The objectives of the Chapter shall be those of the American Fisheries Society as set forth in Article I of the Constitution, and to encourage the exchange of information by members of the Society residing within the State of Louisiana.

The membership of the Chapter shall be composed of those American Fisheries Society members in good standing residing within the State of Louisiana.

No person who meets the other criteria for membership may be denied membership on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, marital status, or veteran status.

The Chapter shall hold at least one meeting annually at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The program and presentation of papers shall be the responsibility of the Program Committee.

The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer.

Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting. The terms of the officers will be for two years. The President and President–Elect may not serve successive terms but the Secretary-Treasurer may, if re-elected.* In case of a vacated position, the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified replacement to fill an unexpired term.

In the event of a cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and the members of any committees shall continue to serve until the next scheduled meeting.

Section 4(a) - Nominations and Election of Chapter Officers

The Nomination Committee will include the current Executive Committee and will be chaired by the immediate Past President.  The Nominations Committee will identify candidates for the Chapter offices either as multiple candidates for each office to be selected by majority vote of the membership, or as a slate with one candidate for each office to be approved by acclamation of the membership. 

Nominations are intended to be a multi-tiered process with multiple opportunities for input from Chapter membership and past officers:

1) Nominations for new officers will be requested first from the membership at the business meeting of the year before the election. 

 2) The process will continue with a call for nominees through our newsletter about 9 months before the election.

 3) Subsequent to that, nominations will be solicited electronically by the Nomination Committee from the Ex-EXCOM (past officers). 

4) The Nomination Committee will meet and compile a list of potential candidates based on the suggestions received and will decide whether to put forth multiple candidates for the offices or a slate of candidates.

 5) Potential candidates will be contacted and asked if they are willing and able to serve as an officer.  

 6) After final approval by the Nominations Committee, the candidates will prepare a short biography to be posted on the Chapter's website prior to the annual meeting.

7)The nomination process will remain open for other candidates until the official closure of nominations at the Business Meeting immediately prior to the election.

 8) After closure of nominations (contingent on the presence of a quorum) the nominees to leave the room for voting which will be accomplished by voice acclamation, or if close, by a show of hands.  The current President will preside over the election process.*

The President of the Chapter shall preside at all meetings, serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee, represent the Chapter on the Executive Committee of the Southern Division and at the American Fisheries Society meetings, and make appointments and perform other duties and functions as are authorized.

The President-Elect shall be Chairman of the Program Committee and shall assume the duties of the President if the latter is unable to act.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the official records of the Chapter, collect and be custodian of any funds collected or allotted to the Chapter. The Secretary-Treasurer shall disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Committee or the membership, and submit a record of receipts and disbursements at the annual Chapter meeting. Other duties may be requested by the Executive Director of the American Fisheries Society and officers of the Southern Division.

The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate Past President, Committee Chairs, the Newsletter Editor, the Webmaster, and the Presidents of any officially associated student clubs, as determined by the President. The committee is authorized to act for the Chapter between meetings and to perform appropriate duties and functions.

Committees and the Chairman of Committees, except as listed in Section 5 of these Bylaws, shall be appointed by the President. The term of office for members of the Chapter Committees shall end upon the discharge of the duties for which they were appointed, or at the next annual meeting of the Chapter, whichever comes first.

Decisions at meetings of the Chapter shall be in accordance with the Constitution of the American Fisheries Society.

A quorum for the transaction of official business shall be one-third of the Chapter membership, except that members present may approve a lesser number for a given meeting, if circumstances dictate.**

The membership shall abide by its own rules of procedure, but in cases where it has adopted no explicit rules or where applicability of interpretation of rules is in doubt, Roberts Rule of Order Newly Revised shall govern.