Governing Documents of
Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association, Inc
Revised August 2001 - Approved by the AWWMA Membership April 4,
2002
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 – NAME
The
name of this organization shall be the Alaska
Water Wastewater Management Association, Inc.,
(AWWMA). The geographic boundaries of AWWMA correspond
to the geographic boundaries of the State of
Alaska.
ARTICLE 2 – AFFILIATIONS
Section 1 - WEF
A
Water Pollution Control and Water Quality Division
of AWWMA shall be designated as a Member Association
of the Water Environment Federation, hereinafter
designated as WEF, and shall participate in its
activities and promote the objectives of WEF
in Alaska through AWWMA. It is the intent that
the Constitution and Bylaws of AWWMA shall be
in harmony with the Constitution and Bylaws of
WEF.
Section 2 - AWWA
A
Water Division of AWWMA shall be designated
the Alaska Section of the American Water
Works Association,
hereinafter designated as AWWA. It shall
be established and maintained to promote
the objectives of AWWA
in the field of water supply and purification.
It is the intent that the Constitution & Bylaws
of AWWMA shall be in harmony with the AWWA Bylaws,
Articles & Governing Documents.
Section
3 – Establishing Additional Divisions
The
Executive Board of AWWMA is authorized to establish
additional Divisions for the purpose of affiliating
with those additional State or National organizations
whose objectives are consistent with those of
AWWMA.
Any
group, Federation or other Organization desiring
to have AWWMA become the Alaska Section, Division,
Chapter or Member Association of such organization
shall make application to and be accepted by
the Executive Board.
An
affiliated group shall be a body approved by
the Executive Board as a group whose interest
is common AWWMA, and in harmony with the objectives
of AWWA and WEF.
ARTICLE 3 – OBJECTIVES
Section 1 The
objectives of AWWMA are:
-
The
advancement of fundamental knowledge of the
water environment, its basic qualities and
physical laws governing its interaction with
other aspects of the environment and with
the aesthetic, economic, and biological needs
of Alaska's citizens.
-
The
advancement of practical knowledge in the
design, construction, operation, maintenance
and management of water utilities, water
supply systems, and water quality control
systems and associated facilities, with an
emphasis on cold regions applications.
-
The
advancement of fundamental and practical
knowledge concerning the production and distribution
of safe and adequate water supplies and the
attainment of acceptable water quality through
wastewater collection, treatment, reclamation
and reuse.
-
The
increase of knowledge and understanding of
Alaska's water environment and of the nature
and function of the earth's natural waterways,
surface, subsurface and atmosphere, and encouragement
and promotion of action necessary to preserve
and enhance them.
-
The
promotion of good public relations and encouragement
of sound legislation and policy relating
to the water environment.
-
The
strengthening and building of alliances with
organizations incorporating members of all
professions, dedicated to the preservation
and enhancement of water quality and water
resources.
-
The
improvement of the professional status of
personnel engaged in all aspects of protecting
and improving Alaska's water environment.
-
The
stimulation of public awareness of the relationship
of water resources to the general public
welfare, and the need for preservation and
reuse of water resources.
-
The
development, implementation and maintenance
of quality control/quality assurance programs
necessary for representative sample collection
and analyses.
Section 2
Attaining
these objectives, AWWMA shall cooperate with
Federal and State regulatory agencies, local
governments, other associations or organizations,
and the State Certification office in sponsoring
an annual conference and other such conferences,
schools, discussions, and instructions in subjects
related to water and water pollution control,
as best determined to promote the objectives
of AWWMA.
Section 3
AWWMA
shall be operated as a non‑profit organization
in accordance with sound business principles,
for the benefit of and in order to attain
the objectives of AWWMA, as determined by
the AWWMA
Executive Board.
ARTICLE 4 FRANCHISE
Section 1
The exclusive service area of AWWMA shall consist of the
State of Alaska.
a. A
petition requesting such division is presented
to the Executive Board through the President/Chair.
Not less than 100 Active and/or Member Association
Members of AWWMA shall sign the petition.
b. A mail ballot, on the question of division of AWWMA is submitted
to the entire membership; and two‑thirds
of the voting Members approve the division
of AWWMA.
c. No revision to divide the exclusive service area shall be
made, until the following conditions are met:
Section 2
No
revision to expand the exclusive service area
by joining with another member association of
WEF or Section of AWWA shall be made until all
of the following conditions are met:
-
A
petition requesting such joining is presented
to the Executive Board through the President/Chair.
