CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE

Co-chaired by: Chris Holdren – gholdren@usbr.gov
and:                 Reesa Evans - revans@co.adams.wi.us
Board Oversight: Region 8 Director Craig Wolf

Constitution and Bylaws Committee Description

Objective

The Constitution is the underlying foundation for the Society and as such does not require frequent changes.  The Bylaws, however, allow for flexibility and provide the vehicle for keeping the Society abreast of the times.  The mission of this committee is to review the structure of the Society and to organize ideas and proposals for changes and present them at the Midterm Board Meeting.  If approved by the Board, the committee prepares a draft of proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws that is then presented to the membership as per the Constitution and Bylaws amendment procedures.

Organization

The Committee chair is appointed by the President.  Committee members may be recommended to the NALMS President by the committee chair.  Three members are usually sufficient and it is logical to include the secretary in all committee activities.

Activities and Procedures

The committee should solicit ideas or proposals for changes in the Constitution and Bylaws.  The committee also develops changes to the Constitution and Bylaws as directed by the Board.  The chair is responsible for providing communication (minimum thirty days before the annual meeting) to the membership with regard to any proposed Constitution and Bylaws changes.

The committee chair should be present at annual membership meetings to assess and provide comment on Bylaws amendments that are introduced from the floor.

The chair should prepare and deliver a presentation to the membership on the proposed changes at the annual membership meeting.  If the membership approves changes to the Constitution or Bylaws, the committee presents the change(s) to the NALMS staff and LakeLine editor for posting on the NALMS website and inclusion in LakeLine.