Bylaws of the High Altitude Garden Club of Westcliffe Please use this link to open and print a PDF version of the 2024 Bylaws. You may read the bylaws below:
BYLAWS OF THE HIGH ALTITUDE GARDEN CLUB OF WESTCLIFFE
Amended February 15, 2024
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the club shall be High Altitude Garden Club of Westcliffe (HAGC).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of this Club: To encourage interest in all phases of home gardening and promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty, and the conservation of natural resources.
Section 2. Mission statement: The High Altitude Garden Club is a nonprofit community organization of volunteers dedicated to civic beauty, education, and horticultural practices.
Section 3. This Club shall operate on a nonprofit basis and shall not operate in any manner resulting in financial profit or gain to its individual members. No officer, committee chairperson or member may receive remuneration for services rendered.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1. Membership of this Club shall be open to any person interested in the objectives of this club.
Section 2. The annual dues for this Club shall be set by a majority vote of the Club.
Section 3. Each member shall be entitled to a vote. Before a new member may vote, annual dues must be received by the Treasurer.
Section 4. The fiscal year for this Club shall be January 1st to December 31st. Dues shall be due and payable on or before March 1st of each year. Unpaid members will be dropped from the membership rolls as of March 31st.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1. The Officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Grants, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Club.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, may appoint Standing Committee and Service Committee Chairpersons, and be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee. In the fourth quarter of each year, the President shall appoint and chair a committee to create a proposed Annual Budget. The Budget shall be presented to the Club for approval at the Annual Meeting in January.
Section 3. Any one of the Vice Presidents, in succession as listed, shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
Section 4. The Vice President of Programs shall coordinate the programs for the year as directed by the Club and the President.
Section 5. The Vice President of Membership shall maintain a roster of the members, officers, and committee chairpersons.
Section 6. The Vice President of Grants shall coordinate grant applications and correspond with any grantors regarding follow-up reporting.
Section 7. The Secretary shall keep a record of all business transacted at meetings of the Club and the Board, and shall keep a copy of the Bylaws.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall receive all the monies due to the Club and disburse money as required for normal operating expenses. Any amounts over $1200.00 that are not in the approved Annual Budget must be approved by the Club. Funds of the High Altitude Garden Club may be withdrawn from the Club’s accounts by a check signed by any two of the following: Treasurer, President, Vice President of Programs, or Secretary. An itemized statement with an original receipt should accompany each request for a bill to be paid.
ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, AND VACANCIES
Section 1. At the regular meeting in October of the biennial election year, a Nominating Committee of three (3) or more members shall be selected by the Executive Board. This committee shall report at the regular meeting in November with the name of a nominee for each office. Additional nominations from the floor may be made at the Annual Meeting held in January, when elections will occur.Term limits do not apply.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected by ballot unless there is but one nominee per office, when elections may be by voice vote. Officers elected shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected. If any Officer is unable to complete the full term of office, the President and two (2) members of the Executive Board may appoint any High Altitude Garden Club member to complete the term.
Section 3. In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President (in succession as listed) shall assume the duties of the President.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meetings of the Club shall be held on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise ordered by the Club or the Executive Board.
Section 2. The regular meeting held in January shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing Officers every two (2) years, and for any other business that may arise.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board or by any three (3) of the Officers or any five (5) members of the Club. The purpose of the special meeting shall be stated in the notification.
Section 4. Twenty-five percent (25%) of members of the Club shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Officers of the Club shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. A Quorum of the Board shall at no time be less than three.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Club between business meetings, may fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Club, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Club and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Club.
Section 4. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon the written request of two (2) members of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Section 1. There are Standing Committees of the Club for each of the Civic Projects. Creation of new Civic Projects should be approved by the Club. Elimination of a Civic Project may happen with approval of the Club or at the request of the entity responsible for the property involved. The chair of the committee shall report the affairs of the committee to the Board upon request.
Civic projects include: Courthouse Gardens; Planters and Barrels projects; Hermit Park Gardens; Old Schoolhouse Gardens; VALI Gardens; Jess Price Park Gardens; Martha’s Memorial Garden; Sallie Burdine Garden; and Pike’s Triangle.
Service Committees or Positions are: Civic Projects Coordinator; Scholarship Coordinator; Historian; Photographer; Web Site Administrator; Publicity; Refreshment Coordinator; and Social Event Coordinator with the responsibilities defined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Such other Committees, standing or special, may be appointed or dissolved by the President of the Club or as the Executive Board shall, from time to time, deem necessary to carry on the work of the Club.
Section 3. Annual reports of Officers and Committee Chairpersons shall be given at the November meeting or as requested by the President.
ARTICLE IX – NONDISCRIMINATION
The HAGC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other protected classification in its programs or activities.
ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt.
ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Club shall be liquidated, all bills presented and paid, and the remaining assets distributed to an organization with like purposes or to a nonprofit organization involved with gardening which shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501c(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. None of the assets shall be distributed to individual members.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided that the amendments have been given to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which they will be voted upon.
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Please Scroll down to see the Bylaws prior to revision.
BYLAWS OF THE HIGH ALTITUDE GARDEN CLUB
Amended, April 16, 2015
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the club shall be High Altitude Garden Club (HAGC).
ARTICLE II – OBJECT
Section 1. The object of this Club: To encourage interest in all phases of home gardening and promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty, and the conservation of natural resources.
Section 2. Mission statement: The High Altitude Garden Club is a nonprofit community organization of volunteers dedicated to civic beauty, education, and horticultural practices.
Section 3. This Club shall operate on a nonprofit basis and shall not operate in any manner resulting in financial profit or gain to its individual members. No officer, committee chairperson or member may receive remuneration for services rendered.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1. Membership of this Club shall be open to any person interested in the objectives of this club.
Section 2. The annual dues for this Club shall be set by a majority vote of the Club.
Section 3. Each member shall be entitled to a vote. Before a new member may vote, annual dues must be received by the Treasurer. New members joining after June 30th of any year shall pay one half (1/2) the annual dues.
Section 4. The fiscal year for this Club shall be January 1st to December 31st. Dues shall be due and payable on or before March 1st of each year. Unpaid members will be dropped from the membership rolls as of March 31st.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1. The Officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Grants, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Club.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, may appoint Standing Committee Chairpersons, and be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section 3. Any one of the Vice Presidents, in succession as listed, shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
Section 4. The Vice President of Programs shall coordinate the programs for the year as directed by the Club and the President.
Section 5. The Vice President of Membership shall maintain a correct list of the members, officers, and committee chairpersons, and a copy of the Bylaws.
Section 6. The Vice President of Grants shall coordinate grant applications and correspond with any grantors regarding follow-up reporting and shall recommend candidates for scholarships offered by the Club.
Section 7. The Secretary shall keep a record of all business transacted at meetings of
Section 8. The Treasurer shall receive all the monies due to the Club and disburse money as required for normal operating expenses. Any amounts over $1200.00 must be approved by the Club. Funds of the High Altitude Garden Club may be withdrawn from the Club’s accounts by check signed by any two of the following: Treasurer, President, Vice President of Programs, or Secretary. An itemized statement or receipt should be presented in order for each bill to be paid.
ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, AND VACANCIES
Section 1. At the regular meeting in October of the biennial election year, a Nominating Committee of three (3) or more members shall be selected by the Executive Board. This committee shall report at the regular meeting in November with the name of a nominee for each office. Additional nominations from the floor may be made at the Annual Meeting held in January, when elections will occur.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected by ballot unless there is but one nominee per office, when elections may be by voice vote. Officers elected shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected. If any Officer is unable to complete the full term of office, the President and two (2) members of the Executive Board may appoint any High Altitude Garden Club member to complete the term.
Section 3. In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President (in succession as listed) shall assume the duties of the President.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meetings of the Club shall be held on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise ordered by the Club or the Executive Board.
Section 2. The regular meeting held in January shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing Officers every two (2) years, and for any other business that may arise.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board or by any three (3) of the Officers or any five (5) members of the Club. The purpose of the special meeting shall be stated in the notification.
Section 4. Twenty-five percent (25%) of members of the Club shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Officers of the Club shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. A Quorum of the Board shall at no time be less than three.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Club between business meetings, may fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Club, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Club and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Club.
Section 4. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon the written request of two (2) members of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Standing Committees of the Club shall be: Civic Projects Courthouse, Courthouse (high and dry); Main Street Planters , Hermit Park, Holiday Barrels, Summer Barrels; Old Schoolhouse, VALI Gardens; Jess Price Park Garden; Community Herb Garden; Martha’s Memorial Garden; Sally Burdyne Garden; Pike’s Triangle; Service Committees: “Spring for It” Fundraiser; Library; Scrapbook; Photographer;
Section 2. Such other Committees, standing or special, may be appointed or dissolved by the President of the Club or as the Executive Board shall, from time to time, deem necessary to carry on the work of the Club.
Section 3. Annual reports of Officers and Committee Chairpersons shall be given at the November meeting or as requested by the President.
ARTICLE IX – NONDISCRIMINATION
The HAGC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other protected classification in its programs or activities.
ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt.
ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Club shall be liquidated, all bills presented and paid, and the remaining assets distributed to an organization with like purposes or to a nonprofit organization involved with gardening which shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501c(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. None of the assets shall be distributed to individual members.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided that the amendments have been given to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which they will be voted upon.
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