The petition must be signed by not less
than 100 Member Association Members in
good standing of the specific organization
for which the action is being petitioned
(AWWA or WEF), or 50 percent of those Members
if that number is lower.
-
A
mail ballot, on the question of joining
another member association of the Federation
or Section
of AWWA is submitted to the entire membership
of AWWMA; and two‑thirds of the
eligible voting Members approve the joining
of AWWMA
with another member association or AWWA
section. Eligible
voting members shall be limited to the Member
Association members in good standing of the
specific organization for which the action
pertains.
-
The
joining is approved AWWA and/or WEF boards
and written notice is issued by the Executive
Directors of the organizations to AWWMA.
ARTICLE
5 – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
The
membership of AWWMA shall consist of persons
and organizations that are members of WEF and/or
AWWA, interested in the objectives of AWWMA,
residing in or maintaining a place of business
within the State of Alaska, and those assigned
to AWWMA by the Executive Director of AWWA, unless
otherwise provided in the Bylaws, and having
such qualifications as are prescribed in the
Bylaws for the various grades of membership.
Section 2
Any
person or organization otherwise desiring
to become a member solely of AWWMA shall make
application on a form provided by AWWMA. Application
to be accompanied by cash, check or money order
in the amount of current dues, established by
the Executive Board, shall be forwarded to the
AWWMA Membership Chair.
Membership
dues shall be determined by the Executive Board
as required to ensure adequate funds are available
for the proper administration and operations
of AWWMA.
Such members shall have all the rights and
privileges granted by AWWMA except the right
to vote and hold office. In addition, such members
shall be entitled to receive publications of
AWWMA, as authorized by the Executive Board.
AWWMA shall bill this class of membership for
annual dues in November of each year. Dues shall
cover the calendar year from January 1 to December
31. If dues remain unpaid 15 days after the beginning
of the year, the Member may be removed from the
roll of AWWMA, and notice of default shall be
provided by the AWWMA Secretary or designated
representative.
Section
3
Members
may become affiliated with a Division(s) of AWWMA
upon payment of dues to AWWA and/or WEF as stated
in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 6 – ORGANIZATION
Section 1
The
Executive Board officers of AWWMA shall consist
of the President/Chair, President/Chair‑Elect,
three Regional Vice‑Presidents, three Regional
Secretary‑Treasurers, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, and the immediate Past‑President/Chair
of AWWMA, the WEF Director, and the AWWA Director.
Section 2.
The
President/Chair, the President/Chair-Elect, and
the immediate Past-President/Chair of AWWMA shall
comprise the Executive Committee of the Executive
Board.
Section
3
The
Executive Board shall conduct the affairs of
AWWMA subject to the law, the Articles of Incorporation,
and specific conditions of this Constitution
and Bylaws. Between meetings of the Executive
Board, the Executive Committee is responsible
for conducting the affairs of AWWMA.
Section 4
Elections
and appointments of officers of AWWMA shall be
prescribed in the Bylaws of AWWMA. The terms
of office shall be described in such documents
for each officer. Each officer shall have been
a member of and actively engaged in the affairs
of AWWMA for a period of three years preceding
election or appointment. Each officer will be
an active member, in good standing, of AWWA,
WEF and any other existing AWWMA affiliation.
Section 5
The
President/Chair and President/Chair-Elect
shall be ineligible for re-election to the
same office
for consecutive terms. The Secretary, Treasurer,
the Regional Vice-Presidents and the Regional
Secretary/Treasurers may be eligible for
re‑election
without limitation.
Section 6
A
quorum of the Executive Board or Executive Committee
for the conduct of AWWMA affairs shall consist
of a majority of its members. Any member of either
the Executive Board or the Executive Committee
may designate, in writing, a proxy to act for
him or her if he or she is unable to attend a
meeting. Such proxy or proxies shall be counted
in determining a quorum.
Section 7
The
duties of the officers shall be as specified
in the Bylaws as well as other duties required
to attain and promote the objectives of AWWMA.
Section 8
An
Executive Director/Business Manager shall be
employed by AWWMA. This is a part-time, professional position
whose duties shall be assigned by the Executive
Board. The Executive Director/Business Manager
shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive
Board, and shall report to the President/Chair.
The Executive Director/Business Manager will
be an active member, in good standing, of all
AWWMA affiliated organizations. The Executive
Director/Business Manager will be ineligible
to hold any office of AWWMA while holding the
position of Executive Director/Business Manager
for AWWMA.
Section 9
The
Executive Board is
empowered to maintain an affiliation with WEF.
