BY-LAWS
of the
MISSISSIPPI ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

 

Article I – Members and Dues

Section 1 – There shall be eight classes of members: Junior (age 14 and under), Student (age 15 and older), Individual, Family, Library, Sustaining, Life, and Honorary. Honorary members shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, and shall be individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Mississippi ornithology. Library members shall receive publications only. All other classes are entitled to all privileges of the Society: receipt of publications, opportunity to attend meetings, eligibility to vote on Society matters, and eligibility to hold office in the Society.

Section 2 – Dues shall be set by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 3 – The fiscal year of the Society shall coincide with the calendar year. Annual dues shall be for the calendar year beginning January 1. Any member paying dues before August 1 shall be credited for the current calendar year, and any member paying after August 1 shall be credited for the next calendar year.

Section 4 – Members 12 months delinquent in dues shall be dropped.

 

Article II – Duties of Officers

Section 1 – The President shall be the directing head of the Society and shall conduct meetings, appoint committees, and perform any other administrative duties required for the operation of the Society. The President shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees.

Section 2 – The Vice-President shall serve in all capacities as the presiding officer in the absence of the President and shall automatically become President if the office is vacated during the term of office.

Section 3 – The Secretary shall keep a complete record of the meetings and shall prepare a report of the meetings for publication in the newsletter. The Secretary shall be responsible for updating (typing up) the amendments to the MOS by-laws and MOS constitution after they have been voted on and approved by the Membership. The Secretary shall make updates available to the Board of Directors.

Section 4 – The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing all the funds of the Society (including dues from the Membership Committee), and shall submit a written report of all receipts and disbursements at the Annual Meeting.

 

Article III – Order of Business

As nearly as possible the business at each meeting shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order. Every effort should be made by the President and members who have the floor to make the business aspects of the meetings short, allowing as much time as possible for members to enjoy the program and social and field aspects of the meeting. Membership meetings shall follow the format below.

Section 1 – Call meeting to order.

Section 2 – Accept the Secretary’s report as published in the latest MOS Newsletter.

Section 3 – Treasurer’s report.

Section 4 – Old or unfinished business.

Section 5 – New business.

Section 6 – Species tally.

Section 7 – Announce new slate of officers by Nomination Committee chair, and hold election (at two-year intervals at Annual Meeting).

Section 8 – Program.

Section 9 – Adjourn.

 

Article IV – Committees

Section 1 – The Nomination Committee shall consist of three persons appointed by the President. This committee shall be responsible for choosing nominees for the elected officers of the Society. They shall obtain indication of willingness to serve from all nominees.

Section 2 – The Mississippi Bird Records Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. It shall function under separate by-laws approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3 – The Web Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The committee shall select its own chairperson. Basic duties of the Web Committee shall include administration of the MISSBIRD email listserv, and the MOS website.

Section 4 – The Membership Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The committee shall select its own chairperson. Basic duties of the Membership Committee shall include receiving membership dues, maintaining a membership directory, issuance of welcome letters and new member packets to new members, issuing renewal notices, and developing plans to recruit new members.

 

Article V – Local Chapters

Section 1 – Local chapters may be formed by five or more members of the Society.

Section 2 – Local chapters must, upon organizing, register with the President and Secretary of the Society, listing the name of the chapter and the names and addresses of its officers. Changes in chapter officers shall be reported to the above named state officers.

Section 3 – Local chapters shall abide by the constitution and by-laws of the Society.

Section 4 – Objectives of the local chapters:

1. To aid local members of the Society to become better acquainted.
2. To develop and maintain local and statewide interest in birds.
3. To reconnoiter local places for state meetings and field trips.
4. To stimulate interest in birds between state meetings.
5. To act as host for state meetings and field trips.
6. To promote bird conservation.

 

Article VI – Amendments to By-Laws

The by-laws of this Society may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the qualified voters present at any regular meeting, provided the Membership has been given 30 days written notice of the proposed change(s) and the time and place of the meeting.

 

Original by-laws adopted 1965.
Amendments adopted December 1993, October 1996, September 2013, September 2014, and October 2016.