Florida Society of American Foresters

Bylaws of the Florida Division

Effective January 1, 2021

Revised: November 2014, November 2020

Approved October 20, 2020 Florida Division Society of American Foresters Executive Committee

Approved November 10, 2020 Southeastern Society of American Foresters Executive Committee

Approved December 6, 2020 Florida Division Society of American Foresters Membership

Submitted December 8, 2020 Society of American Foresters National Office

ARTICLE I

NAME

This organization is a unit of the Society of American Foresters, hereinafter referred to as the Society, and shall be known as the Florida Division, Southeastern Society of American Foresters, hereinafter referred to as the Florida Division, as provided in Article VI of the Constitution of the Society of American Foresters.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The objectives shall be:

1. To advance the science, technology, education, and practice of professional forestry in America, and especially within the State of Florida;

2. To provide an opportunity for better communication and interaction among the individual members, their regional representatives, and the Society.

ARTICLE III

ACTIVITIES LIMITED TO EXEMPT PURPOSES

No part of the net earnings of the Florida Division shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Florida Division shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of the objectives set forth in Article II hereof. No substantial part^[1] of the activities of the Florida Division shall be for carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Florida Division shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. In the case of a written request from a governmental body, committee, or subdivision, the Florida Division may provide technical assistance and advice, providing the Florida Division deems it appropriate to provide such assistance. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Florida Division shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on a) by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

^[1] Greater than five percent (5%) of the annual budget

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the Florida Division shall be limited to members of the Society in good standing who have established domicile in the Florida Division's territory. The domicile of the member shall be the member's home or residence except that if a member's residence does not lie within the boundaries of the Florida Division, but place of business or professional affiliation does lie within said boundaries, the member may, by written application to the National Office of the Society, establish domicile within the Florida Division for the purposes of membership. An individual may be a voting member of and be eligible to hold office in only one state or multi-state Society, but may become an associate member of any other state society.

Section 2. Membership in the Florida Division may be terminated by (1) voluntary resignation, (2) failure to pay dues, (3) expulsion from the Society for unprofessional conduct, or (4) transfer of domicile to another state society.

ARTICLE V

VOTING

Section 1. Members, as defined in the Florida Division's Bylaws, in good standing shall be entitled to vote on any question before the Florida Division. Other members of the Division may attend any meeting of the Florida Division and take part in the discussions, but shall have no vote. Members of a student chapter shall be entitled to vote on any question before the Division consistent with the Society’s policy on student voting.

Section 2. Members who have not paid national and state dues by March 1 shall be notified by the Society that they are in bad standing, and thus ineligible to vote, to receive the Society’s publications, to be a candidate for office, or to hold office or serve on Division committees until the dues are paid.

Section 3. A quorum for voting is the members present at any regular meeting annouced 30 days in advance of the meeting.

ARTICLE VI

DUES

Section 1. The annual dues of the Florida Division shall be set by the Florida Division Executive Committee based on financial needs. Notification of any changes in the dues structure shall be made to both the Southeastern Society of American Foresters and the Society’s National Office.

Section 2. The annual dues of the Florida Division shall be collected by the Society concurrently with the collection of national dues and transmitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Florida Division by the Southeastern Society of American Foresters’ Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 3. A member who has transferred from another state division or society to the Florida Division and has paid annual dues in the state society from which the transfer is being made shall not be required to pay additional dues for the year of transfer and shall automatically become a member of the Florida Division for the remainder of the year.

Section 4. The Southeastern Society of American Foresters’ Secretary-Treasurer shall forward quarterly to each Chapter the dues received from members of the respective Chapters during the preceding three-month period.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the Florida Division include a Chair, a Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and a Secretary-Treasurer. Officers shall be voting members of the Society and the Florida Division for the duration of their terms. Terms of office for the Chair, Chair-Elect and Past Chair shall be for one year and shall commence on January 1. The term of office for the Secretary-Treasurer shall be for two years and shall commence on January 1.

Section 2. The Chair shall be responsible for developing and continuing Florida Division activities during the term of office and for organizing the membership toward meeting the objectives. The Chair shall preside at meetings of the Florida Division; serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and as ex-officio member of all committees; oversee the business affairs; appoint, with approval of the Executive Committee, the standing committees and other special committees; and perform all other duties commonly incident to such office. The Chair upon completion of the Chair’s term automatically becomes the Past Chair .

Section 3. The Chair-Elect automatically succeeds to Chair at the completion of the term. In the event the Chair is unable to complete the full term in office, the Chair-Elect shall succeed and complete the unexpired term prior to serving the full term as Chair. Should this occur, the Executive Committee, by a majority vote, shall appoint a replacement Chair-Elect who shall assume the duties of the vacant office until the next election of officers. In the event the Chair-Elect is unable to complete the term of office and succeed to the office of Chair, the Executive Committee shall appoint an acting Chair-Elect to serve until the next election at which time both a Chair and a Chair-Elect shall be elected. The Chair-Elect, in the absence of the Chair, shall preside at Florida Division meetings and act for and assist the Chair in conducting Florida Division affairs as may be requested by the Chair.

