BYLAWS
OF
ARTICLE 1: Name
The name of this organization shall be “THE CALHOUN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS” (OR CCMG).
ARTICLE II: Objectives
The objectives of this organization shall be:
A. To enhance and supplement the Consumer Horticulture programs in the extension, teaching, and research of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Universities.
B. To extend the Master Gardener’s knowledge of and interest in horticulture and related activities.
C. To disseminate to the
D. To provide opportunities for its members to meet and associate with others who have similar horticultural interests.
ARTICLE
Section 1.
There shall be six classes of membership: Active, Provisional, Lifetime, Associate, Patron and Honorary. Members may hold more than one class of membership. Membership status shall be determined by the membership committee.
Section 2.
Active Member: Active membership shall be limited to individuals who have successfully completed an approved Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training Program; have fulfilled the Program’s volunteer service requirements of 40 hours; and have been certified by the Extension Office. Active members shall document 20 hours volunteer service each year. Active members must pay dues.
Section 3.
Provisional Member: Provisional Membership in the organization will be granted to Master Gardeners upon completion of the Training Program. Once a provisional member fulfills the Training Program’s volunteer service requirements, they shall have active member status. Provisional membership will be granted for no more than two years. Provisional members shall pay dues.
Section 4.
Lifetime Member: A Lifetime member shall be an active member in good standing and who due to extenuating circumstances can no longer participate as an active member. A lifetime member shall be voted on by the membership. Lifetime members are not required to pay dues.
Section 5.
Associate Member: An associate Member is an Alabama Extension Service employee working with an office which offers the Program, or which plans to offer the Program within one year of his/her application for membership in the organization. Associate members pay no dues.
Section 6.
Patron: Persons, organizations or businesses contributing to the Program but not qualifying for Active membership. Patrons shall pay dues.
Section 7.
Honorary Member: Honorary Memberships are bestowed by the Executive Board of the organization, on individuals who have rendered outstanding contributions to the Training Program or the Calhoun County Master Gardeners organization. Honorary members pay no dues.
Sections 8.
Annual dues for each class of membership shall be established each year by membership vote and shall be payable on or before November 30th. The treasurer shall notify members by mail when dues are in arrears, and if dues are not paid by January 31st, the member will be automatically dropped from membership in the organization.
Section 9.
Only active and lifetime members are eligible to vote. Only active members are eligible to hold office.
Section 10.
Any member who desires to resign shall notify the secretary, who shall promptly remove the member’s name from the roll. Member’s names shall also be removed from the roll in the event of death.
ARTICLE IV: Officers
Section 1.
The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by parliamentary authority adopted by this organization, where not in conflict with these bylaws.
Section 2.
Election of Officers: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote at the November business meeting. Votes may be cast in person or by a properly executed absentee ballot.
Section 3.
Term of office: Officers shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors are installed. The term of all officers shall begin upon election. No officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
ARTICLE V: Executive Board
Section 1:
The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers, the Past President, the standing committee chairs, two (2) Members-At-Large and an advisor from the Extension Office.
Section 2:
The two (2) Members-At-Large shall be elected by a majority vote at the November business meeting. They shall have voting privileges.
Section 3:
The past President will automatically serve on the Executive Board for one year following his/her term of office.
Section 4:
The Executive Board shall conduct the business of the Association and report to the membership their actions and decisions.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section 1:
The Association meetings and programs shall be recommended by the Program Committee on a yearly basis and approved by the Executive Board.
Section 2:
Special meetings may be called at any time by the President to conduct urgent business.
Section 3:
Twenty percent (20%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE
Section 1:
The Association’s standing committees shall be: Program Committee, Audit Committee and Nominating Committee.
Section 2:
The Program committee shall consist of at least three members one of whom shall be the Vice-president who will be the chair. They shall coordinate the educational and social activities of the Association in accordance with the interests of the membership.
Section 3:
An Audit Committee shall be composed of the President and one (1) member appointed by the President but he/she shall not be an elected officer. The Audit Committee shall examine the Treasurer's accounts of the calendar year and at the annual meeting, submit in writing, a report signed by the committee.
Section 4:
The membership of the standing committees shall be filled at the direction of the President.
Section 5:
The President shall appoint all special committees as are deemed necessary by these bylaws, or the Association such as the Projects Committee, the Telephone Committee and the Public Relations Committee.
Section 6:
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members. One shall be appointed by the President of the Association and approved by the officers. Two shall be elected by the membership at the August meeting. The duties of the nominating committee will be to fill a slate of officers, to be presented to the membership in writing prior to the November meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: Advisory Council Membership
The President of the Calhoun County Master Gardener’s Association shall serve on, or will appoint at least one representative to the Advisory Council of the Alabama Master Gardeners Association, Inc.
ARTICLE IX: Finances
Section 1:
The Association's calendar year shall be from November 1 to October 31.
Section 2:
The financial records of the Association shall be audited each year by the Audit Committee as set forth above.
ARTICLE X: Extension Advisor
The Association shall request that the Alabama Cooperative Extension Services appoint at least one representative to serve as an advisor and liaison to the Association.
ARTICLE XI: Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current addition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order adopted by the Association. The President may appoint a Parliamentarian.
ARTICLE XII: Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Association by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting in which they are to be voted upon.
ARTICLE XIII: Dissolution
A vote of 2/3 of the membership shall be required
to dissolve the Association. After paying or adequately providing for the debts
and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall go the Calhoun
County Community Foundation and shall be designated for horticultural grants in
ARTICLE XIV: Miscellaneous
Section 1:
All services shall be voluntary with no remuneration except for out-of-pocket expenses, if funds are available and approved by the Executive Board.
Section 2:
Within the Association, there will be no discrimination with respect
to race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, creed, religion, or sexual
orientation.
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