Section 1 - Classes of Membership. The membership shall consist of individual members and organizational members. All Members of the Institute shall subscribe to the Constitution and the Code of Ethics of the Institute.

1. Individual membership shall consist of:
   1. Professional Member. A Professional Member is a person in good standing and holding a valid certification as a Professional Hydrologist (PH), issued by the American Institute of Hydrology. Professional members may represent themselves as Certified Professional Hydrologists and include their area of specialization in this representation, i.e., Professional Hydrologist - Ground Water.

   2. Associate Member. An Associate Member is a person in good standing who has met all the requirements for certification except for the length of experience and/or completion of the examination process.

   3. Hydrologist-in-Training. A Hydrologist-in-Training (HIT) is an Associate Member who has successfully completed Part I of the examination required for certification as a PH, is actively practicing hydrology, and intends to become a PH when adequate experience is gained. A HIT designation automatically expires after eight years and cannot be renewed after expiration.

   4. Student Member. A Student Member is a person who is pursuing a degree in a field related to hydrology. Endorsement by a faculty member of the institution that will grant the degree is required attesting to student status and that the student's degree plan includes hydrologic subjects.

   5. Emeritus Member. Professional and Associate Members who have maintained membership for 15 years and are retired to inactive status may apply for Emeritus Member status. Members in this category will be designated as Professional Member Emeritus or Associate Member Emeritus according to their status prior to retirement.

   6. Life Member. Those Professional and Associate Members who have maintained membership for 15 years and retired to inactive status may apply for or may be offered a "Life Member" status at the discretion of the Executive Committee. After payment of a one-time fee, Life Members are exempt from annual dues and fees.

   7. Inactive Member. A Professional Member or an Associate Member that is temporarily on inactive status may request to become an Inactive Member. Inactive Members receive no benefits from the Institute and are not carried on the Institutes membership roles. An Inactive Member may be reinstated to their former membership level within five years of becoming inactive by applying to the Board of Registration, and paying a reinstatement fee, passing the recertification requirements and providing any additional information the Registration Board may request to support reinstatement. If approved for reinstatement, the member will be considered fully reinstated with their years of membership equal to the number of years of membership prior to their inactive status plus the number of years of membership following their reinstatement. Inactive membership is only granted after application by a member. All unpaid dues and/or fees must be paid at the time of the application for inactive status. Inactive Members that remain inactive for more than five years shall lose all rights and privileges to Professional Membership and shall be required to make full application for certification by AIH.

   8. Honorary Member. The Executive Committee may elect as Honorary Members individuals who have rendered outstanding, long, and dedicated service to Hydrology as a Profession. Honorary Members are not required to pay annual dues or fees. New Honorary Members may not be elected if the number of living Honorary Members exceeds one percent of the total membership of the Institute.

2. Organizational membership shall consist of:
   1. Institutional Member. An Institutional Member is a governmental agency, research institution, university or department thereof, scientific society, or other non-profit organization having programs related to hydrology. Institutional Members must have a Professional Member on their staff to be eligible for membership.

   2. Corporate Member. A Corporate Member is a for-profit organization involved in the practice of hydrology. Corporate members must have a Professional Member on their staff to be eligible for membership.

Section 1 - Professional Members

1. Education. Educational requirements shall be developed by the Board of Registration and submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Relevant hydrologic experience may be substituted by the Board of Registration to meet some of the educational requirements for individuals who have proven their professional competence and ability in a responsible position dealing with hydrology and by publications detailing work they have done in hydrology.

2. Personal Integrity. A sustained record of adherence to highest professional and ethical standards, attested to by at least three (3) referees (preferably two (2) of whom are Members of this Institute) having present knowledge of the applicant's qualifications (education, experience), integrity and conduct.

3. Experience.
   1. A minimum of five (5) years of experience having significant responsibility in hydrology after the award of a Bachelor's degree, or four (4) years after the award of a Master's degree, or three (3) years after the award of a Doctoral degree. 2) Be able to produce written evidence of having conducted original investigations or applied state-of-the-art methods in some phase of hydrology and 3) Shall be currently professionally active in the field of hydrology.

