Proposed By-Laws of the Putnam County Beekeepers Association

These are only proposed at this time, and will not be official until they have been voted on.  Please feel free to make comments or suggestions in the comment section.

Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be Putnam County Beekeepers Association (subsequently referred to as PCBA).

Article II – Objectives

PCBA shall be a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting its members and others interested in honeybees.  The purpose of the regular club meetings shall be to provide members and others interested in beekeeping an opportunity to develop and improve his/her knowledge and skills in beekeeping.  PCBA shall cooperate with the County Extension Service, as well as other beekeeping organizations to help promote the use of scientific and practical methods of beekeeping.

Article III – Membership

Section 1. Qualification:  Any person(s) interested in beekeeping may become a member upon payment of the annual membership dues to the association treasurer.

Section 2. Membership year:  The membership shall follow the calendar year, and shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

Section 3.  Membership Dues:  Dues are payable January 1^st of each year and are considered delinquent after March 31.  The association shall establish the annual fee for membership dues.

Section 4. The General Membership:  The general membership of this organization is empowered to elect officers on an annual basis, revise annual membership dues, approve and/or reject by-law amendments, and approve and/or reject such other issues as are presented to the executive committee.

Section 5. Revocation:  membership revocation shall be in concordance with the Tennessee Beekeepers Association by-laws.

Article IV – Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings:  Regularly scheduled meetings of the association shall be held at such place and time, as the membership shall determine from time to time.

Section 2. Election meeting:  The annual election meeting shall be held at the regular December meeting at the regular meeting place and time.  Officers for the coming year shall be installed at the annual election meeting.

Section 3. Special meetings:  Special meetings of the association members may be called by the President or may be called upon request of the President in writing by twenty-five percent of the membership.  A minimum of ten days written notice shall be provided to the members prior to the scheduled date of such meeting.  The notice shall include the purpose of the called meeting.

Section 4. Order of Business:  The order of business for all meetings of the association, unless changed by a majority vote of the members present, shall be as follows:

1.      Call to order.

2.      Invocation.

3.      Recognition of new members and visitors.

4.      Special announcements.

5.      Reading of minutes from prior meeting.

6.      Fiscal Report.

7.      Report of the officers.

8.      Reports of acting committees.

9.      Unfinished business.

10. New business.

11. Election of officers (December meeting only)

12. Installation of officers (December meeting only)

13. Program, speakers, and/or educational materials

14. Adjournment.

The business meeting shall, in all other respects, follow Robert’s Rules of Order when conducting the business of the Association.

Article V – Officers

The officers of the Association will be:  President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.  These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee.  They are empowered to transact any business, which they deem imperative to transact.  All officers will be members of the PCBA.  They will serve
for one (1) year, and if re-elected may only serve two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 1.  President:  The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Association and shall have general responsibility over the affairs of the Association and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Association are carried into effect.  When present, he/she shall preside at all regular meetings and special called meetings of the membership of the Association, and may appoint committees necessary to conduct the affairs of the Association.

Section 2. Vice-President:  The Vice President shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President.  In the absence of the Present, the Vice-President hall perform the duties of the President and when so acting, shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  He/She shall coordinate and introduce the program for each monthly meeting by contacting speakers, obtaining visual aids, and equipment, and helping to set up as necessary.  The Vice-President shall receive and maintain an accurate inventory list of any equipment and program aides owned by the Association.

Section 3. Recording Secretary:  The Recording Secretary shall have the responsibility of seeing (a) that the minutes of the regular and special membership meetings are kept in books provided for this purpose; (b) that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws; (c) that the Association records are properly and safely maintained; (d) that such other duties as may be assigned by the President are performed; (e) keeping a register of the post office address and telephone number of each member; (f) to report local Association activities, gather articles, photos, etc., for the monthly mailing to all Association members, and (g) perform other duties as may be assigned by the President and forward to the Secretary.

Section 4.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall, (have charge, custody, and responsibility for all funds of the Association; (b) receive and give receipts for monies owed and payable to the Association; (c) deposit all such monies in the name of the Association in such bank as shall be selected by the officers; (d) collect and forward Association members’ dues for the state association membership to that state, and (e) pass on to the Secretary all members in good standing.  Dues are considered delinquent after March 31^st.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee:  The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association.  The chairman of this committee will be the Association president.  The committee will meet as such time and place as determined by the chairman.  They will transact such business as necessary to maintain the welfare of the Association.

Section 2. Nominating Committee: The nominating committee shall
consist of not less than three (3) members. It shall be appointed by the President
and serve for one year. The nominating committee will be appointed by no later
date than August 31st. The nominating committee will be responsible for
nominating the candidates for the election of Association officers. Nominations
may also be made from the floor. Consent should be obtained from the
nominees proposed for office before submitting their names to the membership. (Article VI section 2 amended to proposed bylaws 11-16-2010)

Article VII – Fiscal Matters

Section 1.  Fiscal Year:  The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on January 1^st and shall end on December 31^st.

Section 2.  Association Dissolution:  Should this Association undergo dissolution its assets will be distributed only to charitable or nonprofit organizations as determined by the membership?

Article VIII – Amendments

The by-laws may be amended at an annual, regular, or special membership meeting of the Association.  A copy of the proposed amendments shall be provided to members in advance of such required for adopting, amending or replacing these by-laws.