SIA Bylaws
(amended March 29, 2010)
The Agrologists Act, 1994 provides the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists with the authority to make regulatory and administrative bylaws as outlined in the Act.
REGULATORY BYLAWS
BYLAW I
MEMBERSHIP
1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
(a) PROFESSIONAL AGROLOGIST
Any person shall be considered for membership as a professional agrologist who has completed:
(i) a four-year agriculture degree from an accredited university program;or
(ii) a related four-year degree approved by the admissions committee; or
(iii) a graduate degree in agriculture or related discipline from an accredited university program and approved by the admissions committee; or
(iv) the articling agrologist program; or
(v) the requirements for and who has received a professional agrologist designation from another provincial institute.
(b) ARTICLING AGROLOGIST
Any person shall be considered to become an articling agrologist who has completed:
(i) a four-year agriculture degree from an accredited university program; or
(ii) a related four-year degree as approved by the admissions committee; or
(iii) a graduate degree approved by the admissions committee.
(c) AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
Any person shall be considered for membership as an agricultural technologist who has completed a diploma in an agriculture program recognized by the Canadian Association of Diploma Agriculture Programs.
(d) ARTICLING AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
Any person shall be considered to become an articling agricultural technologist who has completed:
(i) a two year diploma from the University of Saskatchewan; or
(ii) a diploma in an agriculture program recognized by the Canadian Association of Diploma Agriculture Programs; or
(iii) a two year diploma as approved by the admissions committee.
(e) STUDENT AFFILIATE
Any person may upon application be enrolled as a student affiliate who is registered in a program leading to a diploma, undergraduate or graduate degree in agriculture, bioresources or related programs in Saskatchewan. The designation as a student affiliate shall cease upon qualification for application to become an articling agrologist or articling agricultural technologist.
(f) RETIRED MEMBER
Any person who was a professional agrologist who has retired and is no longer practising agrology may maintain membership.
(g) GRADUATE STUDENT
Any person who is enrolled in a graduate program at a recognized university shall be eligible for consideration to become a member.
2. APPLICATIONS
Applications for membership shall be made on forms as prescribed by council and forwarded to the registrar at the head office of the institute. Each applicant shall certify on the application form that he or she has read and undertakes to abide by the code of ethics, the Act and the bylaws of the Institute. The signed certificate, witnessed by a member, shall be kept by the registrar in the files of the institute.
3. CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP
All members of the institute shall be issued a certificate of registration which shall be displayed in a prominent place.
4. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS
The registrar shall issue an annual membership card to all members in good standing upon payment of the annual membership fees. The membership card shall be in such form as authorized by council.
5. VALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION
Upon payment of the prescribed annual fee the registrar shall issue to each member validation, evidence in the form approved by council, of that member's certificate of registration which shall expire on December 31 of the year in which such annual fee has been paid.
6. RESIGNATIONS
The council may accept the written resignation of a member of the institute.
7. LAPSE OF MEMBERSHIP
All fees are due as of December 31 of the year preceding year of membership. An individual who has not paid their fees as of January 15 of the year of membership will receive a registered letter indicating fees are not paid. Anyone who has not paid by February 15 of the year of membership will be automatically removed from the register without further notification.
8. REINSTATEMENT
A person who has not been a registered member for more than one year or has not officially requested a leave of absence or resigned for any period of time may be reinstated to membership upon the recommendation of the Admissions Committee and approval of Council.
A person who has officially requested a leave of absence or resigned and has not been a registered member for one year or less may be reinstated to membership upon recommendation of the Admissions Committee and approval of Council.
9. PROBATION
A member who has not submitted their annual professional development forms by December 31st shall be contacted and reminded to return their Professional Development form. If the form is not received by January 21st the member shall be immediately placed on probation and referred to the Professional Conduct Committee.
The Professional Development Committee will randomly review members’ professional development forms. A member who has failed to meet the prescribed professional development requirement, as determined by the annual audit of professional development forms, shall be placed on probation for one year during which time all professional development requirements must be met.
10. ARTICLING
Individuals who have been accepted for membership as an articling agrologist or articling agricultural technologist must complete their articling within three years from the date of acceptance. Failure to do so will result in removal from the register without further notification.
BYLAW II
CODE OF ETHICS
1. CODE OF ETHICS FOR AGROLOGISTS
Agrologists will assent and conform to the code of ethics, which is as follows:
The profession of agrology demands integrity, competence and objectivity in the conduct of its members while fulfilling their professional responsibilities to the public, the employer, the, client, the profession and other agrologists.
2. CODE OF ETHICS FOR AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS
Agricultural Technologists will assent and conform to the code of ethics, which is as follows:
The agricultural industry demands integrity, competence and objectivity in the conduct of its members while fulfilling their responsibilities to the public, the employer, the client and other agricultural technologists.
BYLAW III
MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE
Special meetings of the institute may be called by the president when requested by 20 members of the institute.
ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAWS
BYLAW I
FEES
1. Changes in fee schedules and allocation of fees shall be proposed by council and presented as a notice of motion to be circulated to the total membership 14 days prior to the annual meeting at which a vote is to be taken. A majority of the total recorded vote is required to approve a fee change.
2. Annual fees shall be:
(a) $310 for a professional agrologist;
(b) $155 for an articling agrologist for the first year and $310 for each subsequent year as an article;
(c) $220 for an agricultural technologist;
(d) $110 for an articling agricultural technologist for the first year and $220 for each subsequent year as an article;
(e) $10 for a student affiliate;
(f) $155 for a retired professional agrologist up to age 70 who is not practising. At age 70 and thereafter, members will not be assessed any fees providing they are not practising agrology. If they are practising they will be required to pay full fees; and
(g) No fee will be assessed to a professional agrologist who maintains full membership in another provincial institute but who is practising in Saskatchewan providing the agrologist resides in the province in which he/she is registered.
3. A fee of $100 will be assessed for late payment on January 16 of the year of membership.
4. A reinstatement fee of $100 will be assessed where no resignation or leave of absence has previously been received. A $30 reinstatement fee will be assessed when a written resignation has been received and no reinstatement fee will be assessed for a person who has officially requested a leave of absence or resigned and has not been a registered member for less than one year.
5. An agrologist who already holds a professional agrologist designation from another provincial institute may apply for membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. The applicant will be assessed a $50 application fee and if approved will be assessed the professional agrologist annual fee.
BYLAW II
MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE
1. Roberts Rules of Order shall apply to all meetings of the institute.
2. A quorum at any annual or special meeting of the institute shall consist of 50 members.
3. Notice of any special meeting shall state the purposes for which the meeting is called.
4. The order of business at an annual meeting shall be decided by the executive committee and approved at the meeting.
5. All questions submitted to the institute shall be decided by a majority of the members present.
6. If the president is absent from a meeting, the president-elect, or in his or her absence, a member to be chosen from the members present shall act as chair.
7. The institute shall at each annual meeting appoint an auditor. The auditor shall at the end of each fiscal year furnish to the institute a complete statement showing in detail the condition of the institute's financial position and present the same to the annual meeting.
8. The institute as a whole shall be responsible for guaranteeing the expenses of the annual meeting and convention, subject to prior approval of the convention budget by the executive committee. The institute shall maintain a convention reserve for underwriting any convention deficit and for loaning funds in advance to the host branch. Any surplus resulting from the annual meeting and convention shall be divided on a 40-60 percent basis between the institute and the convention host branch.
BYLAW III
COUNCIL
1. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
The council shall consist of:
(a) one councillor from each branch;
(b) one councillor who is actively engaged in farming;
(c) one councillor who is an Agricultural Technologist;
(d) the president;
(e) the president-elect;
(f) the past-president;
(g) a person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council;
(h) the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Province of Saskatchewan and the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, both of whom are non-voting ex-officio members of council.
2. BRANCH RESPONSIBILITY FOR ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS
Each branch shall be responsible for the election of its member of council. On or before February 15 of each year, the registrar shall notify the branches of the number of vacancies on council to be filled. Each branch shall report the name of the new councillor directly to the executive director before May 1 of each year.
In the event that a councillor elected by a branch resigns or vacates his or her position on council that position shall be filled as outlined in the Act.
No person shall be eligible for election to the council or qualified to fill a vacancy therein or to vote for members thereof unless duly registered under the provisions of the Act and the bylaws of the institute. A councillor must resign his or her position as branch councillor if elected or appointed to the position of president, or president-elect.
3. COUNCILLOR ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN FARMING
Council shall appoint a farmer member in good standing for a term of three years.
4. COUNCILLOR WHO IS AN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
Council shall appoint an Agricultural Technologist in good standing for a term of three years.
5. ELECTED COUNCILLORS
Elected councillors shall hold office for three years unless specifically appointed for a shorter period to complete an unexpired term. If at any time more than one additional member is added to the council their terms of office shall be assigned so that, as nearly as possible, an equal number of councillors are retiring each year.
6. ELIGIBILITY FOR RE-ELECTION
An elected or appointed member of council who has served two consecutive terms of office shall not be eligible for re-election or re-appointment until one year has lapsed.
7. PRESIDENT-ELECT
A president-elect shall be elected annually and shall hold office until a successor is elected. The president-elect shall take office as president at the commencement of new business during the annual meeting following the term of office as president-elect.
8. PRESIDENT
The president shall preside at meetings of the institute and of council and shall perform such other duties as required by the Act and these bylaws and as requested by council from time to time and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. (In the absence of the president or his/her ability to act, the president-elect shall have all the powers of the president.)
9. PAST PRESIDENT
The past-president shall take office as past-president at the commencement of new business during the annual meeting following the term of office as president. The duties will be to act as chair of the nominations committee, the awards committee and the resolutions committee at the annual meeting. The past-president shall also lead the process to review bylaws.
