Jefferson County Area Beekeepers Association

Jefferson County Area Beekeepers Association Constitution and By-Laws July 22, 2012 Article I Name The name of this organization shall be The Jefferson County Area Beekeepers Association. It is based in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Article II Purpose and Function The purpose and function of the association is the promotion of the interest in honeybees and beekeeping throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding counties by such means as: a. Encourage and promote the best management practices in beekeeping b. Encourage and promote the use of research-based information c. Conduct meetings and/or programs to enhance and promote beekeeping as funding permits Article III Membership Membership in the Jefferson County Area Beekeepers Association shall be open to all persons interested in honeybees and beekeeping. We welcome young people (10-16 years old) who are interested in learning beekeeping to join the club, providing they are accompanied by an adult who is a member. Junior (non-voting) members will not be required to pay dues. a. Members will make an annual payment of dues of $10 (ten dollars), which should be made by the July meeting, for the following year. Dues paying members will receive a newsletter periodically with beekeeping information and current club activities. b. Encourage and promote the use of research-based information c. Conduct meeting/programs to enhance and promote beekeeping Article IV Officers and Executive Board The Executive Board, including officers, shall be the governing body of the association and shall be responsible for managing the property of and conducting the business and all other affairs of the association not delegated to the membership or to committees. a. The officers of the association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, plus 3 board members. b. The term of the officers shall be for 2 years. The term of the board members shall be for 3 years (one being elected each year). c. No member shall be elected to the board for more than two consecutive terms unless an insufficient number of candidates are nominated. d. The president may not succeed himself/herself for more than two (2) successive terms. He or she may be re-elected any time after a retirement of one year. e. All elected officers shall be members of the association and be in good standing. f. The president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president and other board members shall constitute the Executive Board and will be hereinafter referred to as such. g. The Executive Board will meet at least once a year. Special meetings may be called by the president or by any three board members, providing notice is given each board member at least 3 days prior to the special meeting, its purpose being clearly stated and no other business is to be conducted at the meeting. The president may permit or not permit members and others to attend board meetings as observers or as business may require. A quorum of the board shall be required to conduct any business of the association, such quorum being at least four of the board members. h. No board member, officer, committee member or any volunteer member, working on behalf of the Jefferson County Area Beekeepers, shall be liable for any of their actions, excepting gross negligence, and shall be indemnified and held harmless from any consequences of their actions. i. The fiscal year shall be August 1 to July 31. Duties of Officers a. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at meetings of the association, coordinate its activities and perform all duties usually pertaining to this office. b. In the absence or disability of the president, the vice-president shall perform all duties of the president. The vice-president shall also serve as the Chair of the nominating committee and act as the primary elected official, supervising nominations, elections and balloting. c. The secretary shall perform such duties as are usual to this office, shall keep the minutes of all proceedings and record the same, maintain historical documents and conduct routine correspondence for the association. d. The Treasurer shall take applications for new membership and keep a roster of members, shall receive all funds for the association and deposit same in a two- signature checking account in a bank or credit union. All checks will be signed by the treasurer and one other officer. The treasurer will disburse funds as authorized by a majority vote at any meeting of the organization or board of directors, provided a quorum is present, maintain accurate records of income and disbursements. e. The executive board shall also be responsible for assisting with the major decisions of the organization. Article V Meetings a. Meetings will be held the following months, the day being the 4th Sunday of July, August,September, October, November, March, April, May and June. Alternative meetings shall be convened at the discretion of the executive board. Article VI Elections The nomination and election of officers a. A nominating committee consisting of three members shall be appointed at the regular meeting prior to the annual business meeting in July. The nominating committee shall submit a slate of two nominees for each office up for election. Nominations from the floor are also permitted at the annual business meeting. b. Election shall be at the annual business meeting. c. A majority of fifty-one percent of the votes cast are necessary to elect. d. A member voting in an election shall have his/her dues paid. e. Twenty-five (25) percent of the members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Article VII Amendments Amendments to this constitution and by-laws may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of membership present at any regular meeting or at any interim or any special meeting called for that specific purpose. Article VIII Meetings 1. Call to order 2. Secretary’s reading of minutes 3. Treasurer’s report 4. Correspondence 5. Committee reports 6. Old or unfinished business 7. New business 8. Introduction of Speaker/Program 9. Adjourn Article IX Committees a. Nominating b. Audit and budget c. Fairs and exhibits

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