Bylaws

BYLAWS

 SECTION I

MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

 Regular Members:

Regular members of MFPA shall be individuals interested in the objectives of MFPA, including food science, education, production and regulation.

  1. Regular members may attend meetings of MFPA and shall be entitled to vote and hold office.

Student Members:

  1. Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in colleges or universities are entitled to membership in MFPA at one-half the dues of regular members.
  2. Student members may attend meetings of MFPA, be accorded privilege of the floor, but shall not be entitled to vote.
  3. Student members may not hold office in MFPA, but may serve on committees, and as appointed representatives of MFPA.

Sustaining Members:

Sustaining members shall be organizations or persons who are interested in the objectives of MFPA.

  1. Sustaining members are entitled to special services as determined by the Executive Board of MFPA.
  2. Sustaining members shall be entitled to one (1) Regular membership in MFPA for their representative at no additional cost.
    1. The name of the representative must be submitted at the time of membership application.
    2. Other persons associated with the Sustaining Member’s organization are not members of MFPA unless they have individual memberships.

Honorary Members:

  1. The Honorary Membership shall be composed of persons who, on account of their substantial contributions to the objectives of MFPA, have been approved by the Executive Board to hold this class of membership.
  2. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues, but are entitled to vote, hold office, and may attend meetings of MFPA and be accorded the privilege of the floor.

Retirees:

Retired members shall be persons who are no longer receiving compensation for work relating to the objectives of the MFPA and who have been regular or sustaining members. They are entitled to membership at one half the dues of regular members.

  1. Retired members shall be entitled to vote and hold office. They may serve on committees, as Affiliate delegates and as appointed representatives of MFPA.

The Executive Board is authorized to set dues as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of MFPA and shall notify members of the amount of dues.

  1. Any person desiring membership in MFPA shall submit an application to the Treasurer. It is the responsibility of the Executive Board to insure that applicants meet the eligibility requirements for membership.
  2. Any person, having once become a member, may continue membership in MFPA so long as the annual membership dues are paid, except as provided in Section III,G,8 of these Bylaws.

Any member who shall fail to pay dues by the required date shall be placed on the inactive list.

  1. Such member may be reinstated within 90 days thereafter, upon payment of dues.
  2. Any member who is delinquent in dues after 90 days will be dropped from the inactive list.
  3. Membership may be renewed by filing an application and payment of annual dues.

Collection of dues:

The Treasurer shall collect annual membership dues for each member paying directly to MFPA.

  1. MFPA may authorize the Executive Director of IAFP to bill their members for both MFPA and IAFP dues. In such case, the Executive Director of IAFP will forward to MFPA, within 30 days of collection; the dues paid for MFPA membership.
  2. MFPA may collect both the MFPA and IAFP dues. In such case, the Treasurer of MFPA will forward to IAFP, within 30 days after collection; the dues paid for IAFP membership. MEETINGS

SECTION II

  1. Each year, MFPA shall hold an Annual Meeting to accomplish and promote objectives of MFPA.
  2. The Executive Board shall meet at the Annual Meeting.
  3. MFPA shall hold an Annual Business Meeting at its Annual Meeting.

The Executive Board may call other official meetings of MFPA, by duly announcing any called meeting at least 60 days prior to the date of the meeting.

  1. A quorum to conduct business at an Annual Business Meeting shall consist of the voting members present.
  2. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the procedures at all meetings.
  3. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
  4. When, at the discretion on the Executive Board, it is considered advisable to conduct a vote by mail ballot (including electronic), a majority of the votes cast will be necessary to carry the proposition unless otherwise stated in the Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION III

DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

 The President shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of MFPA and the Executive Board.
  2. Appoint all committee chairpersons and members, unless otherwise directed by the Constitution and Bylaws.
  3. Perform such other duties as usually devolve upon the presiding officer or are required of this officer by the Constitution and Bylaws.

The Vice President shall:

  1. Perform the duties of President in the President’s absence and succeed to President when the President’s term expires.
  2. Plan and coordinate the Annual Meeting.
  3. Perform such other duties as usually devolve upon this officer or are required of this officer by the Constitution and Bylaws.
  4. Chair the Association awards committee.

The Secretary shall:

  1. Perform the duties of the Vice President, in the Vice President’s absence, and shall succeed the Vice President when the Vice President’s term expires.
  2. Record and keep accurate minutes of MFPA’s Annual Business Meeting and the Executive Board meetings and keep them for permanent reference.
  3. Issue notices of all meetings.
  4. Conduct correspondence pertaining to the affairs of MFPA.
  5. Be responsible for assembling and transmitting to the publication editor all papers and other matters worthy of publication.
  6. Perform such other duties as usually devolve upon this officer or are required of this officer by the Constitution and Bylaws.

The Treasurer shall:

  1. Keep a list of the members and collect all moneys due MFPA giving receipt therefore.
  2. Record the amount of each payment, with name and address of payer.
  3. Faithfully care for all moneys entrusted to his or her keeping, paying out the necessary expenses of MFPA and giving a quarterly accounting thereof to the executive Board. (Receipts for expenses shall be retained for five (5) years.)
  4. File with the President of MFPA, a surety bond in an amount sufficient to cover the anticipated moneys to be entrusted to this office with a minimum bond equivalent to five thousand dollars ($5,000). (Bonding expense to be borne by MFPA.)
  5. Give a detailed statement of the financial condition of MFPA at the Annual Business Meeting.
  6. Perform such other duties as usually devolve upon this Executive Board member or are required of this Executive Board member by the Constitution and Bylaws.