The Executive Board is empowered to maintain
an affiliation with AWWA. The Executive Board
is empowered at its own discretion, to undertake
affiliation with another national organization
or other organizations whose objectives correspond
with those of AWWMA when and if the policy of
such national organization(s) will permit.
Section 10
The
Executive Board is empowered to remove any
officer or committee member for cause or
to declare an
office vacant in the event such officer becomes
permanently incapacitated or otherwise unable
to serve. In the event of an official vacancy
in any elected or appointed office of AWWMA,
the Executive Board may elect and appoint
a member in good standing to fill the vacancy
for the
un‑expired term of office.
Section 11
AWWMA
shall be organized into
three regions, the purpose of which is to facilitate
action within AWWMA. These Regions shall be designated
the Northern Region, the Southcentral Region,
and the Southeast Region. The regions will correspond
geographically to the northern, southcentral
and southeast regions of the State of Alaska.
The
members of each region are members of AWWMA. Each
member may choose at their own discretion the
region of which they will be a member.
Each
region shall operate in harmony with the Constitution
and Bylaws of AWWMA. A Regional Vice-President and Regional Secretary/Treasurer
shall govern each region. Regional officers shall be empowered to conduct
operations to meet AWWMA objectives, as defined
in Article 3, upon approval of the Executive
Board of each region’s annual budget
outlining a plan of operation.
ARTICLE 7 ‑ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION
Except
as specifically mentioned herein, this Constitution
shall take effect immediately upon its adoption
by the membership of AWWMA.
ARTICLE 8 – AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Amendments
to this Constitution may be presented to
AWWMA after a two‑thirds affirmative vote by
a quorum of the Executive Board. The adoption
of any amendment to the constitution shall require
the affirmative vote of two‑thirds of the
eligible voting members present at the Annual
Meeting of AWWMA or of two‑thirds of
the eligible voting members who return mail
ballots
in accordance with conditions set up by the
Executive Board.
BYLAWS
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ARTICLE 1 – NAME
The
name of this organization shall be the Alaska
Water Wastewater Management Association, Inc.,
(AWWMA). The geographic boundaries of AWWMA correspond
to the geographic boundaries of the State of
Alaska.
ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES
Section 2.1
AWWMA
is dedicated to education, dissemination of technical
and scientific information, increased public
understanding, and promotion of sound public
laws and programs in the water resources and
related environmental fields.
Section 2.2
Unless
otherwise amended as prescribed in the AWWMA
Constitution, the organizations that AWWMA represents
are as follows:
a. The American Water Works Association (AWWA), as the Alaska Section;
the objectives of which are to promote public
health, safety, and welfare through the improvement
of the quality and quantity of water delivered
to the public and the development and furtherance
of understanding of the problems relating thereto. It
is the intent that the Bylaws of AWWMA shall
be in harmony with the AWWA Bylaws, Articles,
and Governing Documents.
b. The Water Environment Federation (WEF), as the Alaskan Member Association; the objectives of which
are to promote and advance the water quality
profession, and benefit society through protection
and enhancement of the global water environment
through education, improved public understanding
and sound public policy. It is the intent that the Bylaws of AWWMA shall
be in harmony with the WEF Bylaws, Articles,
and Governing Documents.
ARTICLE 3 – HEADQUARTERS
Section 3.1
The
headquarters of AWWMA shall be the office of
the Executive Director/Business Manager, unless
otherwise designated by the AWWMA Executive Board.
ARTICLE 4 – MEMBERSHIP
Section 4.1
AWWMA
membership shall be those members of AWWA and/or
WEF residing within or having principal business
activity in the geographical boundaries of AWWMA
and those members of AWWA and/or WEF assigned
to AWWMA by the Executive Directors of AWWA and/or
WEF. Membership shall also include those individuals
interested in serving in the fields of endeavor
covered by the objectives of the AWWMA Constitution
who make application to AWWMA as prescribed in
these Bylaws, and who are subsequently certified
as a member in good standing.
Section 4.2
AWWMA
shall have two categories of members: Active
Members and Member Association Members, as defined
below:
4.2.1 An Active Member is an individual interested
in serving in the fields of endeavor covered
by the Objectives of the AWWMA Constitution,
who makes application to AWWMA as prescribed
in these Bylaws, and who is subsequently certified
as a member in good standing.
4.2.2 A Member Association Member is a member of
an AWWMA affiliated National or International
Association, Federation or other organization
whose purpose is consistent with the objectives
of AWWMA (see Article 2, Affiliations, AWWMA
Constitution), and who has so designated to such
organizations their intent to be a member of
the Alaska Chapter, Division, Section or Member
Association of the National, International Association
or Organization.
