ARTICLE I. NAME

This organization shall be called the River Falls Garden Club (River Falls, WI)

ARTICLE II. MISSION

The mission shall be to stimulate interest in gardening, to protect and improve our natural environment, to promote sustainable landscape and gardening practices, to educate and advocate for conservation in the community, enjoy the fellowship of members, and assist deserving students in the field of agriculture and horticulture through college scholarships.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Anyone interested in the mission of this club is eligible for membership.

Section 2. Dues for membership shall be as follows: $10 for those under age 65, $5 for seniors 65 and older, with lifetime membership $200 for 64 years and younger, $50 for 65 and older. Dues will be paid on or before January 1 of each calendar year. Members who have not paid dues by that date will receive one reminder call or email and non-payment will mean they will be dropped from membership.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings shall be held at 7 pm on the first Monday of each month from February through December except in September where the holiday requires it to be the second Monday. No formal meetings will be held in July or August but the members may vote to schedule garden tours or other events. Members will be notified via email, online, phone call or word of mouth.

Section 2. Meetings shall require a vote on disbursement of funds beyond routine office expenses, to elect officers, and to change the constitution.

Section 3. An annual business meeting will be scheduled each December to include election of officers, review and establish budget/expenditures, and to hear committee reports.

Section 4. Special meetings or events may be arranged by the Board of Directors. Any regular meeting may be postponed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

Section 1. Elected officers shall include a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer whose duties shall be customary for such offices.

Section 2. Officers shall be elected by ballot at the December meeting each year with nominations being presented to membership at the November meeting. Terms will be for two years with a limit to three consecutive terms per position. The Vice President will assume the position of President when the President’s term expires. Elections for each position will rotate to avoid all officers exiting at the same time. The positions of President and Secretary will be voted on during odd years and the positions of Vice President and Treasurer will be voted on during even years. Any board vacancy will be appointed by the remaining board members.

Section 3. The Governing Board shall include the four elected officers (as listed above) and three to five additional members to be appointed by the Board.

Section 4. Board duties will include securing a meeting location, facilitating information and discussion to membership, and implementing the mission of the organization.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting after being presented to membership at the previous month’s meeting.

Section 2. Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the club held the first Monday of December and shall assume office January 1 of the following year. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the Board at the September meeting with nominations to be presented at the November meeting.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board will nominate members for the following standing committees: marketing, newsletter, plant sale, program topics/speakers, and scheduling refreshments. The Board will determine the number of persons to serve on each committee to be responsible to the Board. If a committee has more than one member a convener will be identified to set meetings/agendas and to complete duties as assigned.

Section 2. Reports will be made at the annual meeting or as needed as the Board directs.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

Section 1. The budget will be presented prior to the December meeting and voted on by members at the annual meeting. Unexpected expenditures will be presented to membership and voted on as needed.

Section 2. The treasurer shall maintain current and accurate records which will be presented in the newsletter and at the December business meeting.

Section 3. Financial records will be audited by two people appointed by the board and provide the results of the audit to the President before the annual meeting.