Bird Conservation Alliance
Rules of Procedure

1. The Bird Conservation Alliance

The Bird Conservation Alliance (referred to in this document as the “Alliance”) is a network of organizations whose work includes a major focus on bird conservation, education, advocacy, observation, or study.

The Alliance will enhance communication and collaboration among its partners with the central goal of conserving healthy populations of native wild birds in the Americas. The Alliance will serve as a forum for organizations to exchange information and ideas regarding current issues in bird conservation. It will also assist its partners in conducting collaborative advocacy, and will offer resources to assist its partners in their bird conservation work.

2. Facilitation of the Bird Conservation Alliance

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) will staff the Alliance. Staff will include a Director of the Bird Conservation Alliance, and policy and conservation staff including ABC’s Vice President for Policy. ABC staff will coordinate meetings, membership, and communications, assist with policy and advocacy efforts, and will facilitate the basic operations of the Alliance.

3. Membership in the Bird Conservation Alliance

The Director of The Alliance will work with the membership committee (see section 5 below) to identify organizations for membership (such as those described in section 1 above). Upon receipt of dues (see section 6 below), these organizations shall be accepted as members. For organizations that apply independently, applications will be reviewed by the membership Committee. Those approved by all three members of the Committee and the Alliance Director shall be accepted.

Membership entitles each organization to have representation at meetings and to receive membership benefits such as electronic Bird Calls, and other publications, web links, campaign alerts, and sign-on resolutions (described in detail in the membership benefits section of the Bird Conservation Alliance web site www.birdconservationalliance.org ).

The Alliance will not represent positions without the unanimous approval of its membership. Likewise, no member of the Alliance should represent that the Alliance supports any position without unanimous approval of its membership.

Member organizations may choose to leave the Alliance at any time. Resignations will become effective immediately upon receipt of written notification to the Alliance Director.

4. Alliance Meetings

The Alliance will meet at least twice per year. The location of meetings will be agreed between ABC staff and the Chair (see below) of the Alliance. Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of any meeting will be delivered by mail or electronic mail to each member organization not less than 30, nor more than 50 days beforehand.

Members may suggest agenda items or presentations prior to each meeting. These should be submitted to the ABC Vice President for Policy not less than 50 days before a meeting. Meeting agendas will be agreed between ABC staff and the Chair (see below) of the Alliance. The agenda will include a section for member issues.

Member organizations should appoint up to two delegates to receive mailings and correspondence and attend meetings. Attendance at the Alliance meetings is not mandatory, but is encouraged. Each member organization is entitled to one vote in voting matters. In the event that an organization is not able to send a delegate to a meeting they may choose a proxy, however, delegates may not represent more than one organization at any single meeting. The Alliance Director should be notified prior to any meeting in which a proxy is asked to represent a member.

Observers who cannot join the Alliance may be invited to attend meetings by ABC staff. Members may also suggest observers for ABC staff to invite to meetings.

5. Bird Conservation Alliance Officers

The Alliance shall elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary from among its members. These Officers will work collaboratively with ABC staff in conducting the business of the Alliance. The Officers will also comprise the Membership Committee.

The inaugural officers of the Alliance will be those of the Policy Council. Future elections will be held in the following manner: Members will be notified when Officer positions become vacant, and may suggest an individual or individuals to serve in such post or posts within 30 days of such notification. The Membership Committee will then work with the Alliance Director to propose candidates based on these nominations. Officers will be elected based on a majority of responding members voting in favor within 30 days of notification of the candidate or candidates. Such elections may be conducted at meetings when the timing of vacancies allows. In such cases, the vote of the floor will be tabulated with votes from non-attendees to elect Officers.

Officers will begin their terms immediately following an election, and shall serve for two years. Officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The Chair will be responsible for working with ABC staff to set meeting agendas, for chairing meetings, and for working with ABC staff to conduct the business of the Alliance.

The Vice-Chair shall preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair, and shall become Chair in case of vacancy in that office until a permanent replacement is elected. If the Chair and Vice Chair are absent from a meeting, ABC staff may appoint a member to preside at that meeting.

The Secretary shall record the minutes of Alliance meetings.

The Membership Committee duties are described under (section 3) above.

Other committees of members may be appointed as needed by agreement between the Officers and ABC staff.

6. Annual Dues

Each Member Organization must pay annual dues, the amount of which may be set from time to time according to costs of services. Initial dues for International/National members will be $150 per year, Regional/State members $100, and local members $50.

7. Sign-on Resolutions

Sign-on resolutions may be circulated by any member organization at any time. Such resolutions are made by signatories and will not be resolutions of the Bird Conservation Alliance without unanimous ratification by all member organizations.

8. Amendments to Rules of Procedure

These Rules of Procedure may be amended by a 4/5 majority vote of the Alliance. Suggested changes must be provided to ABC staff at least 50 days prior to a meeting of the Alliance. The members may then discuss these at the meeting, and any proposed changes will be circulated for adoption with 30 days notice for voting. Any such amendments must be in keeping with ABC by-laws, policies, and mission.