American Fisheries Society
Alaska Chapter - STUDENT UNIT
The Student Unit was organized as a sub unit of the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in 1987 to promote the involvement of students at Alaskan colleges and universities in the affairs of the American Fisheries Society and in the understanding and wise use of Alaska fish and fisheries.  The student unit provides a forum for students and others to interact with practicing fisheries scientists through guest lectures, meetings, and activities.

BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT UNIT, ALASKA CHAPTER, AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY 

SECTION 1 - NAME AND OBJECTIVES

The name of this organization shall be the Student Unit of the Alaska Chapter, American Fisheries Society, hereafter referred to as the Unit. The objectives of the Unit shall be those of the American Fisheries Society as set forth in Article I of the Constitution, including the exchange of fisheries information to students; encouraging teaching of fisheries science and training of fisheries students and workers; and promoting the conservation, development and wise utilization of fisheries.

SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Unit shall be open to anyone. However, only student members of the American Fisheries Society in good standing who are enrolled at an Alaskan university or college shall hold office or vote in the Unit.

SECTION 3 - MEETINGS

Each campus group of the Unit shall hold a monthly meeting during the scholastic year at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 4 - OFFICERS

The officers of each campus group of the Unit shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The election of officers and transfer of leadership shall be made during the April meeting. In the case of a vacated position, the officers will step up one level to fill the position. If the Secretary-Treasurer's position is vacated, the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified replacement to fill the unexpired term. The term of the President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and committee members shall be one year. In order to provide student training, student members of the Unit are encourage to hold office in the Unit.

SECTION 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The President of each campus group of the Unit shall preside at the monthly meeting, shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee and shall make appointments and perform other duties as authorized and necessary. The responsibility of Unit representation on the Alaska Chapter Executive Committee shall annually rotate among the campus group Presidents. The Vice President shall be the Chairperson of the Program Committee and shall assume the duties of the President in the event of his or her absence or inability to act.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the official records of the Unit; submit a copy of the minutes of the monthly meeting to the Alaska Chapter; shall collect and be custodian of funds collected under section 9 of the Bylaws and others that may be allocated to the Unit. The Secretary-Treasurer shall disburse funds as may be authorized and necessary, and shall submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the monthly Unit meetings. An audit of Unit records and assets will be conducted by the Alaska Chapter each spring just prior to the transfer of leadership.

SECTION 6 - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee of each campus group of the Unit shall consist of the elected officers noted under section 4. Each Executive Committee will be given guidance by a campus faculty member who is an Alaska Chapter member in good standing, appointed by the Alaska Chapter President and serves as an ex officio member on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is authorized to act for the campus group between meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions.

SECTION 7 - UNIT COMMITTEES

The President of each campus group of the Unit is authorized to appoint from members of the campus group such committees as may be necessary to conduct the business of the Unit. All committee members must be Unit members in good standing. Standing committees as referred to in these bylaws are those of a more or less permanent nature, whose subject matter is of continuous significance to the Unit. Standing committees shall be created upon the affirmative vote of the majority of those members present at a monthly meeting. Standing committees as defined in this paragraph shall include:

a.                   Program Committee: shall be appointed of not less than three (3) members including the Vice President who will be the Chairperson. This committee will be responsible for arrangements of the program for the monthly meeting consisting of technical papers, symposia, or seminars related to fisheries, and other appropriate activities related to the fisheries profession.

b.                   Nominating Committee: shall be appointed of not less than three (3) members who will present to the membership a slate of candidates by the March meeting. At the March meeting nominations from the floor may also be accepted.

c.                   Policy and Resolutions Committee: shall be appointed of not less than three (3) members who shall draft and recommend to the Unit and/or Executive Committee for consideration such resolutions or correspondence as may be considered prudent and necessary in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the Unit. All resolutions, statements, and correspondence approved by the committee must be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval or to the Unit membership at the next meeting. All resolutions or statements approved by the Executive Committee must be reported to the Unit membership at the next meeting, and must be reported to the Chapter by correspondence within 30 days. Resolutions or statements of local or statewide significance must have the concurrence of the Alaska Chapter before public release.

d.                   Public Relations Committee: shall be appointed of not less than three (3) members who will promote Unit membership and publicize meetings and events.

e.                   Any other temporary or ad hoc committees that are deemed necessary to carry out the work of the Unit. Guidance for committees will be obtained from the Chapter and its Administrative Handbook.

SECTION 8 - VOTING AND QUORUM

Decisions at the meetings of the Unit shall be by a majority of those members voting, and in accordance with the Constitution of the American Fisheries Society. A quorum at any meeting for the transaction of official business shall be three-fifths (3/5) of the Unit's voting membership.

SECTION 9 - DUES AND REGISTRATION

Dues or collections may be approved by a vote of the membership to fulfill the objectives of the Unit. Collection shall be made by the Secretary-Treasurer. Application for all classes of membership in the American Fisheries Society may be received by the Secretary-Treasurer at any time and shall be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Society for processing.

SECTION 10 - AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

The Bylaws of the Unit may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of those members of all campus groups voting and in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Fisheries Society, and section 8 of these Bylaws. Said change(s) must be submitted and approved by the Executive Committee of the Alaska Chapter before taking effect.

SECTION 11 - DISSOLUTION

Should the Unit be dissolved, the records and assets of the Unit shall become the property of the Alaska Chapter, American Fisheries Society.

Adopted April 2001, Student Unit meetings, University of Alaska, Juneau and Fairbanks