4. Examination. Pass a multiple-choice examination as provided in the Rules and Regulations of the Committee on Professional Examinations of the AIH. The Board of Registration may waive the examination requirements for an applicant who is registered as a Professional Engineer or a Professional Geologist by any state or country by licensing examination. The Board may waive the examination requirements for an applicant who is certified as a hydrologist through a formal process in any State of the United States or Country if that State or Country is on a list approved and maintained by the Board specifically for this purpose. The Board may waive the written examination for selected and eminent hydrologists under strict guidelines established by the Board and approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 2 - Associate Members.

Associate Members shall qualify under Article II, Sections 1a and 1b. Upon meeting the requirements of Article II, Section 1c and 1d, an Associate Member shall be eligible to become a Professional Member.

Section 3 - Admission to Membership.

1. All applications for membership shall be on forms prescribed by the Institute, and shall be sent, together with supporting evidence and application fee to the General Secretary of the Institute. The application shall be recorded and forwarded, with all supporting material, to the Board of Registration (hereinafter referred to as the Board) of the Institute, which, after adequate review, shall return the applications to the General Secretary with its recommendations. If an applicant is found eligible for Professional Member status, the General Secretary shall notify the applicant that the required examination can be taken. If the applicant is found eligible for Associate Member status, the General Secretary shall notify the applicant of this decision and provide information on steps the applicant can take to become a Professional Member.

2. If an application is rejected, the General Secretary shall inform the applicant as to the reason for the rejection of the application. Within sixty (60) days of the rejection, the applicant may file a request for reconsideration. All decisions of the Board pertaining to eligibility for certification shall be considered final after due provision for an appeal and approval of the Executive Committee. All applications, documentation, and fees are the property of the Institute and are not returnable.

3. Applications for the class of Institutional Member or Corporate Member shall be referred directly to the Executive Committee for evaluation.

4. Membership in all classes shall be subject to official approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 4 - Specialty areas. The Executive Committee may approve areas of specialization within hydrology. Areas of specialization may have specific educational and experience requirements. Each Area of Specialization shall have a steering committee that will develop and recommend to the Board of Registration and to the Executive Committee, as appropriate, procedures and regulations for that particular specialty.

Section 5 - Multiple-Choice Examinations.

1. An applicant who is otherwise qualified, whose application has been evaluated by the Board of Registration, and who has been recommended by the Board of Registration to take the scheduled examination, shall be admitted to a multiple-choice examination of a nature and at such place and time as designated by the Committee on Professional Examinations. The applicant must specify the area of specialization desired.

2. Application procedures for the examination shall be prescribed in the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Registration.

3. The scope of the examination, the methods of administering the examination, and the passing grade of the prescribed examination shall be prescribed by the Committee for Professional Examinations. Examinations for the various specialties may have elements in common and elements specific to the particular specialty.

Section 6 - Certification and Proof of Membership.

1. As soon as practicable, following the admission to Professional Member status and upon payment of the certification fee, an Affidavit of Certification and a membership card shall be issued by the Institute. The Certificate shall show the specialty certified and the full name of the member, shall have a serial number, and shall be signed by the Chair of the Board of Registration and by the President of the Institute and affixed by the official seal of the Institute. Failure to pay the certification fee within a period of sixty (60) days after notification of successful completion of examination shall cause the registration to lapse. The Affidavit of Certification shall expire on December 31 of the year issued and shall become after that day invalid unless renewed. The Certificate shall remain the property of the Institute and must be returned if certification is not renewed.

2. An applicant who has satisfactorily met all the requirements for the class "Associate Member" shall be issued a membership card.

3. Eligible organizations, approved for the membership by the Executive Committee shall be issued a certificate, which shall be evidence of their affiliation with the Institute.

Section 6 - Rights and Duties of Members.

