Mid-Canada Chapter of AFS (MCC)

Bylaws

New Bylaws Ratified in 2024!

Article I – Name and Objectives 

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Mid-Canada Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter. 
  2. The objectives of the Chapter shall be those of the American Fisheries Society as set forth in Article 1 of the Constitution, and to encourage the exchange of information by members of the Society belonging to this Chapter. 

Article II – Membership 

  1. The membership of the Chapter shall be composed of those American Fisheries Society members in good standing residing in, working in, or having a professional interest in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. 

Article III – Meetings and Voting

  1. The Chapter shall hold at least one meeting annually at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The annual meeting can occur in-person or virtually. The program and presentation of papers will be the responsibility of the Program Committee. 
  2. Decisions at meetings of the Chapter shall be in accordance with the Constitution of the American Fisheries Society. 
  3. A quorum for the transaction of official business shall be one-third of the Chapter membership.
  4. Voting at any meeting of membership may be electronic, written, or oral at the discretion of the Chapter President.  Voting for the transaction of official Chapter business may be conducted through mail-in ballots, electronic voting, or other reasonable methods as approved by the Executive Committee.  

Section IV – Officers 

  1. The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Provincial / Territorial Representatives, Student Representative, and Communication Manager. 
  2. Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting or by online ballot. All positions shall be held for no more than one year, but should no nominations come forward, an officer can serve in consecutive years.
  3. In case of a vacated position, the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified replacement to fill an unexpired term. 
  4. No elected officer or appointed committee member of the Chapter shall receive any salary or other compensation. Expenses may be defrayed from funds available to the Chapter when authorized by the Executive Committee. 
  5. In the event of a cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and the members of any committees shall continue to serve until the next scheduled meeting. 

Section V – Duties of Officers 

  1. The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings, serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Canadian Aquatic Resources Section, represent the Chapter on the Executive Committee of the North Central Division and at American Fisheries Society meetings, make appointments and perform other duties and functions as are authorized.
  2. The President-elect shall be Chairperson of the Program Committee and assume the duties of the President if the latter is unable to act. 
  3. The Secretary shall keep the official records of the Chapter; submit a copy of the minutes of the annual business meeting to Secretary-Treasurer of the North Central Division within 30 days after said meetings. They will also schedule meetings and manage the Chapter’s email.   
  4. The Treasurer shall disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Committee or the membership, and submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the Annual Chapter Meeting. Other duties may be requested by the Executive Director of the American Fisheries Society and officers of the North Central Division. They will also collect and be the custodian of any funds collected or allotted to the Chapter and maintain Chapter insurance.
  5. The Provincial / Territorial Representatives will attend executive meetings and provide information to the Executive Committee about regional affairs and opportunities. Provincial / Territorial Representatives will reside within the province they represent or conduct the majority of their work in the province they represent. Provincial / Territorial Representatives will represent Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan.  
  6. The Student Representative will attend executive meetings and provide the Executive Committee with information about student affairs and opportunities related to fish and fisheries management. They will act as a liaison to any clubs, student AFS sub-units and committees that are on campus throughout the MCCs area of influence.
  7. The Communication Manager will oversee updating of the website and any social media content and will attend executive meetings. 

Section VI- Executive Committee 

  1. The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall consist of the elected officers and the immediate Past President. 
  2. The Executive Committee is authorized to act for the Chapter between meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions. 
  3. A quorum is required for transaction of official business at an Executive Committee meeting. A quorum will be accomplished with a majority vote from the Executive Committee; Executive Committee members can appoint a proxy.
  4. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote on Executive Committee decisions. In the event of a tie, the President’s vote shall be the deciding vote.

Section VII- Chapter Committees 

  1. Committees and the Chairpersons of Committees, except as listed in Section V and VI of these Bylaws, shall be appointed by the President. 
  2. The terms of office for members of Chapter Committees shall end upon the discharge of the duties for which they were appointed, or at the next annual meeting of the Chapter, whichever comes first. 
  3. Standing Committees are permanent committees established in the Chapter Procedures Manual through Executive Committee action.
  4. Standing Committees perform a variety of tasks deemed essential by the Chapter and require ongoing and continuous activity. Standing Committee Chairs are solicited and appointed by the Chapter President with a term of duty until the next change of officers; however,
    1. Terms of duty may be extended by subsequent Presidents in agreement with each committee chair.  
    2. Must be Chapter Members in good standing.
  5. Special Committees address topics that do not fall under the responsibilities of existing Standing Committees and are transient and temporary in nature (e.g., Bylaw changes, special advocacy issues, strategic planning).
    1. Special Committees are established by the Chapter President and recorded in the Executive Committee minutes.  
    2. Special Committee Chairs will be appointed by the Chapter President and must be Chapter Members in good standing.  
    3. Terms of service for Special Committees and their members continues until the next change of Chapter officers; however, it may be extended by subsequent Chapter Presidents.  
    4. Recommendations and findings of Special Committees are informative in nature and can only be implemented through official Chapter action and vote.  Any Special Committee recommendations or findings should be presented and recorded at either the Chapter’s annual business meeting or an Executive Committee meeting.

Section VIII- Registration Fees and Dues 

  1. The Executive Committee may assess each registrant attending an annual meeting of the Chapter a registration fee necessary to cover the costs of the meeting and Chapter activities.
  2. The Executive Committee shall have the power to establish annual dues subject to the approval of the members voting at the annual meeting.

Section IX- Amendment of the Bylaws 

  1. The Bylaws of the Chapter may be amended by a two-thirds majority approval of those members voting, provided that prior notice of at least 30 days be given to the membership of the proposed change(s). 
  2. In accordance with the American Fisheries Society’s Constitution, a proposed amendment shall be reviewed by the Society’s Constitutional Consultant for conformity with the Constitution, Rules, and Procedures of the Society. The Constitutional Consultant presents the adopted amendment to the Society Management Committee for approval.
  3. Amendments take effect when the Chapter receives written notice of their approval by the Society’s Management Committee from the Executive Director.