Section 4.3
Any
person or organization desiring to become an
Active Member shall make application on a form
provided by AWWMA. Such application, accompanied
by cash, check or money order in the amount
of current dues (see Article 5 of Bylaws) shall
be forwarded to the Membership Chair.
Section 4.4
An
applicant for membership as a Member Association
member to AWWMA shall make application to AWWA,
WEF and/or other AWWMA affiliated organization,
as specified in Section 4.2.2. on forms provided
for that purpose by those organizations.
Section 4.5
An
Active member
who is in arrears with dues for three months
shall cease to be in good standing and shall
be suspended with all rights and privileges being
withheld until dues are fully paid. The Executive
Board shall remove from the rolls any Active
member in arrears for six months.
Section
4.6
Occasions
where a vote of the membership is required include:
the election of AWWMA officers and/or other members
of the Executive Board as described herein; approval
of a proposed amendment of these bylaws; approval
of an AWWA section dues assessment, which requires
a vote of only AWWA section members; or in any
other event for which the Executive Board requires
a vote of the membership.
Section 4.7
Member
Association members in good standing, except
those classified as multi-section members by
either AWWA or WEF, who have designated that
they intend to be a member of the Alaska Chapter,
Division, Section or Member Association represented
by AWWMA will be entitled to vote and hold office
in AWWMA. Eligibility to hold office in AWWMA shall be
determined on the basis of the eligibility requirements
prescribed in the Bylaws of AWWMA. It is the intent of these Bylaws that eligibility
to hold office in AWWMA will be extended to only
those members who are members in all AWWMA affiliated
organizations (as defined in Article 2, Affiliations,
AWWMA Constitution).
Section
4.8
A
Student Member of a Federation or Organization,
which AWWMA represents in Alaska as it's State
Chapter, Division, Section or Member Association,
is entitled to all the rights and privileges
of a Member Association Member including the
privilege to hold office.
Section
4.9
Any
Active member may be expelled from AWWMA for
good and sufficient reason by a two-thirds vote
of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE 5 – DUES & FEES
Section 5.1
Active
member dues shall be determined by the Executive
Board as required to insure adequate funds are
available for the proper administration and operations
of AWWMA. Annual dues increases will be approved
by a vote of the membership at its Annual Meeting.
Member
Association member dues are determined by the
National or International Association, Federation
or Organization, which AWWMA represents in the
State of Alaska.
Section 5.2
AWWMA
may, in accordance with the procedures and established
guidelines of AWWA and WEF, apply for permission
to levy a special dues assessment. The special
assessment would be levied annually at the time
of membership renewal, and the revenue collected
would be used to increase the funds available
for AWWMA purposes consistent with AWWMA objectives
and policies.
Section 5.3
AWWMA
reserves the right to collect fees for AWWMA
activities and events, as appropriate (e.g.,
registration fees for annual meetings or for
teleconferences and other educational programs).
Such fees will be established in accordance with
these Bylaws, and the policies and procedures
of AWWMA.
Section 5.4
Financial
Controls: All
AWWMA finances shall be managed in accord with
these Bylaws, the policies
and procedures of AWWMA, and all applicable state
and federal financial rules and regulations applicable
to AWWMA operations. Funds derived directly from AWWA member dues
or other events/programs sponsored solely by
the Water Division of AWWMA will be deposited
in a segregated account. AWWMA
shall conduct, on an annual basis, an independent
audit of its finances. A
qualified financial advisor who is neither an
employee of AWWMA or member of the AWWMA Executive
Board shall conduct the audit.
ARTICLE 6 – GOVERNANCE
Section 6.1– Authority and Purpose of
the Executive Board
AWWMA
shall be an autonomous entity and shall be entitled
to govern its operation so as to not be inconsistent
with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and
Governing Documents of the AWWMA, AWWA and WEF. The
Executive Board assumes the primary responsibility
for operating AWWMA in this manner, so it is
appropriate to recognize such responsibility.
Section 6.2 – Designation of Officers (Structure
of Executive Board)
The
officers of AWWMA shall be:
Section 6.3 – Duties
and Functions of Officers
6.3.1 The President/Chair shall supervise the general
affairs of AWWMA, preside at all conferences
and meetings of AWWMA and the Executive Board
and will be a member of the Nominating committee
and an ex-officio member of all committees. The
President/Chair will appoint the members of all
committees where membership is not defined in
the Bylaws. The President/Chair will perform
other duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
6.3.2 The President/Chair-Elect will assist the
President/Chair in the performance of his or
her prescribed duties. S/He will preside at conferences
and meetings of AWWMA and meetings of the Executive
Board in the absence of the President/Chair and
will be an ex-officio member of all committees
except the Nominating Committee. The President/Chair-Elect
will perform other duties as may be assigned
by the Executive Board.
