McMinnville Garden Club  By-laws 2009-2010

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

          The name of this organization shall be the McMinnville Garden Club.

 

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

          The objectives of this Club are to study and advance the fine art of gardening, landscape design, floral design, conservation, and horticulture; to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds; and to encourage roadside and civic beauty.

 

ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP

          The Club maintains open membership to those who take an active interest in gardening and participate in Club activities.

 

ARTICLE IV – DUES

          Sec. 1.  Dues for the Club shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00), payable annually July 1, and delinquent September 1. Dues may be raised by the membership vote without changing the bylaws.

          Sec. 2. New members joining the Club after January 1 shall pay dues of seven dollars ($7.00).

          Sec. 3. Only members in good standing may vote.

          Sec. 4. The fiscal year shall be from July 1 to June 30, inclusive.

 

ARTICLE V – POLICY

          Sec. 1. This Club shall be non-profit. By virtue of membership in the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., the Club is non-taxable.

          Sec. 2. This Club shall make no contributions to drives or community solicitations unless related to the Club’s objectives.

 

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

          Sec. 1. The elected officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall constitute the Executive Committee, along with the immediate Past-President who shall be non-voting Advisor for one year.

          Sec. 2. All officers shall be nominated in April, elected in May, for a one year term, be installed in June, and take office in July. An interval of one year shall elapse before a member is eligible for the same office. An officer may serve no more than two consecutive years.

          Sec. 3. Vacancies may be filled by the Executive Committee upon recommendation of the current Nominating Committee.

          Sec. 4. For duties of officers and committee chairmen, refer to the standing rules.

 

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

          Sec. 1. The regular meetings of the Club shall be held on the third Monday of each month (unless otherwise designated) at a time and place listed in the yearbook.

          Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President, previous to a regular meeting, to take care of any urgent business.

 

ARTICLE VIII – QUORUM

          The members present, plus a majority of the Executive Board, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX – STANDING COMMITTEES

          There shall be the following standing committees: Conservation, Hospitality, Finance, Flower Show, Historian, Horticulture, Librarian, Membership, Ornithology, Parliamentarian, Program, Publicity, Telephone, City Beautification, Residential and/or Commercial Landscape of the Month, Yearbook, Sunshine, and any other desired committees.

 

ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

          Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern this Club when they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

AMENDED: 2001

501 ( C ) 3 INFORMATION

Added to By-Laws

 

“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 distributions 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. Not withstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by any 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.

 

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 corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for the 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 the purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.”

 

STANDING RULES – McMINNVILLE GARDEN CLUB

 

1.     The Standing Rules shall not be in conflict with the By-Laws.

2.     The Standing Rules shall be available to all members upon request.

3.     The Club Officers shall present paid receipts for budgeted or allowable expenses to the Treasurer for reimbursement.

4.     Standing Committees appointed by the President may include, but not be limited to, committees in conformance to State and District objectives.

5.     Any change in membership as applies to new members or death of members shall be printed in the newsletter.  All changes, such as change of address, telephone number or name, shall be given to the Yearbook Chair and the Newsletter Editor.  The Membership Chair shall be responsible for furnishing this information.  (revised 2008)

6.     The Budget Committee shall consist of the Board Members.

7.     The proposed budget shall be voted upon by the eligible members at the September meeting.

8.     Reimbursement for all unbudgeted items shall not exceed fifty (50) dollars, except in an emergency when the decision will be made by the Board Members.

9.     All bills to the Club must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the event.

10.                        Any activity undertaken by the Club requiring a written contract must be approved by the Board Members.

11.                        Members of the Garden Club will participate in service projects throughout the year.

12.                        Terms of Membership – Members are expected to refrain from conduct injurious to McMinnville Garden Club or its purpose. A member may be terminated by a two-thirds vote of the Board Members present at a Board Meeting, if that member has engaged in conduct tending to injure McMinnville Garden Club, disturb the well being of McMinnville Garden Club or hamper the purpose or work of McMinnville Garden Club.

13.                        As required by the By-Laws, descriptions of Officers and Committee Chair responsibilities are listed on the following page.