The name of this organization shall be “Baxter County Master Gardeners”, hereinafter referred to as BCMG.

ARTICLE II.                OBJECTIVES

The objective of this organization is to afford members the opportunity to 1) expand their knowledge and experience in horticulture, 2) extend their volunteer commitment, and 3) share the benefits of cooperative effort with the community.

ARTICLE III.              MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be comprised of individuals who have successfully completed the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training Program. In addition, members must fulfill the annual volunteer service and re-certification requirements. Membership dues will be payable each year as defined in the Standing Rules. Members will adhere to the University of Arkansas Master Gardener Policies as provided in their volunteer manual.  An updated copy of such polices may be obtained from the Secretary upon request. 

ARTICLE IV.              BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.  The Board of Directors, comprised of the elected officers and appointed directors, shall meet monthly. The immediate past President shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.  The officers of BCMG shall consist of a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  No person may hold more than one office at the same time. 

Section 3.   The President shall preside at all Board and regular membership meetings. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall be the liaison officer between this organization and the Extension Office. 

Section 4.  The 1st Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of that office, and will assume the office of President should a vacancy occur. The officer shall be in charge of securing programs of interest for the meetings, and shall serve as the program committee coordinator.

Section 5.  The 2nd Vice President shall serve as projects coordinator for all ongoing and single occurrence projects, and shall oversee all project committee chairpersons.

Section 6.  The Secretary shall keep a current roster of the membership and attendance at the meetings, shall be responsible for correspondence, records, documents and forms.  The Secretary will maintain the master copies of all forms and documents, and make all approved changes.   The Secretary will also record minutes of BCMG meetings and may appoint an attendance clerk

Section 7.  The Treasurer shall receive all monies of BCMG and keep an accurate record of all transactions, pay out all monies by check only, to cover those expenses of BCMG. The Treasurer shall provide a detailed, month-end Treasurer’s Report of income and expense items at each Board meeting. The Treasurer, along with the Board of Directors, shall prepare an annual operating budget for the approval of the membership at the November meeting. At the close of the year the books shall be audited; the auditing committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members as appointed by the President no later than September 1^st.

Section 8.  The President shall appoint a Membership Director, a Public Education/Events Director and a Member Education Director.  The Directors shall coordinate and oversee all related functions as defined in the Standing Rules.  The Directors shall meet with their related committee chairs and/or committees as often as necessary and shall report to the Board on all relevant activities including but not limited to those items requiring Board or membership approval. 

Section 9.  Officers or Directors leaving their term of office for any reason shall transfer all records and property to their successor or appointee.

ARTICLE V.               NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND TERM OF OFFICE

Section 1.  A nominating committee of three (3) members shall be appointed by the President annually at the June meeting.  The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers at the August meeting.  Additional nominations will be taken from the floor at that meeting.

Section 2.  No one may be nominated unless his/her consent to serve has been obtained and they are members in current good standing.

Section 3.  The election shall be held at the September meeting.

Section 4.  A majority of those present and voting will constitute an election.

Section 5.  Newly elected officers shall assume their duties at 12:01 AM October 1^st following their election at the September membership meeting each year.

Section 6.  The term of office for all elected officers and directors shall be for one year and shall correspond with the year as defined in Section 5 above.  Partial term appointments shall not constitute a full term of service.

Section 7.  No Board member shall serve more than two full consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 8.  Any vacancies which occur in any office other than that of President, shall be filled by appointment by the President.  Committee chairmanships shall be filled by appointment by the Officer or Director to whom that committee reports, with the approval of the President.  An Officer or Director may hold no more than one committee chairmanship within his or her own area of responsibility at a time.

ARTICLE VI.              MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular monthly membership meetings shall be held as specified in the Standing Rules. 

Section 2.  The time, place and date, of a regular meeting may be changed by the President when it is deemed necessary or expedient, and all members shall be contacted accordingly.

Section 3.  Special meetings may be called by the President or by petition of not less than five (5) members. Special meetings shall be held at the regular meeting place, if available, and within fourteen (14) days of the date that they are called. Notice of any special meeting shall include a statement of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is being called.

Section 4.  Twenty five percent (25%) of the current membership of BCMG shall constitute a quorum for membership meetings.  Fifty-one percent (51%) of the voting members Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for Board meetings.

ARTICLE VII.             COMMITTEES

Section 1.   All Officers and Directors shall oversee the committees and sub-committees under their areas of responsibility.  Sub-committees may be formed as required for various areas of responsibility, and two or more such areas of responsibility may be combined into one subcommittee or position if deemed practical by the Director.

Section 2.  Each Committee chair shall take care of any correspondence pertaining to that committee’s function. Each shall also keep a file or written record of names, dates, contacts, etc. of necessary information to be given to his/her successor to facilitate transition and avoid unnecessary research or duplication.  Files and documents which are no longer current should be turned over to the Historian for archiving.

ARTICLE VIII.            PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall     govern BCMG in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order this organization may adopt.

ARTICLE IX.              AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present; provided that amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.

ARTICLE X.               DISSOLUTION

In the event BCMG ceases to exist, all assets shall be given to the Baxter County 4-H

Foundation. No officer or member shall receive any portion of the assets.