1. All members in good standing shall have a right to announce their affiliation with the Institute in any dignified way, to receive official publications of the Institute at a discount rate, have their names listed in the Registry, receive a copy of the Registry of the Institute's members, and to attend official meetings of the Institute. The Registry listing shall clearly show the membership category.

2. Any Professional Member in good standing shall have a right to vote and to hold office.

3. Any Professional Member in good standing may obtain a personalized seal or stamp by making an application to the Secretary of the Board and accompanying it with a required fee. The seal (stamp) of Professional Hydrologist shall contain the name, certification number, and the name of the Institute. The seal (stamp) shall not be used if certification is not renewed. Professional Members may use this seal or stamp in connection with their professional work and use it on reports and documents prepared by them or under their direct control.

4. Annual membership fees are due and shall be paid on or before the first day of January for a member to be considered in good standing.

5. It shall be the duty of all members to maintain the high standard of competence and ethics established by the Institute. This policy shall apply to the member's professional activities and their relationship to other members.

6. Charge of unethical conduct may be filed by anyone with the Office of the General Secretary. The Ethics and Appeals Committee (SC4) shall investigate any complaint or charges in strict confidence and according to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Registration and the Code of Ethics. The Ethics and Appeals Committee will recommend a course of action in each particular case to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may place special requirements on a member or suspend a member or terminate a member by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee if the member has been found to engage in unethical conduct.

Section 7 - Termination of Membership.

1. Membership in the Institute automatically lapses if the membership dues are not paid within a year from the scheduled payment.

2. Any member may resign from the Institute in writing. The resignation shall be without prejudice if the Affidavit of Certification is surrendered and/or all dues and obligations to the Institute have been paid. Fees and dues will not be refunded in the event of resignation from the Institute.

3. Any member may be suspended at any time if a substantiated charge of conduct contrary to the purposes and standards of the Institute is brought against him/her and supported by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall specify the amount of time that must elapse before a member can apply for reinstatement.

4. Any Professional Member shall lose membership if his/her Affidavit of Certification has been revoked. The right to deny renewal or revoke the certification is vested in the Board of Registration. The Executive Committee shall grant final decision.

5. The names of members who have resigned, or have been dropped, suspended or expelled shall be dropped from the rolls of the Institute and removed from the AIH Registry.

Section 8 - Reinstatement.

1. Any person or organization who lost the membership by resignation or suspension may be reinstated by applying for membership anew, by paying all the outstanding dues, fees or obligations incurred prior to the date of cessation of the membership, and by receiving a two-thirds favorable vote of the Executive Committee.

2. The Board of Registration shall prescribe the procedures for renewal and reinstatement of certification.

Section 9 - Appeal and Hearings. The Ethics and Appeals Committee (SC4) shall review appeals concerning the denial or revocation of the certification and suspension of membership and make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III. ADMINISTRATION

Section 1 - Management. The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the Institute with the assistance of the Board of Registration and by Standing and Special Committees and such clerical and administrative help as may be authorized by the Executive Committee. The Committee on Professional Examinations will be responsible for the administration of the certifying examinations.

Section 2 - Executive Committee.

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President Elect, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Institute Development, Vice President for International Affairs, General Secretary, the Chair and the Secretary of the Board of Registration, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

2. The Executive Committee shall seek to fulfill the purpose of the Institute in accordance with the Constitution and within the provisions of Bylaws. It shall promote the growth and sustained viability of the Institute including effective operation of all offices. It shall act upon applications for and terminations of membership; investigate complaints or charges of unethical conduct; act on recommendations from the Board of Registration; adopt an annual budget, fee schedule, and appropriations; oversee the fiscal affairs of the Institute; designate the appointive officers and administrative help; and generally direct the business of the Institute.

3. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at least once a year. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of four members and the President or the General Secretary; or of the President, the General Secretary and any other two members of the Executive Committee.

