Winston County Natural Resources Council Bylaws

BYLAWS WINSTON COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL Drafted February 1, 2021 Approved August 19, 2021 Preamble Winston County has many outstanding qualities. The spirit of cooperation which exists among government agencies, forest landowners and private organizations with natural resources interests is one of them. A number of federal, state, and county agencies in Winston County, as elsewhere, have authority to address natural resource issues. It is important that these agencies cooperate with each other and with private forest resource interests for the benefit of the County, in general and the natural resources, in particular. Name and Affiliation The name of this organization is the Winston County Natural Resources Council, previously known as the Winston County Forestry Planning Committee. This organization is affiliated with the Alabama Natural Resources Council. Purpose and Mission The Winston County Natural Resource Council (WCNRC) was organized sometime in the 1980’s. The mission of the WCNRC has evolved based upon the needs and goals of the members. The mission is to promote sound, sustainable natural resources management in Winston County and surrounding areas. Vision The mission is implemented through these working principles, our vision; Promote an awareness of the values and abundance of natural resources in Alabama, specifically in Winston County and surrounding areas. Promote an awareness of natural resources management techniques and programs available to landowners and organizations. Promote an awareness of ecological relationships and interdependence, specifically related to healthy forests and ecosystems and pests or threats. Provide natural resources education to adults and children. Establish and maintain good communications and a spirit of cooperation among government entities, landowners, private organizations, and user groups who have responsibilities and interests in natural resources. Develop, foster and mentor natural resources leaders in our community. Motto Promoting wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources, particularly those in Winston County. Officers, Election Process and Terms Officer positions include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations will be made from members for officers at the end of their terms. These nominations will be presented at the January meeting for a vote. The officers are elected at the January meeting and assume their positions immediately thereafter. Terms are for two years. Terms are off set for continuity of officers. Chair and Secretary shall be nominated and approved in even years and Vice Chair and Treasurer shall be in odd years. Officer elections are documented in meeting notes. Four consecutive absences by an officer will result in the ability of the other officers to revoke title at which time nominations will be taken to fill that role. Once nominations have been made and a majority vote received by members present for the new officer they will assume their positions immediately thereafter. Membership Membership is determined by the WCNRC. Membership is open to all federal, state, and county agencies, institutions and private organizations and citizens with forest and natural resource interests. The acceptance of a membership is subject to the approval of the WCNRC, consensus of members present. Membership is documented in meeting notes. Meetings Regular meetings of the WCNRC are monthly. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month. Additional meetings may be held as necessary. Deviations to meeting schedules may be made by members, for example not to hold a December meeting or to meet at FAWN in lieu of an October meeting, but at least 6 meetings per year shall be held. Quorum A simple majority of the WCNRC membership present at a meeting constitutes a quorum for the purpose of transacting business at all regular and special meetings. Voting For all matters of business, a simple majority approval of the total WCNRC membership shall govern the action of the Council. Special Committees Special committees may be appointed by the Chair of the WCNRC with approval by WCNRC members. The duties of all special committees are described by the WCNRC at the time of their appointment. Such committees cease to function at the time the work assignment is completed. There are no standing Special Committees. Annual Work Plan The WCNRC officers and committee chairs (if any) communicate prior to the January meeting to discuss the annual work of the WCNRC. Any work plans developed by the standing committees will be presented for approval at the January meeting. These work plans will be the foundation from which the WCNRC will set goals for the coming year. Finance Funds of the Winston County Natural Resources Council shall be under the supervision and handled by the Treasurer. The financial records shall be periodically examined by an independent CPA and a WCNRC member. An annual report to the membership of calendar-year income and expenses with starting and ending balances is shared at the January meeting and for tax reporting. Funds are held in a federally-insured savings and loan association. Funds are derived from donations, work projects (such as tree sales or workshop registrations), and grants. Annual tax filings, where required by law, are done through an independent CPA and reported to the membership by the IRS deadline. In addition to the Treasurer, one other member shall be named on and have access to the bank account, checks, and records. That second member has no term and is available to support the Council in the Treasurer’s absence. Amendments Amendments to the bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the WCNRC by a simple majority of the total membership.