RMS COMMITTEES

The River Management Society has one paid staff plus a volunteer Board of Directors who rely on the work of many committees to carry out the goals of the Society. RMS members who volunteer to serve as committee members make lasting and invaluable contributions to RMS. If you are interested in becoming more involved with your professional society, please contact the main office. Standing committees are comprised of Board members and do not need additional volunteers. Many of the Society's charters have been ratified and are consistent with its Constitution, Bylaws, Mission, and Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Charter for Finance and Budget Committee

Background

It provides for the establishment of an effective structure to guide financial and budgetary operations which may include, but are not limited to, finance and accounting, bookkeeping, bank accounts, filing taxes and reports, audits, contracts, merchandise sales and marketing, partnerships, grants, and consulting.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Finance and Budget Committee is to provide oversight and guidance to support the goals and programs of the Society. These include, but are not limited to, strategic and annual work plans, filing of periodic reports (taxes, audits, quarterly/annual financial reports to the Board and members), investments, contracts, partnerships and cooperative agreements. The Finance and Budget Committee is also responsible for the development of short-term and long-term financial and budget strategy that supports the goals of the Society.

Actions

Develop annual goals and an annual work plan consistent with approved policies and the strategic plan. The Annual Report (in sufficient detail to inform the board of the Society's financial condition) and proposed operating budget will be presented to the Board for consideration no less than 30 days prior to the annual Board meeting.

Membership

The Committee will consist of five members who will include the National Vice-President and Treasurer, two chapter Presidents, and one ex-officio member. The Chair of the Finance and Budget Committee will be appointed by the President and will act as the lead for all Committee actions unless otherwise delegated. The Chair will report to the Society Board of Directors and serve as an advisor and/or liaison to the Executive Committee. Committee members will serve a minimum two-year term via staggered appointments for continuity.

Meetings

The Finance and Budget Committee will meet at least one time per year through a conference call. Other calls or meetings can be arranged as the Finance and Budget Committee deems necessary.

Charter for Fundraising Committee

Background

It provides for the establishment and effective structure of fundraising efforts which may include, but are not limited to, grants, cooperative agreements, partnerships, contracts, consulting, scholarships, planned giving programs, and financial support.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Fundraising Committee is to support the mission, goals, and programs of the Society by identifying and securing multiple sources of monetary and non-monetary support.   The Committee will develop both an organizational structure for effective fundraising, and key partnerships in support of the Society.

Actions

The following goals guide the Committee's activities:

Short-term goals:

    • Identify and pursue funding for RMS annual work plan priorities and/or projects.

    • Prepare an annual fundraising budget for the Committee consistent with the strategy, goals and
       annual work plan.

    • Generate and maintain a list of fundraising sources from both inside and outside the
       organization.

    • Market and pursue sources of financial support matched with the needs of the Society.  

Long-term goals:

    • Develop a fundraising strategy, policy, and long-range goals consistent with the Society's Five-
       Year Strategic Plan.

    • Develop a fundraising packet that can be easily distributed to likely sources as well as when
       opportunities for financial support arise.

Membership

The Fundraising Committee will consist of no more than five members while utilizing other RMS members, paid staff, and other volunteers as appropriate. Committee members will serve a minimum two-year term via staggered appointments for continuity.

Meetings

The Fundraising Committee will meet at least four times per year through conference calls. Other calls or meetings can be arranged as the Fundraising Committee deems necessary.

Annual Report

The short-term and long-term goals described in the Actions section will serve as part of the Annual Report, along with a summary of accomplishments and future recommendations which will be presented no less than 30 days prior to the annual Board meeting.

Charter for Awards and Elections Committee
Approved March 11, 2003

Annual Society Awards
Committee
    • There should be a diverse group of members both regionally and in terms of affiliation. Ideally, it
       will be one person from each Society Chapter plus the Program Director.
    • Awards and Elections Committee members will serve a minimum of three years, with staggered
       appointments, in order to participate in the election process for national officers.

Process
    • The call for nominations will be announced in the December issue of the Society’s newsletter
      and will also be mailed to the current Society membership in January.
    • Award selection will be made in March.
    • If an Awards and Elections Committee member is nominated for an award, he/she will not vote
      for the recipient of that award, but he/she may receive the award.
    • The identities of award recipients will be kept confidential until the determined date and location
      where the awards will be officially announced.
    • If the Awards and Elections Committee feels that there are no qualified nominees for an award,
      the award may not be given. The Awards and Elections Committee may create their own
      nominations.
    • Award standards will be determined by the Awards and Elections Committee. The Awards and
      Elections Committee will strive for continuity of awards from year to year.