Section 3 - Nomination and election of the Executive Committee. The Professional Members of the Institute shall elect the members of the Executive Committee as follows:

1. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall submit a list of candidates for offices to be filled to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall review these candidates for eligibility. Before an election the General Secretary shall obtain assurance that those nominated are prepared to accept election; and following the election, shall immediately secure the acceptance of the elected Officers. The names of the nominees shall be published in the Institute's official publication at least one hundred and twenty (120) days before the election.

2. Additional nominations may be made by petition. Any nomination by petition shall contain the signatures of not less than 50 Professional Members of whom no more than 10 members shall be from one state, and shall be accompanied by written acceptance of the nominee. Nomination by petition shall be filed with the General Secretary not later than sixty (60) days after publication of the list of candidates, and such nominees shall be so designated.

3. If any sole nominee submitted by the Nominating Committee becomes ineligible or unavailable, the Executive Committee shall select a replacement.

4. The election shall be conducted by secret letter ballot circulated by the General Secretary not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of election and counted under the supervision of a Tellers Committee appointed by the President with the concurrence of the General Secretary.

Section 4 - Officers.

1. The Officers of the Institute shall be elected from among the Professional Members for a term of two years beginning January 1 of the year following their election. If one of the Officers tenders a resignation or is not in a position to fulfill the duties of the office, the President with the concurrence of the Executive Committee shall appoint a Professional Member to complete the terms of that office. The President elect automatically becomes the President for the term following a term as President Elect.

Section 5 - Duties and Powers.

1. The President is the chief elected officer of the Institute and shall have the responsibility for the general management of its affairs; shall officially represent the Institute; shall negotiate and/or sign all legal documents, contracts, and agreements or shall authorize in writing for specific instances another designated person to act on behalf of the President in such matters; preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee; appoint, subject to approval of the Executive Committee, the members of the Board of Registration; appoint new and/or replacement members to committees as may be needed; assign liaison responsibility for committees to other members of the Executive Committee; and be an ex-officio member of all committees. If the President is absent or unable for any reason to fulfill the office, the President Elect shall substitute as needed.

2. ) The President Elect shall have and assume the duties and powers of the President in the event of absence or disability of the President; shall perform other duties as may be delegated by the President or the Executive Committee; and may officially represent the Institute. The President Elect shall be responsible for the operation of all standing committees.

3. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall have general responsibility for the certification program of the Institute; be a member of the Board of Registration; and in cooperation with the Chair of the Committee on Professional Examinations, review committee membership and examination goals; establish and maintain a network of examiners; and oversee student membership.

4. The Vice President for Institute Development shall have responsibility for attracting additional members to the Institute; bring the purposes and programs of the Institute before the entire profession to order to enlist endorsement, support and affiliation; have general responsibility for technical meetings; act as liaison officer between the Executive Committee and organizational members; and conduct general public relation functions.

5. Vice President for International Affairs. The Director of International Activities shall promote the Institute internationally, represent international members of the Institute, and represent the Institute in planning for International activities.

6. The General Secretary shall organize the work of the Executive Committee; act on membership applications as specified elsewhere in Bylaws; prepare and distribute in advance of each meeting of the Committee a proposed agenda; keep minutes of the meetings; submit an annual report to the Committee; perform duties as assigned by the Executive Committee; be authorized together with the President to negotiate salaries for clerical and administrative help and to approve travel on Institute business by appointed and elected persons of the Institute, subject to availability of funds as ascertained by the Treasurer; and be generally responsible for Institute publications.

7. The Treasurer shall handle all dues and fees and other monies paid to the Institute; keep complete records of all receipts and disbursements; prepare and submit to the Executive Committee an annual budget and an annual financial report; secure audits of Institute financial records; prepare and file all documents required by the Internal Revenue Service and other state and federal agencies; actively seek gifts and grants; and generally manage financial affairs and resources of the Institute as directed by the Executive Committee.

8. The Chair and the Secretary of the Board of Registration shall be responsible for the certification program of the Institute and for the Board's functions as specified in the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations; and perform other functions as directed by the Executive Committee.

