CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME
Section 1. This organization shall be known as "THE NORTHWEST MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL ASSOCIATION," also known as "NWMVCA," or “the Association,” and shall be represented by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The objectives of the Association shall be to promote close cooperation among those directly or indirectly involved with, or interested in, understanding the biology and control of mosquitoes and/or vectors of importance; to enhance public health and quality of life through the suppression of such mosquitoes and/or vectors; to disseminate information to the membership and other interested parties; and to promote and develop public interest in accomplishing these objectives.
Section 2. This Association is organized exclusively for scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 3. Upon the dissolution of this Association, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the Association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation, or corporation which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of the Association shall consist of five classes: Regular Members, Emeritus Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members, and Student Members.
Section 2. Regular Members: All persons who are sufficiently interested in the control or biology of mosquitoes and/or vectors who desire affiliation with this Association shall be entitled to join the Association as Regular Members.
Section 3. Emeritus Members: Emeritus Membership may be conferred by the Executive Committee. Such members shall have lifetime membership in the Association with all the privileges of Regular Members, including voting and holding office. Emeritus Members shall pay no dues. Emeritus Members must have been Regular Members in good standing with the Association for at least fifteen years and must be retired from mosquito- and/or vector-related employment.
Section 4. Honorary Members: Honorary Membership may be conferred by action of the membership on any person who has demonstrated distinguished service in furthering the objectives of the association, entitling them to special recognition. A two-thirds affirmative vote by the membership attending a duly called meeting is required to confer the title of Honorary Member. Honorary Members are entitled to all the rights and privileges of Regular Members, including voting and holding office. Honorary Members shall pay no dues.
Section 5. Associate Members: Associate Membership may be conferred on a district, organization, company, or corporation with a general interest in the Association and its objectives, and with a desire to contribute to the Association's success. A firm may qualify as an Associate Member on an annual basis by contributing a monetary sum to the Association. The minimum sum required is to be determined by the Executive Committee. An Associate Member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of Regular Members, including voting and holding office.
Section 5.1. Associate Member Titles: An Associate Member may choose one of three titles to better represent the type of organization that is being represented; District Sustaining Member, Associate Sustaining Member, or Industry Sustaining Member.
Section 5.1.A. District Sustaining Member: Intended title for use by a Mosquito and/or Vector Control District.
Section 5.1.B. Associate Sustaining Member: Intended title for use by an individual, company, corporation, or organization with a general interest in the Association, but not an industry with direct financial interests in the Association or a District.
Section 5.1.C. Industry Sustaining Member: Intended title for use by a company, corporation, or organization with a general interest in the Association that provides either goods or services to mosquito and/or vector control groups.
Section 6. Student Members: All students (belonging to a recognized primary or secondary education institution or currently attending a school for the purpose of gaining specialized/vocational training) who are sufficiently interested in the control or biology of mosquitoes and/or vectors who desire affiliation with this Association shall be entitled to join the Association as Student Members.
Section 6.1. Student Member Description: Student Members will not be entitled to the rights and privileges of voting and holding office. Student Members will have a reduced membership fee (lower than a Regular Membership; to be determined by the Executive Committee), can attend all meetings, receive newsletters, and participate in all sanctioned functions.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings shall be held annually at a place and time to be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 2. A majority of the voting membership attending any duly called annual meeting shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1. The officers of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Director, and Past President. At the time of their appointment or nomination, all officers shall be members of the Association.
Section 2. The Vice President shall serve for one year before serving as the President-Elect. The President-Elect shall serve for one year before serving as the President. The President shall serve for one year before serving as the Past President. The Past President shall serve for one year, after which he/she is no longer an officer of the Executive Committee, but is not precluded from holding office in the future.
Section 3. The states and provinces listed in Article I, Section 1, shall each be entitled to one representative. The representative must reside in the state or province he/she represents from candidacy through their term of office. These representatives shall be included on the ballot for election and be elected for a term of one year by the members of the state or province they will represent. In addition, one Industry Representative and one Trustee Representative shall be elected by the entire membership in the same manner as State and Provincial Representatives. The term for an Industry Representative and a Trustee Representative shall be one year each. State, Provincial, Industry, and Trustee Representatives may succeed themselves.
ARTICLE VI: TERMS OF OFFICE
Section 1. All officers, with the exception of the Secretary/Treasurer and the Executive Director, shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified or advanced, as in the positions of President-Elect, President, and Past President. No officer except the Secretary/Treasurer and the Executive Director shall succeed themselves. Newly elected, advanced, or appointed officers shall begin their duties at the close of the annual business meeting.
