CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - Name
The Chapter shall be known as the Arizona Gourd Society and shall be a non-profit organization. The Chapter may be referred to as AZGS.
ARTICLE II - Purpose
The purpose of AZGS shall be directed to the education and instruction of those persons who are interested in the growing, culture, uses, history, crafting and fine art of gourds.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Individual or family memberships shall be open to all persons who are interested in the activities of the Chapter and pay an annual membership fee to the Arizona Gourd Society.
Family membership shall include those members of a family living at one address.
Each person 18 years or older included in a family membership shall be entitled to one vote.
Dues for an individual or family membership shall be the same.
Payment of state dues will entitle member to quarterly newsletter, participation in state sponsored events and eligibility to vote at semi-annual business meetings.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
The officers shall be: PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, TREASURER, SECRETARY, NEWSLETTER EDITOR and STATE SHOW/EDUCATION CHAIR. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the Fall meeting of the AZGS.
ARTICLE V - Meetings
Section 1. The business meetings of the AZGS will be held semi-annually at a location most convenient to the membership. Executive Board members will be expected to attend. All other members and interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.
Section 2. Ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum at a semi-annual membership meeting.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall meet as often as deemed necessary during the year to conduct the business of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VI - Amendments
This Constitution and/or the by-laws may be amended at the business meetings by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all the members present, provided the announcement of the amendment is published in the Chapter newsletter thirty (30) days prior to the meetings of the Chapter. The text of the amendment shall be made available to all Executive Board Members prior to the thirty (30) day announcement. Copies of the amendments shall be available at the meetings.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Objectives
The objectives of the AZGS are to educate, promote, and encourage the culture, agriculture, crafting and fine art of gourds, and to provide information and educational service to its members and the general public.
ARTICLE II - Membership
Elected officers of this Chapter shall be members of the American Gourd Society, Inc.
ARTICLE III - Chapter
This Chapter shall consist of not less than 25 members organized for the purpose of promoting interest in the growing, education, culture, uses, history, crafting and fine art of gourds.
Section 1. It will be necessary for this Chapter to submit in January of each year a complete membership roll, with the name and address of each member to the Secretary of the American Gourd Society, and identify the Chapter officers.
Section 2. Relations between this Chapter and the American Gourd Society shall be governed by standard rules for Chapters as determined by the American Gourd Society Executive Board.
Section 3. In the event that there is a discrepancy between the American Gourd Society Constitution and the AZGS Chapter Constitution, the American Gourd Society Constitution shall prevail.
ARTICLE IV - Patches
Section 1. Any group, consisting of not less than ten (10) members organized for the purpose of promoting interest in the growing, education, culture, uses, history, crafting and fine art of gourds, may become a Patch of the AZGS upon applying for membership and adhering to the following conditions.
Each Patch shall be identified by a name of their own choosing.
Each Patch President shall maintain membership in the AZGS.
Each Patch shall establish their own local dues and conduct local patch activities as an autonomous entity. It is optional for Patches to collect AZGS dues and forward to the Treasurer of the AZGS. Persons belonging to more than one Patch shall have their AZGS membership dues collected by their local Patch only.
It will be necessary for each Patch to submit in February of each year, a complete membership roll, with the name and address of each member to the Treasurer of AZGS. This roll shall identify the officers of the Patch and will indicate for each member whether they are also members of the AZGS and/or the AGS.
Relations between Patches and the AZGS shall be governed by standard rules for Patches as determined by the Executive Board. Such rules shall apply equally to all Patches.
In the event that there is a discrepancy between the AZGS Constitution and any Patch Constitution, the AZGS Constitution shall prevail.
ARTICLE V - Officers’ Duties
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership. The President shall be the official representative of the AZGS at all meetings or functions, which involve or pertain to the membership of the AZGS. The President will also set up committees, which are deemed necessary.
Section 2. The Vice President shall assist the President and assume all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, and shall continue to do so until his/her return, or until the next election. The Vice President will be responsible for the coordination of the semi-annual meetings, chair the Nominating Committee, act as Chapter Parlimentarian and other duties as assigned.
Section 3. The Treasurer will be responsible for collecting member dues and for maintaining the state chapter bank account. The Treasurer shall provide budget updates to the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall maintain an up-to-date membership roll and provide membership information as required to the American Gourd Society.
Section 4. The Secretary is the recording officer of the Chapter and the custodian of its records. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all official activities of the Chapter and conduct all necessary correspondence.
Section 5: The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for creating and publishing a statewide newsletter on a quarterly basis. All dues-paying members shall receive a newsletter. It is the Editor’s discretion for sending complimentary newsletters (e.g., to potential members, vendors, other state chapters).
Section 6: The State Show/ Education Chair shall be responsible for overseeing all committees and business pertaining to a State Trade show, State sponsored competitions and educational programs.
Section 7: It shall be the duty of all officers and committee chairs or their heirs to promptly surrender all records, papers, and other pertinent information along with any properties belonging to the AZGS, to their elected or appointed successors in an expedient manner.
ARTICLE VI - Officers' Terms
Section 1. All officers shall be elected for a two (2) year term, at the end of which they will be eligible for re-election, if they are willing to serve. The election for the offices of President, Secretary and Newsletter Editor will be held in odd numbered years and the election for the offices of Vice President, Treasurer and State Show/Education Chair shall be in even numbered years.
Section 2. In the event a vacancy should occur in any of the offices, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to serve the remainder of the term.
Section 3. The Officers shall be elected at the Fall meeting. New Officers shall start their term beginning January 1.
Section 4. Presidential nominee will accept nomination and election with the understanding of serving an additional year as ex-officio past president following completion of the presidential term.
ARTICLE VII - Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of all elected Officers, each Patch president or his/her representative, and appointed committee chairs and shall have the authority to conduct the business of the chapter.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President as often as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VIII - Publications
Section 1. An informative newsletter or bulletin shall be published quarterly for the benefit and education of the membership. This publication shall be named by the general membership.
Section 2. The Editor of the Chapter newsletter shall be elected by the membership and shall be one who is qualified, capable, and willing to assume the responsibility of editing and publishing the newsletter.
Section 3. The Editor may solicit the help of as many volunteers as needed for preparing the Chapter newsletter for mailing.
Section 4. Bulletins, pamphlets, books, seeds, and other gourd articles, dealing with the education, culture, crafting, the fine art and promotion of gourds will be offered to the membership at a reasonable price if they become available.
Section 5. The AZGS will communicate by any media, such as an exchange of newsletters, with information of a local nature and to exchange such information with other Chapters and the Editor of "The Gourd."
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at any scheduled meeting, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
STANDING RULES
1. Standing Rules may be adopted from time to time to meet the needs of the AZGS.
2. A Standing Rule will continue in force until rescinded.
3. Standing Rules may be suspended at any one meeting by a majority vote, provided it pertains to the business of that meeting.
4. An agenda shall be provided at the AZGS business meetings.
5. All membership meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Adopted November 20, 2002
Revised November 6, 2004
