one year are removed from the Chapter roster.

(c) The Chapter Executive Board is authorized to establish and charge a registration fee for all Chapter meetings and to assist the Program Committee with appropriate financial obligations of
same.

Section 10. Standing Committees
Standing Committees, composed of Chapter members in good standing, shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Board within 15 days after the business meeting in conjunction with the Society annual meeting, unless otherwise specified. Standing Committees shall assist the President and Executive Board in the Conduct of affairs of the Chapter. The Chairperson or his/her representative of each Standing Committee shall report at the business meeting of the Chapter. The term of duty for members of Standing Committees shall extend for one year, unless otherwise specified. In event of failure of the President to make Standing Committee appointments within the specified time, chairpersons from the previous term of office will remain in their post until such appointments are made.

(a) Membership Committee The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary, and shall be responsible for maintaining and increasing the membership of the Chapter. The Committee shall take appropriate measures to attract new members, and committee representation should come from various states and sources of employment to insure wide-reaching contacts and interest. The chairperson shall appoint members to serve on the Committee.

(b) Program Committee The Program Committee shall be responsible for the physical and technical arrangements for chapter meetings at a place and time established at the previous meeting, and shall consist of members in good standing residing in or near the place of meeting. The Program Committee shall be responsible for technical paper sessions, tours of interest, and any auxiliary meetings connected with the Chapter meeting. The President-elect shall serve as chairperson, and shall appoint members to serve on the Committee.

(c) Nominations Committee The Nominations Committee shall be responsible for soliciting and recommending the names of candidates for elected offices and for assembling their resumes and a sample ballot for distribution in the Chapter Newsletter. The Committee shall be responsible for mailing official Chapter ballots not later than one month prior to the Chapter meeting coinciding with the Society annual meeting to all members in good standing.

(d) Affiliate Societies Committee The Affiliate Societies Committee shall be responsible for soliciting association and information exchange with other regional and/or state chapters of related professional organizations such as The Wildlife Society, The Ecological Society of America, the American Fisheries Society, the American Ornithologists' Union and its affiliated technical groups (Colonial Waterbird Group, Pacific Seabird Group, and others), and other societies and organizations. Lay organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, the National Audubon Society, and the Sierra Club may also be contacted should this step be recommended by the Executive Board. This solicited association shall consist of identification of a contact(s) within an organization, receipt of the organization's newsletter, and coordination of annual and other meetings to prevent conflicting dates and to possibly combine several organizations' meetings into a single conference. The President shall appoint a chairperson, and the chairperson shall appoint members to serve on the Committee.

(e) Archives Committee The Archives Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a Chapter record of all meetings and affairs and other pertinent activities of the Chapter. The Committee chairperson shall make a written report to the President annually of information and data in the Chapter Archives. The President shall appoint a chairperson and the chairperson shall appoint members to serve on the Committee.

(f) Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee The Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee shall receive from the President all recommended and petitioned bylaw or rule changes, and incorporate them into a draft for submission at the next business meeting for vote. The Committee shall be responsible for identifying needed changes and shortcomings in the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Chapter, and reporting them to the President. The Committee shall furnish a corrected set of Bylaws and Standing Rules to the Secretary after changes are voted upon by the membership. The President shall appoint a chairperson and the chairperson shall appoint members to serve on the committee. The chairperson or his/her designee shall also serve as parliamentarian at all Chapter business sessions.

(g) Special Issues Committee The Special Issues Committee shall be responsible for receiving information and notices concerning regional wetlands and other issues from the pertinent public local, state, and federal agencies and other organizations and the reviewing of same. Upon recommendations for action from the Committee, the chairperson shall draft a resolution or technical letter concerning a subject wetland issue to be reviewed by the President, and at his/her discretion, the Executive Board. The letter or technical resolution concerning special issues recommended by the Committee shall be approved by the Executive Board. The President shall appoint a chairperson and the chairperson shall appoint members to serve on the Committee.

Section 11. Special Committees
At the President's discretion and at the recommendation of the Chapter membership at annual meetings, the President shall appoint special committees as necessary for conduct of Chapter business. Committees will cease to function upon completion of their assigned task(s).

Section 12. Order of Business
The agenda for a Chapter business meeting shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following items:

(a) Call to order by the President
(b) Address of the President
(c) Determination of a Quorum by the Secretary
(d) Introduction of guests and visitors
(e) Reading of the minutes by the Secretary and financial report by the Treasurer
(f) Reports of the chairpersons of Standing Committees
(g) Reports of the chairpersons of Special Committees
(h) Other old business
(i) Installation of newly elected officers
(j) New business
(k) Adjournment

Section 13. Rules of Order
The Chapter shall adopt Robert's Rules of Order for conduct of business meetings. The chairperson of the Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee shall function as a parliamentarian at business sessions.

Section 14. Support of Outside Organizations and Their Activities
(a) The Chapter can consider supporting outside organizations and their activities. Criteria for consideration of Chapter support include that the organization and activity must be focused on the communication of sound wetland science, management, and/or conservation. Chapter resources may be used for various purposes but they may not be used to support the salary or remuneration of the activity organizers.

(b) Requests from outside groups that do not include financial support by the Chapter may be entertained at any time and should be transmitted in writing to a member of the Chapter Board.

(c) Request for financial support will only be considered at official meetings of the Chapter Board, either at the annual or fall meetings. Requests must be received by a member of the Board in advance of the meeting. The request must include the following information: the purpose for which requested funds will be used, and a justification for the need of the requested funds. Decisions on funding will be based on the justification, on merit relative to other requests, and on the availability of funds within the Chapter account.

AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1.

ARTICLE III(3)a is hereby amended so that the term of office for Secretary/Treasurer is changed from a one year to a two year term.
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February 1989---original approved by Chapter Executive Board

June 1989---original approved by Society Board of Directors

November 1992---suggested changes made and read at Chapter business meeting

June 1993---previously-read changes approved at Chapter business meeting

June 1993---original and approved changes re-submitted to Society Board of Directors for re-approval

November 1994---suggested changes made and read at Chapter business meeting

December 1994---revised bylaws submitted to the Society Board of Directors for approval prior to the 1995 Annual Meeting

May 1995---rules and bylaws voted on by chapter members at 1995 Annual Meeting

October 2000 -- Bylaws revised, list of member states on header changed to reflect New Mexico NOT being a member of the South Central Chapter. They have not been a member for several years, however, no active member has a copy of the bylaws without New Mexico listed. Agreed upon by vote October 7, 2000 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Amendment I passed by unanimous vote of members present changing secretary-treasurer position to a two-year term.

June 2003 -- Meeting of the Executive Board at the Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Proposed and approved addition of Section 13, ‘Support of Outside Organizations and Their Activities,’ to the Standing Rules. Revised text of Bylaws and Standing Rules to indicate the amendment to ARTICLE III(3)a, as voted by membership in October 2000.

October 2003 – Meeting of Executive Board at the Fall Chapter Meeting at Lake Texoma, OK. Proposed and approved revision of Standing Rules Section 8, ‘Dues and Fees’ to reflect current Society protocol for collection of Chapter dues.

September 2007 – By-Laws and Standing Rules modified to reflect establishment of separate Secretary and Treasurer. First presented to chapter membership at 2006 Business Meeting in Cains, Australia. Voted on and passed at 2006 Annual Meeting in Vicksburg, MS.