The Arizona Chapter of
The Wildlife Society
"Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship through Science and Education"

BYLAWS for the ARIZONA Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Inc.

Organized: March 10, 1968
Approved by TWS Council: 6 April 2000

Article I - Name, Area, and Affiliation

• Section 1 - Name - The name of this organization shall be the Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
   
• Section 2 - Area - This Chapter shall have as its area of organization the State of Arizona.
   

• Section 3 - Criteria for Affiliation - This Chapter shall conform to the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, policies, principals, and objectives of The Wildlife Society, Inc.1 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the Society).

Article II - Objectives and Purposes

• Section 1 - Objectives - Consistent with the objectives of The Wildlife Society, the Arizona Chapter objectives are:
  1. to develop and promote sound stewardship of wildlife resources and of the environments upon which wildlife and humans depend;
  2. to undertake an active role in preventing human-induced environmental degradation;
  3. to increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife values;
  4. to seek the highest standard in all activities of the wildlife profession.
      
• Section 2 - Implementation - To aid in the achievement of these objectives, this Chapter proposes to:
  1. Provide opportunities for better liaison among individual members, the sections, and the Society.
  2. Evaluate and respond to proposed or enacted societal actions that could affect wildlife or its habitat.
  3. Recognize and commend outstanding work in the profession.
  4. Focus the aims and objectives of the Society and Southwest Section upon wildlife needs, problems, and events at the Chapter level.
  5. Encourage communication between members and non-members to create climates under which the resource management arts will be used effectively.
  6. Inform local lay groups, clubs, schools, and agencies of the purposes and objectives of The Wildlife Society and to create and further conservation education.

Article III - Chapter Year

• Section 1 - The Chapter's operating and fiscal year shall begin February 10, although the Chapter's financial reporting must follow the Society's calendar year schedule.

Article IV - Membership

• Section 1 - Full Voting Membership
  • Clause A - A Full Voting Membership in the Arizona Chapter shall be available to any member of The Wildlife Society who resides or works within the boundaries of the Chapter and is not a full voting member of another Chapter of the Society. Only Full Voting Members may hold office in the Chapter; vote on matters affecting Chapter policy; vote on matters affecting the Society; and officially represent the Chapter on Society business as authorized by the Board.
• Section 2 - Limited Voting Membership
  • Clause A - Limited Voting Membership in the Arizona Chapter shall be available to any person who, although not a member of The Wildlife Society, has an interest in the objectives and activities of the Chapter and is approved by the Executive Board of the Chapter (Article V, Sec. 3). Members of other professional natural resource organizations and students in the wildlife-related curriculum, who are not members of The Wildlife Society, are examples of this category. Limited Voting Members shall be entitled to all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of Full Voting Members, including voting in Chapters elections, except as otherwise reserved for Full Voting Members in Article IV, Section 1.
• Section 3 - Dues - The amount of the annual dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and shall be payable by each member to the Treasurer by February 10 and no later than March 31. Members who have not paid Chapter or Society dues shall lose their membership status in the Chapter. Annual Chapter dues also may be paid to the Society's headquarters Office along with Section and Society dues, and subsequently will be remitted to the Chapter.
• Section 4 - Resignation - Members may resign at any time by giving notice to the Chapter's Recording Secretary.
• Section 5 - Reinstatement - Persons who are dropped from the rolls of the Chapter for non-payment of dues may be reinstated into membership in this Chapter upon reapplication and payment of appropriate dues.
• Section 6 - Charter Member - Members in good standing on the membership rolls of The Wildlife Society and residing within the State of Arizona as of February 29, 1968, shall be considered Charter Members. Charter membership by itself does not confer any voting privileges as defined in Article IV, Sections 1 and 2. Such voting privileges depend on current paid membership at the Chapter and National levels.
• Section 7 - Honorary Member - Honorary members of the Arizona Chapter shall be persons who, by a majority vote of all members of the Chapter, have been thus recognized for their achievements. An Honorary Member need not pay Chapter dues. Honorary membership confers voting privileges as either a Full Voting Member or as a Limited Voting Member, as defined in Article IV, Sections 1 and 2, depending on current paid membership status at the National level.

