LAUDERDALE COUNTY FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
A CHAPTER OF THE MISSISSIPPI FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Lauderdale County Forest Association, a County Chapter of the Mississippi Forestry Association.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this Association shall be to serve as the “Voice of Forestry” in Lauderdale County, and to conduct public affairs, communications, and education programs that will foster better forest management and utilization, as well as understanding of and appreciation for the forests and the forest-based industries of Mississippi.
Specifically, the Association will work to coordinate and stimulate programs that will:
- Promote, develop and protect the forest and related natural resources in Mississippi for the best interest of this and future generations;
- Promote the use of all forest products grown, manufactured and distributed in Mississippi and domestic and foreign markets;
- Maintain a political and economic climate in Mississippi and the United States that is conducive to the development and wise use of forest resources for the long-range benefit of all;
- Cooperate with allied associations, public agencies, universities and colleges in conducting programs beneficial to forestry, the forest products industry and all related natural resources in Mississippi.
ARTICLE III
Membership, Privileges and Dues
SECTION 1:
Membership – Any person, firm, corporation, association or organization engaged in or interested in the ownership, production, consumption or conservation of timber and forest products in the State of Mississippi shall be eligible to membership in this county Association, in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2:
Privileges – Each person, firm, corporation, association or organization duly qualified as a member shall be entitles to one vote each.
SECTION 3:
Dues – The Board of Directors shall determine the basis of county membership dues. Upon payment of County chapter dues, a member shall have access to all county Chapter privileges. However, these privileges are limited only to those benefits provided by the Chapter; it does not include those provide by the State Association. To receive these additional privileges including receipt of State publications and attendance at State Meetings, an individual or entity must fill out separate State Association Membership Applications and pay the additional annual membership dues of the State Association.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
SECTION 1:
The Board of Directors will consist of eleven members composed of three elected Officers of the County Association and eight elected directors.
SECTION 2:
The terms of office of the Directors shall begin immediately upon their election and shall run for two (2) years. Directors shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive two (2) year terms.
SECTION 3:
In the event of a vacancy in the Board, the Board shall appoint a member of the Association to serve for the unexpired term.
SECTION 4:
Current Directors shall include a cross section of all people interested in the forestry program of the whole county.
SECTION 5:
In addition to the elected board members Associate Directors shall be appointed to represent state, federal, civic and professional organizations dealing with or substantially interested in forestry. Associate Directors shall serve two (2) year terms and shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Board of Directors. This classification includes the county forester, county Extension Service, Local USDA Director, Naval Air Station Forester, etc.
ARTICLE V
Officers
SECTION 1:
The membership shall annually elect such officers as it finds desirable; provided, however, the elective officers shall always include a President, Vice President and a Secretary – Treasurer.
SECTION 2:
The term of office of the officers shall begin immediately upon their election or January 1st, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 3:
The President and Vice -President shall serve a term of at least one year but shall not serve more than two consecutive years in their respective position. The Vice -President shall be elevated to the office of President upon the expiration of his or her term as Vice -President or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of President. In the event of the inability or refusal of the Vice -President to assume the office of President the President shall be elected by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4:
In the event of a vacancy among the officers, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Director to serve until the next annual election and installation.
ARTICLE VI
President and Vice President
SECTION 1:
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board. The President shall appoint the chairman of all committees and shall sign all contracts made for and in behalf of the Association.
SECTION 2:
The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President. He shall assist the President and shall at in his place in the event of sickness or inability of the President to perform the duties imposed upon him or incident of the office of President.
SECTION 3:
The immediate past President shall be considered an officer of the Association and shall serve as member of the Board of Directors the year following his tenure as President.
