BY-LAWS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION OF MISSISSIPPI

Last Amended January 13, 2011

 

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi is to ensure the future health and vitality of our Urban and Community Forest by promoting public awareness, good stewardship, continuing education, professional training and adherence to best practices in the field of Arboriculture.

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

1.1       The name of the Association is the Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi, hereinafter referred to as the “Association” or “PAAM”.

1.2       The purposes of the Association are to facilitate the advancement, protection, and interests of members of PAAM and to foster public appreciation of trees.

ARTICLE II.  MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

2.1       Any individual or company representative interested in arboriculture shall be eligible for membership upon payment of the annual membership dues.

2.2       Any individual may be elected an honorary member of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the membership at any Annual Business Meeting, and any person elected an honorary member of PAAM shall be a life member without obligation to pay dues   thereto.

2.3       Membership dues in the Association shall be payable in advance for the next succeeding calendar year, for the period of February 1 through January 31, at the rate specified by the Executive Committee.  Both individual and company membership rates shall be available. 

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS

3.1       Meetings of the Association may be held at such time and place as determined by the President or Executive Committee.  Due and timely notice of such meetings shall be given to the members of the general body and/or Executive Committee at least one month before the set time of such meeting.

3.2       The Annual Business Meeting of PAAM shall be held at the same time and place as the Annual Conference.

3.3       Elections of the Association shall take place at the Annual Business Meeting.         

 

ARTICLE IV.  OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

4.1       The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Officers shall serve one year terms.

4.2       The Board Members of the Association shall one each represent the interests of the commercial arborist, municipal arborist, International Society of Arboriculture - Southern Chapter, professional education, Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, Investor Owned Electric Utilities in Mississippi, Immediate Past President, Exhibitors and a Member-at-Large.  Board Members shall serve two year terms, except that the Immediate Past President shall serve a one year term. 

4.3       The four (4) Officers of PAAM, together with nine (9) other members designated as Board Members, shall constitute the Executive Committee.

4.4       The President, and in his absence the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings of the the Association and of the Executive Committee, and shall conduct such meetings and perform the duties devolving upon such presiding officer in accordance with the rules of Parliamentary Assemblies as laid down in Robert’s Rule of Order.

4.5       The Secretary shall: (a) keep a true record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee; (b) maintain an accurate list of the members of the Association; and (c) cause the notification, such as mail, telephone, E-mail, or other electronic means, to the members of the general body and/or Executive Committee of the time and place of all meetings. 

4.6       The Treasurer shall: (a) receive and disburse Association funds; (b) collect Association dues; (c) maintain accounts which shall be open to inspection by Officers and subject to audit; and (d) prepare financial reports, to include a current balance sheet and an income statement reflecting the preceding 12 months of operations.

ARTICLE V.  COMMITTEES

5.1       Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall consist of three (3) PAAM members, a minimum of one whom shall be a member of the Executive Committee. The duties of the Nominating Committee shall be to nominate a minimum of one candidate each for ensuing vacancies for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member(s) and present the nominations to the Executive Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall be appointed at least sixty (60) days in advance of the Annual Business Meeting. 

5.2       Additional Committees may be created, appointed, and discharged by the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.  

ARTICLE VI.  AMENDMENTS

6.1       The membership may amend these By-Laws by a majority vote of the plurality of the members voting, if by mail ballot or electronic ballot.  By-Law amendments may also be effected by a two-thirds vote at the Annual Business Meeting or Special Meetings of the membership, provided the amendments were given at least one month prior to the Meeting.

ARTICLE VII.  ELECTION PROCEDURE

7.1       The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee as in Section 

7.2       A report of nominations to fill ensuing vacancies shall be provided by the Nominating Committee to the Executive Committee at least two weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting and presented again at the Annual Business Meeting.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Business Meeting by any member in good standing for any elected position.  

7.3       Each PAAM membership, either individual or company, shall be entitled to one vote for each elected position.  Voting shall be done by voice vote or show of hands.  In the event of a tie for any of the elected positions, the Executive Committee may break the tie by a simple majority vote.