Article V - Elections and Officers

• Section 1 - Nominating and Elections Committee - The three-member Nominating and Elections Committee selected by the Executive Board (see Art. VII, Sec. 1) of the Chapter shall prepare a slate of two candidates for each of the elective positions namely: President-Elect, Treasurer (even years only), Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and one (1) additional Board Member from the membership of the Chapter.
  • Clause A - Prior approval shall be obtained from said candidates.
  • Clause B - Said nominations slate shall be submitted to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the distribution of the mail ballots.
  • Clause C - Additional nominees may be added to the Nominating and Elections Committee's slate upon the signed support of six (6) members, provided prior approval has been obtained from each nominee.
  • Clause D - Those nominated must be voting members in good standing of The Wildlife Society. A member may be elected for no more that two (2) consecutive terms in the same elective position.
• Section 2 - Balloting - Written ballots shall be distributed to the members, received, and counted by the Nominating and Elections Committee. For ballot-counting purposes, the President shall appoint a replacement for any member of the Nominating and Elections Committee who has been nominated for an office by the membership.
  • Clause A - Members in arrears of dues shall forfeit their rights to vote during the period of the delinquency.
  • Clause B - A signed absentee ballot may be submitted to the Nominating and Elections Committee by a member prior to the scheduled time for counting ballots.
  • Clause C - The candidate receiving the largest number of votes on the written ballot shall be declared elected. No one may hold two (2) elective Chapter positions simultaneously.
• Section 3 - Officers - Officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and two (2) Board Members. Their duties are:
  • Clause A - President - The President shall have general supervision of the Chapter officers, shall appoint, with the advice of the Executive Board, Chairmen of all regular and special committees, shall preside as Chairman at meeting of the Executive Board, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating and Elections Committee. The President may represent the Chapter or appoint alternative representative to other Chapter, Section, or Society Boards, committees, or meetings, including the Executive Board of the Southwest Section.
  • Clause B - President-Elect - The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President upon completion of the President's term, in the absence or upon the inability of the President to serve, and shall perform any duties assigned by the President. In the event the President-Elect cannot serve in the President's absence, the Executive Board shall appoint a President, pro tempore.
  • Clause C - Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be responsible for receipt and disbursement of all Chapter funds and maintenance of all financial records. Duties shall include preparation of an annual financial report, financial reports of all Chapter sponsored events, and all required tax forms.
  • Clause D - Corresponding Secretary - The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all Chapter correspondence. Duties shall also include maintaining a file of all Chapter correspondence and a log of documents received for review by the Chapter.
  • Clause E - Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and forward same to the Corresponding Secretary within thirty (30) days.
  • Clause F - Board Members - Board Members shall serve on the Executive Board. 
• Section 4 - Term of Office - The officers and elected Board Members must be voting members of The Wildlife Society. The President, President-Elect, Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary shall serve for approximately one (1) year. Board Members shall serve for approximately two (2) years with staggered terms such that one Board Member is elected each year. The Treasurer shall serve a two- (2) year term with installation in an odd numbered year.2 All incoming officers shall be installed at the Annual Meeting, take office immediately following the Annual Meeting, and, unless re-elected, terminate their duties at the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting, or at such time as their successors are elected and installed.
• Section 5 - Vacancies - If the Office of the President is vacated for any reason, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President for the balance of the unexpired term of the President and will continue into the next year as President. All other vacancies in any unexpired term of an elective office shall be filled through appointment by the Executive Board, although an appointed President-Elect shall serve only until the next scheduled Chapter election where the membership shall elect the next President-Elect. All appointees must be voting members of the Chapter and The Wildlife Society.