Section 4. The Secretary-Treasurer shall act as custodian of the accounting records and accounts of the Florida Division, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair or Executive Committee. The Secretary-Treasurer shall coordinate with the Florida Division Chair and the Nominating Committee for all Florida Division elections and referenda; keep the minutes of the Florida Division's meetings and send a copy to the Chair of the Southeastern Society of American Foresters; conduct correspondence; announce meetings; and send agenda for meetings to the Executive Committee 30 days in advance when possible. The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and present at the annual meeting a report of the Florida Division's financial status, including an income and expense statement for the year's operations and a balance sheet as of the end of the Division's fiscal year, i.e., December 31. Upon certification of the Auditing Committee, copies of the written report shall be submitted to the Chair. The Secretary-Treasurer shall provide all information required by the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 and, if the Florida Division has unrelated business income, Internal Revenue Service Form 990-T. In the event that Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements are changed, the Secretary-Treasurer shall provide the information required on any additional form of the Internal Revenue Service. Copies of the official minutes and financial statements shall be provided to the Chair and Archives Committee of the Division. A vacancy in the office of Secretary-Treasurer shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee until the next election of officers.

Section 5. The positon of Past-Chair is filled automatically when the Chair’s term is completed.

ARTICLE VIII

ELECTIONS

Section 1. The Nominating Committee will propose a slate of officers with the name of at least one person qualified and willing to serve. The proposed slate of officers shall be transmitted to the Chair, along with a copy to the Secretary-Treasurer by September 15. Nominations by the membership at large, if endorsed by at least 25 voting members in good standing and presented to the Secretary-Treasurer in writing on or before September 15, shall be included on the ballot.

Section 2. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall coordinate with the Southeastern Society of American Foresters’ Business Manager to assure that ballots are provided to all voting members least 30 days before the closing date of the election December1. The ballot shall (1) state the offices to be filled, (2) list the names of the candidates for each office in alphabetical order, (3) show the closing date for receiving the ballots, and (4) be accompanied by a brief factual professional biography of each candidate and an addressed return envelope, postcard or email address for voting.

Section 3. Election of officers shall be by letter or electronic ballot distributed by the Southeastern Society of American Foresters Business Manager in October. The ballots shall be counted by December 1 by the Nominating Committee. The outcome of the elections shall be determined by a plurality or simple majority of those voting. In the case of a tie vote, a run-off election shall be held within one month.

Section 4. Elections results will be reported to Division Chair and Secretary Tresurer who will promply report, but no later than December 15, the resuts to the Southeastern Society of American Foresters and the National Office, and to the membership as soon as possible.

ARTICLE IX

STANDING AND AD-HOC COMMITTEES

The Division Chair with concurrence fo the Executive Committee shall apoint chairs for Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees, except for the Membership Committee (see Sec. 2) and Coordinatiors necessary for the conduct of business for the Divison. The Committee Chairs will select no more than five Florida Division members, in staggered appointments, who are interested and willing to assist. The senior member shall chair the Committee.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair of the Florida Division, who shall Chair the Committee; the Immediate Past Chair; the Chair-Elect; the Secretary-Treasurer; the Chair of the various chapters; and Chair(s) of the Spring Symposium.. The Executive Committee shall give general supervision to the affairs of the Florida Division and its contacts with the Southeastern Society of American Foresters and the National Society; shall control the expenditure of all funds; and shall approve the place, date, and the program of all meetings.

The Executive Committee also shall outline the objectives, organization, and activities to each Committee chair. This Committee shall fill by appointment any unexpired term of its members or any Florida Division officers; approve proposed appointments by the Chair; advise the Chair on matters raised to the Committee and act for the Florida Division on urgent matters which require immediate action in the interim between Florida Division meetings. Any action of the Executive Committee shall be subject to a referendum vote of the Florida Division upon petition by at least 20 voting members. The business of the Committee may be transacted in part by tele-conference, mail and/or email but at least one meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held annually.

Section 2. Membership Committee shall consist of the Chair-Elect as Committee Chair, along with the Chair or Chair-Elect of the various chapters. The Committee shall be active in promoting membership in the Society; coordinate activities of the Chapters in recruiting and advancing members; and act for the Florida Division in all other membership matters and services.

Section 3. The Division Chair or designee and the Symposium Coordinator designated by the University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation shall co-chair the Spring Symposum Committtee. They may choose other members appropriate to the annual theme to plan a program for the Spring Symposium in consultation with the Executive Committee and any meeting and shall be responsible for all arrangements. The Florida Division Chair shall appoint one member to serve as the Sponsorship and Exhibits Coordinator. The Symposium Coordinator shall serve as Education Coordinator and apply for Continuing Forestry Education credits for the Spring Symposium. Additional Florida Division programs may be identified and assisted by this Committee.

