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BY-LAWS OF THE NEW MEXICO CHAPTER Soil and Water Conservation Society ARTICLE I – Name Section 1. The name of this organization shall be “New Mexico Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society”. ARTICLE II – Sections Section 1. The chapter may establish sections within the chapter. ARTICLE III – Objectives Section 1. The objectives of this chapter shall be the development and advancement of the science and art of good land use and management, and the promotion of conservation of soil, water, and related renewable natural resources, including, without limitation, trees, grass, fish, wildlife, and other forms of beneficial plant and animal life, and for these purposes to employ education of the people and appropriate means, to the end that humanity may have the use and enjoyment of these resources forever. Section 2. The chapter may formulate, issue, and publish statements expressing the attitude of the chapter on matters within the scope of this article, conforming to the provisions thereof and with any action taken by the chapter on such matters. ARTICLE IV – Membership Section 1. The membership of the chapter shall consist of Professional Members, Student Members, Fellows, Honorary Members, and Sustaining Members. All members shall have the privilege of the floor at any meeting of the chapter and shall have the right to vote upon any proposition or at any election. Section 2. All members shall have such qualifications as set forth in Article III, Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the By-Laws of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Section 3. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Secretary shall determine the qualification of all applications for membership, and in any doubtful question in respect thereof, refer said question to the Executive Board for a ruling. ARTICLE V – Officers and Governing Body Section 1. Officers include the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The chapter shall have a governing body known as the Executive Board consisting of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer, plus five regional representatives elected from sub-divisions of the state. |
| Section 2. The state shall be
divided into regions as follows: Region 1 (Central Region) Bernalillo
County; Region 2 (Northwest Region) Cibola, Mckinley, San Juan, Rio Aribba,
Sandoval, Valencia, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and Taos Counties; Region 3
(Southwest Region) Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, and
Dona Ana Counties; Region 4 (Southeast Region) Torrance, Lincoln, Otero,
Chaves, Eddy, and Lea Counties; Region 5 (Northeast Region) Colfax, Mora,
San Miguel, Guadalupe, Debaca, Roosevelt, Curry, Quay, Harding, and Union
Counties.
Section 3. The offices of President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of one-year. They will assume the responsibilities of their respective offices one month after the annual winter meeting or by January 1 following their election; whichever comes first. Regional representatives shall be elected for two-year terms with members from Regions 1, 2, and 5 being elected in odd numbered years. Any question affecting the election of term of any officer or regional representative not covered by these By-Laws shall be determined by the Executive Board. Section 4. The Executive Board shall: (a) control and manage the affairs of the chapter and such funds as are needed for operation of the chapter; (b) fill, for the unexpired term, any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Executive Board; (c) draft and recommend to the chapter membership revisions or changes in the By-Laws; (d) perform such other duties s may be described in the By-Laws. A majority of the Executive Board shall be required for a quorum for the transaction authorize another member of the New Mexico Chapter to vote as a proxy if the authorization is in writing. Section 5. Meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board. ARTICLE VI – Officers Section 1. Principle officers of the chapter shall be a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and regional representatives, each of whom shall be a member in good standing of the NM Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. No individual shall hold more than one office in the chapter at the same time. Section 2. The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President upon the expiration of the term of the President. The President-Elect will serve as Vice-President and will succeed to the office of President in the office becomes vacant during the year. Section 3. The President shall preside at meetings of the chapter and Executive Board, with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Board will appoint all committees, and will perform other duties incident to the office. Section 4. In the absence or disability of both the President and President-Elect the Executive Board shall elect a President protempore, who may, or may not, be a member of the Executive Board. |
| Section 5. The Secretary shall
be the executive officer of the chapter under the general direction and
control of the Executive Board. The Secretary shall issue notices of all
meetings of the chapter and the Executive Board; counter sign all deeds,
leases, and conveyances executed by the chapter; keep safely and systematically
all books (except those maintained by the Treasurer), papers, records,
and documents belonging to the chapter until directed by the Executive
Board to dispose of some; and perform all other duties incident to the
office.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the chapter and shall perform all other duties incident of the office. The accounts of the Treasurer will be audited before the annual meeting or at such other times as directed by the Executive Board. Section 7. The President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Regional Representatives shall report to the chapter at the annual meeting regarding their respective activities and the affairs of the chapter in which they are concerned during the preceding year. The Treasurer’s report will cover the period from the last to the current annual meeting. ARTICLE VII – Nomination and Election Procedure Section 1. The President will appoint a Nomination/Election Committee consisting of three members no later than ninety (90) days before the annual meeting. Section 2. The Nomination/Election Committee shall nominate and submit to the Secretary no later than 60 days before the annual meeting, a list of candidates who have consented to have their names appear on the ballot for elective offices and including at least two candidates for each position, together with candidates otherwise nominated as hereinafter provided. Section 3. The Nomination/Election Committee may, at its discretion, accept as a nominee any candidate otherwise nominated and may nominate another candidate in any case where only two have been otherwise nominated. Section 4. Nominations by petition may be made and presented to the Nomination/Election Committee if signed by five (5) or more voting members of the chapter. All petitions for nominations in order to be considered shall be submitted to reach the Nomination/Election Committee sixty (60) days before the scheduled election. Section 5. The list of candidates submitted by the Nomination/Election Committee shall include all nominations duly presented in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws. Should a candidate be nominated for more than one office, the Nomination/Election Committee shall submit the name of the nominee only for the office of the nominee’s preference, or failing to receive such a declaration, for the office of highest rank. Section 6. A petition, which nominates more than one candidate for the same office, shall be void. Section 7. The annual election shall be by mail ballot as hereinafter provided. |
| Section 8. At least thirty (30)
days prior to the election date (the last day on which ballots may be
received in order to be counted) the Secretary shall mail a notice thereof
to each voting member of the chapter, together with instructions for voting
and written or printed ballot containing a list of all candidates certified
by the nominations committee. Suitable ballot envelopes shall be enclosed
and shall be mailed so as to reach the Secretary not later than ten (10)
days prior to the annual meeting. The exact date will be made known to
the membership each year and shall be called the election date.