ARTICLE VII
Secretary-Treasurer
SECTION 1:
It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to properly account for all receipts and disbursements. The Secretary-Treasurer shall make annual reports to the membership showing the balance on hand and outstanding obligations. In addition, he shall, upon request of the Board, make special financial reports to the Board. He shall conduct the correspondence of the Association, have charge of and be responsible for the membership records and other books of account, give notice in writing of all annual and special meetings of the Association and its Board, keeping a permanent record of all business conducted thereat. In addition, providing additional copies of all activities including elections; By-Laws and Annual Reports to the Executive Vice-President of the Mississippi Forestry Association within one month of completion.
ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
SECTION 1:
The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at the discretion of the Board. Notice of said meeting shall be given to the membership at least ONE MONTH prior to meeting.
SECTION 2:
Special meetings may be called by action of the Board provided the membership is given five (5) days prior written notice.
SECTION 3:
Twenty currently paid members constitute a quorum at any membership meeting.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments, Fiscal Year and Rules of Order
SECTION 1:
Amendments to the By-Laws may be made by a two-thirds affirmative vote of all the members present at any annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose provided that written notice of such meeting shall include a copy of the proposed amendment.
SECTION 2:
The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
SECTION 3:
Parliamentary proceedings shall be governed by Roberts’ Rules of Order.
ARTICLE X
Nominations
The Board of Directors shall appoint a committee of at least three of its members to propose a slate of officers and directors for the next ensuing fiscal year. The proposed written slate shall be mailed to each member at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.
ARTICLE XI
Records
The President shall compile, maintain and preserve an operations manual from time to time. This operations manual shall contain at least the following:
a) Copy of by-laws
b) Present and past members of Board of Directors and terms
c) Present and past officers and terms
d) Present and past standing committees and members
e) Present and past goals for the year
f) Correspondence, etc.
ARTICLES XII
Committees
SECTION 1:
The chairperson of the following standing committees shall be appointed by the President:
- Forest Productivity
- Membership
- Communication and Education
- Policy
SECTION 2:
Additional committees established as the Board or the President deem necessary or established by resolution or motion by the Association shall be appointed by the President unless otherwise directed.
SECTION 3:
The term of non-standing committees shall expire with the term of the appointing President unless expiration is provided by establishing resolution or motion.
ARTICLE XIII
Chapter and State Relationships
SECTION 1:
Organization- A local chapter shall consist of a group of Mississippi Forestry Association members chartered by the MFA Board of Directors. Each chapter shall qualify as a tax exempt organization. No chapter shall use the Name “Mississippi Forestry Association” without the written authorization of the MFA Board of Directors.
SECTION 2:
In addition to dues, the members of each Chapter may assess themselves for any costs incurred in connection with activities of the Chapter.
SECTION 3:
By-Laws –A chapter shall make by-laws for their governance not inconsistent with the by-laws of the Mississippi Forestry Association and shall file their by-laws with the Executive Vice-President of the Mississippi Forestry Association.
SECTION 4:
Reports-Each chapter organization shall file copies of its minutes and an annual report with the Executive Vice-President of the Mississippi Forestry Association. Each chapter President or his accredited representative shall represent the chapter at all meetings of the MFA Board of Directors.
SECTION 5:
A Chapter shall have the right to release through its officers, or a duly authorized spokesman, expressions of opinion, views, statements, or other public pronouncements on matters of interest to and affecting the welfare of the members of the chapter and the general public. Said public pronouncements shall not contain directly, indirectly, or by implication, material at variance with the Constitution. By-Laws or Policy Statements of the Mississippi Forestry Association. Copies of all releases shall be furnished to the Mississippi Forestry Association Executive Vice President at the time they are issued.
SECTION 6:
The Mississippi Forestry Association does not assume any responsibility for nor will it necessarily report, the action of any Chapter unless such action shall have first received the approval of the MFA Executive Board.
SECTION 7:
The Mississippi Forestry Association will not assume any liability for the debts incurred by, or for the expenditures of any Chapter.
SECTION 8:
The MFA Executive Board shall have the right to rescind the Charter of any Chapter and thereby terminate its existence.
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