Section 4. The Division Chair with concurrence of the Executive Committtee shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of at least 3 members which shall propose a slate of officers from the eligible Florida Division members for the elective positions to be filled. The Nominating Committee shall obtain from each nominee an agreement to serve if elected, and a brief statement on background and professional experience and send to the Chair and the Secretary-Treasurer. Nominations from the membership at large may occur in accordance with Article VIII, Sec. 2. The Nominating Committee shall assemble at the time and place designated to count ballots and certify the election results to the Chair and the Executive Committee.

Section 5. The Awards Committee shall, as directed by the Executive Committee, actively seek for and select from the membership of the Florida Division and from among others, those persons meriting special recognition, awards, or mementoes and shall arrange for the procurement and presentation of said awards.

Current approved awards are:

Stephen Spurr

Hux Coulter

Young Forester

Wood Utilization

Outstanding Graduating and Rising SFRC Seniors

The criteria for these awards follows in Addendum A as a part these By-Laws. In addition the Division may nominate members for Awards offered by the Southeastern Society of American Foresters and the National Society.

Section 6. The Division Chair shall appoint a Hall of Fame Committee Chair which shall opererate in accordance with its charter which follsows as Addendum B as a part of these by-laws.

Section 7. The Division chair with concurrence of the Executive Committee may appoint Cooridinators for functions important to the opeation of the Division. These could include Coordinators for:

- Communications to enchance information delivery to members.

- Policy/Legislation to provide information needed by those considering actions important to the profession.

- Archives and History to assist in depositing records and program documetns with the Smathers Library, University of Florida, the Florida Division depository.

- Forest Science to update the members or seek focus on emerging areas of importance to the profession.

- Forester’s Fund to encourage pursuit of grants for programs appropriate to the fund and to help build the fund by sharing reciepts from the silent auction, etc.

Section 8. The Executive Committee sans the Secretary-Treasurer shall serve each year as the Auditing Committee to examine the financial records of the Secretary-Treasurer to certify their accuracy and appropriateness to the business of the Division.

ARTICLE X

CHAPTERS

Section 1. Division Chapters. A Chapter within the Florida Division may be authorized by the Executive Committee upon written petition of 15 or more voting members resident in an area where a strong local organization may be effected. The boundaries of a Chapter shall be established by the Executive Committee on recommendation of the members concerned. Current Chapters are: Panhandle, Big Bend, Suwannee, St. Johns, Caribbiean and the Student Chapter at the University of Florida.

A Chapter shall hold at least one meeting each year in order to retain its authorization. The authorization for a Chapter may be rescinded by the Executive Committee. The officers of each Chapter shall include a Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and such other officers as may be necessary. Members shall be residents or employed within the boundaries of the Chapter. Chapters may adopt Bylaws subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, provided that no part thereof shall conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society.

A Chapter shall report promptly to the Florida Division Chair who will report to the Chair of the Southeastern Society of American Foresters the election of Chapter officers, the adoption of Chapter Bylaws and amendments thereto, and at least once a year on the proceedings of the Chapter. Chapter concerns are presented to the Executive Committee for action and transmittal to the Southeastern Society of American Foresters.

Section 2. Student Chapters may be authorized within the Florida Division by the Executive Committee upon written petition of 15 or more Student Members at an institution designated as Society of American Foresters-accredited or as a candidate institution for accreditation or by a Society of American Foresters-recognized forest technician program. Student Chapters shall be composed of Student Members and other Society members employed by the institution at which the Student Chapter is authorized. Student Chapter officers shall be students or graduate students who are members of the Society

Section 3. A Chapter that has been inactive for a year and un-responsive to efforts by the Divison Chair and the Executve Committee to reactivate maybe dissolved and the members incorporatated into other appropriate chapters.

ARTICLE XI

MEETINGS

The Florida Division shall hold an annual business meeting at the Spring Symposium and a meeting at the Southeastern Society of American Foresters annual meeting. Meetings shall be announced to the membership at least 30 days in advance, and shall not conflict with the annual meetings of the National Society nor the Southeastern Society of American Foresters. Other meetings may be called by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XII

RECALL

Any officer may be removed from office for reasons of misconduct, incompetence, or neglect of duty provided such removal is approved by two-thirds vote of all members voting in a letter ballot. Such ballot may be initiated by the Executive Committee on its own volition or it shall be required to conduct such ballot if it receives a petition setting forth the points of complaint and signed by at least two percent of, but in no case less than 10, voting members of the Florida Division. The Executive Committee shall designate one of its members to mail and receive the ballots in any recall election.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Committee or upon written petition of at least two percent but in no case less than 10 of the voting members of the Florida Division. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Southeastern Society of American Foresters who coordinates with the Executive Vice-President of the Society for approval prior to a vote by the members at the annual meeting. Amendment of these Bylaws shall require a two-thirds vote of the members voting.

ARTICLE XIV

ASSETS

A State Division society assets belong to the Division membership as a whole. In the event of division or merger of state societies, the assets of the parent state societies will be audited and allocated to the new societies in proportion to the percentage of the voting members transferred.

Upon dissolution of the state Division Society, the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the state society, transfer all the assets of the Division to the national society, or dispose of all of the assets of the Division exclusively for the purpose of the Division in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Executive Committee shall determine.