Article VI - Meetings

• Section 1 - Regular Meetings - Regular membership meetings shall be held at such times and places as determined by the Executive Board.
  • Clause A - Annual Meetings - The Annual Meeting shall be held in February. for the purposes of electing or installing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.
  • Clause B - Meeting Notice - The members must be notified at least thirty days (30) prior to Regular Meetings and at least ten (10) days prior to special meetings.
  • Clause C - Quorum - The quorum for the Annual Meeting of the Chapter shall be over fifty (50) percent of the membership or twenty (20) members in good standing, whichever is less; for other regular meetings, over twenty-five (25) percent or ten (10) members in good standing, whichever is less; and for Executive Board meeting, four (4) members of the Board.
  • Clause D - Meeting Rules - The rules contained in the latest version of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or the special rules of order of the Chapter or the Society. The Bylaws of the Chapter shall be available for inspection during every meeting.
• Section 2 - Special Meetings - Special Chapter meetings may be called by the Executive Board at any time, provided due notice is given (see Art. VI, Sec. 1 B).
  • Clause A - Only those items listed in the call for a special meeting shall be acted upon at the special meeting.
  • Clause B - Clauses B through D under Section 1 of this Article that apply to Regular Meetings apply to Special Meetings as well.

Article VII - Management and Finance

• Section 1 - Executive Board - The Chapter shall be governed by an Executive Board composed of the officers.
  • Clause A - Conduct - The Executive Board shall conduct its affairs in conformance with the provisions of these Bylaws, and those of The Wildlife Society. The Board is authorized to act for the Chapter between Chapter meetings and shall report its interim actions to the members at each succeeding membership meeting. Any action of the Board may be overridden by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full membership.
  • Clause B - Attendance - Members may attend Executive Board Meetings, but may participate only when asked to do so, and may not vote at such meetings.
• Section 2 - Finance - Funds of the Chapter shall be under the supervision of the Executive Board and shall be handled by the Treasurer. The financial records of the Chapter shall be periodically examined by the Audit Committee (Art. VIII, Sec. 2, I).
  • Clause A - The Treasurer need not be bonded.
  • Clause B - Funds shall be derived from dues, special assessments, work projects, and contributions.
  • Clause C - Funds shall be placed in a federally insured account in the name of the Chapter.
  • Clause D - Where the proceeds exceed expenses from Chapter sponsored workshops and programs, twenty-five (25) percent of the profits shall be allocated to the Chapter’s Continuing Education Fund.
• Section 3 - Reports - The Corresponding Secretary shall, within twenty (20) days after an election, or other official action taken by the Chapter, provide a copy of such action to the Executive Director of The Wildlife Society and to the Southwest Section Representative. These same parties shall receive an annual Chapter financial statement from the Treasurer. A statement of calendar-year income and expenses, together with starting and ending balances, must be submitted to the Executive Director in January of each year for federal tax reporting.
• Section 4 - Files - The Chapter shall maintain a file containing: current Bylaws of The Wildlife Society, the Southwest Section, and the Chapter; the minutes of all regular and special Chapter meetings; minutes of Executive Board meetings; correspondence pertinent to Chapter affairs; all committee reports, financial statements, and records; and all other material designated as pertinent by the Executive Board. A "procedure for filing" shall be kept in the Chapter file for the guidance of each succeeding Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary. A Chapter "Operations Manual" provided by the Society will be maintained by the Chapter President, and a written record of transfer of this manual to the incoming President will be maintained, and the Society will be notified of each transfer.
• Section 5 - Resolutions and Public Statements - Any Chapter member(s) may submit resolutions or statements to the Resolutions and Public Statements Committee for possible consideration by the Chapter's Executive Board. These shall be accepted or rejected by the Board and, if involving new policy, prepared for submission to the Chapter membership. Such new items must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Chapter membership voting and must be transmitted to The Wildlife Society Section President, if approved. Chapter members will have thirty (30) days to review resolutions prior to voting on them. Actions falling within previously established Chapter policies may be carried out by any Chapter officer upon unanimous approval of the Executive Board. On issues where there are no previously established Chapter policies, the President, or designated representative, may present a Public Statement (but not a resolution) on behalf of the Chapter provided that: 1) the concept of the statement be brought to the Executives Board's attention and is accepted by them prior to the public issuing of the statement; and 2) copies of the statement are sent to the membership within fifteen (15) days after the public issuing of the statement. Furthermore, the Arizona Chapter may issue statements pertaining to subjects in its locale:
   
  • When the content of the statement falls within the established policy of The Wildlife Society; and
  • In the absence of existing position statement by The Wildlife Society.

