Bylaws of the
Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association

Initial Adoption: May 6, 1985
Last Revised: May 15, 1998

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. The name shall be Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association, Inc. hereinafter referred to as VLWA.
Section 2. The Association shall be a non-stock, not-for-profit organization. It shall be a state affiliate of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS).

Section 3. The purposes for which this Association is organized are as follows:

A. To promote good lake management and the general welfare in lake ownership or management organizations.

B. To promote sound stormwater management practices on a watershed basis.

C. To disseminate information to the membership which will tend to improve the policies of lake and watershed management organizations.

D. To disseminate information to the membership regarding governmental developments in the field.

E. To promote and represent the Association in the development of research and standards for lake and other water resource management.

F. To seek the enforcement of laws which affect lakes and other water resources, and watersheds.

G. To promote the welfare of lake, and other water resources and watershed management interests in any other ways which may be deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership shall be open to lake, pond, reservoir, river and watershed property owners or associations within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and other organizations or individuals providing support services to or interested in lake and watershed management.

Section 2. The Annual Membership Meeting will be held at a time and date to be announced. The outgoing officers will present a report of their activities for the past year.

ARTICLE III - DUES

Section 1. Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Association will be governed by a Board of Directors, which shall have full power to manage the affairs of the Association to accomplish its purposes.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of no more than 14 directors, who are VLWA members, and shall become North American Lake Management Society members prior to the next Board Meeting if not already a member, half of whom shall be elected every year. Each director shall serve for a two year term. Directors will be elected by the general membership. Vacancies may be filled by the Board of Directors. The Past President shall also be an active voting Board member.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet or otherwise communicate at least every four months. The Board shall select meeting locations throughout the state.

Section 4. Meetings of the Board shall be open to Association members but anyone wishing to speak must secure a place on the agenda.

Section 5. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 6. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Past President.

Section 7. Any Board Member, except Emeritus Directors, missing two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings shall be dropped automatically from the Board of Directors and the Board Will appoint a replacement for that term. If it is deemed to be in the best interest of the VLWA, the Board may reappoint a member who has been dropped.

Section 8. Elections shall be held at the Annual Membership Meeting.

Section 9. The nominating committee shall consider recommendations from the regions, and nominate candidates for election at the Annual Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section 1. The board shall elect officers for the next year at the Annual Membership Meeting.

Section 2. The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Section 3. Officers shall be members of the Board of Directors and shall be elected for a one-year term. Successors shall be elected by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for the management of the Association's business. The president shall carry out the orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and shall have the authority to reasonably delegate responsibilities to others.

Section 5. In the President's absence, the Vice President shall carry out the President's duties. In the absence of both, the Secretary shall carry out the President's duties.

Section 6. The Secretary shall maintain the minutes, correspondence and records of the Association.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall collect keep and disburse the funds of the Association, keep proper books, and render a report of the financial status of the Association at each Board of Directors meeting.

Section 8. In the absence of the Secretary or Treasurer, the Presidency or Vice President, in that order, shall designate a substitute.

Section 9. Bonding of the Treasurer shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Section 10. Each of the officers shall prepare an annual report to be presented at the Annual Membership meeting.

Section 11. The Vice President shall be the Chapter Representative to the North American Lake Management Society. The duties will include conveying all news from NALMS to VLWA and responding to all requests from NALMS for the VLWA.

ARTICLE VI - BUSINESS OFFICE

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall select the location of the business office. The site should be more or less centrally located to the majority of the Association membership.

ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Annually, the Board of Directors shall elect a 3-person nominating committee to nominate officers and members of the Board.

Section 2. There shall be a membership committee appointed annually by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. There shall be a financial review committee, appointed annually by the President who shall examine the financial records of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order shall generally be accepted to govern the proceedings of the Association. The President shall appoint a Parliamentarian if necessary.

ARTICLE IX - ANTI DISCRIMINATION

Section 1. The Association shall not discriminate against individuals or organizations because of race, color, gender nation origin or any other reason.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided written notice is given to Board members at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which action is to be taken. A proposed amendment may be changed at the meeting providing it pertains to the same general subject.

Bylaws of the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association

Bylaws of the
Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association