Texas Gourd Society
Kappa Chapter of the American Gourd Society
Constitution and By-Laws
Organized March 1996
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - Name
The Society shall be known as the Texas Gourd Society, Inc. and shall be a Not-for-Profit organization.
ARTICLE II - Purpose
The purpose of the Texas Gourd Society is to promote interest in and appreciation of gourds, both to our membership and to the general public. We will do this by sharing information through education, meetings, festivals and shows related to the culture, history, uses, crafting and artistry of gourds.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Section 1Individual or family memberships shall be open to all persons who are interested in the activities of the Society and pay a membership fee.
Individual or family memberships shall be open to all persons who are interested in the activities of the Society and pay a membership fee.a. Family membership shall include those members of a family living at one address.
b. Each person 18 years or older included in a family membership shall be entitled to vote.
Section 2 Membership entitles the members to vote and hold office.
Section 3 Membership shall be for one year and shall begin January 1 of each year upon receipt of the payment of dues. Dues paid by new members other than January 1 will be prorated by the month.
ARTICLE IV - Officers, Directors and Executive Board
Section 1The Officers shall be: PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, MEMBERSHIP, TREASURER, and immediate PAST PRESIDENT.
The Officers shall be: PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, MEMBERSHIP, TREASURER, and immediate PAST PRESIDENT.Section 2Six Directors shall be elected from the membership, with rotation of Directors to serve three-year terms.
Six Directors shall be elected from the membership, with rotation of Directors to serve three-year terms.Section 3The Officers and Directors shall constitute the Executive Board.
The Officers and Directors shall constitute the Executive Board.Section 4Officers and Directors must be 18 years or older.
Officers and Directors must be 18 years or older.Section 5Each Gourd Patch may send a representative to Executive Board meetings.
Each Gourd Patch may send a representative to Executive Board meetings.ARTICLE V - Meetings
Section 1Two membership meetings per year shall be held, one in the 1st half of calendar year and the other in the 2nd half of the year. The meetings will be open to all members and interested visitors.
Two membership meetings per year shall be held, one in the 1st half of calendar year and the other in the 2nd half of the year. The meetings will be open to all members and interested visitors.Section 2The Executive Board shall meet as often as deemed necessary during the year to conduct the business of the Society.
The Executive Board shall meet as often as deemed necessary during the year to conduct the business of the Society.Section 3Twenty-five (25) members shall constitute a quorum at a general membership meeting.
Twenty-five (25) members shall constitute a quorum at a general membership meeting. ARTICLE VI - Amendments
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at either of the semiannual meetings, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Objectives
Section 1The objectives of this Society are to band together people interested in the multifaceted aspects of gourds in human affairs; to provide an informational and educational service to its members; and to provide an annual show for the promotion of gourds.
The objectives of this Society are to band together people interested in the multifaceted aspects of gourds in human affairs; to provide an informational and educational service to its members; and to provide an annual show for the promotion of gourds.ARTICLE II - Dues
Section 1Membership dues per individual or family shall be assessed, the amount of dues to be established by the Executive Board when deemed necessary, subject to the approval of the membership. The annual dues will be $12 per year.
Membership dues per individual or family shall be assessed, the amount of dues to be established by the Executive Board when deemed necessary, subject to the approval of the membership. The annual dues will be $12 per year.ARTICLE III - Officers' Terms
Section 1All officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term, at the end of which they will be eligible for re-election if they are willing to serve.
All officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term, at the end of which they will be eligible for re-election if they are willing to serve.Section 2In the event a vacancy should occur in any of the offices, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to serve the unexpired term.
In the event a vacancy should occur in any of the offices, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to serve the unexpired term.Section 3The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Fall meeting. New Officers shall start their term January 1.
The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Fall meeting. New Officers shall start their term January 1.Section 4No one may hold more than one elective office at the same time.
No one may hold more than one elective office at the same time.ARTICLE IV - Officers' Duties
Section 1It shall be the duty of the PRESIDENT to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership. The President shall establish any committee deemed necessary and appoint a chairman for such committee with the approval of the Executive Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall be a voting member of the American Gourd Society's Executive Board, as prescribed by the AGS bylaws. The President shall represent the Society to all organizations. The President may appoint someone to represent him/her in any of these duties. (Any expenditure over $100.00, which is not in the budget, must be pre-approved by the President and the Treasurer.
It shall be the duty of the PRESIDENT to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership. The President shall establish any committee deemed necessary and appoint a chairman for such committee with the approval of the Executive Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall be a voting member of the American Gourd Society's Executive Board, as prescribed by the AGS bylaws. The President shall represent the Society to all organizations. The President may appoint someone to represent him/her in any of these duties. (Any expenditure over $100.00, which is not in the budget, must be pre-approved by the President and the Treasurer. Section 2The VICE PRESIDENT shall assist the President and assume all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President and shall continue to do so until his or her return, or until the next elected president takes office. The Vice President will coordinate the Spring Business meeting, will chair the Nominating Committee and will actively participate in all board and show planning meetings.
