PORT WASHINGTON GARDEN CLUB BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - ORGANIZATION
A. This club is organized exclusively for educational, charitable and
scientific purposes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code. As such, contributions or
bequests of any nature shall be treated as tax deductible as proscribed by the
code.
B. The purpose of the club shall be to promote gardening and beautification
projects within the city of Port Washington and surrounding areas, and foster
programs that promote further growth and vitality of the organization.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
A. The membership of this club shall be limited to thirty-five unless the
spouse of a member wishes to join, in which case membership shall be limited to
thirty-six. Any member of this club missing five meetings in any twelve-month
period will be contacted by the Vice-President and notified as to their status.
Upon the sixth missed meeting, the member shall be removed from the roster if
appropriate.
B. When a vacancy occurs in the club, a husband or wife of a member shall have
preference over others on the waiting list.
C. For any reason, a member can request "inactive" status for up to 2
years. The member shall not be included in the total membership count of the
club, nor have voting privileges and shall not be included in a quorum count.
The inactive member shall be required to pay dues during their inactive status.
D. In order to recognize the contributions of former members, a member may be
transferred to a category known as the 'Friends of the Garden Club'. The Friend
shall not be included in the total membership count, nor shall the Friend have
voting privileges, and shall not be included in a quorum count at any meeting at
which the Friend is present, nor pay any membership dues. Members receiving
Friends of the Garden Club status typically include former members who move away
or are in poor health, etc., yet who desire an on-going relationship with the
club. The transfer to Friends status may be initiated at the request of the
member or by a vote of the club.
ARTICLE III - DUES
The annual dues shall be determined by the club's membership upon advice of
the Budget Committee at the November meeting, payable at the first meeting of
the calendar year.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
The officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer. The officers shall hold office for two years beginning January 1st
following their election.
A. The President shall be responsible for running the business meeting of the
club and shall act as chair of the Executive Committee. On the recommendation of
the Executive Committee, the President shall appoint officers to fill remaining
terms when offices are vacated. Each year, before the December meeting, the
President shall have arranged with the members a schedule of meeting hosts for
the coming year. The President shall arrange for an annual audit of the club's
financial records by an independent party each September.
B. The Vice-President shall be responsible for running the business meeting of
the club in the absence of the President and shall fulfill the remaining term of
the President should he/she be unable to complete the term of office. In
addition, the Vice-President shall act as Program Consultant and compile a list
of possible programs for meeting hosts to draw on. The Vice-President shall
contact members who have missed the number of meetings as specified in the
bylaws. The Vice-President shall safeguard and update the historical archives of
the club.
C. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes at the business and
executive committee meetings and distributing them to the membership. The
Secretary shall be responsible for membership records and communications
pertaining to prospective members.
D. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the club's financial holdings that may
include dues, gifts, receipts, and reporting to the club on said financial
holdings.
ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and the
immediate Past President.
B. The Executive Committee may conduct urgent club business between meetings.
C. The immediate Past President shall act as Nominating Committee Chair.
D. The Executive Committee shall, upon taking office, sign a statement of
Inurement of Income agreeing that no part of the net earnings of the Port
Washington Garden Club shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its
members, trustees, officers or other private persons except that the corporation
shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services
rendered.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
A. The regular meetings of this club shall be held on the fourth Thursday of
the month in the homes of members or any place designated for the stated
meeting. The meeting date may be adjusted by the host.
B. The December meeting shall be the annual meeting at which elections of
officers will take place.
C. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of any
ten members.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENT
These articles may be amended at any meeting of the club by a two-thirds vote of the members present at that meeting if a quorum is present. The proposed amendment shall be read at one meeting and voted upon at the next meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - QUORUM
Ten members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION
A. This club may be dissolved by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of voting
members at a special meeting of the organization called for the said purpose of
dissolution.
B. Upon dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed to the
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Acorn Society or for one or more exempt purposes
within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to
the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a pubic purpose.