FSB Constitution

Fisheries Society of Bangladesh

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS (2010)

ARTICLE I. NAME.

The name of the Society shall be “Fisheries Society of Bangladesh”, herein after referred to as the Society.

ARTICLE II. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Fisheries Society of Bangladesh was organized in 1977 to enable fishery professionals in Bangladesh to communicate and share information and cooperate with each other. The objectives of the Society are to promote interactions among scientists and to create awareness of the importance and means for sound utilization and conservation of aquatic resources.

i) To work for development of fisheries science and to apply acquired knowledge to solve practical problems. The word Fisheries includes any aquatic plants and animals having economic importance.

ii) To encourage research in various areas of fisheries and aquaculture

iii) To organize seminars, symposia, conferences, excursion and field study in the field of fisheries.

iv) To disseminate fisheries knowledge and technology to the stakeholders through 

  1. Direct contact with the people
  2. Recommendations to appropriate GOs and NGOs
  3. Publications of Journals and periodicals.

v) To develop and maintain fund through donation and subscription to accomplish the aims and objectives of the Society.

vi) To make provisions for appreciation through fellowships and medal for enhancing research and extension activities. 

The Society aims to encourage, promote and support all branches of fisheries science, aquaculture and conservation. In addition, the Society shall have the following powers to: convene and provide financial support for meetings on appropriate aspects of fish biology and fisheries science and conservation; disseminate research and technical information through the agency of the Society’s journal The Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries and by other means; collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the above-mentioned activities and exchange such information with other bodies having similar objects whether in this country or overseas.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

i) Eligibility: Any person or organizations interested in the development of fishery activities. 

The Society shall primarily be composed of persons with a first degree in Fisheries Science engaged in education and/or research, but shall also be open to any Fisheries graduate whose proven interest will allow him /her to participate and contribute to the activities of the society. 

ii) Categories of members: The Society has the following five categories of memberships: 

(a) Ordinary Member: Any person possessing a degree or diploma in any branch of fishery science, or engaged in research and development connected with fisheries. 

(b) Associate Member: Any person interested in the promotion of the objectives of the Society. Scientists not holding a first degree in Fisheries Science/Aquaculture but associated with Fisheries/Aquaculture or related research and education shall be eligible to become an associate member

(c) Student Members: Any student studying fisheries subjects.

(d) Honarary Member: Any person rendering exceptionally meritorious services to the promotion of fishery science and/or its applications.

(e) Life-member: Any person who donates Tk. 5000/- at a time or who has served the Society as a member for 15 years.

iii) Procedures for membership:  

a) General member/Student member: Persons willing to become ordinary member of the Society shall apply in prescribed form with payment of membership fee and one year’s subscription set out in Article VI. The application which shall be proposed by a member and seconded by another will be considered in a meeting of the Executive Committee. Founder Members/existing members and persons who will apply within 6 (six) months from the date of approval of the constitution will not require any proposer and seconder. Withdrawal of the membership shall be signified in writing to the Secretary who will bring such matters to the meeting of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall take decision on such matters.

b) Life member: Any person eligible for ordinary membership may become a life member of the Society on payment of fees as set out in Article VI.

c) Associate member: Person willing to become an Associate member of the Society shall apply in prescribed form with payment of the membership fee and one year’s subscription set out in Article.

VI. The application which shall be proposed by a member and seconded by another will be considered in a meeting of the Executive Committee.

d) Honorary member/Fellow: The Executive Committee on a proposal by two Executive Committee members submitted in writing to the Secretary, shall elect an Honorary member by a two-thirds majority vote. Not more than two Honorary Member/Fellows may be elected in any one year.

iii) Privileges of Members and Fellows: All members/Fellows in good standing shall have the right to be present, to state their views, vote, to present papers at all meetings and propose candidates for admission into the Society. They shall also be entitled to receive a copy of the Journal of the Society and other publications at reduced rate.

iv) Subscription: Members of the Society shall have to pay an annual subscription set out in Article VI during the month of January of each calendar year. The amount of subscription should be sent to the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Society by cash, crossed cheque, or money order. A membership number shall be given to each member of the Society by the Secretary. A register shall be maintained for the purpose.

A member who fails to pay the subscription for two consecutive years and who has been notified of the fact by mail, his/her membership shall be suspended. Membership of such persons may be automatically reinstated by payment of all outstanding dues.

ARTICLE IV: ADMINISTRATION

a) Office: The Office of the Secretary shall be at BAU, Mymensingh

b) The Executive Committee: There shall be an Executive Committee to govern and run the functions of the Society consisting of the following officer bearers:

a. President: one

b. Vice-President: two 

c. Treasurer: one

d. Secretary: one

e. Joint Secretary: two

f. Council Members: eight

Total: Fifteen

The Executive Committee once elected shall hold the office for two years.

i) Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall take decision on all matters concerning the activities of the Society.

In any matter concerning any change in the constitution of the Society, the Executive Committee shall report the matter in a general meeting. Such change must be passed by two-thirds majority of the members present in the meeting.

In any matter concerning the interpretation of the Constitution and By-laws, the decisions shall rest with the Executive Committee. In such cases the decisions made by a simple majority of the Executive Members present shall be final.

