CENTRAL TEXAS PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL

BYLAWS

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Article I: Mission and Objectives

 

1.1 Mission Statement

The mission of the Central Texas Prescribed Fire Council is to foster cooperation among all parties with an interest or stake in prescribed fire for the purpose of promoting, conserving, and expanding the responsible use of fire as a land management tool.

 

1.2 Name

The name of this organization shall be the Central Texas Prescribed Fire Council, hereafter known as the “Council”.

 

1.3 Objectives

• Provide a forum for discussion on prescribed fire practices, policies, and regulations.

• Promote public understanding of the benefits of prescribed fire and the role of fire in Texas ecosystems.

• Protect, promote, and enhance the ability to use prescribed fire safely and responsibly as a land management tool.

• Support development of resources and expertise in prescribed fire by sharing technical, safety, training, research, and ecological information.

• Review prescribed fire issues and concerns and suggest courses of action.

• Aid in developing policy and regulations as they relate to prescribed fire in Texas.

 

 

Article II: Participation and Membership

 

2.1 Participation

Participation shall be open to any agency, organization, or individual that uses, regulates or promotes prescribed fire as a land management tool.

 

2.2 Quorum

A quorum consists of a majority of the current members of the Council at the time of a Council meeting. 

 

2.3 Membership Requirements

Any organization, individual or agency wishing to support and promote the purposes of the Council may apply to the Secretary for membership and shall become a member if approved by a unanimous vote of the Council.

 

 

2.4 Voting Rights

Any issue put forward to the Council which requires a vote for approval shall be presented at a Council meeting or put forward for a vote by other means of communication.  In order for the results of a vote to be valid, a quorum of the Council members must participate in the vote.

 

2.5 Member Responsibilities   

Members shall attend Council meetings when possible or maintain communication with the Council.  Members shall adopt and adhere to the Central Texas Prescribed Fire Council mission and objectives.

 

2.6 Members and Membership

The Council shall have members and memberships, divided into the following classifications:

Individual membership.  Individual shall mean those persons who represent only themselves.  Individual members shall have voting rights on the Council.

 

Organizational membership.  Organization shall mean federal, state, or local agencies, non-profit organizations, or for-profit corporations.  Multiple individuals may represent organizational members, but the organization as a whole shall have one Council vote.

 

2.7 Removal

A member can be removed from the council at their request or by unanimous vote of the council.

 

 

Article III: Officers

 

3.1

The officers of the council shall be the Chair, Vice-chair, and Secretary, who will be members and determined by unanimous vote of the Council.

 

3.2

Officers shall be elected for and serve a term of two years and until their successors have been duly elected or until their prior resignation. Officers may be re-elected for consecutive terms.

 

3.3

The Chair shall preside at all meetings and see that all resolutions approved by the Council are acted upon. In the event that the Chair must be absent from a meeting, the Vice-chair will serve as Chair.

 

3.4

The Secretary shall see that the minutes of each meeting are kept and that a copy is provided to each member if requested.

 

 

 

 

3.5

The Chair may authorize the issuance of position statements and public notices after approval of the Council.

 

3.6

The Chair, or Secretary by unanimous approval, shall have the responsibility of ensuring all applicable financial regulations are followed and will have the authority to approve disbursals if the Council is in possession of any funds.

 

 

Article IV: Meetings

 

4.1

Notice of Council meetings shall be provided to members prior to meetings and will include meeting topics.

 

4.2

If no Council meetings are held in a 6 month period, the Council will be deemed inactive.

 

 

Article V: Amendments

 

5.1

By-law amendments will be proposed one meeting in advance, and then voted on at the subsequent meeting or remotely within two weeks of the meeting.

 

 

 

Final 10/11/2017