Bylaws of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter

Version 1.0, Approved 2/17/2004

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this chapter of the society shall be the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter; the chapter may also be known as NPSOT Austin or the Austin Chapter of NPSOT.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE OF SOCIETY

The purpose of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter shall be the same as the state organization: to promote the research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  MEMBERSHIP

A. Any person, family or group who pays the proper dues to the state organization and designates Austin as their chapter shall be members of the Austin chapter.

B.  Each membership entitles the person or group to one vote on any question requiring a vote of the general membership of the chapter.  The right of a group to vote shall be exercised by an individual, designated in writing by that group as its official delegate. A family membership shall be entitled to two votes.

ARTICLE IV.  OFFICERS

Section 1.  TITLES OF OFFICERS 

  1. President
  2. President-Elect
  3. Secretary
  4. Treasurer

Section 2. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A. President

  1. The President shall represent the chapter to the general public and the state organization;
  2. Shall attend the four regularly scheduled meetings of the State Board;
  3. Shall preside at chapter meetings;
  4. Shall appoint all committee chairs not otherwise provided for, with the consent of the membership;
  5. Shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee;
  6. Shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter;
  7. Shall arrange for any needed in-house audits; and
  8. Shall perform all other duties incident to the office.

B.  President-Elect

  1. The President-Elect shall exercise the functions of the President during any absences or disability of the President;
  2. Shall be responsible for developing more effective ways to publicize the chapter to the public;
  3. Shall be responsible for public relations, press releases, and for developing media and organizational contacts;
  4. Shall help to define short and long range plans for the chapter for the approval of the membership, and shall actively work on implementing those goals;
  5. May be assigned other duties by the President; and
  6. Shall become President upon expiration of the term of office of the President.

C.  Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for:

  1. Maintaining a record of the proceedings of the chapter meetings;
  2. Maintaining a list of all officers, appointees, committees, and commitee members;
  3. Having available membership records, and disseminating member lists to the chapter on at least a quarterly basis;
  4. Shall prepare and file the annual chapter activity report to the state organization by the due date;
  5. Shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President;

E.  Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

  1. Co-sign all checks;
  2. Prepare the quaterly chapter finance report and submit the report to the state organization by the due date;
  3. Present a quarterly financial statement to the chapter;
  4. Monitor finances on a monthly basis;
  5. Maintain correct accounts of the chapter's receipts and disbursements;
  6. Deposit all monies in the name and to the credit of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter as ordered by the president;
  7. Be responsible for the safe and orderly storage of each year's financial records;
  8. Present an annual financial report to the membership at the November Chapter Meeting;
  9. Perform other duties pertinent to the office as directed by the President.
Section 3.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A.  All officers of the Chapter (with the exception of the President) shall be elected by the membership at the regularly scheduled February meeting.  If the election does not occur in February, then it should occur at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

B. Nominating Committee.

1.  The chapter membership shall at the August chapter meeting choose from their number a Nominating Committee. This Committee shall be responsible for seeking out candidates for Chapter officer positions, with attention to applicable skills and experience, willingness to serve the chapter, and other factors the Committee agrees to be relevant.   The Nominating Committee shall be composed of no fewer than two members.

2.  The Nominating Committee shall submit to the Secretary the slate of nominees and their qualifications in time to be presented at the November chapter meeting.  The Committee must have the consent of all nominees to serve in the office for which they are nominated. 

3. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall present the Committee's report at the November chapter meeting. 

C. Nominations may be made from the floor, on the condition that the nominee has agreed in advance to serve if elected.

D.  If there is more than one nominee for an office, voting shall be done by written ballot.  If there is only one nominee, voting shall be by viva voce.

E.  All Chapter Officers shall serve a one-year term (but never more than two one-year terms consecutively).  All terms begin at the close of the November chapter meeting.

F.  A vacancy in an elected position may be filled by vote of the chapter at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 4.  RECORDS

Each officer shall deliver the records of office to the successor upon expiration of the term of office or the termination of an officer's duties for any reason.

ARTICLE V.  MEETINGS

Section 1.  TIME AND PLACE

The chapter meetings shall be held monthly at a location decided upon by the membership.  A meeting may be cancelled by the President or a vote of the chapter membership.

Section 2. QUORUM

The presence of five percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VI.  STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Section 1.  PROGRAM COMMITTEE

A.. Composition:  The chair of the Program Committee shall be appointed by the President with their consent.. Other members shall be appointed by the Chair with their consent.

B.  Duties:  The Program Committee shall find and schedule speakers, topics, and activities for chapter meetings, shall coordinate with the President, and shall notify the Publications Committee of the speaker schedule.

Section 2.  HISTORIAN

A.. Composition:  The Historian shall be appointed by the President with their consent.. The Historian may select others to assist as needed.

B.  Duties:  The Historian shall keep a history of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter  from the beginnings to the present and shall obtain a copy of the meeting minutes for the history book.

Section 3.  VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

A.. Composition:  The Volunteer Coordinator shall be appointed by the President with their consent.. The Volunteer Coordinator may select others to assist as needed.

B.  Duties:  The Volunteer Coordinator shall coordinate volunteer activities of the chapter.  The Volunteer Coordinator shall also coordinate seed collecting and plant rescue activities of the chapter.

Section 4.  FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

A.. Composition:  The Fundraising Coordinator shall be appointed by the President with their consent.. The Fundraising Coordinator may select others to assist as needed.

B.  Duties:  The Fundraising Coordinator shall coordinate fundraising activities of the chapter, including plant sales.

Section 5.  PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

A.  Composition:  The Chair of the Publications Committee shall be appointed by the President.  Other members shall be appointed by the Chair with their consent.

B.  Duties:  The Publications Committee shall publish a chapter newsletter at least quarterly.  The Publications Committee shall also create and maintain the chapter's web site, moderate the chapter announcement mailing list, and email meeting announcements to the list.   The Publications Committee shall also develop and update membership and promotional material for the chapter.

Section 6.  OTHER COMMITTEES

Such other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the membership, as the Society or the membership shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the chapter.

ARTICLE VII.  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any special rules of order this Society may adopt.

ARTICLE VIII.  METHOD OF AMENDING THE BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of the votes cast, provided written notice of each proposed amendment is submitted to the membership at least thirty days before the votes are to be counted.  Voting may be by mail or at a chapter meeting.

ARTICLE IX.  DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

In the event of the dissolution of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter, the assets and records of the chapter, remaining after payment of or provision for all debts and liabilities of the chapter, shall be transferred to the state organization.