6.3.3 The Regional Vice-Presidents/Chairs shall
supervise the general affairs of their respective
regions, will preside at all meetings of the
members of their respective regions, and will
be members of the Awards and Nominating Committees. The
Regional Vice-Presidents/Chairs shall assist
the President/Chair and the President/Chair-Elect
in the performance of the duties and shall act
in any other officer positions when required
or requested to do so.
6.3.4 The Regional Secretary/Treasurers shall operate
under the general direction of their respective
Regional Vice-President/Chair. Each of the Regional
Secretary/Treasurers shall prepare the agenda
for, and attend all meetings of the Region, and
shall record and distribute the proceedings of
such meetings to the Board. The Regional Secretary/Treasurer
shall prepare the annual budget for their respective
region and submit for Executive Board approval.
Each Regional Secretary-Treasurer shall manage
an operating fund for their region, distributed
by the Executive Board, and shall provide an
annual accounting of the funds, to the Secretary/Treasurer.
The Regional Secretary/Treasurers shall perform
other duties as may be assigned by the Regional
Vice-Presidents and approved by the Executive
Board.
6.3.5 The Secretary shall serve as the Executive
Officer of AWWMA, and operate under the general
direction of the President/Chair and the Executive
Board. The Secretary shall prepare the agenda
for, and attend all meetings of the Executive
Board and record and distribute the proceedings
of such meetings to the Executive Board. The
Secretary shall maintain legal records of AWWMA.
6.3.6 The Treasurer shall attend all meetings of
the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall
see that all monies due AWWMA are collected
carefully
and without loss, and are transferred to
the proper accounts; see that all expenditures
are
properly entered in the records of AWWMA,
and that the bills and vouchers for their
payment
are proper and in order; and sign or see
to the signing of checks or drafts against
funds of
AWWMA, all according to procedures established
by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall
prepare and forward to all members of the
Executive Board
financial summaries of accrued income and
expenses in advance of the annual meeting
and mid‑year
meeting, and shall represent AWWMA in all
financial audits.
6.3.7 The Past-President/Chair shall assist the
President/Chair, the President/ Chair‑Elect
and the Regional Vice‑Chairs in the performance
of their duties and shall act in any of the other
officer positions when required to do so. In
the absence of a Past‑Chair, an eligible
Member shall be elected to take part in all
of the actions of the Executive Board and
s/he shall
have equal voting power with that of every
other member of the Executive Board.
6.3.8 The AWWA Director shall be a member of the
AWWMA Executive Board (and of the AWWA Board
of Directors) in accordance with the provisions
of the Governing Documents and Bylaws of AWWA.
S/he shall represent each one of those bodies
in the deliberations of the other and shall act
to coordinate and unify their actions.
6.3.9 The WEF Director shall be a member of the
AWWMA Executive Board (and of the WEF Board of
Directors) in accordance with the provisions
of the Governing Documents and Bylaws of WEF.
S/he shall represent each one of those bodies
in the deliberations of the other and shall act
to coordinate and unify their actions.
Section 6.4 – Terms
of Office, Succession and Election of Officers
6.4.1 Term of office for the President/Chair shall
be for one year, commencing with the conclusion
of the AWWMA Annual Conference following the
date of his/her election or until their successors
are duly qualified and elected.
6.4.2 Term of office for the President/Chair-Elect
shall be for one year, commencing with the conclusion
of the AWWMA Annual Conference following the
date of his/her election or until their successors
are duly qualified and elected.
6.4.3 Term of office for the Secretary shall be
three (3) years, commencing with the conclusion
of the AWWMA Annual Conference following election
to office, or until their successors are duly
qualified and elected.
6.4.4 Term of office for the Treasurer shall be
three (3) years, commencing with the conclusion
of the AWWMA Annual Conference following election
to office, or until their successors are duly
qualified and elected.
6.4.5 Term of office for the Regional Vice-Presidents/Chairs
shall be three (3) years, commencing with the
conclusion of the AWWMA Annual Conference following
election to office, or until their successors
are duly qualified and elected.
6.4.6 Term of office for the Regional Secretary‑Treasurers
shall be three (3) years, commencing with
the conclusion of the AWWMA Annual Conference
following
election to office, or until their successors
are duly qualified and elected.
