Notice of proposed bylaws changes

During the mid-year Council Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in March, Council approved a number of bylaws changes to be presented to TWS members for consideration.

The proposed changes would provide Council with flexibility in determining the amount charged for Student and New Professional dues, while maintaining current cap levels. The other proposed change would re-establish a Life Member option that was previously available, but discontinued in 1965.

To view the current TWS Bylaws in their entirety, click this link to download the pdf.

Members will be asked to vote on these proposed changes when they receive their ballots for Council elections in early May.

Student Dues

Currently, Student dues are set at 50 percent of Regular dues and automatically rise with any increase to Regular dues. The proposed amendment would allow Council to annually assess and establish Student dues at a price that does not exceed 50 percent of Regular dues. This would give Council the option to not automatically raise Student dues, and the option to decrease Student dues if Council believes it’s in the best interest of Students and the Society.

The proposed change is as follows:

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 3. DUES

CLAUSE B — DUES LEVELS AND MODIFICATION

2. Student Member dues are set annually by Council and will not exceed at 50 percent of the Regular Member dues, rounded to the next highest dollar. Student Members may obtain Society periodicals at current rates.

New Professional Dues

Currently, New Professional dues are set at 50 percent of Regular dues plus $10 and automatically rise with any increase to Regular dues. The proposed amendment would allow Council to annually assess and establish New Professional dues at a price that does not exceed 50 percent of Regular dues plus $10. This would give Council the option to not automatically raise New Professional dues, and the option to decrease New Professional dues if it’s in the best interest of New Professionals and the Society.

The proposed change is as follows:

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 3. DUES

CLAUSE B — DUES LEVELS AND MODIFICATION

3. New Professional dues are set annually by Council and will not exceed at 50 percent of the Regular Member dues, rounded to the next highest dollar, plus $10.00. New Professional Members may obtain Society periodicals at current rates.

Life Member

The bylaws include a Life Member option that was available to members until Aug. 24, 1965. Back then, members were permitted to pay their fee in installments and the Society found that too many were falling behind on their installment payments and collection efforts were becoming frustrating.

Based on interest expressed by current members and the fact that life membership is successfully being offered by other similar organizations, Council is proposing that a Life Member option be reinstated with the fee to be determined by Council annually. Council has not yet determined what the initial fee will be, but will do so if the membership approves re-establishing the Life Member option.

This action requires approval of changes to two items and the addition of one item as follows:

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP CLASSES

CLAUSE A — VOTING

2. LIFE MEMBER — A Voting Member so enrolled prior to August 24, 1965, or those who enrolled as a Life Member after September 1, 2016. Privileges and benefits are the same as for Regular Members, except Life Members may request lesser benefits. Lifetime membership is not transferable.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 3. DUES

CLAUSE B — DUES LEVELS AND MODIFICATION

5. Honorary, Life, and Conservation Partner Members are exempt from dues.

9. The Life Member fee is set annually by Council. Life Members are exempt from annual dues after payment of the Life Member fee set by Council. Life Members may obtain Society periodicals at current rates.