St. Marys Garden Club
Bylaws
Article I – Name
The name of the club shall be St. Marys Garden Club.
Article II – Object
The object of this organization, as provided in its charter, shall be to promote the love of gardening among amateurs, to promote the study of horticulture, to protect our native trees, wildflowers and birds, to encourage civic planning, and to engage in activities which are charitable, educational and scientific.
Article III – Membership
Sec. 1. The membership shall consist of active and associate members. Honorary members may be voted on by club members.
Sec. 2. Application for membership will be completed and dues paid by the third meeting attended. Prospective members shall attend two (2) meetings as guests before officially joining to ascertain their interest in joining.
Article IV – Dues
Annual dues shall be payable at the January meeting. Members who are 45 days delinquent in their dues shall be dropped from the active membership roster. Upon payment of dues, they will be re-instated.
Article V – Officers and Duties
Sec. 1. The officers of the club shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording/Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer.
Sec. 2. The duties of the officers are as follows:
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the St. Marys Garden Club and the Executive Board and shall perform all other duties consequent upon her office. The President shall have power to appoint all chairmen of committees, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.
B.In the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall perform all the duties of that office. The First Vice President, along with the Second Vice President, will arrange all programs for the club and make arrangements for the location of each meeting. This includes contacting the speakers and introducing them at the meetings. The Second Vice President shall serve as membership chairman. These officers shall attend all Executive Meetings.
C.The Recording/Corresponding Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings and shall conduct the correspondence of the club.
D.The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies belonging to the club. The treasurer shall pay all bills and give all receipts for their payment. The Treasurer shall pay by check bills authorized by the executive board under the direction of the president.
E.There may be a Parliamentarian, the position can be appointed by the President and shall be the outgoing President. The parliamentarian shall attend all meetings including the Executive Board as a consultant without the privilege of a vote.
Sec. 3. Each officer shall immediately, upon the expiration of the term of office, deliver to the successor all books, records and properties pertaining to the office.
Article VI – Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. There shall be a nominating committee consisting of a chairman and two other members appointed by the President at the August meeting in the even years. The nominating committee shall present its suggested slate at the September meeting in the even numbered years.
Sec. 2. Nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.
Sec. 3. Officers shall be elected at the November meeting and installed at the January meeting. Elections will be held in the even numbered years and officers shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors are elected.
Sec. 4. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the First Vice President shall succeed to that office. The Executive Committee shall appoint vacancies in other offices for the remaining term.
Article VII –Committees
The Executive Committee shall consist of all the officers, past presidents, and the ways and Means committee chair(s). Unbudgeted expenses up to and including $50 may be made with prior approval of the President. Unbudgeted expenses over $50 require the approval of the majority of members in attendance at a regular meeting. All expenditures will be reported at regular meetings.
The president shall appoint chairmen of the committees necessary for the execution of the club’s business. Each committee chairman shall be responsible for the activities of the committee.
Article VIII – Parliamentary Authority
The Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall be used as authority if anything is inconsistent with these bylaws.
Article IX– Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present, provided written notice is given to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be voted on.
Article X – Dissolution Clause
Upon the dissolution of the St. Marys Garden Club, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of said organization, turn all cash assets over to the District Treasurer/Oleander District to be used for Garden Club of Georgia scholarships.
Adopted Feb. 1999
Revised May 2007
Revised Feb. 2012
Revised March 2018
Revised January 2021
Adopted: February, 1999