BYLAWS OF THE
I. The
name of the organization shall be THE COMMUNITY GARDENS OF THE AVENUE OF THE
FLOWERS.
II. Purposes
A. To
provide plots of land to individuals and families on which to grow flowers,
fruit, vegetables and herbs, based on organic gardening practices.
B. To
operate a non-commercial community garden for recreational, social,
educational, and essential food needs for its members.
C. To
provide a place for low-income individuals and families to grow their own food,
flowers, and herbs.
D. To
operate outreach programs to like-minded groups, individuals, and
organizations, as well as other interested community groups.
E. To conduct ongoing educational programs for
its members.
F. To
encourage donation of excess food to local food banks.
III. Membership
A.
Membership is open to all persons over 18 years of age who reside in the
B. Failure
to pay dues or maintain garden plot(s) according to garden
rules
will result in termination of membership.
IV. Dues
A. The
amount of dues is to be determined annually by the Executive Board based on
expected expenses for the coming year and in keeping with the declared purposes
of the garden.
B.
Dues are to be paid annually.
C.
Failure to pay dues will result in termination of membership.
V. Officers Officers will serve for one year and may be
reelected. They will serve without
salary. Malfeasance or the abandonment
of responsibilities will be considered sufficient basis for the removal of an
officer.
A.
President
The
president sets goals for the organization, signs all legal documents,
supervises employees or volunteers and activities of the organization,
represents or speaks for the organization, and presides at meetings.
B.
Vice President
The
vice president takes over the office of president if that office is vacated for
any reason. The vice president also presides at meetings when the president is
unable to attend or when the president must step down from the chair because he
or she wishes to debate an issue. The
vice president also presides if the president is being censured or if a motion
is being made that concerns only the president.
C.
Secretary
The
secretary is responsible for keeping all the records of the organization on
file and keeping an up-to-date list of all the members. The secretary is responsible for maintaining
the official documents of the organization including the bylaws, rules of
order, standing rules, correspondence, and minutes. The secretary sends notices of meetings or
elections to members. The secretary
keeps the bylaws and other governing documents up-to-date with any changes made
through the amendment process. The
secretary takes minutes at all business and board meetings and signs them. He/she reads minutes of the previous meeting
at the next meeting and records any corrections. The secretary presides at meetings in which
the president and vice president are absent or until the assembly elects a
temporary chairman. The secretary
notifies members of their election to office or appointment to committees and
furnishes them with the proper documents.
D.
Treasurer
The
treasurer’s duties include: receiving and depositing dues in the organization’s
bank account; giving members receipts for their dues; paying the organization’s
bills; giving a report at the meetings; keeping records that will allow a
committee to audit the books at the end of the fiscal year; balancing and
reconciling the checking account. The
treasurer presides at meetings in which the president, vice president, and
secretary are absent or until the assembly elects a temporary chairman.
E.
Plot Manager (amended
It
is the plot manager’s duty to: assign garden plots to members; issue warnings
and/or notices of termination of membership in accordance with organizational
bylaws and garden rules; maintain records of plot assignments, warnings, and
notices sent; work closely with the executive board, keeping the board abreast
of problems which have the potential to disrupt the smooth operation of the
community garden.
VI. Executive
Board
The
Executive Board shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary,
treasurer, and plot manager.
VII. Meetings
A. The Executive Board shall meet monthly.
B.
General meetings will be held quarterly or as needed.
C. Robert’s
Rules of Order, the latest version, shall govern.
VIII. Voting
A. Each
member in good standing shall have one vote regardless of how many garden plots
s/he has paid for.
B. Amendments to bylaws and replacement of
officers when needed will be voted on in general meetings.
C.
Election of officers shall be held once a year.
D.
Voting shall be by secret ballot or hand count.
E. Nominations
for officers may be made one meeting in advance of election, by members in good
standing. Nominations may also be made
from the floor at the meeting at which elections are held.
F. A
majority vote of those members in good standing, who are present, shall elect
the officers.
G.
Replacement of officers between elections, as necessitated by special
circumstances, will be voted on at a general membership meeting to be held in a
timely fashion.
IX. Records
and Reports will be kept of:
A.
Meeting minutes
B.
Treasurer’s report
C.
Membership list
D.
Material inventory
E.
Plot assignments
F.
Warnings, with reasons
G.
Notices of termination of membership, with reasons
X. Amendments
A
proposed amendment to the bylaws must be presented to members at a meeting, one
regular meeting prior to voting on the amendment or as notified by mail or
email. A majority vote of members in
good standing who are present at the meeting is needed to adopt an amendment.
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