National Officer Elections
    • Calls for nominations and officer position descriptions will be published in the June issue of the
       Society’s newsletter as well as be mailed to the current membership.
    • Nominations will be due to the Society’s business office no later than July 30 of the election year
       (2008, 2011, 2013, etc.).
    • Ballots, including biographies, will be mailed to the current voting membership (Professional and
       Lifetime Members) no later than August 31. If timely, biographies will also appear in a
      newsletter.
    • If no person has been nominated for an office, the Awards and Elections Committee will be
       responsible for nominating at least one person to run for office.
    • Ballots will be due back to the Society’s business office no later than September 30.
    • Counting will be done by the Program Director and validated by another Awards and Elections
       Committee member.
    • Officers will be announced in the December issue of the Society’s newsletter and assume the
       roles and duties of office on January 1. (Incoming and outgoing officers will be invited to attend
       any intervening Board meetings. Travel money may be made available if needed.)
    • If an Awards and Elections Committee member is running for office, he/she will recuse
       themselves from the process.
    • In the event of a tie, there will be a run-off election by the end of November.

Charter for Membership Committee
Approved November 14, 1999

Background

The RMS recognizes that the success of its organization depends on a broad, effective and diverse membership.

Purpose

The Committee will ensure the Society is meeting the needs of its members. The Committee will market RMS and outreach to new members in order to increase membership. The Committee shall design short-term and long-term membership goals. These goals will be consistent with the direction of the Society's Strategic, Annual Operating Work Plan and Bylaws.

Actions

The committee will annually review:

   •  Current membership requirements, definitions and fees.  

   •  Current membership services and benefits.  

   •  Membership statistics.

The committee will also:

   •  Market the organization by developing and distributing a promotional brochure.

   •  Develop and implement a strategy for recruiting new members.

   •  Conduct an informal survey (as needed) to evaluate the reasons for remaining in or leaving the
      organization.

Membership

The Committee will consist of each Chapter Secretary plus the Chair who will serve as the Board liaison. Members will serve a minimum of three years, with staggered appointments.

Meetings
The Committee will meet at least one time per year, either through conference calls or face-to-face meetings.  

Annual Report

A written Annual Report and proposed budget will be presented to the Board.

Charter for Public Policy Committee
Approved November 1998

Background
The society can influence public policy on river management issues by being the voice of river management professionals.

As a professional organization, the Society can provide expertise and professional opinions on public policy issues dealing with river and watershed management.  

Committee Purpose

The Committee will serve as the Society's eyes and ears on public policy matters. It should bring significant issues and trends to the attention of the Executive Committee in a timely fashion, along with any recommendation for appropriate action. Significant issues include those decisions or proposed actions which will have widespread impact on any of the following: protection of rivers and watershed values; professional river managers; public perceptions and support; and financial resources available for rivers and watersheds.

The Committee will accomplish its purpose through the monitoring and investigation of river and watershed legislative proposals and major policy decisions; dialoguing with fellow professional organizations, nonprofit citizen groups, and others to assess their impacts on rivers and watersheds; and discussing strategies to positively influence public policy decisions. While the Society should make its professional opinions known to policy makers and the public, it should not allow itself to take actions which make it appear to be a lobbying organization.

The Committee shall restrict its activities to those issues which have, or are likely to have, major impacts of a general or widespread nature. Except in unique circumstances which meet the above standard, the Society will not take a position on specific or local issues, such as state or federal scenic river designation, dam construction or reauthorization, or user allocations.

Actions

The Committee will identify and evaluate a significant public policy issues and recommend action on the issue(s) to the Executive Committee. Proposed actions can include, but are not limited to, the following: immediate telephone call by the President and/or others; letter from the President to the appropriate decision maker(s); presentation to the decision-making body; sending an action alert to the Society membership; and formation or joining with other groups in a coalition dedicated to the issue.

Partnerships

The Committee shall establish and maintain a dialogue and working relationship with other professional organizations and national nonprofit groups, as appropriate. This also may include subscribing to their newsletters, list serves and bulletin boards; serving on committees; and/or participating in their meetings or conference calls.

Membership

The Committee will consist of a total of seven persons and should include a representative of the following:  federal government; state government; local government; nonprofit organizations; and the private sector. A Chair, appointed by the President, will lead the Committee. A member of the Board shall serve as Committee Advisor and Liaison to the Executive Committee.

Terms

Members will serve a minimum of three years with staggered appointments.

Meetings

While the majority of the Committee's work can be accomplished through conference calls, individual telephone and e-mail communications, the Committee should strive to get together in person at least once every two years.

Annual Report

The Committee shall prepare an annual report for presentation to the Board at least 30 days before the annual Board meeting. The annual report shall include the following: a summary of any trends that seem to be developing and their perceived impacts on river and watershed management; a brief description of the major policy initiatives and decisions identified and examined by the Committee, along with the actions recommended and taken by the Society, the decision maker, and others on each issue; and any recommendations for future actions by the Board and its membership.

Budget

Accompanying the Committee's annual report will be an accounting of the monies spent in the past year and a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.