Section 2. All elective officers (Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer) and representatives (State and Provincial Representatives, Industry Representative, and Trustee Representative) shall be elected by a plurality of the total votes cast for each office by the Association's voting membership. All elected officers and representatives shall serve in one-year terms. All elected officers and representatives, with the exception of the Vice President, may serve multiple terms. The office of President, President-Elect, Past President, and Executive Director shall not appear on the ballot. In the event of a tie vote for any elective position, whether for an officer or a representative, the election will be decided by a majority of the voting members present at the annual business meeting. Newly elected officers and representatives shall begin their duties at the close of the annual business meeting.
Section 3. In the event that an elective officer position is vacant, a special election will be held. In the event that a representative position is vacant, it is the duty of the Nominations Committee to elect a qualified member to that position. In the event that the Executive Director position is vacant, it is the duty of the Executive Committee to elect a qualified member to that position. In the event that the President-Elect or the Past President positions are vacant, the duties thereof shall be the responsibility of the current President. In the event that the current President position is vacant, the duties thereof shall be the responsibility of the President-Elect.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of: (A) the officers of the Association, (B) one regional representative from each state and province, elected from the voting membership for the term of one year, (C) the Industry Representative, and (D) the Trustee Representative. The President of the Association shall chair the Executive Committee. Four members of the Executive Committee shall be present to constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall have the full power of the Association in all matters demanding action between meetings of the Association, and shall submit at the next annual meeting a report of all actions taken by them under the authority granted to them by this section.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall appoint an Executive Director from the voting membership of the Association to oversee the management of the Association. The Executive Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee and shall be an officer of the Association with full voting rights.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at any annual business meeting. Any amendment(s) proposed by three or more Regular Members shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer, who shall, under the direction of the Executive Committee, advise the membership of the proposed amendment(s) prior to the business meeting at which the amendment(s) shall be considered.
STATEMENT
The above Constitution with the attached By-laws, originally established on January 1, 1961, was ratified at the annual business meeting of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association on October 1, 1987, in Moscow, Idaho by a unanimous vote of the members present.
The Constitution and By-laws were again ratified at the annual business meeting of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association on October 1, 1998, in Moscow, Idaho by a unanimous vote of the members present.
The Constitution and By-laws were again ratified at the annual business meeting of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association on October 8, 2009, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho by a unanimous vote of the members present.
The Constitution and By-laws were again ratified at the annual business meeting of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association on October 4, 2018, in Chelan, Washington by a unanimous vote of the members present.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I: VOTING PRIVILEGES
Section 1. Every member of the Association who is in good standing shall be entitled to one vote, with the exception of Student Members. Student Members do not have voting rights within the Association.
ARTICLE II: FINANCES
Section 1. The revenue of the Association shall be derived from dues, assessments, sale of publications, and other such sources as the Executive Committee may determine and prescribe.
Section 2. Dues for regular members shall be established by the Executive Committee, annually payable by January 1st. On July 1st, any unpaid dues shall be declared in arrears, and the delinquent members shall not be in good standing. Any member two years in arrears shall be dropped from the membership roll.
Section 3. Except by specific direction of the membership at an annual meeting, no debt or other financial obligation shall be incurred beyond the net assets of the Association.
ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES
Section 1. There shall be the following standing committees: (A) the Executive Committee; (B) the Nominations Committee; (C) the Legislative Committee; (D) the Program Committee; (E) the Resolutions Committee; (F) the Audit Committee; (G) the By-laws Committee; (H) the Membership Committee; (I) the Awards Committee; and (J) the Public Education Committee.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall operate under the guidelines established in Article VII, Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution.
Section 3. The Nominations Committee shall consist of four voting members of the Association (with one committee member also being a member of the Executive Committee) who shall, prior to July 1st, submit to the Executive Director their designation of nominations for each office to be filled in the ensuing year, except the office of President, President-Elect, Past President, and the Executive Director. Where nominations are not unanimous, the names of the two nominees receiving the most votes by the Nominating Committee will be placed on the ballot for mailing to the voting membership. All nominations, including write-in candidates, shall carry the consent and assurance that they will serve if elected.
Section 4. The Legislative Committee shall consist of the State and Provincial Representatives. This Committee will function as a pool for relevant information—emanating from the various agencies (Federal to Local)— that affects the members. This Committee shall report to the Executive Committee.