The Affiliate Council Delegate shall:

  1. Represent MFPA at IAFP Annual Meeting.
  2. Act for and on behalf of, MFPA as liaison officer to IAFP.
  3. The Affiliate Council Delegate must be a member of IAFP in good standing throughout his or her term as MFPA Affiliate Council Delegate.
  4. Perform such other duties as usually devolve upon this Executive Board member or are required of this Executive Board member by the Constitution and Bylaws.

The full management of the affairs of MFPA shall be in the hands of the Executive Board as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws. The duties of the Executive Board shall be:

To direct the administrative work of MFPA, including all matters connected with its collaboration with other groups institutions and its professional development.

  1. To act as trustee of MFPA property.
  2. To set the time and place for the Annual Meeting.
  3. To act for and on behalf of MFPA in any administrative, financial, educational, or other capacity as MFPA may direct.
  4. To act on its own initiative between meetings and report such action at the next Annual Meeting.
  5. To make protem appointments to fill any vacancy that may occur among the officers between MFPA meetings.
  6. To recommend the replacement of an officer at the Annual Meeting because of inability or inactivity or for other causes which may be in the best interest of MFPA
  7. To recommend expulsion of members from membership for cause by two thirds of all Executive Board votes cast. In no case shall revocation be recommended without giving the member written notice of the contemplated action at least one month before action is taken. An opportunity for a hearing in person and/or rebuttal in writing must also be granted prior to expulsion.
  8. To employ personnel, as the situation demands, and set their compensation and duties.
  9. To execute the policies of MFPA and report to the members at the Annual Business Meeting, any action taken that was not specifically authorized.
  10. To set the amount of annual dues and the registration fee for the Annual Meeting.
  11. To approve members considered for Honorary Membership.
  12. To give special recognition to deserving individuals.

SECTION IV

COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES

The following standing committees of the Association shall exist:

  1. Membership
  2. Constitution and Bylaws
  3. Program
  4. Communications – The website administrator shall be part of this committee
  5. Nominating
  6. Awards
  7. Audit

Each standing committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members (including the chairperson). Members serve a minimum of one-year term and until their successor has been appointed. Reappointment is permitted.

  1. Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President to serve a minimum of one-year term and until their successors have been appointed. Reappointment is permitted.
  2. A majority of a committee’s members present shall constitute a quorum and shall be sufficient to decide any issue.
  3. Committees will meet at the MFPA Annual Meeting and at other times as required.
  4. The chairperson of each committee shall set the time and place to meet and shall notify each committee member at least 48 hours before such meeting.
  5. Each committee shall perform duties as prescribed in this Constitution and Bylaws and other duties as assigned by the President and the Executive Board.
  6. Each committee shall assist other committees in the performance of their duties within the field assigned.

Defined duties of each committee are as follows:

  1. The Membership Committee shall recruit additional members for the Association and encourage active participation of all members.
  2. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall study and make recommendations concerning proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws.
  3. The Program Committee shall properly plan and coordinate the Annual Meeting for MFPA to provide educational opportunities for members. The Vice President shall chair this committee.
  4. The Communications Committee shall do all things necessary to publicize the activities of the Association in a manner that promotes objectives of MFPA. This shall include publishing and distribution of a semi-annual newsletter to each member.
  5. Each year the Nominations Committee shall nominate at least two candidates for the office of Secretary. Every 4th year, the Nominations Committee shall nominate at least one candidate for the office of Treasurer and at least one candidate to serve as Affiliate Council Delegate.
    1. The committee shall be chaired by the Immediate Past President.
    2. The committee shall ascertain that the members nominated are eligible for office as provided in Section I of the MFPA Bylaws.
    3. The election process:
      1. MFPA members may suggest candidates to the chairperson of the committee not later than 60 days preceding the election date.
      2. The committee chairperson shall notify the President of the names of the nominees not later than 30 days preceding the election date.
      3. Nominations may be made at the Annual Meeting.
      4. Voting takes place at the Annual Meeting as determined by the Executive Board.
      5. Only one (1) vote per eligible member will be allowed.
      6. Upon conclusion of the vote, candidates receiving a majority of the votes will be considered duly elected.
      7. The President will report voting results.
  6. The Awards Committee shall administer the awards program of MFPA.
    1. The Vice President shall chair this committee.
    2. The committee shall consist of four non-Executive Board members and the Vice President.
    3. The committee shall review all nominations for the following awards:
      1. [To be determined]
      2. [To be determined]
    4. The Awards process:
      1. Nominations for the Awards must be received by the Vice President not later than 60 days preceding the annual meeting.
      2. Award decisions will be determined by a majority vote of the designated committee members.
      3. Decisions of the committee must be furnished to the President not later than 30 days preceding the Annual Meeting.
      4. The Vice President shall secure the proper awards to present at the Annual Meeting.
    5. Awards committee members and Executive Board members are not eligible to receive awards.
    6. Awards shall also include those available from IAFP.
  7. The Audit Committee shall consist of two auditors appointed by the Executive Board. The Audit Committee shall audit and certify the financial status of MFPA. This committee shall present a report to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. The President may at his or her discretion, or when so instructed by the Executive  

SECTION V 

  1. FISCAL YEAR

Board; appoint additional committees as are necessary. However, whenever possible all work should be performed by the appropriate body outlined within these Bylaws. Any such special committee shall function under the rules set forth in Section IV of these Bylaws.

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December each year.

SECTION VI

AMENDMENTS

 Any member may propose amendments to these Bylaws by submitting them in writing to the Secretary at least 60 days before the date of the next announced meeting.

The Secretary shall notify all members, at least 30 days before the next announced meeting that the proposed amendment(s) will be open for discussion and voting at the next meeting.

  1. These Bylaws may be amended by majority affirmative vote of the voting members present.