6.4.7 Term of the AWWA and WEF Directors shall
be three (3) years as provided for in the Governing
Documents and Bylaws of AWWA and WEF.
Section 6.5 – Eligibility to Serve on
AWWMA Executive Board
6.5.1 Member Association members in good standing, except those classified
as multi-section members by either AWWA or WEF,
who have designated that they intend to be a
member of the Alaska Chapter, Division, Section
or Member Association represented by AWWMA will
be entitled to hold office in AWWMA. Eligibility to hold office in AWWMA shall be
determined on the basis of the eligibility requirements
prescribed in the Bylaws of AWWMA. It is the intent of these Bylaws that eligibility
to hold office in AWWMA will be extended to only
those members who are members in all AWWMA affiliated
organizations (as defined in Article 2, Affiliations,
AWWMA Constitution). Active
members of AWWMA are not eligible to hold elective
office.
6.5.2 With the exception of the offices of Secretary
and Treasurer (if applicable), an officer may
not hold more than one office.
6.5.3 The President/Chair and President/Chair-Elect
shall not be eligible to succeed themselves
in consecutive terms. This prohibition shall
not
apply to a person acting as President/Chair
in the absence of the President/Chair. However,
should any of the officers serving as President/Chair,
President/Chair-Elect, or Regional Vice‑President
have been elected to fill a vacancy, and will
have served in their‑present office
less than six months, such officer shall
be eligible
to the same office for one full term.
6.5.4 The three, sitting, Regional Vice‑Presidents/Chairs shall automatically become nominees
for the office of President/Chair-Elect,
one of which shall be elected to the office
of President/Chair-Elect
on or before the AWWMA Annual Conference
according to the Bylaws. In the event that
a sitting Regional
Vice‑President/Chair cannot be a nominee for President/Chair-Elect,
the Nominating Committee may select any other
Past Regional Vice‑President/Chair
from that region to be nominee in his or
her place.
6.5.5 The President/Chair-Elect shall succeed the
President/Chair, who shall upon completion
of his or her term become the Past‑President/Chair.
Section 6.6 – Nominations
and Election of Officers
6.6.1 Nominations – There shall be a minimum
of two (2) nominees, if possible, for each
elected vacancy, presented to the general
membership
for their consideration.
6.6.2 Nomination Procedures –
For all elected positions other than Director, a Nominating Committee
should be appointed at least sixty (60) days
prior to the mid‑year AWWMA Executive
Board meeting, a Nominating Committee of
five (5) members
of AWWMA in good standing, each of whom shall
have at one time served but is not then serving
on the Executive Board, shall be appointed
by the President/Chair and approved by the
Executive
Board.
This Nominating Committee shall report to the Executive Board at
the mid-year Board meeting, and place in nomination
eligible candidate(s) for each office to be filled,
except the Secretary and Treasurer, who may be
appointed by the Board.
Any Member Association member in good standing wishing to be considered
as a “candidate by petition" to
fill any elected position vacancy may do
so by presenting
to the AWWMA Executive Board, a signed petition
containing AWWMA Member Association member
signatures amounting to five percent (5%)
of those votes
cast in the last regular election.
To be so considered, any eligible Member Association member shall,
at least ten (10) days before the mid‑year
Executive Board meeting, present a written
request for nomination accompanied by the
signed petition.
The Nominating Committee can submit this
name along with other names they have selected.
In
the case of the minimum of two (2) nominees
for a position, they may use this name as
one of
the nominees or nominate in addition to the
names presented, their own nominees.
The Secretary will, after Executive Board approval, gather appropriate
information and prepare the ballots.
The winter newsletter will then have a campaign statement from each
candidate and candidate by petition along with
the individual's photograph.
The office of President/Chair will be automatically filled by the
President/Chair-Elect. If the President/Chair-Elect
should be unable to assume the office of
President/Chair, the Nominating Committee
shall nominate a candidate
for President/Chair. The Immediate Past‑President/Chair
shall be the latest available Past‑President/Chair
of AWWMA.
6.6.3 Ballot Procedures –
Upon approval by the Executive Board of the nominees proposed by the Nominating
Committee, the Secretary, following the mid‑year
Executive Board meeting, shall prepare and
mail to each AWWMA Member Association member,
in good
standing, a ballot bearing the names of the
nominees.
These ballots shall be mailed as soon as possible
after the mid‑year Executive Board meeting.
Included in the ballot shall
be any necessary instructions for voting,
and two (2) envelopes for the return of the
ballot.
