It is easier for a man to be loyal to his club than to his planet; the bylaws are shorter, and he is personally acquainted with the other members.
— E.B. White
Bylaws of the Salt Air Gardeners
Salt Air Gardeners Bylaws (approved 04/18/2024)
ARTICLE I - (NAME)
The name of this club shall be Salt Air Gardeners.
ARTICLE II - (OBJECTIVES)
The objectives of this club shall be:
To encourage interest and knowledge of all phases of gardening, landscape design, floral design, and horticulture.
To promote civic beauty.
To affiliate with the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources and encourage improvement of community spaces.
To encourage and assist in establishing and maintaining horticulture and education for the enjoyment of the public.
To collaborate and cooperate with other organizations in promoting our objectives.
ARTICLE III - (MEMBERSHIP)
Section 1. Membership shall be open to all persons who are interested in the objectives of the club. Prospective members may visit no more than two (2) scheduled club meetings before requesting membership. Membership shall become effective upon the payment of dues.
Section 2. An active member is expected to: Pay dues for coming year by the June membership meeting. Actively participate on at least one (1) committee each year. Attend at least four(4) meetings per year. Participate in one(1) hospitality function for the meetings.
Section 3. If a member wishes to resign, notification should be sent to the President and Membership Chair.
ARTICLE IV - (DUES)
Section 1. Dues shall remain the same each year unless a change is recommended by the Executive Board. Such a change must be approved at a regular meeting by majority vote of active members in attendance.
Section 2. Dues shall be due at the May Meeting and shall be delinquent if not paid by the June membership meeting.
Section 3. Members joining the club after January 1st will pay reduced dues until the May meeting, at which time regular annual dues will be collected.
ARTICLE V - (OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD DUTIES)
Section 1. The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Board Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be elected at the biennial meeting in March for a term of two (2) years.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club. In the absence of the President the meeting may be chaired by any member of the executive committee. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section 3. The Vice President shall be Program Chair and preside over the Program Committee if necessary.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings and shall be custodian of all records and papers pertaining to the office. The secretary shall keep appropriate files.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall record all money received and all expenditures made and make a full report at each Executive Board and membership meeting. Any expenditure over fifty dollars ($50), which has not been budgeted, must be approved by the Board.
Section 6. All Officers, Past Presidents and others, as President deems necessary, shall constitute the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall transact the general business of the club, appoint committee chairs, consider all questions of policy, and present recommendations to the membership for action.
Section 7. If a vacancy occurs on the Executive Board other than office of President, the Executive Board shall have the right to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI - (STANDING COMMITTEES)
Section 1. There shall be the following Standing Committees: Membership Ways and Means (Fundraising) Programs Hospitality Awards
Section 2. Other special committees may be appointed by the President
Section 3. Committee Chairs are a two(2) year term and can serve a maximum of no more than six(6)years. There must be a two (2) year interval before being eligible to chair the Committee again.
ARTICLE VII - (MEETINGS)
Section 1. There shall be one (1) membership meeting for at least 6 months of the year.
Section 2. a. In even numbered years prior to the March meeting, nominations of officers will be taken from the floor. b. Officers will be elected at the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - (ELECTIONS)
Section 1. If necessary, a Nominating Committee of three (3) members shall be chosen by the Executive Board.
Section 2. If no nominations from the floor are forthcoming then the Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of candidates whose names shall be presented to the membership at the meeting prior to the biennial meeting in March. Further nominations shall be in order from the floor at the biennial meeting, provided the consent of the person has been obtained.
Section 3. Election of Officers shall be held at the biennial meeting in March. If there is more than one (1) candidate for the same office, election shall be by ballot and a majority vote shall elect. If there is only one (1) candidate for an office, the President shall move that they be elected by acclamation for that office, The Secretary shall cast a unanimous ballot of the membership for the election of Officers.
ARTICLE IX - (QUORUM)
Section 1. A quorum of a regular meeting of the club shall be one-fourth (1/4) of the Active members.
Section 2. A quorum of an Executive Board meeting shall be one-half (1/2) of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X - (FISCAL POLICIES)
Section 1. The fiscal year shall be from May 1st through April 30th.
Section 2. The books and accounts shall be kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTICLE XI - (AMENDMENTS)
Section 1. The Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the club by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.
Section 2. The Bylaws may be amended without notice at the biennial meeting by a unanimous vote.
Section 3. Amendments shall become effective upon adjournment of the meeting at which they are adopted.
ARTICLE XII - (PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY)
Section 1. Current edition of newly revised Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIII – (DISSOLUTION) In the event of the dissolution of the Salt Air Gardeners, all debts are to be paid with remaining funds, and balance then disbursed to the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs.