Article I – NAME
This association shall be known as the “Beekeepers’ Guild of San Mateo County”.
Article II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this association shall be: to encourage better beekeeping methods among the beekeepers of the area; to promote cooperation among its members; to aid in determining solutions for the problems of the beekeeping industry; to maintain friendly and helpful relations with forces working to better the welfare of beekeeping interests; to develop markets for apiary products; to foster a spirit of cooperation with all other agricultural interests that come in close contact with the beekeeping industry; to educate the public as to the importance of bees to human endeavor; and to engage in such other activities as will tend to improve beekeeping conditions throughout the area.
Article III – MEMBERSHIP
Any person interested in the welfare of the beekeeping industry is eligible for membership in this association and shall be enrolled by the treasurer upon payment of the membership fee (dues). The membership fee shall be determined by the Board and voted in by majority vote of the membership present. Dues will be set no later than the January meeting of each year.
Section 1. Any person may apply for membership and become an active member by paying the annual dues.
Section 2. No discrimination shall be shown toward individual members or applicants for membership because of age, race, religious or political beliefs or activities.
Section 3. If at least three fourths (3/4) of the board determines that a member’s actions are detrimental to the Association, the board will refer their membership status to a vote by the membership.
Section 4. Any person who has served a recognized Beekeepers’ Association or beekeeping in general, long and faithfully, may be honored with an honorary membership by a majority vote of members present. The name of a candidate for Honorary Membership must be presented at a meeting prior to voting. The Honorary Member will not have voting privileges but will have free lifetime membership in the association.
Section 5. All members must abide by any and all rules that govern this Association.
Article IV – MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION
A member whose dues are paid shall be considered a member in good standing and has the right to vote. Upon paying dues, each new member will be offered a copy of the bylaws.
Article V – OFFICERS AND APPOINTEES
Section 1. The five (5) officers of this association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. The five (5) appointees of this association shall be the Previous President, Membership Chair, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor, and Education/Outreach Coordinator. Together, the officers and appointees shall be defined as “The Board.” The officers who are elected by the membership are voting members of the board; the appointees are non-voting members of the board.
Section 2. Election of officers shall be held annually at the meeting regularly scheduled for the month of December. The President shall appoint a nominating committee no less than sixty (60) days before the annual elections, to be comprised of the sitting President as chairman, plus at least two (2) additional members. The duties of the officers shall be as described above. In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint a person to serve the remainder of the vacated term.
Article VI – MEETINGS
There shall be one (1) regular monthly meeting. The date, place and time of meetings are to be determined by membership vote. Notice of an upcoming meeting will be emailed to all members at least one (1) week prior to the meeting. A regular meeting can be canceled by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the meeting preceding the one to be canceled. Twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing shall constitute a “quorum” at any regular meeting.
Article VII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution shall be amended only at a regular meeting. Notice of a proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Board, who shall submit it to the membership for their examination and recommendation at the next regular association meeting. Members may then accept or reject said amendment by majority vote.
Article VIII – PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION
Any item purchased or given to the association or any item made by association members for the association at an organized association meeting or workshop is considered the sole property of the association. The Board will be responsible for ensuring that an inventory list is maintained.
Article IX – DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
It shall be the duty of the President to call and preserve order in all meetings of the Association and to conduct all meetings according to accepted parliamentary procedure, as outlined in “Robert’s Rules of Order”.
Article X – DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside as Program Chairman, and in the absence of the President, to perform the duties of that office.
Article XI – DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record and preserve the minutes of the proceedings of the association, and to conduct the correspondence of the association. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to assist the President, and to supervise the arrangements that are made for each meeting of the association.
Article XII – DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and record the membership dues; to record the names and addresses of the members; and to render a written report of the receipts and expenditures of the association as required.
Article XIII DUTIES OF THE BOARD MEMBER-AT-LARGE
It shall be the duty of the Board Member-at-Large to share his/her extensive experience in beekeeping.
Article XIV – COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint committees as shall be deemed necessary to conduct the business of the association.
Article XV – ORDER OF BUSINESS
The association shall conduct any regular meeting in a manner which generally follows this order of business:
- Call to order.
- Introductions (guests and new members).
- Reading of minutes of previous meeting.
- Treasurer’s report (as required).
- Announcements.
- Committee reports (as required)
- Business meeting.
- Appointment of committees (as required).
- Presentations of programs(s) and discussion.
- Registration and collection of dues.
Original: 1979
Revised: 1995
Revised: 2014