Section 6 - Board of Registration.

1. The Board of Registration shall consist of not less than five and no more than ten members, including the Chair and the Secretary, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. All Board members shall have an equal vote. All members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the Institute with approval of the Executive Committee to three year terms staggered in such a fashion as to insure continuity on the Board. Appointments shall be made from among those Professional Members most qualified and experience in both hydrological practice and education.

2. The Board shall evaluate the applicants' qualifications; recommend or reject the applications; keep record of its activities; schedule examinations as needed, but not less than twice each year; with the Executive Committee, recommend Examination Committee members; keep the applicants' file; maintain the Registry of Professional Hydrologists; and monitor professional conduct of Members.

3. The Board shall adopt the Rules and Regulations for Certification of Professional Hydrologists and rules and regulations which may be reasonably necessary for its function, subject to approval of the Executive Committee of the Institute.

4. The Board may define areas of specialization and requirements for these specializations. Approval of the Executive Committee is required for all areas of specialization and requirements for these specializations. Areas of specialization will be clearly indicated in the Registry of the Institute.

5. The Board will work closely with the Examination Committee, which is a standing committee established in the AIH Constitution. The Board may establish other committees as needed for its functions.

Section 7 - Committees and Administrative Staff. The Institute may perform its work through committees and administrative help according to decisions adopted by its Executive Committee.

Section 8 - Committee on Professional Examinations.

1. The Committee on Professional Examinations shall consist of a Chairman and not less than three (3), nor more than six (6), Professional Members of the Institute recommended by the Board of Registration and appointed by the Executive Committee to three-year overlapping terms. Each of the three hydrology categories is to be represented on the Committee. Appointments shall be made from among those Professional Members most qualified and experience in both hydrological practice and education. To retain the integrity of the examinations, no member of the Committee of Professional Examinations will be able to hold office in the Executive Committee or Board of registration during their period of service and for a period of one year after their service with the Committee of Professional Examinations.

2. The Committee shall recommend from its membership a Chairperson who, upon approval by the Executive Committee, shall become liaison to the Executive Committee for a three-year period overlapping the term of office of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall organize and oversee meetings. He/she will be caretaker of the question data bank, and the grader of the examinations. He/she will oversee mailing or electronic transfer of the examinations to and from their respective test locations. He/she will assimilate new exams from the question data bank on a determined schedule and/or as required by makeover examinations.

3. The Committee shall recommend and work with a test consultant to help with the administration of the examinations. The Committee will convene on an annual basis to evaluate and update the existing examinations. The annual evaluation will consider the adequacy and relevance of the questions in the data bank and the topical coverage of the examinations. They will solicit questions from the Institute's membership when needed. They will consider topical changes on a 5-year cycle. They will make recommendations for changes or improvements to the examinations and the examination process. If changes to the process are required, they will work with the test consultant to make a new psychometric survey, and solicit additional questions.

4. The test consultant shall be hired by the Committee chairperson. His contract will be renewed annually or on an as-needed basis. The test consultant shall be responsible for guidance regarding legal and technical aspects of the examinations and their administration.

5. Examinations and the question data bank shall be kept with the tightest security. Paper copies of the examinations will be shredded after use. Only the committee chairperson and the test consultant will be privy to the question data bank and any backup copies. Question reviews by the committee will be done at annual meetings from a secure computer. Question development for new questions for the data bank can be done between committee members via e-mail, but once the question has been approved for entry into the data bank, more secure methods will be used.

Section 9 - Advisory Board. The Institute actively seeks the advice of eminent member hydrologists by appointment to the Advisory Board. The duties of the Advisory Board shall be to provide counsel to the Institute and Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may award an Advisory Board member status as an Honorary Advisory Board member through appointment.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1 - Business Meeting. The Annual Business Meeting of the Institute shall be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee, and announced to the membership at least ninety (90) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2 - Meetings of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have an annual business meeting. Other meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at a time and place determined by the Committee at the call of the President.