Any matter not covered by the Constitution shall be decided by the Executive Committee and the decision made shall be final. The Executive Committee shall meet prior to Annual General Meeting and as when necessary. Five members shall constitute a quorum. The meeting of the Executive Committee, on the approval of the president, shall be convened by the Secretary with at least one week prior notification. Emergency meetings may be convened in twenty four hours notice. No quorum is necessary for emergency meetings. Any vacancy fallen in the office of the Executive Committee (Executive posts) may be filled in from amongst the council members.

ii. President: The president shall be responsible for all activities of the Society. He/She will preside over all meetings of the Society. The president, if necessary, may delegate his power to the Vice-President. He/She will have a casting vote for a decision in case of equal number of votes in favour and against any issue.

iii) Vice-Presidents: There shall be two Vice-presidents. They will perform all duties of the president in the event of absence or inability of the latter to discharge or perform the duties and responsibilities of the Society.

iv) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all accounts of the Society. All funds shall be deposited in a Savings Bank Account opened in the name of the Society in any bank approved by the Executive Committee. The account shall be operated jointly by the Treasurer and the Secretary. At the end of each year, the Treasurer shall make a balance sheet of the income and the expenditure which will be audited by two members nominated by the members in Annual General Meeting of the preceding year. The audit report shall be placed before the annual general meeting for approval. The Treasurer shall maintain a members’ register to keep records of the subscription.

v. Secretary: The Secretary, with the approval of the President, shall call the meetings of the Society and the Executive Committee. He/She shall record the minutes of all the meetings of the Society and the Executive Committee and circulate to the members. He/She shall prepare and maintain all records. On behalf of the Society, he/she shall communicate with other Societies and organizations as and when necessary. In the Annual general Meeting, he/she shall present a report of the activities of the Society. He/She shall maintain a members’ register and perform such other duties assigned to. He/She shall maintain the record of assets of the Society.

vi. Joint Secretaries: There shall be two Joint Secretaries. They shall assist the Secretary in the conduct of the affairs of the Society and shall act as the Secretary in his absence. 

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

i. General Meeting: There shall be at least one general meeting in a year. The Annual general meeting of the Society shall be held at the end of each calendar year at a place to be determined by the Executive Committee. The Meeting shall hold discussions on the report submitted by the Secretary, the financial statement prepared by the Treasurer, election of the Office bearers, appointment of Auditors and any matters brought by the Executive Committee.

ii. Scientific Meeting: The scientific meeting organized by the Society shall be held during Annual General Meeting and at such other times as decided by the Executive Committee.

iii) Ordinary meeting: These shall be held time to time, as determined by the Executive Committee, and intimation shall be sent to the Members about a week before such meeting.

iv) Extraordinary meeting: An extraordinary meeting may be convened by the Secretary in consultation with the President in an emergency or if a notice is given by at least 20 members in writing. A three days’ notice is necessary before such a meeting can be held.

ARTICLE VI. FINANCE

i) Every member and Associate Member upon his election shall pay a sume of Tk. 100/- as admission fee and a sum of TK.100/- as first annual subscription or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Society. He or she shall then pay regularly the subscription annually in advance in the month of January each year.

ii) Every student Member upon election shall pay the sum of Tk. 50/- as admission fee and the sum of Tk. 50/- as first annual subscription fee or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Society. He or she shall then pay regularly the subscription annually in advance in the month of January each year.

iii) Every Fellow/Honorary Member upon his election shall pay the subscription Tk. 200/- or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Society, annually payable in advance in the month of January each year.

iv) A member / Fellow who is not a resident of Bangladesh shall pay a sum of Sterling 10.00 or USD15.00 or its equivalent as admission fee and a sum of Sterling 10.00 or USD 15.00 as annual subscription fee or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Society, annually payable in advance in the month of January each year.

v) A life member shall pay Tk. 2000/- or more in one installment. Standing members for ten years or more shall pay half of the normal life membership fee.

The Society may receive donations from any individual and/or organization.

ARTICLE VII. AFFILIATION

The Society may affiliate with other bodies and other bodies may affiliate with the Society only with the approval of two thirds majority of the members present in an Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. ELECTION

The election of the office bearer of the Society shall be held by ballot preferably at a date during the Annual General Meeting or by postal ballot. The election will be held on the bases of the following general rules:

i) Election Commissioner: The Executive Committee shall nominate a member of the Society to act as Election Commissioner. Two members will also be nominated to assist the Election Commissioner to conduct the election.

ii) Election Schedule: The Executive Committee shall fix a date for the election and a schedule for conducting the election which will be communicated to the Election Commissioner at least 8 (eight) weeks prior to the date of election. The Election Commissioner will announce the date and schedule of the election at least 6 (six) weeks prior to the date of election. Only members and life members of the Society (Article III. 1(a) and (b) shall have the voting right and can contest for any post of the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE IX. HANDOVER OF CHARGES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall hand over charges to the newly elected cabinet within 15 (fifteen) days of official announcement of the results of election.

Article X PUBLICATIONS

The regular publication of the Society in English shall be known as the Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries and shall be published at such time or such prices as the Executive Committee shall direct for each part or volume. The journal will publish original research 

ARTICLE XI BY-LAWS AND AMMENDMENTS

The Executive Committee may propose and adopt by-laws from time to time with a view to improving the functioning of the Executive Committee and/or the Society and shall report the same to next general meeting.

The articles described here may be amended by two thirds majority of the members present in an Annual General Meeting. Such proposal shall be brought by or through the Executive Committee. All amendments shall be recorded by the Secretary and filed up with a copy of these articles.