Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists

Missouri Association of
Professional
Soil Scientists

To Advance The Knowledge And Wise Use Of Our Soil Resources

ARTICLE I - Name ARTICLE II - Definitions

ARTICLE III - Accomplishment of objectives ARTICLE IV - Membership

ARTICLE V - Dues ARTICLE VI - Officers

ARTICLE VII - Executive Board ARTICLE VIII - Meetings

ARTICLE IX - Committees ARTICLE X - Amendments

ARTICLE XI - By-Laws

CONSTITUTION OF THE
MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS

PREAMBLE

The objectives of this Association are to foster professionalism among and by soil scientists and to advance the knowledge and wise use of our soil resources.

Full membership in this Association requires certain standards of training and length of experience. Through the maintenance of such standards for membership, this Association provides a public service that contributes to general welfare.

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1 The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists.

Section 2 Association herein shall mean the named organization in Article I, Section 1.

ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS*

Section 1 Soil Science. In this context "soil" is "the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow" and soil science is the study of soil as a natural entity.
Section 2 Professional Soil Scientist. A person with academic training to a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent and training and experience in soil science as defined in Article II, Section 1. Experience in soil science may be soil mapping, soil survey quality control, on site evaluation of soil properties or behavior, soil survey interpretations, land surface evaluations by remote sensing, soil genesis studies including those of a geological aspect, and academic teaching of soil science.

Section 3 "Practice of Soil Science" shall mean any service or work the adequate performance of which requires a professional soil scientist as defined in Article II, Section 2. A person shall be construed to be a practicing soil scientist or be offering to so practice within the meaning and intent herein who by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, or card represents to be a soil scientist within the definition of the term as given in Article II, Section 1.

* Definition in quotes from Websters Third Edition

ARTICLE III - ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Section 1 The objective shall be, through formal meetings, field trips, a newsletter, and registration, to advance the practice of soil science as follows:
a) Promotion of communication and cooperation on technical matters among soil scientists;
b) Provide a vehicle for interaction with people in disciplines outside of soil science that are pertinent to soil science;
c) Increase public understanding and appreciation of soil science;
d) Maintain technical and ethical standards for the practice of soil science which protect the public interest.
e) Membership in the association shall not qualify or substitute for any type of professional certification or licensing.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 There shall be four classes of membership: Full Member, Associate Member, Honorary Member, and Affiliate Member. Election of all classes of members except Honorary shall be by unanimous vote of the Executive Board. Election of Honorary Members shall be by a two-thirds vote of the Full and Associate Members attending the annual business meeting at which the individual is proposed.
Section 2 Classes of Membership
a) Full Member. Possess a baccalaureate degree with 30 semester hours, or equivalent, in the biological, physical, and earth sciences, with sufficient credit in the agronomic sciences to meet current Federal Civil Service Commission standards for a GS-5 Soil Scientist, plus 2 years of experience in the practice of soil science, or possess a baccalaureate degree and have at least 4 years of experience in the practice of soil science. All Full Members prior to July 1, 1977, shall be Charter Full Members.
b) Associate Member. Meet the requirements of Full Membership except experience.
c) Honorary Member. This class is to honor individuals who have made a major contribution to the soil survey of Missouri.
d) Affiliate Member. Does not qualify f9r any of the above classes.

Section 3 Membership Privileges
a) All classes shall be permitted to attend meetings and take part in all discussions.
b) The voting privilege is limited to Full Members and Associate Members.
c) Only Full Members may be officers.

ARTICLE V - DUES

Dues shall be established by the Executive Board subject to approval by the Full and Associate Members.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

Section 1 The Officers shall be a President, Vice-President - who shall be President-elect, and a Secretary-Treasurer.
a) The President advances from the office of Vice-President at the beginning of the administrative year and serves for one year.
b) The Vice-President is elected for a 2-year term and advances to President at the beginning of the second administrative year or earlier if there is a vacancy in the office of President.
c) The Secretary-Treasurer is elected and serves for 2 administrative years.
d) The Executive Board shall fill by appointment vacancies on the Board. The appointees shall serve until the next scheduled election. A majority of the Board shall agree to the appointment. In case of a tie, the President shall make the decision.

Section 2 Nomination and Election
a) Nominations shall be made by a Nomination Committe consisting of three members, one of whom, if available, shall be the immediate past President who will act as chairman.
b) Nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual business Meeting.
c) Election shall be bay plurality at the Annual Business Meeting and by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 The Executive Board shall consist of the two most recent past Presidents available, the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, and two or more Full Members as required to bring the Board membership to seven.

Section 2 The Nominations Committee shall obtain a slate of Full Members for the positions on the Executive Board not filled by officers.

Section 3 The election of members to the Executive Board shall be by the same means as employed to elect officers. Members shall serve for two years. The initial Executive Board in addition to the officers shall have two Full Members, one serving a one year and the other a three year term.

Section 4 A majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum. A simple majority vote of the members present at meeting is required to pass a motion consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

Section 1 The Association shall hold an annual business meeting at such time and place as selected by the Executive Board.
Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the President on the request of a majority of the Executive Board, or by one-fourth of the voting membership.

