Bylaws
for the Aiken Beekeepers
Association
These Bylaws were revised by the 2007 officers of the Aiken
Beekeepers Association and were voted into current effect by the
quorum of members present at the meeting on July 24, 2007.
ARTICLE
I: NAME
This
organization shall be known as the Aiken Beekeepers Association
ARTICLE
II: OBJECTIVES
The
objectives of this nonprofit organization shall be:
A. To
provide a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and views of
mutual interest to beekeepers.
B. To
provide education on the practical aspects of beekeeping and to
encourage the use of better and more productive methods.
C. To
foster cooperation between members of the Association.
D. To
promote understanding and cooperation between the association and the
community with regard to beekeeping.
E. To
promote the interests of the association membership which relates to
bees and beekeeping.
F. To
promote the use of honey and honey products
ARTICLE
III: MEMBERSHIP
Section
I:
Anyone
interested in beekeeping and/or in the beekeeping industry may join
the association upon payment of the regular annual dues. The right to
vote is limited to regular members having paid their annual dues,
thus being members in good standing. Membership in the association is
not required for attendance at meetings; however, only members in
good standing may vote on any business of the association. All
members of the Aiken Beekeepers Association shall be enrolled for
membership of the SC Beekeepers Association at the time of initial
local membership or renewal. Individuals can decline.
Section
II:
Junior
Membership: Nonvoting membership is available without cost to
interested youths eighteen (18) years of age or younger.
Section
III:
Honorary
Membership: The Association may have Honorary Members. Such
membership may be conferred upon a person who has given distinguished
service to the Association or beekeeping industry in the Aiken area,
state of SC, or the nation. Honorary membership may be granted by the
majority vote of the members present at any regular business meeting.
An honorary Member is exempt from dues and has no voting rights.
Section
IV:
Only
members in good standing shall vote on Association business or may
serve as officers of the Association or as delegate, chairman, or
member of select committees.
Section
V:
At
initial membership the individual joining the association shall sign
a form stating that he/she understands, agrees to abide by, and
recognizes the ByLaws of the Aiken Beekeepers Association in its
entirety.
ARTICLE
IV: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section
I:
The
officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice
President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section
II:
The
officers shall be elected by majority vote when a quorum of members
is present at the November meeting, and shall serve in that capacity
beginning January 1st (first) of the next calendar year and for the
following 24 (twenty-four) months.
Section
III:
The
President and Vice President may serve no more than two successive
terms in their respective offices; however, they may be elected again
after an interval of at least one term. The Secretary and Treasurer
may be reelected without limitation, subject to their willingness to
serve.
Section
IV:
The
Vice President shall perform all duties of the President in his/her
absence.
Section
V:
In
case of the vacancy in the position of President, Vice President,
Secretary, or Treasurer, the membership shall vote for a new officer
to serve for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE
V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section
I:
The
President has the prime responsibility for the Association and the
direction of its activities. The President shall preside at all
meetings of the Association using regular parliamentary procedure and
Robert’s Rules of Order. The President shall appoint all special
committees, including the Program Committee and shall perform such
other duties as the Association may direct. The President shall be
authorized to make deposits and disburse all moneys, should the
Treasurer be unable to perform these duties.
Section
II:
The
Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her
absence or upon the President’s request. The Vice President shall
act as chairman of the Program Committee, and shall be responsible
for program content and arrangements.
Section
III:
The
Secretary shall record the minutes and proceeding of the Association
at each meeting and event, file and preserve all its documents,
attend to all correspondence of the Association, notify the members
and general public of regular meeting and other activities, and
attend to other duties that naturally pertain to the office. The
Secretary shall be responsible for the completion and publication of
the association newsletter.
Section
IV:
The
Treasurer shall receive and disburse all moneys of the Association in
a timely manner and shall keep a complete and accurate record showing
the receipts and disbursements.
Section
V:
The
officers shall hold regular quarterly meetings to discuss business
issues. Special meeting may be arranged as necessary.
ARTICLE
VI: COMMITTEES
Section
I:
A
Program Committee, shall plan, coordinate, and make necessary
arrangements for the regular meetings and other events of the
association. The Vice President shall act as chairmen of the
committee. Committee members shall be appointed by the President.
