Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the TEXAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Article II. Objectives
The purpose of the Society is to promote the discovery and dissemination of knowledge of birds; to encourage specifically the observation, study, and conservation of birds in Texas; to encourage the formation of local groups of ornithologists; to stimulate cooperation among ornithologists of Texas and the Southwest by an Annual Meeting, by field trips, and by other suitable means; and to establish such wildlife sanctuaries as the Society's means permit.
Article III. Members
Section 1. The membership of this Society shall consist of (a) Active members; (b) Family members; (c) Sustaining members; (d) Student members; (e) Life members; (f) Life members with spouse; (g) Institutional members; (h) subscription members; (i) Honorary members – as defined herein.
Section 2. Active member: Any person who desires to promote the objectives and work of TEXAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY and who pays dues annually shall be considered an Active member.
Section 3. Sustaining member: Any person who qualifies as an active member, and who pays dues as specified in the By-Laws for a Sustaining member, shall be a Sustaining member.
Section 4. Life member: On the payment of a sum specified for this purpose in the By-Laws, any person who qualifies as an Active member, shall be declared a Life member.
Section 5. Student member: Any person enrolled as a full-time student and pays dues annually as specified in the By-Laws shall be considered a Student member and shall have all the rights and privileges of an Active member.
Section 6. Honorary member: The Executive Board may elect as Honorary member any person whom it deems to have contributed distinguished service to Texas ornithology, but not more than one such election shall be made in any administrative year.
Section 7. Institutional member: Any non-profit foundation, non-profit organization, private company, or other institution organized under the laws and regulations of a governmental body and who pays dues as specified in the By-Laws shall be considered an institutional member. Institution members shall have no vote in the affairs of the Society.
Section 8. Subscription member: An individual or institution who subscribes only to the Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society shall be considered a Subscription member. Subscription members shall have no vote. ]
Section 9. Family member: On payment of a sum specified in the By-Laws, all members of a household shall be included in a Family membership. Two members of this household shall have all the rights and privileges of Active members. Only one member shall receive publications of the Society.
Section 10. Life membership with spouse: On payment of a sum specified for this purpose in the By-Laws, a husband and wife shall each be declared a Life member.
Article IV. Dues
The amount of the annual dues shall be fixed as provided in the By-Laws.
Article V. Regions and Directors
Section 1. In order to further the objectives and to facilitate the functioning of the Society, the state is divided into eight Regions, namely: Region 1, Panhandle; Region 2, North Central; Region 3, East Texas Timberlands; Region 4, Trans-Pecos; Region 5, Edwards Plateau; Region 6, Central Prairie; Region 7, Rio Grande Brushland; Region 8, Coastal Prairie. The boundaries of each region shall be established, and may be changed, as established in the By-Laws.
Section 2. A Director for each Region shall be elected biannually as provided in the By-Laws. The Director for a Region shall be the administrative officer thereof; shall promote regional activities such as field trips, meetings, conservation, education, and publicity; solicit new members and otherwise promote the objectives and the program of activities of the Society in the Region; advise and counsel the Society's officers concerning local needs in the Region; and otherwise represent the members of the Region in deliberations and actions of the Executive Board.
Section 3. Each Regional Director shall be an ex-officio member of each committee that functions solely in the Director's Region.
Section 4. Upon the death, inability, or refusal to act, or upon the resignation of any Director, the President is authorized to appoint a Director pro tem to serve put the unexpired term of such Director.
Article VI. Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Texas Ornithological Society shall consist of President, President-elect, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers, along with the immediate Past-president and the Regional Directors, shall comprise the Executive Board.
Section 2. Each officer shall be elected as provided in the By-laws and shall hold office for two years and until a successor is elected and has accepted the office, The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society; shall be an ex-offcio member of each committee; shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Board; shall be the chief administrator of the Society; and shall execute the acts and directives of the Society and of the Executive Board.
Section 4. The President-elect shall serve for two years as such, and in the following year shall assume the office of President; shall have no administrative authority except as a member of the Executive Board; shall assist with the organization of meetings at the President's discretion; shall become acquainted with all the details of the office of President; and shall generally prepare to serve as President.
Section 5. The Vice-President shall assume the office of President in the case of a vacancy from any cause in that office; shall assume the duties of President for such times as that officer may be unable to perform the duties of President; and shall aid and assist the President at all times in the administration of the Society's affairs.
Section 6. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Society and the Executive Board; shall aid the President in the writing of correspondence on Society affairs; shall keep accurate record of the names and addresses of all members of the Society; and shall assume the duties of President for such time as the President and Vice-President for any reason may be unable to perform their official duties.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall solicit and collect dues and other income for the Society; shall have custody of the funds of the Society; shall deposit the funds in the name of the Society in the bank or banks designated by the Executive Board. All disbursements from the funds of the Society shall be made by check or draft signed by the Treasurer. All checks or drafts in excess of five hundred dollars shall require signatures of the Treasurer and one other designated officer of the Society. The Treasurer shall make a report of the financial condition of the Society at the Annual Meeting and shall make additional such reports to the officers either quarterly or as otherwise directed by the President. The books of the Treasurer shall be audited by a person or committee appointed by the President. When the Treasurer is assisted by the membership secretary, the Treasurer shall oversee the financial activities of the membership secretary as provided in the By-Laws. the Treasurer shall assume the duties of the President for such a time as the President, Vice-President, and Secretary for any reason may be unable to perform official duties.
Section 8. Each officer shall have other duties that usually pertain to the office, subject to any modifications made by the Executive Board.
Section 9. Upon the death, inability, or refusal to act, or upon the resignation of any officer, the President is authorized to appoint an officer pro tem to serve out the unexpired term of such officer.
Article VII. Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall constitute the Officers of the Society, the immediate Past-President, and the Regional Directors.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have directive authority of the Society between Annual Meetings; it shall meet upon call of the President or upon call of three members of the Board; it shall review, before submittal to the membership at large, all proposals made by any committee which require or presupposes later action by the Society.
Section 3. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. Each member of the Board shall designate an alternate to represent the Board member by proxy at any meeting which the Board member is unable to attend, such proxy to be furnished to the Secretary in writing prior to the meeting. No person may act as an alternate unless that person is a member of the Society in good standing.
Article VIII. Committees
Standing and special committees shall be appointed as provided in the By-Laws.
Article IX. Voting
Voting at the Annual Meeting and between Annual Meetings shall be conducted as provided in the By-Laws.
Article X. Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution shall be proposed in writing, addressed to the President, with reasons therefor. Notices of any proposed amendments which are approved by the Executive Board for submittal to the membership and otherwise notified at least sixty days before voting on the proposal shall commence. Voting thereon must be by mail ballot, and approval of two-thirds of the members voting shall be necessary to amend the Constitution. Voting shall cease forty-five days after the ballots have been mailed. Any proposed amendment which has been rejected by the Executive Board may be submitted to the next following Annual Meeting by its sponsors, and if so demanded by three-fourths of the members in good standing at said Annual Meeting, it shall be submitted to the entire membership by mail ballot in the manner prescribed in this Article. |
