ARIZONA CHAPTER
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY
BYLAWS
JULY 2000

MISSION STATEMENT - "As a multi-disciplinary membership organization, we advocate the protection, enhancement, and wise use of soil, water, and related natural resources. Through education and example, we promote an ethic that recognizes the interdependence of people and the environment."

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1. The name of this Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society Incorporated shall be the Arizona Chapter.

ARTICLE II - LOCATION AND AREA

Section 1. The headquarters of the Chapter shall be the address designated by the Executive Council.

Section 2. The area covered by the Chapter is the State of Arizona.

Section 3. Within the Chapter area, sections may be formed as provided under Article VI.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The objectives of the Chapter shall be:

a.) Support the several arts, sciences, and professions that have to do with the conservation and wise use of renewable natural resources in such a manner as to encourage sound formulation and development of the best possible system of land and water management.

b.) Sponsor and carry out programs to help bring about a better understanding of the need for proper management of our renewable natural resources to the end that conservation becomes an intimate part of the lives of urban and rural citizens.

c.) Encourage research and demonstrations that will contribute toward a better understanding of the means by which more effective conservation methods can be developed and put into practice.

d.) Encourage high ethical standards on the part of all those who are professionally engaged in the furtherance of improved use of land and water.

e.) Work with other conservation organizations in support of their conservation efforts.

f.) Recognize achievements by individuals, agencies, and organizations that have assisted in planning, developing, and carrying out resource conservation programs.

g.) Publish and encourage publication of information that will aid in the development and adoption of improved concepts and practices in conservation.

h.) Encourage and assist with the development of improved educational programs on conservation in elementary and secondary schools, in colleges and universities, and in adult education fields.

i.) Strive for a better appreciation and understanding of the importance of the conservation of renewable natural resources on a world-wide basis.

j.) Augment the concepts of conservation so they include not only better use of soil, water, air, plant and animal resources in the economy of the world but aesthetic and human values as well.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the Chapter shall be limited to persons holding membership in the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Incorporated.

Section 2. Upon payment of Chapter dues, such persons as qualify under Section 1 above shall acquire similar grade membership in the Chapter. 

Section 3. Annual dues shall consist of parent Society dues plus Chapter dues as directed by the Executive Council. When a change in dues is under consideration, the Council shall publish notice of such change in the Chapter newsletter and solicit membership review of the proposed changes before final action. If Sections are formed, the individual section shall be responsible for additional dues to cover necessary expenses. The Chapter Treasurer shall be authorized to collect and disburse sectional dues. Chapter dues of national life members are $5 per year or $50 lifetime.

ARTICLE V - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the Chapter shall terminate upon cessation of membership in the parent Society, upon failure to pay Chapter dues that are delinquent, upon transfer to another Chapter, or upon voluntary resignation. 

ARTICLE VI – SECTIONS

Section 1. Sections of the Chapter may be authorized by the Chapter Executive Council upon written petition of five or more Chapter members or may be formed by the Chapter Executive Council, by dividing the Chapter area into sub-areas.

Section 2. Any Section may, subject to the approval of the Chapter Executive Council, adopt such bylaws as are desired, provided that such bylaws shall not conflict with the bylaws of the Chapter or the parent Society.

Section 3. Sections must hold at least one meeting each year to retain its authorization.

Section 4. The officers of each Section shall include a Chairperson, a Secretary, and such others as are found necessary.

Section 5. A Section may establish such additional Section membership dues as are agreeable to its membership and necessary for a Section program.

Section 6. The primary year-round activities will be carried out by the Sections. The Chapter will encourage and assist the Sections in planning and implementing the activities desired by the Section membership.

Section 7. A Section may be dissolved by a resolution requesting dissolution, passed by a majority of the Section membership and approved by the Executive Council.

Section 8. The Chapter through action of its Executive Council shall have the right, for just cause, to rescind the authorization of any Section and to terminate its existence or include it with another Section.

ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1. The Executive Council of the Chapter shall consist of eight elected members and the immediate past president. The Executive Council shall elect officers; namely, a President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. The Executive Council shall be elected every two years and shall perform the duties of their respective offices until their successors shall qualify. The term for the Executive Council shall be for 2 years. The term will commence at the first meeting following the election, and after the Executive Council recites the Officer Oath. 

Section 3. The President shall have general responsibility for the affairs of the Chapter, shall plan and preside at all general membership meetings and sessions of the Executive Council. In the event the President is unable to attend a meeting, the President shall appoint an Executive Council member to preside over the meeting. In the event of a long term or permanent absence of the President, the Executive Council shall appoint a replacement.

Section 4. The duties of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of general membership meetings and Executive Council sessions. The Secretary will ensure that minutes and agendas are sent to the Executive Council prior to all meetings. The Treasurer will be responsible for bookkeeping activities of all financial accounts of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall submit to the membership at all general membership meetings, and each Executive Council session, a financial report of the Chapter. In the event the Secretary or Treasurer are unable to attend a meeting, the Secretary or Treasurer shall appoint an Executive Council member to perform their regular duties. In the event of a long term or permanent absence of the Secretary or Treasurer, the Executive Council shall appoint a replacement(s).

Section 5. The Executive Council is the legal representative of the Chapter and as such shall have, hold, and administer all funds and property of the Chapter. The Executive Council shall have the power to act on matters that arise between the annual meeting(s) or general membership meetings as are not specifically and otherwise provided for in the bylaws. Decisions may be made via email, phone or fax, as long as a quorum is met, and the outcome is documented in the next meeting minutes.

