secretary

Click here! to view last year’s business meeting minutes.  We will be voting on the minutes at this year’s business meeting at the annual conference in Butte on February 9th from 7:30am – 9:00am.  Hope to see you there! 

Periodically, issues arise that necessitate changes to MTTWS bylaws. This year we were solicited by the awards committee to update the language in the awards section to reflect current procedure. We will vote on these changes at our business meeting (February 9, 2024) during the annual conference in Butte.  

Modifications/additions to the MT TWS bylaws

Text to be deleted and added to Article VIII – Committees, Section 2, Clause F – Awards (pg 7 and 8)

This committee shall consist of at least three members, one from each geographic region of the Chapter.  A fourth member of the committee will be appointed by the President for input on selection of recipients for the Bob Watts Wildlife Communications Award.  

To foster standardization of selection procedures, the Committee Chair shall be appointed to the committee the year succeeding his/her chairmanship, serving only one year as Chair. Committee members shall not be eligible as award candidates and may not make nominations for the Distinguished Service Award nominate candidates for award recipients. They may nominate candidates for Wildlife Biologist of the Year. Committee members shall recuse themselves from voting on any award where a conflict of interest exists.

Text to be deleted and added to Article VIII – Committees, Section 2, Clause F – Awards, 3) Guidelines for Selection (pg 9)

Each member will rate each nominee. The Committee will tabulate a total numerical rating for each nominee.  The Committee will decide the award recipient on the basis of these numerical ratings and other appropriate considerations.  The Committee will then convene to make a final determination of the recipient for each award. The decision of the Committee will be forwarded to the President not less than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. In the event of a tie between nominees, the president Board shall be empowered to use discretion in breaking the tie.

Periodically, issues arise that necessitate changes to MTTWS bylaws. This year, we are proposing adding language that enables us to grant additional awards and travel money to students and professionals. Please read and get familiar with the proposed language new and amended language below. We will have an online election (dues-paying members only) for these changes this coming fall. 

 

Modifications/additions to the MT TWS bylaws

New funding to support students:

Text to be added to Article VIII – Committees, Section 2, Clause G – Scholarship

1) Name: ____ Scholarship Fund (name TBD)

2) Recipient: An outstanding wildlife student(s) enrolled at a university/college in Montana other than the University of Montana or Montana State University.

3) Amount: A minimum of $500.00 to be awarded each year at the Annual Meeting (to begin in 2022).

4) chairmanship will alternate every other year between the two universities.

 

1) Name: Dick Mackie Memorial Fund

2) Recipient: An outstanding wildlife student(s) at the University of Montana, Montana State University, or both.

3) Amount: A minimum of $500.00 to be awarded during summers as funds allow.

4) chairmanship will alternate every other year between the two universities.

 

Text to be added to Article IX – Financial Operations

Section 5

NAME? SCHOLARSHIP FUND – The ____ Scholarship Fund will finance the scholarship awards given annually to one student from other universities/colleges in Montana (not Montana State University or the University of Montana).

 

CLAUSE A – SOURCE – Monies will be raised from tax-free donations, raffles, and/or other fund-raising efforts approved by the membership. Items raffled will be awarded at the Annual Meeting. Donations, interest from CDs, returns from investments, proceeds from fund raising efforts, and funds from the Operations Checking Account (as recommended by the Financial Management Committee and approved by the membership) will be used to fund the scholarship awards.

 

CLAUSE B – ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT – All monies raised for this scholarship fund will be invested in financial instruments to include, but not limited to, federally-insured certificates of deposit (CD), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. Investments will be made according to the following criteria:

1. agreement with The Wildlife Society’s goals and objectives;
2. protection of principal; and
3. return on investment.

 

Monies in excess of the scholarships awarded will be reinvested in the scholarship fund. The sole use of all monies raised for the scholarship fund and interest generated by these monies will be to fund wildlife scholarships. The Financial Management Committee may periodically recommend to the membership that surplus proceeds from the Operations Checking Account be used to supplement the principal of the scholarship fund. The Financial Management Committee will audit the Treasurer’s records of this fund annually.

 

Section 6

DICK MACKIE AWARD – The Dick Mackie Award will provide financial support for a member of the UM or MSU student chapter to attend the national TWS conference.

 

CLAUSE A – SOURCE – Monies will be raised from tax-free donations, raffles, and/or other fund-raising efforts approved by the membership. Items raffled will be awarded at the Annual Meeting. Donations, interest from CDs, returns from investments, proceeds from fund raising efforts, and funds from the Operations Checking Account (as recommended by the Financial Management Committee and approved by the membership) will be used to fund the awards.

 

CLAUSE B – ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT – All monies raised for this fund will be invested in financial instruments to include, but not limited to, federally-insured certificates of deposit (CD), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. Investments will be made according to the following criteria:

1. agreement with The Wildlife Society’s goals and objectives;
2. protection of principal; and
3. return on investment.

 

Monies in excess of awards made will be reinvested in the fund. The sole use of all monies raised for the fund and interest generated by these monies will be to fund student attendance at the national TWS conference. The Financial Management Committee may periodically recommend to the membership that surplus proceeds from the Operations Checking Account be used to supplement the principal of the fund. The Financial Management Committee will audit the Treasurer’s records of this fund annually.

 

Formalizing the Rising Professional Award:

Text to be modified/added to Article VIII – Committees, Section 2, Clause F – Awards

1) AWARDS: Five awards are authorized by the Chapter: a Distinguished Service Award, a Wildlife Biologist of the Year Award, a Bob Watts Wildlife Communications Award, a Wildlife Conservationist Award, and a Rising Professional Award. Each award will be a certificate or plaque presented at the Annual Meeting provided that a worthy candidate has been selected. It is not mandatory that all five awards be given every year.

2) CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS: Each award shall be given to an individual (member or non-member) who has contributed toward furthering the objectives of this Chapter. Each award will be given for contributions in wildlife management and research which incorporate one or more of the following attributes: administration; communications with the public; interagency communications; legislation; management accomplishments; scientific publications; teaching; professional leadership and progress; and others as designated by the members.

e) Rising Professional Award: This award will recognize emerging professionals and rising leaders in the wildlife field who are drivers of professional progress in Montana. Eligible candidates will have worked in a part- or full-time professional capacity for at least 3 years, and no more than 8 years. Years need not be consecutive. Current students are not eligible. Employment may include, but is not limited to: wildlife and habitat management or research, conservation policy or advocacy, environmental education or program development, consultation, etc.

Co-workers, supervisees, supervisors, and other professional or public associates of a candidate may sponsor award submissions. Collaborations across a candidate’s employment history are encouraged.

Nominations will consist of 3 letters of sponsorship, no longer than one page each, that testify to the candidate’s record of:

• • Professional-caliber engagement with supervisors, co-workers, supervisees, and the public
  • Pursuit of professional and personal development
  • Community involvement and commitment to work-life balance
  • Practice of inclusion, equality, and respect across human circumstance and identity