Harris County Beekeepers Association

HCBA Bylaws

 

Meetings: 4th Tuesday of each month, Pasadena Town Square Community Room

 

Article I  - Introduction

1.1   The name of this organization shall be the Harris County Beekeepers Association of Texas.

1.2   It is a member of the Texas Beekeepers Association.

Article 2—Object

2.1   The particular objects for which this organization is formed are:

        a)    to elevate the standards of beekeeping in a more intelligent manner.

        b)   to promote interest of large and small beekeepers alike.

        c)    to bring about a spirit of cooperation among members.

        c)    to extend opportunities in all phases of beekeeping, and to offer assistance when needed.

Article 3—Membership

3.1    Membership shall consist of any person interested in beekeeping.

3.2    Any member is good standing may sponsor a person for membership.

3.3    By unanimous vote of the club membership, honorary membership may be bestowed on any person who has been beneficial to the organization because of achievement or who is worthy of such an honor. The organization shall be responsible for the dues during the lifetime of such a member or as specified by the Executive Committee.

Article 4—Officers

4.1    The officers of the club shall be President, First Vice-President, Second-Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Chaplain.

4.2    Only persons actively engaged in beekeeping activities and who are members in good standing shall be eligible for office, or as chairman of standing committees.

4.3    The officers of this organization shall constitute an Executive Committee to come together on call by the President, or by any three (3) members of the Executive Committee, for the consideration of special matters in the interim between regular meetings of the organization and Board of Directors.

4.4    The elected officers and standing committee chairmen shall constitute a Board of Directors, which shall meet at least three (3) times per year. Special meeting of the Board may be called by the President, or by a majority of the Board Members.

Article 5 – Duties of Officers

5.1    The duties of the officers shall be such as are implied by their respective titles and such as are specified in these by-laws. Each officer shall keep accurate records of their work and turn them over to their successor. All officers shall attend regular business meetings and regular meeting of the Executive Committee. If an officer is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings of the Executive Committee or three (3) consecutive regular business meetings without a legitimate excuse, they shall automatically be dropped from their office and their position filled as prescribed in Article IX, Section 3.

5.2    The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He/she shall appoint the standing committee chairmen subject to the ratification of the Executive Committee. The President shall sign all orders upon the treasurer for the disbursement of funds as directed by the organization.

5.3    a) The First Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence and shall act in an advisory capacity at all times. In case of the death of the President, he/she shall become President for the unexpired term. The First Vice-President shall be Program Director of the organization.

        b)   The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President and the First-Vice President in their absence and shall act in an advisory capacity at all times. In case of the death or resignation of both the President and First Vice-President, he/she shall become President for the unexpired term. He/she shall be Membership Chairman of the organizations.

5.4    The Recording Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of the organization of the Executive Committee, and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep a list of names, addresses, and membership applications of all members. He/she shall preserve, in a permanent file, all records and letters of value to the organization and its officers, to be transferred to their successor at the close of the term of office. He/she shall also keep an attendance list of all meetings and it shall be his/her duty to check the attendance of all officers at all meetings and to advise the President when an officer has been absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings or three (3) consecutive Executive Committee meetings.

5.5    The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the organization. He/she should forward dues to the state (TBA) and information as required. He/she should take the place of the Recording Secretary when called upon to do so by the President.

5.6    The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and shall report thereon at all regular meetings. He/she shall collect all dues from members. Giving a proper receipt thereof. For new members, he/she shall receive a signed receipt from the Recording Secretary and collect said dues according to receipts. He/she shall pay all bills upon the written authorization of the President. He/she shall keep an itemized record in a permanent file of all receipts and expenditures and give a written report of the same at frequent intervals.

        The Treasurer shall pay the Executive Secretary of the state whatsoever monies as are required. He/she should turn over to his/her successor, within ten (10) days of vacating office, all books, records, papers, and keep a listed receipt thereof.

5.7    An Auditing Committee consisting of at least three (3) members elected by the membership at the regular October meeting shall audit the financial accounts of this organization annually.

Article VI—Committees

6.1  There shall be the following standing committees: Program, Membership, Publicity, Hospitality, Field Directors, Parliamentarian and Historian.

Article VII—Nominations and Elections

7.1    Officers shall be elected at the organization’s business meeting in August. New officers shall assume their duties immediately following adjournment of the Annual Meeting in October. Election shall be by written ballot. In the event of the resignation of the President and the succession to the president by the First Vice-President or Second Vice-President, the vacancy created by this succession shall be filled by election through a ballot at the next meeting.

7.2    At the regular meeting in June, the organization shall elect a nominating committee of at least three (3) members. The nominating committee shall present to the regular meeting in July, a slate consisting of the people selected for the required office.

7.3  Vacancies in office shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Executive Committee or by written ballot of the membership at the next regular meeting, except as provided in Article IX.

7.4    No member shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive years. An interval of two years shall elapse before a member is again eligible for reelection to the same office.

7.5    Six months or more shall be considered a term of office in determining eligibility for reelection.

Article VIII—Meetings

8.1    Regular meetings shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Executive and Board meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday. The time of the meeting may be changed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the previous meetings. In an emergency, the Executive Committee may change the day of the meeting by a two-thirds vote.

8.2    Special meetings may be called by the President or by any five members provided all members are notified of the time, place, and purpose of such meeting. No matter shall be considered at a special meeting except that stated in the call to the meeting.

8.3    The regular October meeting of each year shall be designated as the Annual Meeting. Reports summarizing the year’s activities shall be given along with a special program including the swearing in of new officers.

Article IX—Quorum

9.1  One fourth of this organization’s membership present shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum of that body. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of that body.

Article X

10.1  The annual dues shall be $15.00 per capita.

10.2  The organization’s fiscal year shall be from October to October inclusive.

10.3  Persons admitted to membership after October, but before April shall pay regular dues and after April shall pay one-half of the regular dues.

10.4  Any members whose dues remain unpaid after 60 days shall be reminded by mail or phone by the Treasurer.

Article XI

11.1  These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting provided all members are notified in advance.