Section 3 - Meetings of the Board of Registration. The Board shall meet as deemed necessary by the Chair. Meetings may be held in conjunction with the Institute's Annual Business Meeting and other meetings.

Section 4 - Meetings of the Committee on Professional Examinations. The Committee will meet on an annual basis to review examination results and evaluate the examinations for revision and upgrade. They will meet additionally as deemed necessary by the Chair. Meetings may be held in conjunction with the Institute's Annual Business Meeting and other meetings.

Section 5 - Special and Technical Meetings. In addition to Annual Business Meetings, the Institute may hold special meetings, conferences, symposia, seminars or workshops as authorized by the Executive Committee. The Conferences, symposia, seminars or workshops as authorized by the Executive Committee shall be open to the AIH members, other interested professionals, and the general public.

Section 6 - Awards. The Institute may hold special meetings to present the Institute's awards. The Executive Committee shall determine number of awards. The Executive Committee will appoint an Awards Committee who will review nominations received from the membership, or by other means, and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for action.

ARTICLE V. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Section 1 - Financing.

1. The financial resources of the Institute shall derive from membership dues, examination and other fees, sale of publications, surplus from meetings, and subsidies, gifts and grants and other sources associated with the activities of AIH.

2. All funds of the Institute shall be deposited in a single institution, established annually by the Executive Committee, in the name of the American Institute of Hydrology. The Institute shall adopt standard accounting procedures to conduct day-to-day operations and special projects. Sub-accounts shall be established to separately account for and manage special projects, such as, but not limited to, special publications or conferences.

3. Funds of the Institute that accumulate in excess of the annual operating expenses shall be deposited in an interest bearing or investment account in accordance with a financial plan approved annually by the Executive Committee. This fund shall be called the Reserve Fund. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial report and investment plan for the Reserve Fund for approval by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall manage the Reserve Fund with direction from the Executive Committee. The Reserve Fund shall be used to provide seed money for future conferences, to fund special projects and to fund other activities of the Institute that may arise from time to time and at the discretion of the Executive Committee. All excess funds over the annual operating budget shall be deposited into the Reserve Fund. All allocations from the Reserve Fund shall be repaid in accordance with the provisions of the plan for the special project, properly approved by the Executive Committee.

4. The President shall be the only officer authorized to obligate the Institute to financial and legal commitments or indebtedness. No other member, officer or employee has this right, unless delegated in writing by the President. The President may obligate the Institute to $5000 or less without additional authorization and under his/her signature. All other singular or accumulative (relating to a single issue) obligations in excess of $5000 shall require the written approval of two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee, and shall require two signatures, including the President and the Treasurer or the General Secretary. Signature authority may be delegated in writing to another officer or employee of the Institute with specific instructions and limitations. To accommodate the daily operation of the Institute, the President may delegate, in writing, authority to incur minor and usual expenses for operations to the Business Manager and/or the General Secretary.

5. All disbursements must be approved prior to their obligation. Approvals for disbursements of Institute funds must be obtained using a Disbursement Request Form. These forms must be obtained from AIH headquarters and signed by the appropriate officer, as defined in Article V, Section 1.4, prior to incurring any indebtedness. With prior written approval, one signature, limited to the Treasurer, General Secretary or Business Manger shall be required for the disbursement of funds of $550 or less. Also with prior written approval, two signatures of any combination of the President, Treasurer, General Secretary or Business manager shall be required for all disbursements greater than $550. All disbursement vouchers or receipts shall have a Disbursement request Form attached properly signed.

Section 2 - Dues and Fees.

1. The Executive Committee shall establish membership dues and other fees for each fiscal year. Annual fees shall be payable by the first day of January. Other fees shall be payable as specified by the Executive Committee.

2. Meetings and publications should be self-supporting financially. Registration fees of the meetings and subscription rates of publications shall be determined on the basis of estimated costs. Any surplus shall become property of the Institute.

