COLONIAL BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 

 

CONSTITUTION

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ARTICLE I     NAME AND PURPOSE

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Section 1.  The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Colonial Beekeepers Association.

Section 2.  The purpose of this organization shall be:

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• A. To foster the keeping and efficient management of honey bees.

• B. To educate the members in the science and techniques of apiculture.

• C. To inform the members and the public, on occasion, of the ecological and economic benefits of honey bee culture.

• D. To provide opportunities for informal exchanges of information through fellowship and association with other beekeepers.

 

ARTICLE II     MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 2.  Any person with an interest in beekeeping shall be eligible for membership in this organization.

Section 2.  All members will be asked to join the Virginia State Beekeeping Association (VSBA).

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Section 3.  Any member who, through their actions, brings discredit upon the club may be removed from the club and barred from future membership by a vote of the board.  Any member so removed will have their current membership dues fully refunded.

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ARTICLE III     OFFICERS

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Section 1.  The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. (The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.)

Section 2.  It is required that officers are members of the VSBA.

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ARTICLE IV     DUTIES

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Section 1.  The duties of said officers shall be the duties customary to each office as described in Robert's Rules of Order.

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ARTICLE V     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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Section 1.  The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and the Chairman of each Standing Committee.

Section 2.  The purpose of the Executive Committee shall be to conduct such business as may be necessary between meetings, to plan activities and perform such other duties as may be designated in the By-Laws.

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ARTICLE VI     MEETINGS

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Section 1.  Regular meetings shall be held at 7 P.M., on the third Tuesday of each month.

Section 2.  Special meetings may be held at times and places, and for such purposes as the membership may agree upon.

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ARTICLE VII     POLICIES

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Section 1.  To encourage interest in beekeeping among people of all ages and to engage in community activities to that end.

Section 2.  To avoid engaging in social or political controversy as an organization.

Section 3.  To cooperate actively with other apicultural groups and similar organizations to achieve the purposes of this association.

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ARTICLE VIII     AMENDMENTS

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Section 1.  Proposed amendments to this constitution or the By-Laws shall be prepared in writing and shall be read at a regular meeting.

Section 2.  Each amendment so proposed shall be voted on at the next regular meeting.

Section 3.  Amendments shall be accepted upon receipt of an affirmative vote by two-thirds of the active members present and voting.

 

BY-LAWS

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ARTICLE I     QUORUM

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Section 1.  One-fourth of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for regular meetings.

Section 2.  Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for committee business.

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ARTICLE II     MEMBERSHIP

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Section 1.  Membership shall be granted to an individual and his/her immediate family upon payment of the prescribed dues.

Section 2.  A member shall be considered inactive when (1) he/she so requests; (2) he/she is delinquent in paying his/her dues.

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ARTICLE III     ORDER OF BUSINESS

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Section 1.  The order of business at regular meetings shall be:

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• A. Call to Order

• B. Secretary's Report

• C. Treasurer's Report

• D. Old Business

• E. New Business

• F. Program

• G. Adjournment

Section 2.  The order of business may be altered by the presiding officer as may be required.

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ARTICLE IV     DUES

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Section 1.  Dues shall be established annually by the members present at the May meeting.

 

Section 2.  Dues will be assessed accordingly:

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• A. A new or renewing member paying between Jan. 1 and June 30, dues cover an individual or family membership through December 31 of that year.

• B. A new (not renewing) member joining between July 1 and Dec. 31, dues for an individual or family membership includes the remainder of that year and the following full membership year.

• C. Renewing members who pay dues between July 1 and Dec. 31 (late) will be renewed through Dec. 31 of the same year.

Section 3.  Special assessments and fees may be established by a majority vote of members present at a regular meeting.

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ARTICLE V     ELECTION OF OFFICERS

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Section 1.  A Nominating Committee, appointed by the Executive Committee, shall present a complete slate of candidates to the membership at the April meeting annually. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Section 2.  Officers shall be elected from the nominees, annually, at the May meeting, and shall take office on July 1st.

Section 3.  Vacancies in any of the offices shall be filled by special election at a regular meeting.

 

ARTICLE VI     STANDING COMMITTEES

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Section 1.  The Standing Committees of this organization shall be the Program Committee, the Publicity Committee, and the Resource Committee. The Standing Committees shall meet at least monthly to perform the duties indicated hereafter. 

Section 2.  Committee Chairmen.

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• A. The President shall appoint the Committee Chairmen.

• B. The Chairman of the Resource Committee shall also serve as the Apicultural Advisor. Therefore, this committee chairman shall be an individual recognized by the community as a knowledgeable and fully qualified keeper of the bees.

Section 3.  Any active member may serve on one or more of the Standing Committees.

Section 4.  The Program Committee shall determine the program schedule for regular and special meetings, make all necessary arrangements for speakers, materials, etc., and at the May regular meeting, present a proposed program for the year beginning in July.

Section 5.  The Publicity Committee shall publicize the activities of the organization and disseminate information about beekeeping.

Section 6.  The Resources Committee shall provide an internal source of expertise in the science of apiculture, including a library of literature and a fully qualified advisor. In conjunction with the Program Committee, the Resources Committee shall plan, develop and present educational lectures, seminars, and field trips, including such instructional materials as may be necessary.

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ARTICLE VII     FUNDS

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Section 1.  The Treasurer shall deposit dues, fees, and other monies accruing to the organization in a bank or credit union account. The President and Vice-President shall be designated as co-custodians of the account.

Section 2.  The Treasurer may write checks or drafts up to the amount of $250.00 without approval. Checks in excess of $250.00 shall receive approval by either the Vice-President or President.

Section 3.  The Treasurer may establish a petty cash fund of $35.00.

Section 4.  Each May, or upon termination of office by the incumbent treasurer, whichever occurs first, the organization's fund accounts shall be audited by an Audit Committee consisting of three members appointed by the President. The Committee shall certify the true state of the accounts. 

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