Section 5. The Program Committee shall consist of three voting members of the Association, and their duties shall be to provide programs for each annual conference. The President-Elect shall be the Chair of the Program Committee.
Section 6. The Resolutions Committee shall consist of three voting members of the Association, one of which shall be a member of the Executive Committee. All resolutions proposed by a voting member of the Association must be submitted to the Resolutions Committee in writing by July 1st. The Resolutions Committee will finalize and submit the proposed resolution to the Executive Committee—with recommendations—before the annual business meeting. The Executive Committee will then present the resolution to the voting members present at the annual business meeting. A resolution shall pass with a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at the annual business meeting.
Section 7. The Audit Committee shall consist of three voting members of the Association whose duties shall be to annually examine and audit the books of the Secretary/Treasurer, and to report their findings at each annual meeting.
Section 8. The By-laws Committee shall consist of at least three voting members of the Association. The Past President shall be Chair of the By-laws-Committee. The President shall also be a member of this Committee.
Section 9. The Membership Committee shall consist of at least three voting members of the Association appointed by the President.
Section 10. The Awards Committee shall consist of at least three voting members of the Association. The President shall be a member of this committee. The remaining committee members shall be selected by the Executive Committee.
Section 11. The Public Education Committee shall consist of at least three voting members of the Association appointed by the President.
Section 12. The President may appoint other temporary (Ad Hoc) Committees as deemed necessary to the interests of the Association. Permanent Committees may be established only by a majority vote of the membership that is present at the annual business meeting.
Section 13. In the event that a Committee has an unfilled, required position, the President of the Association shall appoint a qualified member to that position.
ARTICLE IV: RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. Business sessions of the Association shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
ARTICLE V: PUBLICATIONS
Section 1. All publications of the Association shall be under the direction of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The Executive Committee may appoint an Editor, if and when the need arises. The Editor shall be directly responsible to the Executive Committee for the publications of the Association.
Section 3. The Program Committee Chair and the Editor shall determine which papers will be published, in abstract or in total. Publication of tables and charts shall be at the discretion of the Chair of the Program Committee and the Editor.
Section 4. Worthy papers selected by the Editor and approved by the Executive Committee may be published separately for sale by the Association.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-laws may be supplemented, altered, amended, or rescinded in the manner provided in Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution with respect to Amendments to the Constitution.
ARTICLE VII: CODE OF ETHICS
Statement of Personal Responsibility:
NWMVCA members have the professional and ethical responsibility to maintain the highest standards of conduct as they exercise the professional duties of mosquito and/or vector control.
As NWMVCA members, we make a positive contribution to public health and we aspire to embody this code of ethics in our words, actions, and deeds.
As NWMVCA members, we play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations in our mosquito and/or vector control activities.
As NWMVCA members, we aspire to these principles as we perform our mosquito and/or vector control duties in the hope that those whom we serve will hold these principles as inviolable.
Section 1. Each member of the NWMVCA shall obey all applicable county, state, provincial, and federal regulations involving pesticides and obtain all required licenses from their state or provincial governments to conduct mosquito and/or vector control activities.
Section 2. Each member shall endeavor to be knowledgeable of all laws, proposed legislation, government regulations, and any subsequent changes to them in order to conduct mosquito and/or vector control activities in their state or province.
Section 3. It is the duty of each member to protect the public against any unethical practice, including, but not limited to, misapplication of a product, fraud, endangerment, or anything that may discredit mosquito and/or vector control activities.
Section 4. No member shall deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or country of origin.
Section 5. Members should provide a high level of service to the public that includes, but is not limited to, the use of integrated pest management—which involves several strategies to reduce vector and nuisance populations—and educating the public. Accepted science should always be considered when making an informed decision on whether or not a product or a certain method should be used.
Section 6. Members shall respect other members and not publicly discredit them. Any remarks concerning a member of the Association, an organization within the Association, or the Association itself should be given in a professional manner.
Section 7. A member has the responsibility to report to the NWMVCA if another member or non-member conducting vector control activities does so in an illegal, unprofessional, or unethical manner.
Section 8. Each member shall contribute to and support the NWMVCA and shall uphold the by-laws and code of ethics of the NWMVCA.
Section 9. To charge another member with a violation of the code of ethics, it will require two or more voting members. The charged member will hereafter be referred to as the defendant. If there are fewer than three voting members, any charges will be submitted, in writing, to the Executive Director to be presented to the Executive Committee.
