Article I. Name
Article II. Objective
Article III Membership and Dues
Article IV. Activities and Funds
Article V. Meetings
Article VI. Fiscal Year
Article VII. Elected Officers
Article VIII. Duties of Elected Officers
Article IX. Appointed Officials
Article X. Changes, Resignations, and Removals
Article I. Name
This organization shall be the Mid-Coast Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist, Inc.
Article II. Objective
This organization shall be a non-profit, educational, and charitable association of the Texas Master Naturalist Program under the sponsorship of the Texas Cooperative Extension Service of the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Its mission shall be to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources within the state of Texas.
Article III Membership and Dues
Section 1. Membership in this organization shall be as follows:
A. Members-in-Training
Individuals currently enrolled in a Texas Master Naturalist training course may participate in activities of the chapter, but do not have voting privileges and may not hold office. Members-in-Training must participate in a minimum of 40 hours of basic training to become Associate Members.
B. Associate Members
Individuals who have completed a minimum of 40 hours of training, but who have not completed the requirements for certification as a “Texas Master Naturalist” are Associate Members and may participate in all activities of the chapter, may vote, and may hold office. Associates must attain certification by completing a minimum of 8 hours of approved advanced training and a minimum of 40 hours of approved volunteer service within 12 months of the end of their initial training session. Failure to do so will result in suspension of membership. The Executive Committee may consider an exception to this rule in special circumstances.
C. Certified Members
Individuals who have completed the requirements and received certification as a “Texas Master Naturalist” are Certified Members and may participate in all activities of the chapter, may vote, and may hold office.
Section 2. Annual (January-December) dues are $15.00 for an individual or $25.00 for a couple. Associate members and Members-in-Training owe dues beginning in January of the year following their initial training. All dues must be paid by the end of March. Failure to pay dues will result in suspension of membership. The Executive Committee may consider an exception to this rule in special circumstances.
Section 3. Members maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist by annually performing a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service, receiving 8 hours of continuing education, and paying dues.
Article IV. Activities and Funds
Section 1. Activities shall consist of meetings, field trips, and other projects that may be deemed appropriate.
Section 2. Funds belonging to the chapter shall be kept in a Chapter bank account. The Treasurer shall maintain an accounting of all Chapter funds. Expenditures from this account will be by approval of the Executive Committee. Checks will be signed by two of the four elected officers of the Chapter. The Chapter may accept donations and grants.
Article V. Meetings
Section 1. Meetings will be held as determined by the membership but at least once each year.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the executive committee. Such special meetings shall be announced to members by phone or e-mail at least 3 days before the meeting date.
Article VI. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this organization shall run from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
Article VII. Elected Officers
Section 1. Officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. The officers, plus the immediate past President, chairmen of the standing committees, a representative from one of the sponsoring organizations, and a representative from the most recent training class shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Committee at least 45 days prior to the yearly election. The nominating committee will interview prospective nominees and submit a selection of eligible candidates to the membership at least 15 days prior to the election. Additional nominations may be made at the time of the election.
Section 3. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the votes cast by paper ballot at the November meeting. Members who cannot attend the meeting may vote absentee by requesting a copy of the ballot from the Nominating Committee and returning it prior to the election. Newly elected officers will assume their duties on January 1 of the following year.
Section 4. All officers must be active members in good standing.
Section 5. Officers shall serve for a period of 12 months.
Article VIII. Duties of Elected Officers
Section 1. The President shall:
A. Preside at all meetings of the organization
B. Appoint the chairman of each standing committee and any special committees with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee
C. Be an ex-officio member of all committees
D. Work with the treasurer on the budget
Section 2. The Vice President shall:
A. Stand in for the president as necessary
B. Perform the duties of program coordinator
Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall:
A. Record the minutes of each meeting
B. Publish the minutes of the meeting
C. Keep a record of attendance at meetings
D. Record or delegate the recording of all hours of advanced training and volunteer work performed by members to gain or maintain their Texas Master Naturalist certification
E. Notify the Executive Committee of member certification status
Section 4. The Treasurer shall:
A. Receive, deposit, and keep an exact account of all dues, membership training fees, and other income
B. Record and maintain an exact account of all Chapter expenditures
C. Report financial status to the Executive Committee and the membership
D. Notify the Executive Committee of membership standing as to dues and payment of fees
Article IX. Appointed Officials
Coordinators of an activity, committee chairmen, delegates to the State or National Master Naturalist will be elected by the members, or appointed or replaced if need be by the Executive Committee.
Article X. Changes, Resignations, and Removals
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended or replaced at any time by a simple majority vote of the current membership.
Section 2. If an elected officer resigns or is removed, a replacement shall be elected by the members or appointed by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. An elected officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of all current members.
Section 4. Members may be removed under the rules and regulations of the Texas Master Naturalist
Revised 08/16/03