Section 3 The President shall convene the Executive Board at least twice yearly. A majority of the members of the Executive Board may petition that a meeting be held at any time.

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

Section 1 Standing committees are stipulated in the By-Laws. Special committees may be established by the President on a year-to-year basis.

Section 2 The President appoints committee members subject to the concurrence of the majority of the Executive Board.

Section 3 Chairmen of standing committees shall be announced at the annual business meeting by the incoming President and other members of standing committees shall be appointed within 30 days.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

Section 1 This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at an Annual Business Meeting. The amendment must be distributed to the membership at leasts two weeks before such meeting.

Section 2 An amendment becomes effective immediately upon an affirmative vote.

ARTICLE XI - BY-LAWS

By-Laws may be changed only at the Annual Business Meeting. If there is time, the membership shall be informed of the proposed change at least two weeks before the Meeting. If so informed, a majority vote of the FulL and Associate Members present is required. For proposed changes on which the membership is not informed at least two weeks before the Annual Business Meeting, a twothirds majority vote of the Full and Associate Members is required. Changes may be proposed at the Annual Business Meeting.

Amended October 28, 1988
Amended October 12, 1993

ARTICLE I - Name	ARTICLE II - Definitions
ARTICLE III - Accomplishment of objectives	ARTICLE IV - Membership
ARTICLE V - Dues	ARTICLE VI - Officers
ARTICLE VII - Executive Board	ARTICLE VIII - Meetings
ARTICLE IX - Committees	ARTICLE X - Amendments
ARTICLE XI - By-Laws

Section 1	The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists.
Section 2	Association herein shall mean the named organization in Article I, Section 1.

Section 1	Soil Science. In this context "soil" is "the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow" and soil science is the study of soil as a natural entity.
Section 2	Professional Soil Scientist. A person with academic training to a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent and training and experience in soil science as defined in Article II, Section 1. Experience in soil science may be soil mapping, soil survey quality control, on site evaluation of soil properties or behavior, soil survey interpretations, land surface evaluations by remote sensing, soil genesis studies including those of a geological aspect, and academic teaching of soil science.
Section 3	"Practice of Soil Science" shall mean any service or work the adequate performance of which requires a professional soil scientist as defined in Article II, Section 2. A person shall be construed to be a practicing soil scientist or be offering to so practice within the meaning and intent herein who by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, or card represents to be a soil scientist within the definition of the term as given in Article II, Section 1.

Section 1	There shall be four classes of membership: Full Member, Associate Member, Honorary Member, and Affiliate Member. Election of all classes of members except Honorary shall be by unanimous vote of the Executive Board. Election of Honorary Members shall be by a two-thirds vote of the Full and Associate Members attending the annual business meeting at which the individual is proposed.
Section 2	Classes of Membership a) Full Member. Possess a baccalaureate degree with 30 semester hours, or equivalent, in the biological, physical, and earth sciences, with sufficient credit in the agronomic sciences to meet current Federal Civil Service Commission standards for a GS-5 Soil Scientist, plus 2 years of experience in the practice of soil science, or possess a baccalaureate degree and have at least 4 years of experience in the practice of soil science. All Full Members prior to July 1, 1977, shall be Charter Full Members. b) Associate Member. Meet the requirements of Full Membership except experience. c) Honorary Member. This class is to honor individuals who have made a major contribution to the soil survey of Missouri. d) Affiliate Member. Does not qualify f9r any of the above classes.
Section 3	Membership Privileges a) All classes shall be permitted to attend meetings and take part in all discussions. b) The voting privilege is limited to Full Members and Associate Members. c) Only Full Members may be officers.

Section 1	The Executive Board shall consist of the two most recent past Presidents available, the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, and two or more Full Members as required to bring the Board membership to seven.
Section 2	The Nominations Committee shall obtain a slate of Full Members for the positions on the Executive Board not filled by officers.
Section 3	The election of members to the Executive Board shall be by the same means as employed to elect officers. Members shall serve for two years. The initial Executive Board in addition to the officers shall have two Full Members, one serving a one year and the other a three year term.
Section 4	A majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum. A simple majority vote of the members present at meeting is required to pass a motion consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 1	The Association shall hold an annual business meeting at such time and place as selected by the Executive Board.
Section 2	Special meetings may be called by the President on the request of a majority of the Executive Board, or by one-fourth of the voting membership.
Section 3	The President shall convene the Executive Board at least twice yearly. A majority of the members of the Executive Board may petition that a meeting be held at any time.

Section 1	Standing committees are stipulated in the By-Laws. Special committees may be established by the President on a year-to-year basis.
Section 2	The President appoints committee members subject to the concurrence of the majority of the Executive Board.
Section 3	Chairmen of standing committees shall be announced at the annual business meeting by the incoming President and other members of standing committees shall be appointed within 30 days.

Section 1	This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at an Annual Business Meeting. The amendment must be distributed to the membership at leasts two weeks before such meeting.
Section 2	An amendment becomes effective immediately upon an affirmative vote.