Section 9.1. A residence will be determined by the location of the NWMVCA-affiliated organization of which the member is a paid employee. If the member is not employed by a NWMVCA-affiliated organization, then residency will be determined by place of the member's primary dwelling. If required, the State/Provincial Representative, or the Executive Director, may request proof of residency. This may be satisfied with official documentation including, but not limited to, property taxes, utility bills, etc.
Section 9.2. The two or more members bringing a charge, or charges, against the defendant, must provide a written or typed statement of violation to the State or Provincial Representative of the State or Province where the defendant resides. Should the charge, or charges, be brought against the current State or Provincial Representative, Industry Representative, or Trustee Representative, then the written or typed statement of violation will be issued to the Executive Director. Should the charge, or charges, be brought against the Vice President, President-Elect, President, Past President, Secretary/Treasurer, or Executive Director, then the written or typed statement of violation will be issued to the current State or Provincial Representative of the State or Province where the defendant resides. The charge(s) must include, at a minimum:
- A description of the action(s) that are in violation of the code of ethics.
- The printed names, signatures, date of signature, and contact information for all the members bringing a charge against the defendant.
The State or Provincial Representative, or the Executive Director, may, after receiving the written or typed statement of violation, request additional information from the defendant. Any requested information shall relate specifically to the charge that has been brought against the defendant. The defendant may or may not, at his/her discretion, provide any additional information related to the charge. Refusal by the defendant does not indicate guilt in the matter, but may be taken into consideration by the State or Provincial Representative, the Executive Director, and/or the Executive Committee during the review process.
Section 9.3. All requests made by the State or Provincial Representative, or the Executive Director, shall be made in writing—letter or email—and a record of that request, and any resulting information shall be kept by the State or Provincial Representative for review by the Executive Committee.
Section 9.4. All charges shall go first to the State or Provincial Representative, or the Executive Director, and then be presented to the Executive Committee with recommendations. If the Executive Committee chooses to offer advice to remedy the situation, then the advice will be in writing and shall follow the following format:
- Written recommendations of the Executive Committee.
- Timeline for implementation of recommendations.
- Designated date and time for review by the Executive Committee.
- An invitation for all interested parties to attend that review meeting.
Should the recommendations not resolve the issue, or if the Executive Committee should decide not to recommend action, then the Executive Committee, may, at their discretion, take another action, including but not limited to dismissal of the defendant from the NWMVCA.
Section 9.5. If the Executive Committee decides to pursue dismissal of the defendant from the NWMVCA, then the following protocol shall be used:
- There must be at least 50% of the filled seats of the Executive Committee present.
- There must be a motion and a second, followed by the opportunity for discussion. The motion shall include the name of the defendant and wording similar to: "dismissal from the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association due to violation of the code of ethics".
- A two-thirds vote in affirmation of dismissal of the defendant from the NWMVCA, is required for the motion to pass.
- If a member is dismissed from the Association, then a representative from the Executive Committee will make an announcement at the next annual business meeting.
- Dismissal from the NWMVCA is indefinite, but there is an appeal process. The dismissed individual may submit a letter of appeal to the current President of the NWMVCA with any pertinent information. The President shall, at his/her discretion, decide if the information presented warrants a review of the dismissal. The dismissed individual may not submit more than two appeals.
- If a review is warranted, then the information will be presented to the Executive Committee at a time and place where the conditions for meeting are met—listed earlier as at least 50% of the filled seats of the Executive Committee present.
- Upon completion of the review by the Executive Committee, there must be a motion, second, and a two-thirds affirmative vote by the Executive Committee members present in order to overturn a dismissal.
- A member that is dismissed due to violation of the code of ethics may not reapply for, nor be awarded, any class of Membership with the NWMVCA.
- Dismissal will go into effect either immediately or at the conclusion of any NWMVCA meeting that is in effect at the time of the dismissal.
Section 10. Upon induction to the Association, new members must sign a code of ethics form and a conflict of interest form.
Section 10.1. Any otherwise qualifying member must sign an up-to-date code of ethics form and a conflict of interest form before being placed on the ballot for an elected position. If an otherwise qualified member refuses to sign both forms, then he/she shall not be placed on the ballot. This shall be the responsibility of the Nominations Committee, and the Nominations Committee shall review both forms before placing an otherwise qualified candidate on the ballot.
Section 10.2. If an otherwise qualified member has a conflict of interest, this shall not preclude him/her from being placed on the ballot. The Nominations Committee shall review the conflict of interest and holds the right to disqualify an otherwise qualified candidate on the grounds of a significant conflict of interest.