  The Arizona Chapter will not issue statements that may be in conflict with the policy of The Wildlife Society without prior approval of the Society's Council. All statements will follow the "Guidelines for Wildlife Policy Activities" (Appendix 4.421 of the Operations Manual). The Chapter membership, The Wildlife Society, the Southwest Section Representative, and the Southwest Section President must receive copies of any Resolution or Public Statement within fifteen (15) days of such action.

Article VIII - Committees

• Section 1 - Appointments - The President shall consider suggestions of the Executive Board in appointing Chairmen of all regular standing committees, except the Nominating Committee (Art. V, Sec. 1), and special committees as the need arise. Committee chairmen shall complete their committees with assistance of the President. All committee chairmen shall submit a written summary of committee activities to the President and the Recording Secretary before the close of the Annual Chapter Business Meeting.
• Section 2 - Duties of Standing Committees
  • Clause A - Nominating See Art. V, Sec. 1 and Clauses A-D.
  • Clause B - Membership - This committee shall encourage the maximum number of qualified persons residing in the area to become members of The Wildlife Society and of the Chapter.
  • Clause C - Publicity - This committee shall seek and employ methods of informing the public of basic concepts of wildlife management and of Society activities and interest in concurrence with the Bylaws.
  • Clause D - Resolutions and Public Statements - This committee shall receive proposed resolution or public statements from members at any time. Such items shall be prepared and submitted for endorsement and further action by the Chapter membership at the annual or regular meetings.
  • Clause E - Programs - This committee shall arrange programs of all regular and annual meetings and provide the President with a proposed agenda for the annual meeting at least two (2) months prior to the meeting date.
  • Clause F - Conservation Affairs - This committee, with the chairman acting as the Environmental Coordinator, will review material relating to the attention of the Executive Board.
  • Clause G - Newsletter - The chairman of this committee will be the Editor of the Chapter Newsletter, which will inform the membership, on at least a quarterly basis, of the activities of the Chapter.
  • Clause H - Awards - This committee shall recommend to the Executive Board suitable candidates for the regular and special awards bestowed by the Chapter.
  • Clause I - Audit - This committee shall consist of a chairman and at least two (2) additional members. It shall review the financial records and supporting documents of the Treasurer at least annually. The committee also shall review these records and documents prior to any change in the office of Treasurer.
  • Clause J - Continuing Education - This committee shall oversee the Chapter’s continuing education and training activities addressing the needs of the membership and the Continuing Education Fund, including the review of applications and the awarding of funds.

Article IX - Dissolution

• Section 1 - Upon dissolution of the Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society, the Executive Board shall turn all assets, accrued income, and other properties over to the Council of The Wildlife Society with the understanding that said assets will be held for a maximum of five (5) years from the date of said dissolution of the Chapter for redistribution to another Chapter that may be established in approximately the same geographical area within the five (5) year period. If another Chapter is not established within the area and period of time, The Society Council may use or distribute all assets, accrued income, and the properties as best determined by the Council in accordance with Society Bylaws.

Article X - Amendment to Bylaws

• Section 1 - These Bylaws may be altered or amended by a majority of the members voting at any regular or special Chapter meeting, if the advance notice of the proposed changes, per Art. VI., Sec. 1 B of these Bylaws, is followed. A member who is absent may file an absentee ballot.
• Section 2 - Amendments must not conflict with current Bylaws of The Wildlife Society. If these Bylaws are revised, the revision must be approved by The Wildlife Society Council before becoming effective.