WISTERIA GARDEN CLUB BY-LAWS
Effective April 1, 2011
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The name of this Club shall be The Wisteria Garden Club.
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE
The purpose of this club shall be to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and flower arrangement among amateurs, to encourage study and appreciation of flowers, native trees, and shrubs, and to encourage civic beautification. Accordingly, this organization is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future tax code.
ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Membership in Wisteria Garden Club is a privilege and is taken seriously by every member. The membership of this club shall be limited to forty(40) active members, plus a maximum of twelve(12) associate members.
Section 2 - To be eligible for membership the candidate must have a love for and interest in flowers. She must participate annually in either a service project or committee and pay annual dues. She must have resided in the Fairhope area for one year prior to becoming a member.
Section 3 - Associate Memberships are limited to a total of twelve (12), with the intent that such positions are available when fully active membership is no longer possible. A request must be made in writing to the Executive Committee clearly stating the reasons for the desire to move to Associate. Associate Members must pay annual dues and participate in at least one club activity each year (hostess, project, etc). They will receive copies of the yearbook and may attend meetings without a vote. Said member may request a return to active membership at any time during the year by written notice to the board. These requests will be given priority as vacancies in the membership occur. (It is not necessary for the membership to vote on these requests.)
Honorary Memberships – In recognition of long-time and exemplary service, the Executive Board of the Club may bestow the designation of HONORARY MEMBER on special members. Honorary members do not pay annual dues nor are they required to participate in club activities. Approval to move to Honorary must be granted by the Executive Committee. Honorary members are eligible to vote and to sponsor new members.
Section 4 - Attendance – All Active Members are expected to attend monthly meetings. If you are unable to attend, a call or an email to the Secretary or the President MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND APPROVAL GRANTED FOR AN EXCUSED ABSENCE. Three unexcused absences during the period of one year automatically cancels membership in the club. The Club Secretary will notify said member after two unexcused absences. Upon the third non-attendance, the secretary shall drop the member’s name from the roll.
Section 5 - Nominations for new members are to be made by the membership in March of each year. Eligibility of said nominee will be passed on at the following executive board meeting.
Section 6 - The nominee will be voted on by the membership at the April meeting. To be elected, a nominee must receive a majority vote of the members present. Newly elected members will be invited to the May meeting as guests of the club.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
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Section 1 - The club shall meet on the first Friday of each month from October to May inclusive.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
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Section 1 - Officers of the club shall be President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian, to be elected annually at the March business meeting. New officers will be installed at the May meeting and shall assume their duties on the first day of June and at that time shall have all records and other materials relevant to their offices.
Section 2 - Duties of the President: The President shall preside at club meetings and at board meetings and shall perform such other duties as regularly pertaining to the office. She shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
Section 3 - Duties of the Vice-Presidents: The Vice-Presidents preside at meetings in the absence of the President, and take the chair when that officer wishes to speak to a motion at a membership meeting. The Vice-Presidents arrange programs and coordinate hostesses. The Vice-Presidents chair the yearbook and oversee its preparation.
Section 4 - Duties of the Recording Secretary: The Secretary shall call the roll, keep the minutes of the regular club meetings and of executive board meetings and shall be custodian of all papers pertaining to the office. She shall keep the President informed of bylaw deadlines and unfinished business. The Secretary shall list all amendments to the bylaws made during her term of office, and append same to the minutes of the last meeting of the year.
Section 5 -Duties of the Corresponding Secretary: The Corresponding Secretary shall write all letters for the club as requested by the President or the Executive Board, and shall maintain a file of all correspondence sent or received. She shall send sympathy cards to members and thank-you notes to speakers.
Section 6 - Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and hold all monies belonging to the club and deposit the funds in banks designated by the Executive Board, and pay all bills as authorized. Her books shall be audited by someone outside the organization each year. She shall make a financial report to the meetings of the executive board and the membership.
Section 7 - Duties of the Historian: The Historian shall keep a narrative and pictorial account of the activities of the club.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section 1 - Standing Committees, appointed by the President, shall be:
A. Membership: The chairman of this committee shall record and present nominee names for membership to the executive board for approval. She shall supervise all details pertaining to balloting, and with two members appointed by the President, shall tally votes. She shall be responsible for handling telephone notices to the members and report information pertinent to the members.
B. Ways and Means: This committee is responsible for raising funds for our club projects.
C. Civic Projects/Tree Committee: This committee will explore the community for worthwhile projects and will work in conjunction with other organizations in implementing these.
D. Conservation: This committee should keep the club informed of needs and legislation relevant to conservation.
E. Horticulture Reporter: The Horticulture Reporter shall keep the members informed of garden tips and other items related to gardening.
F. By-Laws Committee: This committee shall review the by-laws from time to time as needed.
G. Publicity: This committee shall attend to all publicity during the year. Notices before and after each meeting shall be published in the local paper.
H. Awards and Scholarship: This committee shall submit names for awards and scholarships. Applicants must be a college sophomore or above and pursuing a degree related to horticulture. Exceptions must be approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII - THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1 - The Executive Board shall be composed of the elected officers and immediate past president.
Section 2 - The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President. The Secretary shall notify board members of the meeting.
Section 3 - Attendance at board meetings shall be limited to board members. The President may invite other members if needed for consultation purposes.
Section 4 - The Executive Board makes general plans for club activities and offers recommendations for club business.
Section 5 - The President may call special meetings of the Executive Board to handle emergency business or matters which cannot be completed at the regular board meeting.
Section 6 - A quorum shall be two-thirds of the members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1 - The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President in February of each year and shall consist of three members.
Section 2 - Elections shall be held at the March meeting. The method of balloting will be determined at that meeting.
ARTICLE IX - FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 1 - The fiscal year shall begin June 1st.
Section 2 - Membership dues shall be determined by the membership and to be paid in October. Members are considered delinquent in December and shall be so notified by the Treasurer.
Section 3 - Transfer of property: Any two of the following officers, the President, Vice-presidents or Treasurer, shall have the authority to assign, endorse, transfer and deliver, on behalf of the organization, any certificate, bond, note or other security belonging to the organization, upon approval of the Executive Board and affirmative vote of the membership.
Section 4 - Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Section 5 - No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code.
Section 6 - Checks in payment of authorized bills will be signed by the Treasurer, and in her absence, by the President.
ARTICLE X - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The Parliamentary Authority shall of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
The by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing the membership has been informed on the proposed amendment at a meeting preceding the one at which the vote is taken.