By-Laws of Missouri Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

The Association is committed to the active involvement of all its members; regardless of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, handicap, veteran status or sexual preference. All members will be encouraged to participate in programs and activities and to take leadership roles in the Association.

Section 1

Active Members—An Extension employee working in any capacity, state or field levels, with human environmental sciences programming, who has a degree in human environmental sciences or a related field; upon payment of dues may become an active member of the Association. An individual, who has a degree in a related field, but not in human environmental sciences, shall have their credentials reviewed for approval by the Association Executive Committee.

Section 2	Life Member
	a.	Any former Extension employee who has been a member of the Association for at least 10 years will be granted life membership upon application to the National Association Vice-President for Member Resources and payment of a one time fee.
	b.	Life Members shall not pay state dues. They may receive the National Association official publication by subscription and serve on committees. They may not hold office, vote or receive awards and fellowships.

Section 3	Dues
	a.	A member shall be considered in good standing upon payment of dues for the current year.
	b.	Membership dues shall be established at the annual meeting of the Association.
	c.	Faculty members of the College of Human Environmental Sciences are encouraged to become members of the Association, and the other Extension professional organizations.

Section 2	The President-elect shall serve in the absence of the President.
Section 3	The President-elect shall be elected for one year and automatically assumes the office of President for one year or until a successor is elected. The President-elect shall serve one year after the year of presidency as the immediate Past-president.
	Members of the Executive Committee shall not succeed themselves in the same office.
	The Treasurer and President-elect shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The Secretary and President-elect shall be elected in even-numbered years. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to serve two-year terms or until their successors are elected.
	In the absence of both the President and the President-elect, the secretary shall fill the vacancy.

Section 4	The duties of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors are to set deadlines, formulate policy and transact business of the Association and keep the membership informed. Other duties and responsibilities shall be outlined in an Association handbook.
Section 5	The Association President shall serve as a voting member of the University of Missouri Extension Association (UMEA) Board of Directors for the term of office.
Section 6	a.	The Association President shall participate in the North Central Region Leadership Workshop. The National Association shall pay the President’s expenses. The President-elect shall also attend the North Central Region Leadership Workshop. The State Association shall pay transportation, lodging and meal costs for the President-elect and meal costs for the President that are not covered by the National Association.
	b.	The Association President-elect shall attend the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD). The Association shall pay transportation, lodging and meal costs for the President-elect. The President-elect is encouraged to apply for funds to help defray the costs to the Association (i.e. Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund).
Section 7	The Executive Committee, Chair and Chair-elect of the Awards and Recognition, Member Resources, Professional Development and Public Affairs Committees shall constitute the Association’s Board of Directors.

Section 1	Standing committees shall consist of: Awards and Recognition, By-laws, Member Resources, Nominating, Professional Development, Public Affairs and other committees necessary to conform to the National Association’s program of work. The members of the committees shall be appointed for one year, with the exception of the Chair-elect, who will serve two years.
Section 2	There shall be a By-laws Committee, chaired by the Past-president.
Section 3	A Nominating Committee chaired in even-numbered years by the Treasurer and in odd-numbered years by the Secretary, will present a slate of candidates (two for each position when possible) prior to each annual meeting.
Section 4	The President as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors may appoint Ad Hoc committees.
Section 5	Vacancies on committees are to be filled by Presidential appointment.

Section 1	There shall be an annual meeting of the Association called by the Executive Committee in conjunction with the UMEA annual meeting. The Association may have another meeting, called by the Executive Committee.
Section 2	A quorum shall constitute one-half of the membership.
Section 3	The Executive Committee may call special meetings of the Association.
Section 4	At special meetings, those present shall constitute a quorum.

Section 1

These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at the annual meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose. One-half of the membership shall constitute a quorum. The membership shall be informed of such amendments or changes at least 10 days in advance.

Section 1

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-laws, the standing rules, the special rules of order and the policies of the Association.

Section 1

On the dissolution of the Association, the entire net assets remaining after the payment of any and all liabilities and obligations of the Association shall be transferred to such Association or Associations organized exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as exempt Association or Associations under Section 501 C (3) which is other than a foundation exempt under Section 509 (a) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Section 1	MEMORIAL FOR CURRENT MEMBERS. In the event of the death of a current Association member, a bud vase with a yellow rose will be sent in remembrance. At the next business meeting of the Association, donations will be collected from members and presented to the Human Environmental Sciences Extension Development Fund (HEED), Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund, or a memorial of the family’s choice.
Section 2	MEMORIAL FOR RETIRED MEMBERS. In the event of the death of a retired Association member, a card will be sent to the family. At the next business meeting of the Association, donations will be collected from members and presented to the HEED Fund, Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund or a memorial of the family’s choice.
Section 3	DUES. Collection of dues will begin September 1, each year. Dues must be sent to National Association by February 1, each year. Amount of dues total $55. Dues may be paid in installments. The first installment shall be $25., with two additional payments of $15. NEAFCS dues are $40 and MEAFCS dues are $15. UMEA dues are $30.
Section 4	COMMITTEE SELECTION. Efforts should be made by the President and President-elect to provide representation of all regions within the structure of the following committees: Professional Development, Public Affairs, Member Resources and Awards and Recognition.

Section 5	BUDGET ITEMS. The Association shall annually budget:
	a.	$200 to be shared by "first timers" (with maximum of $50 per member) attending annual session of the National Association.
	b.	$100 to be shared by the Association voting delegates (2) at annual session of the National Association.
	c.	Transportation, lodging and meal expenses of the President-elect to attend the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD) held annually in Washington, D.C. The President-elect shall be asked to apply for additional funds to help defray expenses to the Association (i.e. Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund).
	d.	Transportation, lodging and meal expenses of the President-elect to attend the North Central Region Leadership Workshop; and meal expenses of the President not covered by the National Association.

Section 6	RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. The State Association encourages membership in the following Organizations
	a.	University of Missouri Extension Association (UMEA)
	b.	National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Section 7	TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT. Board members attending the MEAFCS board meetings shall be reimbursed at the rate of .10/mile if traveling alone or.19/mile if 2 or more travel together.