Section 3 - Budget.

As near as practicable to the beginning of the fiscal year, the Treasurer shall prepare and the Executive Committee shall consider and adopt an operating budget for that year. The fiscal year of the Institute and the administrative year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 4 - Audit.

The accounts of the Institute shall be audited in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, but not less than once each fiscal year.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Any proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be presented to the Executive Committee members at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which the amendments will be considered for adoption. A vote of two-thirds of the Executive Committee members shall be needed for approval of all amendments. All amendments shall take effect immediately, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII. GEOGRAPHICAL SECTIONS

Section 1 - Establishment.

AIH Sections are local organizations charted under the authority of the Constitution and Bylaws of AIH. Sections are formed by Professional Members to promote the mission of AIH. Sections are commonly formed to serve members in a state or other geographic region that represents the local members and that is defined in the Charter.

Each Section may organize in a manner necessary to carry out the local plans and programs. Sections are independent of AIH and conduct their business independent from AIH. Sections may also be formed in international countries outside of the United States in accordance with these rules and guidelines. Geographical sections of the Institute apply for a Charter from AIH by submitting an organizational plan to the Executive Committee of AIH. Such a Charter will make the Section a part of AIH so as to be incorporated with AIH as indicated in the Constitution Article I. The plan shall define the mission, purpose and objectives, the management structure, financial structure and list the founding members who are Professional Members of AIH. After consideration of the application the Executive Committee will vote to issue a Charter. Local Sections are not authorized to function as Sections of AIH without an approved Charter.

Section 2 - Objectives

Sections shall develop annual action plans to:

1. Discuss various concerns raised by the AIH Executive Committee and Board of Registration.

2. Examine and respond in a timely manner to hydrologic issues of concern.

3. Develop means of increasing membership of the Section and AIH.

4. Increase the visibility of AIH within the geographic boundaries.

5. Hold at least one business meeting per year.

6. Discuss issues which will increase the professionalism of the members/attendees.

7. Sponsor training and transfer of technological information among its members and throughout the local region.

8. Promote and mentor student participation in the Section and AIH.

Section 3 - Membership.

AIH Sections shall be organized and managed by Professional Members of AIH. Section officers must be Certified Professional Members of AIH. The Section membership may include AIH members and non-AIH members interested in promoting the mission of the local Section and AIH. Institute members may join a local section without residing in the designated geographical area. Institute members may not be members of more than one geographic section.

Section 4 - Administration.

Geographical sections may establish their own officers and Bylaws to govern the operation of the section. These Bylaws may not conflict with the Constitution or Bylaws of the Institute. Minutes of all Section meetings and meetings of committees of Sections shall be filed with the General Secretary of the Institute.

Section 5 - Financial Management.

Each Section shall establish a financial management procedure. Sections may levy dues and fees to cover local operational expenses and special projects organized by the Section. These dues and fees shall be levied only on it's local members and shall be separate from the dues and fees of AIH. Sections may not financially obligate AIH in any way. AIH is not responsible for financial obligations of Sections.

Section 6 - Oversight

The Executive Committee of AIH may, at their discretion, rescind a Section Charter if the Executive Committee determines that the Section is operating in a manner as to detract from the purpose, scope, or stability of AIH. Sections shall submit a written report to the General Secretary of AIH annually two weeks prior to the annual business meeting of AIH. The report shall include programmatic, financial, and membership details.

DEFINITIONS

Inactive status. Professional Members and Associate Members who are no longer regularly engaged in the practice of hydrology, are temporarily retired from the practice of hydrology, and who do not actively seek work assignments in hydrology either for an organization or as an individual consultant -- even though they could accept an occasional hydrologic consulting assignment if the opportunity is offered.

Written approval. Written approval may be in the form of any standard and generally accepted written form including, but not limited to, facsimile transmissions (FAX) and electronic mail (e-mail).

Meetings. Except for the Annual Business Meeting, Institute meetings may be held by electronic means such as using conference calls and/or the internet.