CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE CHAPTER

OF THE AMERICAN GOURD SOCIETY

ARTICLE l. Name

This Society shall be known as the Washington State Gourd Society, Chapter of the American Gourd Society; a Non-Profit Organization.

ARTICLE ll. Purpose

The purpose of the Washington State Gourd Society Chapter is to learn and teach to all who are interested in the culture, use, history, and craftsmanship of the gourds.

ARTICLE lll. Membership

Individual memberships are open to all persons interested in, and will support activities of this state Society, and will pay appointed membership fee; all membership must have current membership to the American Gourd Society.

Section 1.  Membership entitles all members to be able to vote, hold office, and participate in all Chapter activities.

Section 2.  Membership will be one (1) year and begins upon receipt of membership dues.

ARTICLE lV. Officers, Directors and Executive Board

Section 1.  Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and Editor/Webmaster.

Section 2. Additional Officers will be selected as required through Membership Vote.

Section 3. 6 Directors are elected from the membership.

Section 4. Executive Board includes both Officers and Directors.

ARTICLE V. Meetings

Section 1. Two meetings per year will be held, one in Spring and one in Fall, open to all membership and interested visitors.

Section 2. Executive Board will meet as often as necessary to conduct business of this Society.

Section 3. Eight members present shall constitute a Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE VI. Amendments

This State Constitution may be amended by two-thirds majority vote of members present at either Spring or Fall meetings with the provision that all members have been notified of amendment thirty days prior to meeting.

BY LAWS

Article 1. Objectives

Section 1. Objective of this State Society is to serve all members and to provide members with information and educational service to members, as well as have all members involved in the promotion of gourds and gourdcrafting.

Article ll.  Dues

Section 1.  Membership dues per individual membership shall be assessed.  Amount of the dues shall be established by Executive Board, and when necessary, membership shall be called on for approval.

Article 3. Officer’s Terms

Section 1.  Office terms are two years.

Section 2.  President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Directors are elected on odd numbered years at the Fall meeting; Vice-President, Membership Secretary, Editor/Webmaster and three (3) Directors are elected on even numbered years at the Fall meeting.

Section 3. If vacancy in any office occurs, except Presidency, Executive Board shall appoint a member to fill unexpired term of office.  Newly appointed Officer’s/Director’s term begins immediately.

Section 3a. If vacancy occurs in the office of Presidency, Vice-President shall take over duties of President, effective immediately and shall remain in office until the next election.

Article 4. Officer and Duties

Section 1. President - presides over all meetings of this Board and general membership.  President shall establish any committee necessary and appoint Chairman for committee with Executive Board’s approval.

Section 2. Vice President - assists President and assumes all duties of Presidency in absence of President, V.P. continues to do so until President’s return, or until next President takes office.

Section 3. Secretary - shall take minutes of meetings and keep all records of all Society activities.

Section 4. Treasurer - Receives all money belonging to Society; keeps accurate records of receipts and disbursements.  Bills and Expenditures must be presented to Treasurer for payment.  Monies must be directed to a bank convenient to Treasurer. A written report of receipts and expenditures are presented at both Spring and Fall meetings.

Section 5. Membership Secretary - maintains up-to-date list of all member, notifies them before expiration of membership dates.  Upon receipt of dues, membership cards are to be sent.  Sends note to Treasurer, noting member status, new member, renewals, or AGS membership, adding WGS membership list to AGS before last week in month before “The Gourd” is mailed.

Section 6. Editor/Webmaster - keeps scrapbook of pictures, clippings, etc. that tell activities and Society accomplishments and maintain and update the Society’s webpage.

Article 5. Executive Board

Section 1. Executive Board of this Chapter shall consist of all elected Officers, and Directors whom have authority to conduct any business of the WA State Chapter.

Section 2. Executive Board shall meet as often as necessary at the call of the President to conduct Society Business.

Section 3. Executive Board shall establish budget and oversee all Society Expenditures.

Article 6. Committees

Section 1.  Committees may include, but not limited to Nominating, Auditing, and Activity.

Section 2. Additional committees must be approved by the Board.

Section 3. Nominating Committee consists of two (2) members - this committee prepares a slate of nominees for presentation to membership and personal contact with each nominee before presentation of their names to membership.

Section 4.  Auditing Committee consists of two (2) members - shall audit Treasurer records every two (2) years, before a new Treasurer takes office, and six (6) months after.

Section 5 Activity Committee - Chairman will select all committee members necessary in performance of duties.  The duties of Activity Committee are to provide plans and activities to support this State Society.

Section 6.  Publicity Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to performance of duties.  Publicity Committee shall announce all Society functions and shall promote objectives of the Society, through all Media, as well as other publications and organizations.

Article 7. Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Washington State Gourd Society, all debts must be paid; any remaining assets of this State Society shall be presented to the American Gourd Society.

STANDING RULES:

1.  All membership and Executive meetings will be conducted according to the order of Business.

2. Standing Rules will be enforced until suspended which can be done at any one meeting by Majority Vote, providing that it pertains to business at hand.

3.  Fiscal year of the Washington State Gourd Society will be from 4/30 thru 3/31 of each year.

4.  ORDER OF BUSINESS:

a.      Call to order

b.      Reading of last minutes

c.       Treasurer’s report

d.      Approval of bills

e.      Communications

f.        Committee reports

g.      Unfinished business

h.      New business

i.        Appointments

j.        Open comments

k.      Adjournment