The smaller envelope, in which the ballot
shall be enclosed, shall be blank except
for the word "BALLOT,” and
shall be sealed by the voter. The other envelope,
in which the smaller shall be enclosed, shall
be self‑addressed for return to the
Secretary and shall be signed on the outside
by the voter.
The polls shall be closed thirty
(30) days after the mailing of the ballots, and
any ballot must be postmarked before that date
in order to be counted.
There shall be included with
the ballots, when mailed to the members, a statement
as to the date, place and hour when ballots will
be opened and the vote counted. This date and
hour shall be fixed by the Secretary for a suitable
time so that the results of the tally may be
announced to the membership during the Annual
Conference.
At the place and time designated,
a committee of two (2) members appointed by the
President/Chair, will convene and open and count
the valid ballots cast by the members entitled
to vote.
The person receiving the highest
number of votes for the office for which they
were nominated shall be declared elected, and
the committee shall so certify in writing to
the Executive Board. In the event of a tie vote,
the President/Chair shall cast a dividing vote.
6.6.4 Vacancy of Office –
Should a vacancy occur in the
office of a Director, a successor to serve for
the remainder of the term shall be appointed
by the AWWMA Executive Board. The
AWWMA President/Chair shall notify the Executive
Director/Business Manager of AWWMA of such appointment,
and shall notify the Executive Directors of AWWA,
WEF and any other AWWMA affiliated organization
of such selection.
Should any officer of AWWMA
be unable to complete the term of office for
which s/he has been elected, the Executive Board
shall appoint a qualified member of AWWMA to
complete such unexpired term.
ARTICLE 7 – EXECUTIVE
BOARD
Section 7.1 – Meetings of the Executive Board
Meetings
of the Executive Board shall be called by
the President/Chair on his/her own initiative
or
at the request of any three members of the
Executive Board. There shall be at least
one meeting of
the Executive Board during the Annual Conference
of AWWMA, and a second meeting approximately
mid‑year between consecutive Annual Conferences.
Section 7.2 – Quorum
A
quorum consists of a majority of the current
Executive Board members and shall be required
for a duly constituted meeting of the Executive
Board.
Section 7.3 – Duties and Powers of the Executive Board
The
Executive Board shall have general supervision
over all of the affairs of AWWMA and shall be
its legal representative in all matters except
as this duty may be specifically delegated. The
President/Chair of the AWWMA shall be the presiding
officer of the Executive Board. The Officers
shall prepare as needed, and enforce, in the
conduct of the business of AWWMA, regulations
not in conflict with these Bylaws, and shall
amend such regulations as may be required.
ARTICLE 8 – COMMITTEES
Section 8.1
In
addition to the Nominating Committee provided
for in Section 6.6 of the Bylaws, the
President/Chair
is empowered to appoint such additional committees
as may be required to advance the best interests
of AWWMA and to enable it to fulfill its objectives,
with the approval of the Executive Board. Committees
shall convene in accordance with AWWMA policies
and procedures.
ARTICLE 9 – PUBLICATIONS
Section 9.1
All
publications of AWWMA shall be issued under the
direction of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE 10 – MEETINGS
Section 10.1
An
Annual Conference of AWWMA shall be held at the
time and place selected by the Executive Board.
Each person attending the Annual Conference shall
pay a registration fee of such amount as may
be approved by the Executive Board.
For
the purpose of achieving the objectives of AWWA
and AWWMA, AWWMA is expected to hold, as a minimum,
technical papers, presentations and discussions
of water supply industry issues, at this Annual
Conference.
Section_10.2
An
Annual Meeting of AWWMA shall be held during
the Annual Conference and shall be a business
meeting with membership, to report results of
elections of Officers and conduct other AWWMA
business as may be necessary.
Section_10.3
During
the Annual Conference, there shall be at least
one meeting of the Executive Board as described
in Section 7.1 of these Bylaws.
Special
meetings of AWWMA may be held at such other times
and places as requested by the Executive Board
or upon the petition of 20% of the eligible voting
members.
Section_10.4
Notices
of all conferences and meetings of AWWMA other
than Regional meetings shall be sent out to all
members by the Secretary, or duly authorized
representative of the Secretary, at least 30
days in advance of any conference or meeting.
Section_10.5
Each
Region (Southcentral, Southeast and Northern)
of AWWMA shall hold at least one annual meeting
of the members of that regional group prior to
the AWWMA Annual Conference to transact the business
of that region.
Section
10.6
The
Executive Board shall hold at least two meetings
each year, one at the time of the Annual
Conference, and one approximately mid‑year
between consecutive Annual Conferences. Other
Executive
Board meetings shall be held at the call
of the President/Chair, or on petition addressed
to
the Secretary and signed by three or more
Executive Board members.
