Bylaws of the Marine Fisheries Section of the American Fisheries Society

Bylaws of the Marine Fisheries Section of the American Fisheries Society

Section I: Name and Objectives

1. The name of this organization shall be MARINE FISHERIES SECTION of the American Fisheries Society, hereafter referred to as the Society, as provided for in the Bylaws of the Society.

2. The general objectives of the Marine Fisheries Section shall be those of the American Fisheries Society as set forth in the Constitution of the Society. The specific objectives of the Section shall be:

a) To further the attainment of knowledge about marine fisheries.

b) To provide a forum for identifying and bringing attention to bear on issues and problems relating to the management and development of marine resources.

c) To provide a forum for addressing biological, economic, social and environmental and other marine fisheries research needs.

d) To work for the furtherance of education in marine fishery science.

e) To provide advice to the Executive Director relative to marine fisheries matters.

f) To encourage communication among all fisheries scientists, administrators and others interested in marine fisheries.

g) To encourage publication of issues, policies and scientific papers dealing with marine fisheries.

Section II: Membership

Membership in the Marine Fisheries Section shall be composed of Society members in good standing who apply for membership.

Section III: Meetings

1. The Section shall hold at least one meeting annually at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called by the Section president with the consent of a majority of the Executive Committee of the Section.

2. The Section shall periodically conduct marine fisheries conferences, workshops, and technical sessions. The section may meet jointly with other organizations but will request official organizational recognition when co-sponsoring meetings.

Section IV: Officers

1. The officers of the Marine Fisheries Section shall include a president, president-elect and secretary-treasurer. They shall serve for a period of two years or until a successor is duly elected. The president-elect shall, upon completion of his term, accede to the Presidency.

2. Officers shall be ineligible for re-election to the same office within two years of their expired terms except that the secretary-treasurer may be re-elected and could serve two consecutive terms.

3. Election of officers shall be by mail ballot on a bi-annual basis. The ballot will consist of two nominees in good standing for each office. Votes for write-in candidates can be cast on the official ballot. Ballots will be furnished to the membership in the May newsletter by special ballot mailing. Ballots postmarked before July 1 shall be counted. Results of the election shall be announced in the August newsletter. Electees shall be installed and take office at the annual meeting of the Society.

4. In the event of a vacated position, the Section Executive Committee shall, by majority vote, appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term.

5. Officers or appointed committee members may not receive compensation for their services. Travel expenses may be defrayed when authorized by the Executive Committee. Clerical and other necessary expenses may be paid from Section moneys when so authorized by the Executive Committee.

Section V: Duties of Officers

1. President - The president shall serve as Chairman of the Section executive Committee, preside at all meetings of the Section, appoint all committees, and chairmen thereof, except as they may be designated in these bylaws and serve as ex-officio member of all committees. The president shall submit an annual report to the Governing Board of the Society. The president also shall represent the Section on the Governing Board of the Society, and shall make appointments and perform such duties related to the Section as the Society may deem necessary.

2. President-Elect - The president-elect shall assume the duties of the president if the President is absent, and shall insure that all functions of the Section are in compliance with the bylaws.

3. Secretary-Treasurer - The secretary-treasurer shall maintain a current list of the membership, receive all funds, pay all bills, keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, present a semi-annual report to the Executive committee and an annual report to the membership. He/she shall submit a report to the Executive Director of the Society within 30 days after the annual meeting of the Section is held and at other times as requested by the Governing Board of the Society.

Section VI: Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Section, one representative elected from each of the Divisions of the Society, and the immediate past president.

2. The Executive Committee shall have authority to determine policies, conduct business and approve expenditures consistent with the objectives of the Section.

3. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held whenever the president or a majority of the Committee deems it necessary. Business and voting of the Executive Committee may be conducted by mail.

Section VII: Voting and Quorum

1. Decisions at meetings of the Section shall be in accord with the Constitution of the Society.

2. A quorum at an annual meeting for the transaction of official business shall consist of 10 members of the Section.

Section VIII: Fees and Assessments

The Executive Committee may assess fees as provided by the Constitution of the Society. Payment shall be made to the treasurer and deposited in the Section bank account for disbursement as determined by the Executive Committee of the Section.

Section IX: Amendments to Bylaws

The Bylaws of the Section may be amended in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society.

BY LAW CHANGE

Approved by Marine Fisheries Section, September 15, 1986. Approved by ExCom, September 18, 1986.

For the Marine Fisheries Section for the office of Secretary-Treasurer only eliminate the current requirement that two nominees be placed on the ballot - and allow the naming of only a single candidate and allow write-in candidates.