The VICE PRESIDENT shall assist the President and assume all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President and shall continue to do so until his or her return, or until the next elected president takes office. The Vice President will coordinate the Spring Business meeting, will chair the Nominating Committee and will actively participate in all board and show planning meetings.Section 3The SECRETARY of the society will be custodian of its records and shall keep a complete record of all official activities of the Society and conduct all necessary correspondence.
The SECRETARY of the society will be custodian of its records and shall keep a complete record of all official activities of the Society and conduct all necessary correspondence. Section 4 The MEMBERSHIP Officer shall maintain an up-to-date membership roll and notify members when their membership expires. MEMBERSHIP will submit a complete list of the membership roll to AGS annually.
Section 5 The TREASURER shall receive all monies belonging to the Society and keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. All bills and expenses incurred must be presented to the Treasurer for payment. All monies must be deposited in a bank convenient for the Treasurer. A written report of receipts and disbursements shall be presented at each membership meeting. The Treasurer is responsible for verifying pre-approval of disbursements over $100.00. The Society may require the Treasurer to be bonded and shall pay for such bond. The TREASURER helps create the budget for the coming year.
ARTICLE V - Executive Board
Section 1The Executive Board shall consist of all elected Officers and Directors, and shall have the authority to conduct the business of the Society.
The Executive Board shall consist of all elected Officers and Directors, and shall have the authority to conduct the business of the Society.Section 2The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President as often as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Society.
The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President as often as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Society.Section 3The Executive Board shall monitor all Society expenditures.
The Executive Board shall monitor all Society expenditures.ARTICLE VI - Editor and Historian .
Section 1Both the Editor and the Historian shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Both the Editor and the Historian shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee. Section 2The Editor shall publish the newsletter.
The Editor shall publish the newsletter.Section 3The Historian shall keep a scrapbook of pictures, clippings, etc. that tell of the activities of the Society.
The Historian shall keep a scrapbook of pictures, clippings, etc. that tell of the activities of the Society. Section 4Both the Editor and the Historian shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board.
Both the Editor and the Historian shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board.ARTICLE VII - Committees
Section 1Standing committees may include but are not limited to: Nomination, Audit, Ways and Means, Publicity, Education, and Show.
Standing committees may include but are not limited to: Nomination, Audit, Ways and Means, Publicity, Education, and Show.Section 2All additional committees shall be approved by the Executive Board.
All additional committees shall be approved by the Executive Board.Section 3The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. This committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the membership and make personal contact with each nominee prior to presenting his/her name.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. This committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the membership and make personal contact with each nominee prior to presenting his/her name.Section 4The Audit Committee shall consist of three members. It shall audit all Treasurers records every two years when the Treasurer takes office, and verify all accounts.
The Audit Committee shall consist of three members. It shall audit all Treasurers records every two years when the Treasurer takes office, and verify all accounts.Section 5The Ways and Means Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of the Ways and Means Committee are to provide plans and activities to supplement the income of the Society.
The Ways and Means Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of the Ways and Means Committee are to provide plans and activities to supplement the income of the Society.Section 6The Publicity Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. It shall be the duty of this committee to announce all Society functions and promote the objectives of the organization through the news media, other publications and organizations.
The Publicity Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. It shall be the duty of this committee to announce all Society functions and promote the objectives of the organization through the news media, other publications and organizations.Section 7The Education Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of this committee shall include the establishment of programs to provide an education and information service.
The Education Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of this committee shall include the establishment of programs to provide an education and information service. Section 8The Show Committee Chairman shall appoint all the necessary subcommittees to conduct the Annual Show. The Treasurer and Publicity Chairman shall be members of the Show Committee.
The Show Committee Chairman shall appoint all the necessary subcommittees to conduct the Annual Show. The Treasurer and Publicity Chairman shall be members of the Show Committee.ARTICLE VIII - Amendments
The Bylaws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at either of the semiannual meetings, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IX - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the Texas Gourd Society, Inc., all debts shall be paid. Any remaining assets of the Society shall be given to the American Gourd Society and no funds shall inure to members as individuals.
STANDING RULES
1.All membership meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.
All membership meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.2.A Standing Rule will continue in force until rescinded.
A Standing Rule will continue in force until rescinded.3.Standing Rules may be suspended at any one meeting by a majority vote provided that it pertains to the business of that meeting.
Standing Rules may be suspended at any one meeting by a majority vote provided that it pertains to the business of that meeting.4.The Fiscal Year shall be January 1 through December 31.
The Fiscal Year shall be January 1 through December 31.5.The Order of Business shall be :
The Order of Business shall be :a)Call to order;
Call to order;b)Reading and approval of the minutes;
Reading and approval of the minutes;c)Treasurer's report;
Treasurer's report;d)Communications;
Communications;e)Committee reports;
Committee reports;f)Unfinished business;
Unfinished business;g)New business;
New business;h)Appointments;
Appointments; Amended October 18,2008
