Article I, Name

The name of this organization shall be Mountain Gardeners.

Article II, Purpose

The Mountain Gardeners Cub is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes to include an endeavor to:
stimulate a knowledge and appreciation of horticulture and flower arrangement, aid in the protection of native trees, plants, birds and wildlife, encourage and promote civic plantings and the beautification of our homes, and broaden knowledge of conservation.

Article III, Membership

There shall be three classifications of memberships: Active Membership, Associate Membership and Auxiliary Membership.

A. Active Members.

Active Members shall actively participate in meetings, fundraising events, committee work and service projects. They shall host or coordinate meetings and generally support the Club as needed or as provided in the Membership Rules.

B. Associate Members.

An Associate Member is a member who, due to part-time summer residency or employment obligations, is unable to fully participate as an active member but is able to perform such activities as the rules may require for Associate Members.

C. Auxiliary Members.

Auxiliary Members are former Active Members who, due to age or physical limitations are unable to participate fully in physical tasks but wish to remain involved and to share their knowledge with the membership.

All Members, regardless of classification, shall pay dues and be entitled to vote.

The Board shall adopt Membership Rules governing the rights and obligations of each category of membership. It shall be the role of the Membership Committee to review the Membership Rules annually, in advance of the annual meeting, and to present any proposed revision(s) to the Board for consideration.

Article IV, Dues

The dues for active membership shall be recommended by the executive board and presented for approval at the June luncheon meeting. Dues must be paid no later than October 31.

Article V, Meetings

Meetings will be organized according to the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont guidelines and held on the second Tuesday of the month when practicable. The annual meeting of the club shall be held in June, at which time copies of the president’s and treasurer’s reports will be available.

All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VI, Officers

The officers shall be president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The nominating committee shall present these officers for election at the November meeting. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years and shall assume office in January following the annual meeting. The business of the club shall be conducted by an executive board consisting of the officers of the club.

The duties of the officers shall be as follows:

President: The president shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the executive board, and perform such duties as regularly pertain to the office, serves as the club’s representative to the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont, compiles a yearbook or appoints a yearbook chairman, and prepares a president’s report.

Vice-President: The vice-president serves in the absence the president, is responsible for organizing the programs for the year and assisting in preparing the club yearbook.

Secretary: The secretary records and reads the minutes of the executive board and general meetings and is responsible for reading and answering all club correspondence promptly. If unable to attend a meeting, she designates a person to perform these duties.

Treasurer: The treasurer receives all moneys, pays all bills, and reports monthly on the financial status of the club.

Article VII, Nominating Committee

The nominating committee shall consist of three members: the chairperson of the nominating committee for the preceding year, a member of the executive board, and a member at large.

No one may serve on this committee for more than two consecutive years. At the November meeting the nominating committee shall present a slate of officers and a nominating committee for the ensuing year. Any vacancy on the nominating committee shall be filled by the executive board.

Article VIII, Dissolution of the Mountain Gardeners

In the event of the dissolution of the Mountain Gardeners, whether voluntary or involuntary, none of the proceeds shall be distributed to members of the club. The assets shall be distributed to any non-profit organization such as those active in ecology, forestry, horticulture or conservation.

Article IX, Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting. The proposed amendment must have been read at the previous meeting or included with the written notice of the meeting at which it is presented.