American Dairy Science Association - Midwest Branch
American Society of Animal Sciences - Midwestern Section

1. The organizations are known as the Midwestern Section of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the Midwest Branch of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).



2. Purpose
1. To advance research and education in the animal sciences through providing a regional forum for exchange of scientific and technical information, and
2. To promote interaction and collaboration among the animal industries, scientists, trainees, and students.



3. Membership
1. Persons who are members of the parent organizations (ASAS and/or ADSA) are eligible for membership in the Midwestern Section and/or Midwest Branch.
2. Members of either ASAS or ADSA that are associated with organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are automatically considered members unless they indicate differently.
3. Members of ASAS that are associated with organizations in Manitoba or Western Ontario, Canada, are automatically considered members unless they indicate differently.
4. Student Affiliate Members of ADSA in the region shall be Student Affiliate Members of the Midwest Branch of ADSA.
5. Members of ADSA and/or ASAS that are associated with organizations outside the areas specified above who wish to be members of the Midwestern Section and/or Midwest Branch should request this change or addition through the Executive Director of his/her respective society.



4. Meeting
1. The Midwestern Section of ASAS and the Midwest Branch of ADSA shall hold an annual, joint meeting at a time and place as selected by the officers and directors of the Midwestern ASAS and Midwest ADSA, which shall be responsible for a program and shall make other necessary arrangements for the meeting.
2. The officers and directors of the Midwestern ASAS and Midwest ADSA shall have the authority to cancel an annual meeting if circumstances make such action necessary or desirable.



5. Governing Body
1. Officers and Directors
1. President, President – Elect, Past President, Secretary – Treasurer, and National Director elected by the membership of the Midwestern Section of ASAS.
2. President, Vice – President, Secretary – Treasurer, Past President, and a Regional Director elected by the membership of the Midwest Branch of ADSA.
3. Director at Large elected by the joint membership of the Midwestern Section of ASAS and the Midwest Branch of ADSA.
4. Officers must be current members of their respective societies (Midwest ASAS or ADSA) and the Director at Large may be a member of either, or both societies.
5. The governing body of the joint societies is referred to as the “Board of Directors” and shall include officers and directors of both the Midwestern ASAS and the Midwest ADSA and the Director at Large.



2. Terms of Office
1. Officers of the Midwestern Section of ASAS:  The President and President – Elect shall hold office for one year, with the President – Elect succeeding the President at the end of the regular year in office.  The Past President shall hold office for one year immediately following their term of office as President.  The Secretary – Treasurer and National Director are elected for three-year terms.
2. Officers of the Midwest Branch of ADSA:  The Secretary – Treasurer, Vice–President, and President shall hold office for one year, with the Secretary – Treasurer becoming the Vice-President, the Vice-President becoming President, and the President becoming Past President automatically for the ensuing terms.  The Regional Director is elected for a three-year term.
3. At–Large Director:  The At-Large Director shall serve a three-year term.



3. Start of Term
   

   Terms of office for all officers will begin following the joint ASAS/ADSA Business Meeting held at the annual joint meeting of these regional societies.

4. Responsibilities
   

   Officers of the Midwestern Section of ASAS, Midwest Branch of ADSA and the At-Large Director share the responsibilities associated with the joint function of these societies. Responsibilities are outlined in the Master Schedule of Activities and Task Assignments for the Officers and Directors of the Midwestern Section of ASAS and the Midwest Branch of ADSA.




6. Finances
1. The Executive Directors of ASAS and ADSA shall maintain financial records with expenditures approved by the Secretary – Treasurer of either the Midwestern ASAS or ADSA.
2. The Executive Directors of ASAS and ADSA are responsible for submitting an annual report of finances to the Board of Directors at the Board Meeting preceding the Annual Meeting.
3. The Board of Directors shall provide this annual report of finances to the membership for their approval at the annual business meeting of the joint societies held during the annual meeting.
4. The parent societies (ASAS and ADSA) for each of the regional societies provide financial support to the annual meeting as specified in their Constitution and Bylaws.
5. In the event of dissolution of either the Midwestern Section of ASAS or the Midwest Branch of ADSA, funds remaining in the treasury will revert to the parent Societies.  The Executive Committees of the parent societies will determine the relative distribution of these funds.
6. A registration fee that is recommended by Executive Directors of ASAS and ADSA and approved by the Board of Directors shall be charged at the annual meeting sufficient to finance the expenses of the meeting that are not met from other funds.



7. Committees
1. Program, standing, and special committees shall be formed and members appointed by the Board of Directors. The Vice - President of the Midwest Branch of ADSA is responsible for making recommendations of committee membership to the Board of Directors during the Annual Meeting, and after approval by the same, the Midwest ADSA President shall notify the selected personnel for committee membership.



8. Amendments
1. A proposed amendment to the Constitution or By-Laws may originate from the Board of Directors or by petition signed by 25 members. Proposed amendments shall be mailed to the membership at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting for balloting. To be counted, the FASS office must receive the ballot not later than 14 days before the first day of the annual meeting. A two-thirds majority of the total ballots cast shall be required for the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution or the By-Laws.
2. Changes in the American Society of Animal Science’s or the American Dairy Science Association’s Constitution and Bylaws may necessitate changes in this document, and in which case, the Board of Directors of the Midwestern ADSA/ASAS may originate the needed amendments to be voted upon by the membership.

By-Laws

1. Election of Officers
1. Nominating Committees
1. The nominating committee for the Midwestern Section of ASAS will consist of the Past – President and persons serving in this role in the preceding two years.
2.  The nominating committee for the Midwest Branch of ADSA will consist of the Past – President and persons serving in this role in the preceding two years.
3. If these persons are unable to serve in this role, the Executive Committee will appoint committee members as needed.



2. Nominations
1. On an annual basis, the ASAS Nominations Committee will select two candidates for the position of President – Elect.  This committee will also select two candidates each for the positions of Secretary-Treasurer and National Director of ASAS at the end of their respective 3-year terms. After the three – year term of office, the Secretary-Treasurer may be placed on the ballot for President-Elect at the discretion of the Nominations Committee.
2. On an annual basis, the ADSA Nominations Committee will select two candidates for the position of Secretary - Treasurer.  Every 3^rd year, this committee will select two candidates for the position of Director of Midwest Branch of ADSA.
3. Every 3^rd year, the combined ASAS and ADSA Nominations Committee, with leadership from the chair of both Committees, will select two candidates for the At-Large Director.



3. Ballots and Appointments
1. The election of officers shall be by ballot mailed at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting.  A brief biographical sketch, prepared by the nominee, will accompany the ballot.  The ballot shall provide space for write-in candidates.
2. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected. In case of a tie vote, a runoff election will be held at the annual meeting.
3. The Board of Directors shall fill, for the un-expired terms, all vacancies in elected positions.






2. Dissolution
1. If, for any reason, it seems desirable to dissolve either regional society, a written statement from the Board of Directors to that effect shall be sent to all members of the Branch or Section with a ballot. If two-thirds or more of the ballots so indicate, the Branch or Section shall be dissolved.