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Revised 02/27/08 |
BYLAWS OF THE RED CEDAR CHAPTER MICHIGAN BOTANICAL CLUB ARTICLE I - Name The name of this organization shall be THE RED CEDAR CHAPTER, MICHIGAN BOTANICAL CLUB. ARTICLE II - Purposes The purposes of this organization shall be: 1. Conservation of all native plants. 2. Education of the public to appreciate and preserve plant life. 3. Sponsorship of research and publications on the plant life of the State. 4. Sponsorship of legislation to promote the preservation of Michigan native flora and to establish suitable sanctuaries and natural areas. 5. Cooperation in programs concerned with the wise use and conservation of all natural resources and scenic features. ARTICLE III - Membership Any individual or organization interested in the aims of the Chapter shall be eligible for membership. There shall be four classes of membership with dues as provided in the Bylaws. 1. Active: a. For individual adults who shall be entitled to privileges of voting, holding office, and receiving publications. b. For families (two or more adults living, at the same address). Same membership privileges as above for each adult except that there shall be only one mailing of publications. c. Student. Same membership privileges as for individual above. 2. Associate: For persons under 18 years of age who are sponsored by either Active or Honorary members. Associate members may attend all activities of the Chapter, but do not vote, nor hold office, nor receive publications. 3. Institutional: For organizations, who shall receive one mailing, but membership does not include the privilege of holding office. One representative of each organization shall be allowed to vote. 4. Honorary For individuals. This class of membership is bestowed as a recognition for outstanding work in conservation or plant science in general. The recipients are members for life and have all the privileges of membership. ARTICLE IV - Location Membership in the Red Cedar Chapter ordinarily shall be drawn from persons living within a 50-mile radius of Lansing. ARTICLE V - Officers and Duties Elected officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President shall be the executive officer of the Chapter; shall call and preside at all meetings of the Chapter; shall appoint Chairpersons of committees not otherwise provided for herein, shall be an ex officio member of these committees; and shall prepare an annual report. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of President in event of the absence or disability of the President. The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Chapter; shall arrange issuance of special notices to the membership; shall keep an accurate record of the names and addresses of all members; shall keep on file written reports from committees; and shall perform other duties generally incident to the duties of this office. An annual report shall be presented at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall receive, disburse, and keep records of all funds of the Chapter and shall perform other duties incident to this office including making periodical and annual reports to the Chapter and an annual report to the State Organization. ARTICLE VI - Executive Committee The four officers, the chairpersons of the standing committees, and the immediate past President shall constitute the Executive Committee. Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum; a meeting of the Executive Committee can be called at any time by the President. The policies and activities of the Chapter shall be planned and put into operation by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is empowered to name any special committees which it deems desirable or which are authorized at any meeting of the membership. Article VII - Fiscal Year The fiscal year and the membership dues renewal year shall commence on January 1. Article VIII - Meetings There shall be not less than six program meetings annually for purposes of lectures, field trips, or other educational and business activities planned by the Chapter. The Annual Meeting shall be held in April, the time and place to be selected by the Executive Committee and brought to the attention of the entire membership at least three weeks prior to the meeting. A Quorum for the Annual Meeting or other meetings at which business is transacted shall consist of 15 members or 10% of the total Chapter membership, whichever figure is larger. Annual reports of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be presented at the Annual Meeting. Article IX - Dues Dues for the ensuing fiscal year (including assessments by the State Organization) shall be recommended at the Annual Meeting by the Executive Committee and must be ratified or amended by two-thirds of the members at that meeting. Dues are payable at the beginning of the fiscal year (January 1); if they are unpaid by the following June 1, the member will be dropped from the membership. Individuals who attend Red Cedar Chapter meetings or field trips during the period of September through December and who desire to join the Red Cedar Chapter can do so by paying the appropriate dues which will be credited to the following year. Payment of dues will entitle the member to all privileges of membership except receiving Michigan Botanical Club publications during the initial September to December period. Members will have all privileges of membership beginning January 1. Article X - Election of Officers Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for two-year terms and shall serve until their successor takes office. The regular term of all officers shall commence on January 1. The officers shall be eligible for re-election. In order to replace officers other than the President, the Executive Committee may call a special election by the membership to fill a vacancy. The Executive Committee shall appoint a nominating committee which shall present to the Annual Meeting the name of at least one and not more than two nominees for each of the offices specified in Article V of the Bylaws. The floor shall be open for additional nominations. No nomination shall be considered unless the nominee consents to serve if elected. A majority vote of members at the Annual Meeting shall be necessary to elect a nominee. If no such majority exists on a first ballot, the two nominees receiving the largest number of votes shall be voted upon in a second ballot. Article XI - Standing Committees The Standing Committees shall be: Program, Field Trip, Conservation, Membership and Publicity, and such other committees as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. The members of the Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Each Standing Committee shall elect its own Chairperson. ARTICLE XII - Amendment of Bylaws These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a two-thirds vote provided that the amendment(s) has/have been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting or published in the Chapter’s newsletter prior to the meeting. ARTICLE XIII - Parliamentary and Other Authority This Chapter is subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of The Michigan Botanical Club, Inc. All business, unless otherwise stated, shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Revised 2-1-2000
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