Alaska Chapter Bylaws

(Revised and Approved March 2022)

Section 1
Name and Objectives

The name of this organization shall be the American Fisheries Society Alaska Chapter, and hereinafter referred to as the Chapter. The objectives of the Chapter shall be as set forth in Article 1 of the American Fisheries Society (hereafter Society) constitution:

  1. Promote the conservation, development, and wise use of the fisheries;
  2. Promote and evaluate the development and advancement of all branches of fisheries science and practice;
  3. Gather and disseminate to Society members and the general public scientific, technical, and other information about fisheries science and practice through publications, meetings, and other forms of communication; and
  4. Encourage the teaching of fisheries science and practice in colleges and universities and the continuing education and development of fisheries professionals.

An additional objective of the Chapter is to encourage the exchange of information by members of the Society who belong to this Chapter.


Section 2
Membership

The membership of the Chapter shall be composed of those American Fisheries Society members in good standing with both the Society and the Chapter residing in, working in, or having a professional interest in the State of Alaska.


Section 3
Officers and Student Representative

The officers of the Chapter shall be members of the Chapter and consist of a Past-President, President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The elected Student Representative is a voting member of the Executive Committee, but not an officer. The Student Representative must be enrolled in an Alaska university or college and be a member of the Chapter.

Officers and the Student Representative shall be elected from ballots distributed to all Chapter members via a manner deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee (e.g. online voting system). The tenure of the term of the Past-President, President, President-Elect, Vice-President and Student Representative is the duration between the Chapter annual business meetings. At the end of the annual business meeting, the Vice-President shall succeed the President-Elect, who in turn shall succeed the President, who in turn shall succeed the Past-President.

In case of a vacated Past-President position, the position shall remain unfilled until the next regular election and the Executive Committee shall decide on the distribution of the position’s duties to remaining Executive Committee members.

In case of a vacated President position, the Past-President shall fill the role of President until the next regular election. In the following year, the Executive Committee shall solicit former Past-Presidents to take the role of Past-President. If there is no interest, the Past-President position shall remain unfilled for one year and the Executive Committee shall decide on the distribution of duties.

In case of a vacated President-Elect position, the Vice President will fill the role of President-Elect and the Executive Committee shall decide on the distribution of duties for the Vice President position. The Executive Committee shall conduct an election for the office of Vice President.

In the case of a vacated Vice President position, the Executive Committee shall conduct an election for the office of Vice President.

The term of the Treasurer and Secretary shall be four years and can be held for multiple terms. If the Treasurer or Secretary position is vacated, the Executive Committee shall hold an election as soon as possible to fill the remainder of the term.


Section 4
Duties of Officers and Student Representative

The Past-President serves as a voting member of the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for changes to Bylaws and Procedures Manual, coordinating an election when an office is vacated, assisting the Chapter President as needed for Chapter functions, and discharging other duties that may be required by the Society Executive Director and officers of the American Fisheries Society Western Division (hereafter Division).

The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings, serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee, represent the Chapter to the Division and Society, and make such appointments and perform other duties and functions as are authorized and necessary and, discharge other duties that may be required by the Society Executive Director and Division officers.

The President-Elect shall be Chair of the Program Committee of the Chapter meeting and shall assume the duties of the President in the event of their inability to act and discharge other duties that may be required  by the Society Executive Director and Division officers. The President-elect shall chair and appoint a Program Committee before the annual meeting. This committee will be responsible for the majority of aspects of the annual meeting, including but not limited to, development of symposia, plenary speakers, and presentation of papers at the annual Chapter meeting.

The Vice-President shall be Chair of the Membership Committee, shall assist the Program Chair, shall perform other duties as needed; and, shall discharge other duties that may be required by the Society Executive Director and Division officers.

The Treasurer shall collect and be custodian of Chapter funds; disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Committee or membership; submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the annual Chapter meeting; and, discharge other duties that may be required by the Society Executive Director and Division officers.

The Secretary shall keep the official records of the Chapter; submit a copy of the minutes of the annual business meeting to the Executive Director of the Society within 30 days after said meeting; and discharge other duties that may be required by the Society Executive Director and Division officers.

The Student Representative shall assist the Program Committee with annual meeting arrangements, especially student coordination and assistance. The Student Representative acts as a liaison between the Chapter and the approved student subunit(s) of the Chapter and represents the Student Subunit at the Division Student Colloquium. The Student Representative shall also undertake special projects at the request of the Executive Committee.


Section 5
Chapter Committees

The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter and the Student Representative. All are voting members of the Executive Committee. The committee is authorized to act for the Chapter between meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions.

Functional committees and the chairs of committees, except as listed in Section 4 of these Bylaws, shall be appointed by the President annually or as necessary for the conduct of Chapter activities.

Committee members serve on a rolling basis and chairs are selected by the committees annually.


Section 6
General Membership Meetings

The Chapter shall hold at least one general membership meeting at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee annually, unless voted upon by a quorum of the Chapter membership to change the annual meeting timing.


Section 7
Voting and Quorum

Decisions at meetings of the Chapter shall be in accordance with the Constitution of the American Fisheries Society. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in all cases not covered by the Constitution or these Bylaws.

Twenty (20) active members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Chapter business at annual or special meetings.


Section 8
Fees

The Executive Committee may assess fees to cover the costs of meetings and Chapter activities. Annual Chapter membership dues shall be modified through the resolution process.


Section 9
Amendment of the Bylaws

Bylaws of the Chapter may be amended by a 2/3 majority of those members present and voting, provided that prior notice of at least 30 days be given to the membership of the proposed change(s). Said change(s) must be reviewed by the Society’s Management Committee for conformity with the Society’s Constitution, Rules, and Procedures, and do not take effect until the Executive Director has sent written notice of their approval by the Management Committee.


Section 10
Resolutions

Resolutions place the view of the Chapter on record regarding the matters affecting fisheries resources. To protect the credibility of the Chapter and the Society, the membership must thoroughly and rigorously review resolutions.  There must be opportunity for the broadest participation in discussion and debate.

  1. Submission – A resolution must be submitted through the President to the Chair of the Resolutions and Bylaws Committee.
  2. Resolutions and Bylaws Committee Report – The Resolutions and Bylaws Committee Chair (or substitute appointed by the President if necessary) shall report to the Executive Committee any resolutions, any reports on issues surrounding a resolution that the Committee finds appropriate, any alternative resolutions the Committee might propose, and a recommendation on whether to present a Resolution to the membership.
  3. Executive Committee Review – The Executive Committee will review the Resolutions and Bylaws Committee Report and decide whether to present a resolution to the membership for a vote that takes place at an annual or special meeting via a manner deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee does not approve the Resolutions and Bylaws Committee recommended actions on a resolution, then the Executive Committee shall append rationale for its decision to the Resolution and Bylaws Committee Report.
  4. Prior distribution – The President shall distribute the Report to the membership not less than 30 days before a vote that takes place via a manner deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.
  5. Emergencies – The President may, with the consent of the Executive committee, determine that an emergency exists and waive the requirement of prior resolution distribution.
  6. Voting – Resolutions must be approved by a 2/3 majority of members participating in a vote that takes place via a manner deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

Section 11
Alaska Student Unit

Student Subunits of the Chapter are organizations consisting of AFS Chapter student members. Student Subunits are affiliated with and recognized as student clubs by Alaskan colleges and universities, and they can be organized at regional levels within Alaska (e.g. Anchorage, Southeast Alaska). Alaska Student Subunits provide representation for and direction toward issues concerning students of fisheries and aquatic sciences.