Members shall be reappointed annually and may serve more than one
term.
Section
II:
A
Nominating Committee consisting of three members of the Association
shall be appointed by the President. The committee shall nominate and
present a slate of officers to the members at the October meeting of
the election year. Other names may be submitted from the members at
that time.
Section
III:
Special
committees will be appointed by the President as needed.
ARTICLE
VII: DUES
Section
I:
The
annual dues shall be set by the officers of the association and
submitted to the membership for approval at the November meeting.
Changes will become effective on the first of January next.
Section
II:
The
annual dues shall be payable in advance to the Treasurer of the
association and shall be due on January first of the year covered.
All memberships expire on December thirty-first (31st) of each year.
Any member of the Association who becomes delinquent in payment of
dues shall be notified by the Treasurer and dropped from the roll of
membership after the March meeting if such dues are not paid. A
person who has been dropped from the roll of membership for
nonpayment of dues may be restored to active membership in good
standing by paying the current year’s dues. Dues for the SC
Beekeepers Association will be payable at the same time as the local
dues. Individuals have the right to decline.
ARTICLE
VIII: MEETINGS
Section
I:
There
shall be monthly meetings of the Association every fourth Tuesday of
the month. Meetings may be considered with special events, such as
workshops, dinners, picnics, etc.
Section
II:
In
addition to regularly scheduled meetings, special programs may be
presented at different times during the year.
Section
III:
Members
of the Association shall be notified by mail, or by any other means
as appropriate, of the time and place of each meeting or special
program.
ARTICLE
IX: QUORUM
The
members in good standing of the Association in attendance at an
official meeting as set forth in Article VIII shall constitute of
quorum for the transaction of any routine.
ARTICLE
X: REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AIKEN BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION AT THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE SC BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
The
Aiken Beekeepers Association is qualified to send and elect a
Regional Representative to the Board of directors of the SC
Beekeepers Association, if the Aiken Beekeepers Association consists
of a minimum of 25 members and 50% of those are also members of the
SC Beekeepers Association. This delegate shall represent the local
interests at the state level at up to 4 meetings of the Board of
Directors of the SC Beekeepers Association. The delegate may be
elected at the same as the the officers are elected for this
association.
ARTICLE
XI: LIABILITY
In no
event shall the Aiken Beekeepers Association be liable for damages
arising from activities of their members at events, educational
programs, or other activities involving the general public. All
representation is strictly done so independent of the Aiken
Beekeepers Association. The Aiken Beekeepers Association hereby
disclaims any responsibility and in no event shall the Association,
its officers, or members be held responsible or liable for any
damages (including, without limitation, direct, indirect, or
consequential damages) to person or property incurred by the general
public in connection with the activities, events, or programs
involving the individual beekeeper.
ARTICLE
XII: AMENDMENTS
This
Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members
present at any scheduled meeting, providing that a written notice of
the proposed amendment has been sent out to each member of the
Association prior to the scheduled meeting at which the vote is
taken.
ARTICLE
XIII: DISSOLUTION
Should
the Association undergo dissolution; any remaining assets will be
distributed to the SC beekeepers Association.
ARTICLE
XIV: RULES OF CONDUCT
Section
I:
All
members shall treat each other with courtesy and respect each other’s
opinions.
Section
II: Disruptions
In the
event of disruptive behavior (violation of Robert’s Rules of Order
and/or rude or offensive behavior) by a member(s) the presiding
officer shall correct the situation with the following steps.
First being: A verbal warning shall be given to the individual(s)
to stop the disruption.
Secondly: If the disturbance continues or the individual(s) causes
another disruption at any other association meeting or activity the
member(s) shall be excused from the meeting or activity.
Thirdly: If the same member(s) refuses to leave the meeting or
activity or creates yet another disturbance at any other meeting or
activity his/her/their membership shall be suspended without refund
for the next 12 consecutive calendar months, and the individual(s)
shall be banned from all of the association’s gathering during that
time period.
Fourthly: If, after the first three steps have been administered
to a member(s), and he/she/them creates or continues a disturbance at
any association meeting or activity, that individual(s) shall have
their membership revoked without refund, and will be banned from all
association gatherings permanently.
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