Section 1

The name of the Organization shall be the Organization of Wildlife Lands and Realty Specialists.

Section 2

The Organization shall be organized and operate exclusively to promote professionalism, technical advancement, interdisciplinary communication within the field of wildlife lands, preservation and enhancement, and for other charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE II

Section 1

Classes of membership shall include Member Wildlife Agency(s), Associate Members, Honorary Life Members and Contributing Members.

(a) Member Wildlife Agency(s). Any state, provincial or commonwealth agency, represented by a land specialist, or their equivalent, responsible for administration of fish and wildlife resources in each state, province, territory or commonwealth in the United States, the Dominion of Canada and the Republic of Mexico, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and upon payment of annual dues of $150.00.

(b) Associate Members. Any present state, provincial, territory or commonwealth fish and wildlife land specialist, or their equivalent, may become associate members of the Organization upon application and payment of annual dues of $50.00. Associate members shall receive a copy of the annual transactions and shall have all of the privileges of the Organization. Membership in the Organization of an associate member shall terminate upon the affiliation of a member wildlife agency.

(c) Honorary Life Members. The Organization may elect as honorary life members persons who cannot qualify for regular membership in the Organization by unanimous vote of the membership. Each such honorary life member shall be entitled to receive a copy of the annual transactions, and all other privileges of the organization except that of voting when a vote by official member wildlife agency(s) and associate members is requested.

(d) Contributing Members. Any nongovernmental organization, institution, foundation, society, corporation or person that supports the objectives of the Organization may become a contributing member upon application to and approval of the Executive Committee and payment of annual dues of $35.00. Each contributing member shall be entitled to receive a copy of the annual transactions, and all other privileges of the organization except that of voting when a vote by official member wildlife agency(s) and associate members is requested.

Section 2

Meetings shall be held annually at the time and place selected by the majority vote of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members upon recommendations of the Nominating Committee.

Section 3

Special meetings shall be called by the President subject to the approval of two-thirds of the member wildlife agency(s) and associate members by mail ballot. The ballot shall be prepared and mailed to the member wildlife agency(s) and associate members by the Secretary/Treasurer, upon receiving notification from the President, and to be counted must be received by the Secretary/Treasurer within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing. All clauses under these Articles shall apply as well to special meetings except as otherwise provided.

Section 4

There shall be no initiation fee, but all members of the Organization, except honorary life members, shall pay the annual dues specified in Article II, Section 1, for each calendar year or part thereof. All dues are payable on joining the Organization for that calendar year and thereafter on the first (1st) day of May. Funds shall be placed in a Federally Insured Bank or Savings and Loan Association.
The dues shall not be changed except by amendment to these bylaws, adopted by a two-thirds majority of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members present at a regular meeting held sixty (60) days after notice of the proposed change has gone to all members.

Section 5

There shall be a registration fee for all persons participating in the general or technical sessions of the Organization. The Executive Committee shall determine the amount of the fee.

Section 6

Notice shall be mailed by the Secretary/Treasurer to the membership before January 1 of each year stating that annual dues are payable. Dues shall be paid by May 1 of each year.

Section 7

Copies of the minutes of all regular and special meetings shall be submitted to the membership at each annual meeting for their approval. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a file containing:

Organization By-Laws and Constitution, minutes of all regular and special meetings of the membership and executive committees, correspondence pertinent to organizational affairs, financial statements and records and all other material designated as "pertinent" by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III

Section 1

The officers of the Organization shall be a President, President-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer. The terms of office shall be one year for the President, one year for the President-Elect and a three-year term for the Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 2

Nominations for office in the Organization shall be made by the Nomination Committee.

Section 3

Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1

Each member wildlife agency and associate member shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 2

Except as otherwise provided, all voting shall be by voice.

Section 3

Except as otherwise provided, the majority vote shall rule.

ARTICLE V

Section 1

All committees shall be appointed by the President to serve during his term in office.

(a) Nominating Committee shall be composed of three member wildlife agency(s) representatives or associate members, one of which shall be designated chairman by the President. The committee will follow guidelines established in the By-Laws under Article III, Section 2.

(b) Resolution Committee shall be composed of two member wildlife agency(s) representatives or associate members appointed by the President.

(c) Executive Committee shall be composed of the President-Elect who shall serve as chairman, the Secretary/Treasurer and two other member wildlife agency(s) representatives or associate members appointed by the President. The committee shall operate as provided in the By-Laws under Article II, Section 5 and is authorized to make such other decisions during the annual session as are necessary for orderly conduct of the Organization's business.

(d) Other committees can be established at the discretion of the President or as directed by majority vote of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members. Honorary live members and contributing members shall be entitled to serve on any established committee other than those provided in the By-Laws in Article V, Section 1, (a), (b) and (c).

ARTICLE VI

Section 1

The Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order of the Organization can be amended at any regular annual meeting by two-thirds vote of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members present, provided; however, that proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer in writing at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the annual meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be considered.

Section 2

Upon receipt in writing of a proposed amendment, the Secretary/Treasurer shall mail a copy of said proposal to each member wildlife agency and associate member at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1

The Organization may be dissolved by two-thirds majority vote of the member wildlife agency(s) representatives and associate members at any annual meeting provided that written notice of such a vote shall be sent to each member wildlife agency and associate member at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

Section 2

Upon dissolution, the capital assets of the Organization shall be liquidated by the Secretary/Treasurer and each member wildlife agency shall be furnished an equal share of the liquidated assets. The member wildlife agency(s) shall use these liquidated assets for the exclusive purpose of preservation of natural resources and for other charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE VIII

Section 1

Except as otherwise provided, all business of the Organization shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order-Revised.

ORGANIZATION OF WILDLIFE LANDS
AND REALTY SPECIALISTS

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Adopted May 20, 1985
Amended May 16, 1990
Amended May 12, 1992
Amended May 18, 2001