Section
10.7
Notice
of all Executive Board meetings shall be issued
by the Secretary, or duly authorized representative
of the Secretary, at least 15 days in advance
of such meetings to all Executive Board
members.
Section 10.8
All
business meetings of AWWMA, its regional groups
and the Executive Board will be conducted according
to the most recent edition of Robert's Rules
of Order, Newly Revised.
Section 10.9
Fifteen
(15) eligible voting members present in person
shall constitute a quorum for the AWWMA annual
business meeting, as described in Section 10.2.
ARTICLE 11– FISCAL YEAR
Section 11.1
The
Fiscal Year of AWWMA shall begin on January 1
and end on December 31.
ARTICLE 12 – AMENDMENTS
TO BYLAWS
Section 12.1– Initiation
Amendments
to these Bylaws may be proposed by a majority
of the Executive Board or through it, by written
petition of 10% of the eligible voting members. All proposed amendments shall be submitted
in writing to the Executive Board.
Section 12.2 - Notice
The
Secretary, or duly authorized representative
of the Secretary, shall mail notices of the adoption
method and the complete text of a proposed amendment,
on the instruction of the Executive Board, to
each eligible voting member at least 30 days
before voting is to occur. Publication of the
proposed amendment in the AWWMA Newsletter at
least 30 days before voting will be deemed compliant
with the notification requirement.
Section 12.3 – Voting
Amendments
to these Bylaws may be made by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the eligible voting members
present and voting at an Annual Meeting of AWWMA,
notice of the proposed amendment having been
mailed by the Secretary, or duly authorized representative
of the Secretary, to each eligible voting member
no later than 30 days in advance of the meeting
at which said amendment is to be voted upon.
The
Secretary, or duly authorized representative
of the Secretary may mail a proposed amendment,
to each eligible voting member for the purpose
of voting upon by letter ballot. The letter ballot
shall be returned no later than 30 days following
the mailing of the proposed amendment. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the letter
ballots returned by eligible voting members is
required for adoption.
Section 12.4 – Approval
If
the amendment(s) are approved by the AWWMA membership,
the Secretary shall submit the amendment(s) to
the Executive Director of AWWA, for approval
by the AWWA Board of Directors. Amendments
shall also be submitted to the Secretary to WEF
in the manner prescribed by current practice
of WEF in effect at the time such amendments
are approved by AWWMA. In addition, amendments shall be submitted
to any other AWWMA affiliated organization to
comply with their current practices in effect
at the time.
Corrections
deemed insubstantial (grammar, punctuation) may
be made at the discretion of the AWWA Board. The
AWWMA Executive Board will be advised of these
corrections and may call for a vote of its membership. Likewise,
WEF and/or any other AWWMA affiliated organization
may direct that corrections deemed insubstantial
be made to make Bylaws in harmony with their
own.
Amendment(s)
shall be effective only after receiving notice
from the AWWA Executive Director that the AWWA
Board of Directors has approved the amendment(s). In addition, amendments shall be effective
only after receiving notice from other AWWMA
affiliated organizations, as applicable.
ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION
This
Corporation (AWWMA) is organized exclusively
for charitable purposes within the meaning of
Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of these Articles, this Corporation
(AWWMA) shall not carry on any other activities
not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation
exempt from Federal income tax under section
501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(or the corresponding provision of any future
United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by
a corporation contributions to which are deductible
under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision
of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law).
In
the event of dissolution, the residual assets
of AWWMA will be turned over to one or more organizations
described in Section 501 (c) (3) and 170(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code, or to the Federal,
State or Local Government for the exclusive public
purpose, except a noted below:
In
case of dissolution of AWWMA, such portions of
the funds of property thereof in the hands on
the Treasurer as may have been derived from the
general funds of AWWA shall be returned to AWWA.
Upon
winding up and dissolution of this Corporation
(AWWMA), after paying or adequately providing
for the debts and obligations of the Corporation
(AWWMA), and disbursements to AWWA as noted
above, the remaining assets shall be distributed
to
a non‑profit fund, foundation, or corporation
which is organized and operated exclusively
for charitable, educational, and or scientific
purposes
and which has established its tax exempt
status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal
Revenue
Code.
Any
such receiving organization(s) shall be selected
by vote of the majority of members of AWWMA at
a meeting called for this purpose. If
for any reason(s) such disposition cannot be
effected, then such funds shall be so distributed
pursuant to the order, judgment, or decree of
a court having jurisdiction over the assets and
property of AWWMA.
