(Amended 12 March 2020)
Article I
This Association shall be known as the Madison County Beekeepers Association.
Article II
The object of this Association shall be to assist in checking the spread of bee diseases, to spread information concerning improved methods of production, to secure recognition of the industry at state and county fairs; to inform the public as to the value of honey as food, of the importance of the business of honey production and the value of bees to other crops; and to elevate the business of beekeeping to a place of eminence among agricultural activities.
Article III
The membership of this Association shall be composed of individual beekeepers that desire to join with the Madison County Beekeepers Association in a united effort to accomplish its objectives. Membership in the Association, unless otherwise specified, requires the annual payment of dues. Dues are payable anytime annually but are effective from January 1st to the following December 31st. Members current in their dues are entitled to one vote. Family membership is offered but still is bound by the restriction of one member current in dues has one vote. More than one family member may pay dues and thereby become entitled to one vote also. Any Member delinquent in their dues is not entitled to vote nor become a candidate for any Office..
Article IV
The management of this Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors that shall consist of seven or more active members of the Association, including the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Association who shall be ex officio (non voting) members of the Board of Directors and shall act respectively as Chairman and Secretary of this Board. In the event of a tie vote, the President will cast the deciding vote. Two new board members will be elected each year for a term of 3 years. The current President of the Alabama Beekeeping Association shall be invited to serve as an ex officio member of the Madison County Beekeepers Association (will not be required to pay dues). Four voting members shall constitute a quorum.
Article V
The Association shall hold meetings at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors of the Association.
Article VI
The officers of this Association shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors. The election of all officers of the Association shall be held on the regular scheduled meeting in July of each year and the term of office shall commence immediately following their election and shall continue until their successors are elected. Candidates for offices of President and Vice President as well as Members of the Board must be current in their dues and either present or retired beekeepers that have demonstrated the ability and knowledge to successfully maintain colonies of honeybees.
Article VII
These Articles may be altered or the Constitution amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose.
END
By Laws
February 2009
Article I. Description of Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members of the Board of Directors.
President– Conducts all Membership meetings, usually 5 per year plus a picnic and a dinner meeting. Schedules the time and place for all meetings and events, including both Member and Board meetings as well as the picnic and dinner on an annual basis. Serves as Chairman at the Board of Directors meeting and can cast a vote in case of a tie. Appoints individuals to head special projects and committees, as the case requires, including Nominating and Audit Committees. Acts as principal contact of the Association on all matters unless previously designated.
Vice President– Serves in the absence of the President in all manners. Provides a meaningful program for each Membership meeting for the months of January, March, May and September as well as scheduling a picnic in July and a dinner meeting in November. Such meaningful programs must be honey beekeeping related unless prior authorization by the President is approved to deviate. Programs must have authoritative, well-educated, and experienced speakers with adequate presentation material and topics should be related to the North Alabama area. The July Membership meeting is traditionally gadget night as well as election of officer’s night; therefore no other program is required. The November Membership meeting is traditionally a dinner meeting with little or no planned program required. Attends all Board meetings as Vice President and is an ex officio non-voting member of the Board.
Secretary– Keeps minutes of all regular membership and BOD meetings, updates/publishes MCBA membership directory, handles all Association correspondence. Membership directory, including all pertinent information must be available upon request to all Officers and members of the Board of the Association. Attends all Board of Directors meetings as Secretary and is an ex officio non-voting member of the Board.
Treasurer– Collects membership dues, keeps membership roster, pays MCBA bills/expenses, maintains an accurate account of Association finances, prepares financial report for bi-monthly meetings and prepares an annual financial report. Bank account(s) must be in the name of Madison County Beekeepers Association and at a bank approved by the Board of Directors. The treasurer also needs to send out reminder emails to the members who owe dues, or send a list to the Secretary to email out. Attends all Board of Directors meetings as Treasurer and is an ex officio non-voting member of the Board.
Board of Director Member-Attends all Board meetings as called by the President usually 3 or 4 times annually. Board meetings serve as the Management arm of the Association wherein future activity, ideas, budgetary issues, and the general direction of the Association for the future is discussed, planned for and scheduled if appropriate. Other Management matters or issues for the Association may come forth from time to time and the Board may be asked by the President to discuss and arrive at a consensus in these case as well. Members serving on the Board must commit to attending the meetings when called.
End