CONSTITUTION of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FOREST SERVICE RETIREES

I.    OBJECTIVES

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THIS ASSOCIATION SHALL BE:

1. To establish a non-partisan, professional and science-based organization with members consisting of Forest Service retirees, associates, and sustaining members with germane training and experience 

2. To bring to bear members' combined knowledge and experience in forestry, range and other natural resource management, allied research, and state and private forestry matters, for the purpose of providing sound and timely professional advice and public education relating to critical issues involving forestry and its related specialties.

 3. To provide information about natural resource management for the American people, their elected representatives and public and private agencies; to provide educational material with the objective of enhancing public understanding of natural resources, and to act as a contact point where individuals and organizations can access expertise in the science and practice of forestry and related fields.

II.    NAME

The name of this association shall be the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, informally known as NAFSR.

III.    MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the NAFSR is open to: 

(1)   "Regular Members": Forest Service retirees, their spouses and surviving spouses who are the voting members; 
(2)   "Associate Members": Retirees of related federal agencies, as well as others who are scientifically or technically trained, or members of the public with interest or experience germane to natural resource matters, who shall be non-voting.
(3)   "Sustaining Members" who, as determined by the Board of Directors, have provided outstanding contributions to the furtherance of the objectives of NAFSR. Sustaining members who are Forest Service retirees will have voting privileges. Membership is contingent upon submission of a membership application and payment of dues.. The board of directors may also grant membership to special individuals.

 IV.    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

There shall be at least one Director from each of the Forest Service regional geographic areas, selected by members of the retirees club in the regional area. The Board of Directors may designate, at their discretion, other "At-Large" board members. Election of the Board will be as provided in the bylaws.

V.    OFFICERS

Chair of the Board of Directors will be determined by majority vote of the Board and will serve a two-year term. The Board may appoint an Executive Director, Secretary/Treasurer, legal counsel, and other officers of NAFSR, as it deems necessary.

VI.    DUES

The Board of Directors will establish dues as provided for in the bylaws

VII.    FINANCIAL REPORT AND AUDIT

The Chair with the consent of the Board of Directors will appoint an audit committee to perform an annual audit and financial report. 

VIII.    CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS

Changes to the constitution and bylaws will require a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors.

IX.    DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose, as designated by the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS  of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FOREST SERVICE RETIREES, INC.

A.    DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
   
   a)   Elects the Board Chair
   b)   Appoints and supervises the Executive Director
   c)   Identifies issues of importance and directs the initiation of action 
   d)   Approves contents of action items and reports
   e)   Targets the response to appropriate audiences
   f)    Fills vacant Board positions intheabsence of regional club selections to the Board
   g)   Appoints "At-Large" Board members
   h)   Appoints and determines compensation for officers and staff
   i)    Initiates and approves changes to the constitution and bylaws
   
   
2. CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
   a)  Convenes and presides over meetings of the Board of Directors
   b)  Signs all correspondence of the Association, except as may otherwise be specifically delegated or directed.
   c)   Executes contracts
   d)   Holds general delegation authority
   
   
3.  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
   
   The Board of Directors will select the Executive Director. Duties will be to manage the day-to-day operation of the Association. He/she will organize and supervise the staff, the preparation and dissemination of issue papers, and facilitate communication among Board members, the general membership, agencies and other interested parties.
   
   
4. SECRETARY/TREASURER
   
   The Secretary/Treasurer will perform normal corresponding secretarial duties, keep minutes of regular meetings maintain and file all official correspondence, record and deposit all monies received, maintain member rosters, acknowledge new members, manage the association's finances, prepare routine reports and an annual audited financial report. The Board will appoint the position for a two-year term.
   
   
5.  COUNSELOR
   
   The Board appoints the counselor, normally an attorney, for a two-year term. Duties are to advise the Board on legal aspects of issues coming before the Association and to offer advice regarding matters of law and ethics.
   

 B    ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The initially-named Board of Directors shall consist of retired Forest Service employees, one-fourth of whom shall serve a term ending 12/30/01, one-fourth ending 12/30/02, one-fourth ending 12/30/03, and one-fourth who will serve terms ending 12/30/04. These initial terms will be determined by random selection. Subsequent Board members will serve 2-year terms. Directors may not be elected to more than three consecutive terms.

In November of each year regional retiree clubs will be asked to select people to fill vacant positions on the Board of Directors. The method of selection shall be under procedures determined by the local club. In the event a club does not designate a director or if there is no club representing a geographic area, a representative to the Board shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

 C.    ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Officers are elected by the Board and serve a two-year term. Officers may not be elected to more than three consecutive terms.

D.    DUES

1.   Regular members:        $25 annually
2.   Associate members:    $15 annually
3.   Sustaining members:    $50 annually (minimum)

 E.    CHANGES TO BYLAWS

The Board of directors may amend bylaws of this Association by a two-thirds majority of those voting and will publish the changes on the retirees' Internet website.