CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS
OF THE
ALABAMA GOURD SOCIETY
Tau Chapter of the American Gourd Society
Organized January 12, 2000
Chapter Charter presented September 24, 2000
CONSTITUTION
Approved September 9, 2000

ARTICLE I – Name
The Society shall be known as the Alabama Gourd Society (ALGS), a chapter of the American Gourd Society, and shall be a Not-for-Profit organization.

ARTICLE II – Purpose
The purpose of the Society shall be to band together those persons who are interested in the culture, uses, history and/or crafting of gourds.
ARTICLE III – Membership
Section 1. Individual or family memberships shall be open to all persons who are willing to support the Society and pay annual membership dues.
a. Family membership shall include those members of a family living at one address.
b. Each adult included in a family membership shall be entitled to vote.

Section 2. Membership entitles the members to vote and to hold office.

Section 3. Membership shall be for one year and shall begin upon receipt of the payment of dues.

ARTICLE IV – Officers, Directors and Executive Board
Section 1. The officers shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary.

Section 2. Three (3) Directors shall be elected from the membership. In addition, the immediate
past president shall automatically become a Director and remain in this capacity until the next
President rotates off.

Section 3. The officers and directors shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 4. The offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and/or Membership Secretary may be combined when circumstances warrant.
ARTICLE V – Meetings
Section 1. A minimum of two meetings per year shall be held, one in the Spring and the second in the Fall. The meetings will be open to all members and interested visitors.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet as often as deemed necessary during the year to conduct the business of the Society. Any member may attend any board meeting.

Section 3. Eight (8) members shall constitute a quorum at a membership meeting.

ARTICLE VI – Amendments
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any membership meeting, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
BY LAWS

ARTICLE 1 – Objectives
Section 1. The objectives of this Society are to promote the culture and crafting of Gourds; to provide informational and educational service to its members; and to provide an Annual Show for the promotion of gourds and gourd crafting. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE 2 – Dues
Section 1. Membership dues per individual or family shall be assessed on an annual basis. The amount of the dues to be established by the Executive Board when deemed necessary, subject to the approval of the membership

ARTICLE 3 – Officers’ Terms
Section 1. The terms of office shall be two years.

Section 2. The President, Secretary, Membership Secretary and two (2) Directors shall be elected in even years Vice President, Treasurer and (1) one Director shall be elected in odd years. The fourth Director
(immediate past President) shall be replaced by the next President rotating off.

Section 3. In the event a vacancy should occur in any of the offices, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.

Section 4. The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Fall meeting. New officers shall start their terms upon election.

Section 5. No one may hold more than one elective office at the same time except: The offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and/or Membership Secretary may be combined when circumstances warrant.

Section 6. The Officers and Directors are expected to attend meetings. Should an Officer or Director be absent from three (3) consecutive meetings, the Executive Board retains the option to review and replace the officer or Director in question.

ARTICLE 4 – 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 establish any committee deemed necessary and appoint chairman for such
committee with the approval of the Executive Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all
committees unless he/she appoints someone to assume this responsibility. The President shall represent the
Society to all organizations unless he/she appoints someone to assume this responsibility.

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 or her return, or until the next elected President takes office.

Section 3. The Secretary is the recording officer of the Society and custodian of its records. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all official activities of the society and conduct all necessary correspondence.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive all monies belonging to the Society and keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. All bills or expenses incurred must be presented to the Treasurer for payment. All monies must be deposited in a bank located convenient for the Treasurer. A written report of receipts and disbursements shall be presented at the Fall meeting. The Society may require the Treasurer to be bonded and shall pay for such bond.

Section 5. The Membership Secretary shall maintain an up-to-date list of all members and notify them before their membership expires. Upon notification from the Treasurer, send a membership card and other appropriate
literature to the member. Provide membership list to other board members when requested.

ARTICLE 5 – Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers and Directors, and shall have the authority to conduct the business of the Society.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President as often as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Society.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall establish a budget and use all funds for Society expenditures.

ARTICLE 6 – Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees include but are not limited to: Nominating, Audit, Ways & Means, Publicity, Education and Show.

Section 2. All additional Committees shall be approved by the Executive Board.

Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members. This Committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the membership and make personal contact with each nominee prior to presenting their name.

Section 4. An Auditor shall audit and verify all Treasurer’s records after the show and whenever a new Treasurer takes Office. The Auditor will provide a written statement of approval and/or comments.

Section 5. The Ways & Means Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of the Way & Means Committee are to provide plans and activities to supplement the income of the Society.

Section 6. The Publicity Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. It shall be the duty of this committee to announce all Society functions and promote the objectives of the organization through the news media, other publications and organizations.

Section 7. The Scrapbook Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of this committee shall include compiling a scrapbook of pictures, clippings, etc.. that tell the activities and accomplishments of the society. This committee shall also create a presentation of the information to display at the show.

Section 8. The Education Committee Chairman shall select all committee members necessary to assist in the performance of his/her duties. The duties of this committee shall include the establishment of programs to provide an education and information service.

Section 9. The Show chairman shall appoint all the necessary subcommittees to conduct the Annual Show. The Treasurer, Ways & Means Chairman, and Publicity chairman shall be members of the Show Committee.

ARTICLE 7 – Amendments
The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any membership meeting, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE 8 – Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the Alabama Gourd Society all debts shall be paid. Any residual assets will be turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in sections 501(c)(3) and 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or local government for exclusive public purpose. The American Gourd Society is our organization of choice.

STANDING RULES

  1. All membership meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
  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. Fiscal Year shall be November 1 through October 31.
  5. Order of Business shall be:

a. Call to order
b. Reading and approval of the minutes
c. Treasurer’s report
d. Approval of bills
e. Communications
f. Committee Reports
g. Unfinished business
h. New business
i. Appointments
j. Adjournment

Amended September 15, 2001
Amended March 7, 2003
Amended September 29, 2007

APPROVED______________________________________ DATE________________________
GLENN BURKHALTER, PRESIDENT

APPROVED______________________________________ DATE________________________
BURL SLATEN, VICE PRESIDENT