FIRST CONSTITUTION OF THE MICHIGAN BOTANICAL CLUB
(Then Called "Michigan Wildflower Association")

Adopted at the October 24, 1941 Board of Directors Meeting

ARTICLE I

The name of this non profit organization shall be the Michigan Wildflower Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II

Its aims are: (1) the conservation and planting of all native plants, (2) the education of the public to appreciate and preserve plant life, (3) the sponsoring of research leading to semi-popular publications of the plant life of the state, and (4) the sponsoring of such legislation as may see desirable to promote the conservation of Michigan flora and to establish sanctuaries where possible.

ARTICLE III

There shall be five classes of members: (1) active, with dues one dollar annually payable on August 1, (2) junior, with dues ten cents annually payable on August 1, (3) life, with payment at one time of fifty dollars, (4) honorary, without dues, and (5) institutional, with payment of one dollar annually on August 1. Any club may take out this type of membership for its conservation chairman. Any individual interested in the aims of the organization is eligible for membership. Junior members must be under 18 years of age. Honorary membership may be bestowed as a recognition for outstanding work in conservation or plant science in general. The active and life members shall be entitled to vote at all elections, and to receive any official publications of the organization.

ARTICLE IV

Officers of the organization shall consist of a president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer.

ARTICLE V

There shall be a Board of Directors to consist of not more than 25 members composed of the president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and 22 directors to be elected as hereinafter prescribed. There shall be an Executive Committee of five members consisting of the president as chairman, the secretary-treasurer, and three other directors elected annually by the Board of Directors. Five or more Board members shall be considered a quorum to conduct business.

ARTICLE VI

The president shall preside at meetings of the Board, and meetings of the membership at large. The president shall appoint committees not herein provided for, and call meetings. The vice-president shall preside at meetings in the absence of the president.

The president shall be the executive office of the Society. He shall also render an annual report to the Board of Directors, containing a resume of the Society's work and a corrected list of members of all categories. The secretary-treasurer shall keep records of all meetings and conventions; he shall be charged with the dues, funds, accounts, receipts, and property of the Society and shall make disbursements under the direction of the Executive Committee and shall make an annual report. A statement of receipts and expenditures shall be previously audited by a committee of two members of the Society appointed by the president, who shall not be members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

The Directors shall elect the executive officers (president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer) and conduct all the business of the organization. They shall hold a spring and fall meeting each year at the call of the president. At the spring meeting they shall elect the president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer; these shall take office on August 1, which date shall be the beginning of the fiscal year. The Board of Directors shall appoint the nominating committee of executive officers.

At the meetings of the Society when this constitution is adopted, active and life members present shall vote to affirm all board and executive officers appointed by the ad-interim organization.

At the meeting of the Society when this constitution is adopted, the period of service of the incumbent directors shall be determined by lot. The first seven names drawn shall serve for one year, the next seven for two years, and the remainder for three years.

Thereafter at the fall session 7 Board members are to be elected annually, for three years of service, by the active and life members present, by a majority vote. At least ten persons shall be nominated for each election of Board members. The nominating committee for the Board election shall consist of three active of life members not on the Board of Directors; the nominating committee shall be appointed by the president at the spring meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to arrange the general work of the Society; to make all appropriations, authorize the payment of obligations, the preparation of leaflets and other literature for distribution, etc. They may hold meetings at any time upon the call of the chairman, three members constituting a quorum. The depository for funds shall be designated by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IX

These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors, notice of the proposed amendment having been submitted in writing to all the members thereof at least two weeks beforehand. No amendment shall be considered which has not been favorably recommended by a majority of the Executive Committee.

This page updated on 06/06/00

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