Section 9. Within three (3) days after the election date the secretary shall deliver to the Nomination/Election Committee all official unopened ballot envelopes received, as herein before provided, from qualified voters. Section 10. Within five (5) days after delivery of the unopened envelopes, the Nominations/Election Committee shall meet and count the ballots. Section 11. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for office shall be elected to that office. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by a coin toss. Section 12. The Nomination/Election Committee shall certify the results of the election to the President and shall deliver the ballots to the Secretary, who shall hold the same available for inspection by any member for one month thereafter, whereupon the ballot will be destroyed. Section 13. Announcement of the results of the election shall be made by the retiring President at the annual meeting and through the official newsletter of the chapter. Section 14. Regional Representatives shall be elected by the membership residing in respective regions. ARTICLE VIII – Chapter Meetings Section 1
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Section 2. The frequency of meetings, and time and place of the regional meetings shall be at the discretion of the Regional Representative. Section 3. The President may appoint a Parliamentarian before meetings. Robert’s rules of Order shall be in effect at the annual meetings. ARTICLE IX – Committee Section 1. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Executive Board may create standing or temporary committees for any purpose within the scope of the objectives of the chapter. The President for may create special temporary committees like purposes not otherwise provided for. The President shall appoint the members of all committees except as otherwise directed by these By-Laws or by creating authority. All committees shall report on their activities as directed by the creating authority. ARTICLE X – Dues and Finance Section 1. The Executive Board shall determine chapter annual dues of each class of membership. When a change in dues is under consideration, the Executive Board shall publish notice of such change and solicit chapter membership review of the propsed change before final action. Section 2. Chapter dues are payable on the same date as national dues. Members of any grade in arrears more than ninety (90) days shall be declared delinquent and shall thereupon forfit all privileges of membership until their dues are paid, except that the Executive Board, for good cause shown, may approve the reinstatement of any delinquent member on payment of current dues but with remission of back dues to such extent as it shall deem proper. Section 3
Section 4. The chapter may receive gifts, bequests, donations,
grants, or funds for any conservation purpose within the scope of its
objectives.
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| ARTICLE XI – Miscellaneous
Section 1. Awards – The chapter may from time to time, at the direction of the chapter membership, offer scholarships, medals, or other awards in recognition of outstanding work or ability in the field of soil and water conservation. ARTICLE XII – Amendments Section 1. The By-Laws may be amended upon a proposal submitted by the Executive Board by a two-thirds vote of the members voting on the proposal by mail, at a regular annual election, or a special election called by the Executive Board. A copy of the proposed amendment and the existing By-Laws concerned, with a ballot stating clearly its general object and referring to the copy for particulars, shall be mailed by the Secretary to each voting member of the chapter at least (30) days before the date set for the election. An amendment shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be effective immediately upon its adoption. The President shall appoint a special Election Committee for any special election. The ballots for any proposed amendment shall be mailed, handled, and counted as provided for the election of officers, and the results shall be announced by the President as soon as practicable. ARTICLE XIII – Effective Date of By-Laws Section 1. These By-Laws shall take effect January 1, 1984, if adopted. ARTICLE XIV – Dissolution Section 1. The New Mexico Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation
Society should ever cease to exist as an organization, any assets above
and beyond that required to meet the obligations of the chapter will
be disposed of by the last active Executive Board to a non-profit organization
or institution with similar or member benefit from such assets except
for expenses incurred by such officers, Regional Representatives, or
members in chapter business. |