10. REMUNERATION
Elected members of the council are entitled to remuneration as determined by Council and reimbursement for expenses as determined by provincial government rates.
BYLAW IV
COMMITTEES
1. STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
(a) Council shall establish the following standing committees at the first meeting following the annual meeting:
Admissions
Articling
Awards
Finance
Nominations
Professional Conduct
Professional Development
Public Awareness and Communications
Student Relations
(b) A member of council shall chair each committee.
(c) The terms of reference for each committee shall be established by council.
(d) Special committees may be appointed for specific assignments.
(e) Standing and special committees shall be responsible to council during the term of their operation and any action on their part beyond the terms of reference shall require the approval of the council.
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The executive committee shall consist of the president, president-elect, past president, and the executive director as a non-voting, ex-officio member, all of whom shall be agrologists. Three members shall constitute a quorum at executive meetings. Duties shall include managing and directing the ordinary affairs of the institute in accordance with the provisions and established policies of the institute and the general instructions of council. The executive committee shall report at each meeting of council.
BYLAW V
MEETINGS OF COUNCIL
1. There shall be at least two meetings of council in each calendar year and the president, when he or she deems necessary or at the request of five councillors, can call additional meetings of the council.
2. Each member of council shall be notified at least 14 days in advance of the meeting.
3. At meetings, all questions shall be decided by a majority of the members present.
4. A quorum shall consist of a majority of members of council.
5. If a member is absent from two consecutive meetings of the council the seat may be declared vacant by the council.
6. Members of council shall by motion designate official signing officers.
7. Meetings of Council, Executive, and committees may be held in various centers of Saskatchewan and may be conducted by means of telephone, video conferencing or other electronic communication technologies providing all persons have access. In addition, and for dealing with appointments, resignations and ratification of decisions, mailed and/or electronic ballots may be used at the discretion of the Executive providing all members have the opportunity for clarification of issues within established time frames.
BYLAW VI
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT
The election of the president-elect shall be conducted by the nominations committee.
1. ELIGIBILITY
Any agrologist of the institute in good standing shall be eligible for election to the office of president-elect.
2. NOMINATIONS
On or before January 31 the past president shall advise the members that nominations for the offices of president-elect must be in the hands of the executive director at the head office of the institute on or before February 28. The nominees must be resident in Saskatchewan. Nominations shall include the signatures of five members in good standing.
3. ELECTIONS
(a) If only one nomination is received at the head office of the institute by February 28 the nominee shall be deemed to have been elected.
When two or more nominations have been received, the nominations committee shall prepare suitable ballots and mail one to each member in good standing at the last known mailing address on or before March 10. The ballots shall contain a list of nominees arranged in alphabetical order. Voting shall be by secret ballot and the member's choice shall be indicated by placing an "X" in the space provided after the candidate's name. This voting procedure shall appear on the face of the ballot.
(b) The voting paper when completed, shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked "Voting Paper" and mailed by post to the registrar or delivered to the office by March 31 before the hour prescribed for opening the voting papers.
BYLAW VII
OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTE
The officers of the institute are:
(a) the president
(b) the president-elect
(c) the past-president
(d) the executive director
BYLAW VIII
BRANCHES
1. Twenty-six members of the institute may, with the approval of the council, form a branch of the institute.
2. Council shall determine the branch area which will serve as a basis for assigning members to their respective branch.
3. Each branch shall have an executive of five members including a president and a member of the council, each of whom shall hold office in accordance with the branch's rules and procedures.
4. Where a member changes residence or a new branch is formed a member may transfer membership from one branch to another.
5. Each branch may, subject to the approval of council, make rules and procedures respecting any matter concerning its members. Any changes in the rules and procedures shall not be enforced or acted upon until approved by the council.
BYLAW IX
HEAD OFFICE
The head office of the institute shall be at the discretion of the council.
BYLAW X
PROPERTY
All powers given to the institute by the Act shall be exercised by the council.
BYLAW XI
FINANCIAL
1. The fiscal year of the institute shall be the calendar year.
2. Banking and financial dealings of the institute shall be with a financial institution approved by council.
3. The institute shall be responsible for the management of donations and bequests as approved by council.
4. The institute may provide prizes, bursaries, and scholarships as approved by council.
5. Signing authority shall include the executive director and one of three council members designated by council.
BYLAW XII
SEAL
1. The institute shall have a seal in such form as approved by council.
2. Where the seal of the institute is required, it shall be affixed by the executive director or person authorized to perform the duties of the executive director.
3. Any document other than annual membership certificates that is required to be executed under seal shall be signed by the president and executive director.
BYLAW XIII
AGREEMENTS
The institute may enter into agreements or arrangements with any person, group, association, organization or corporate body having goals or objects similar to those of the institute upon approval of council.