Section 6. No salary shall be paid to any elected or appointed officer or Council member.

ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS

Section 1. Elections will be conducted every two years for all Executive Council members. Nominations for the Executive Council shall be made by the Nominating Committee provided under Article IX. In addition, nominations may be submitted by written petition signed by at least ten (10) Chapter members in good standing.

Section 2. Before any member is nominated for the Executive Council, his/her consent shall be obtained.

Section 3. Nominations shall be made at least 45 days prior to expiration date of the term of the Executive Council as established in Article VII, Section 2. The nominations will be submitted to the entire Chapter membership for vote at least 30 days before such established date. Voting shall be by secret mail ballot. Sealed ballots shall be returned to an individual designated by the Executive Council for counting prior to a date established by the Executive Council. The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes cast for the office for which he/she is nominated shall be declared elected. In the case of a tie vote, the Executive Council shall decide by its majority vote.

Section 4. At the first meeting of the Executive Council, after the general election, the Executive Council shall designate the Officers (President, Secretary, and Treasurer).

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committee chairs for Standing Committees shall be designated at the same time officers are designated. Committee Chairs must be members of the Executive Council. These positions shall be reviewed annually. Standing Committees are:

Education – Duties for this committee include; natural resource education, outreach to K – 12, colleges, universities, and other community groups.

Promotional – Duties for this committee include; newsletter, communications, media, outreach, photos, website, activities targeted to marketing and promoting SWCS. With the Executive Council, complete the annual chapter report, and chapter award nomination(s).

Scholarship – Duties for this committee will include; promotion of the Ben Avery scholarship, distribution of funds, selection of recipients, and follow up with recipients. Treasurer is automatically a member of this committee.

Membership – Duties for this committee will include; tracking membership trends, develop recruitment strategy, welcome new members, works with Treasurer to obtain dues from National life members, and contact former members.

Conference Planning – Duties for this committee will include; determination of date, time, location, partners, speakers, registration, etc, for an annual conference.

Awards – Duties for this committee will include; with assistance from the Promotional Committee, distribute information on state nomination packets, collect and tally nominations, procure awards, plan presentation, and forward state nomination packets to National. Ensure that Chapter Award nomination packet is completed, if applicable.

Section 2. Committee chairs for Periodic Committees shall be designated as needed. Committee chairs must be Executive Council members.

Periodic Committees are:

Nominating – Duties for this committee will include; to recruit members to run for Executive Council. With assistance from the Promotional Committee, gather information and distribute ballots.

Financial Review – Duties for this committee will include; annual review of the financial records of the Chapter.

Legislative – Duties for this Committee will include; providing information to members on current legislative issues. Identify potential issues the chapter may take action on. Actions may include developing position statements or establishing ad hoc committees.

Section 3. Ad hoc committees may be established as needed. Committee chairs need not be Executive Council members.

ARTICLE X - MEETINGS

Section 1. Any members of the parent Society and their guests may attend any general membership meeting of the Chapter. Only members of the Chapter may vote, serve on committees, or hold office in the Chapter.

Section 2. At least one meeting annually shall provide opportunity for activities and transactions of normal Chapter business, including appropriate annual reports from officers and committees. The time and location of meetings shall be determined by the Executive Council with consideration for securing maximum membership attendance and transaction of essential business. Technical papers presented at Chapter meeting could be made available for publication in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.

ARTICLE XI – STATUS & DISSOLUTION

Section 1. The Chapter is a nonprofit organization without capital stock, dedicated to the furtherance of conservation for the benefit of the general public and not for the monetary profit or gain of its members.

Section 2. The chapter may consider a resolution requesting dissolution. A general membership meeting will be held to discuss the dissolution resolution. Notice must be made 60 days prior to meeting date. Proceedings of the meeting will be distributed to all members within 15 days with a ballot to be returned by mail within 30 days. The resolution must be passed by a majority vote.

Section 3. If dissolution is favorably acted upon in accordance with Section 2, the last Executive Council shall pay all remaining monies and other assets to the parent Society or to a nonprofit organization with similar objectives which has established exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the last Executive Council shall settle all remaining chapter affairs, and pay all debts of the chapter. The Ben Avery Scholarship funds will be distributed as follows: With the concurrence of the Ben Avery family, the fund will be transferred to the Soil and Water Conservation Society Inc., or other nonprofit organization. Instructions will be given on the continued operation of the fund and the awarding of the scholarships. All records, correspondence, and other papers shall be forwarded to the parent Society.

ARTICLE XII - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1. Anything contained in the bylaws adopted by the Chapter, deemed by the parent Society, or by Executive Council action after due opportunity for hearing the Chapter, to be in conflict with the bylaws of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Inc., or any provision thereof, shall be void and of no effect after official notification.

Section 2. These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of mail ballots or of chapter members present at any regular meeting of the Chapter provided notice of all proposed changes have been mailed to all members at least 30 days prior to the closing date for mail ballot or date of the meeting if the vote is to be taken at a meeting.

Section 3. Bylaws and amendments thereto shall be declared as being in effect upon receiving a majority of votes cast by the membership voting and upon receiving approval by the Council of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Incorporated.

Approved and accepted at the July 28, 2000 Chapter meeting of the membership.

REVISIONS:
July 28, 2000
July 14, 1995
September 9, 1994
January 20, 1984
1975
October 27, 1967
July 24, 1950 (Chapter organized and bylaws accepted.)