Chico Bonsai Society

By-Laws

Established April 1976

ARTICLE I NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
The name of the organization shall be the CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY.

ARTICLE II OBJECT AND PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY is a non-profit organization to promote the appreciation, knowledge and cultivation of Bonsai through education, publicity, display and any other means which would advance the Art of Bonsai.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY is open to any individual, group, or organization interested in the Art of Bonsai with no restriction as to age, race, sex, creed or religion.

SECTION 1      VOTING MEMBERSHIP: Individuals paying the yearly dues shall be entitled to participate and vote in all club matters. They are entitled to the newsletter notifying them of the coming monthly meetings, advance knowledge and registration for special workshops, use of the materials in the SOCIETY library, and participation in SOCIETY planned outings.

SECTION 2      JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP: Individuals under the age of 16 shall be Junior members and are entitled to all privileges of Voting membership, but are not entitled to hold an elective office.

SECTION 3      SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP: Groups or businesses or individuals who wish to contribute to the SOCIETY in a monetary manner to assist the SOCIETY in its pursuit of furthering the Art of Bonsai. Sustaining members are entitled to the newsletter and may submit reasonable advertisements and articles related to the subject of Bonsai.

SECTION 4      CHARTER MEMBERSHIP: Available to former voting members who have been in good standing for 5 or more years leaving the area or are unable to attend the regular meetings. These members are entitled to all SOCIETY benefits except voting privileges.
At the request of two-thirds of the attending membership at a regular meeting, Charter membership may be bestowed upon an individual, group or business

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1      The officers shall be elected annually by the membership and shall consist of: President, Vice-President, Recording-Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Officer.

SECTION 2      The Executive Board shall consist of the elected Officers, the immediate past President and 3 appointed members. The Executive Board shall consist of 9 seats in all.

SECTION 3      The immediate Past President and the 3 appointed members shall be know as the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall serve as Chairmen of these Committees: Library-Historian, Door Prize-Raffle, Publicity and Refreshment.

SECTION 4      The president shall appoint the 3 members of the Board of Directors. The appointments shall be made at the beginning of each officer year and be for a one-year term. There is no limit of years of service for these 3 members.

SECTION 5      Term of office shall not exceed two consecutive years in the same office for all ELECTED officers except Treasurer. The Treasurer may serve as long as the membership of the SOCIETY desires.

SECTION 6      Any vacancy on the Executive Board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 7      If the office of President is vacated, the elected Vice-President shall assume the office of President and shall appoint a new Vice-President, with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1      PRESIDENT:
    a. To preside at all regular and special meetings of the SOCIETY and the Executive Board.
    b. To appoint a newsletter editor, two members of the Board of Directors, and such special committees as desired. To appoint committees as requested by the Executive Board.
VICE-PRESIDENT:
    a. To assist the President and to preside in absence of the President at all meetings
    b. To plan all programs, with approval of the President.
RECORDING-CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:
    a. Shall keep the official record of the meetings of the SOCIETY and of its Executive Board. A simple statement of business transactions, motions made, committees appointed and their reports, etc. A written statement must be submitted monthly, and given orally if requested by the President.
    b. Shall handle all necessary correspondence for the SOCIETY of a business nature.
TREASURER:
    To receive and disburse funds of the SOCIETY. To keep records of all transactions and submit a written or oral report monthly as requested by the President. To keep a record of all paid memberships.
MEMBERSHIP OFFICER:
    a. To receive and record all membership applications and dues.
    b. To record and distribute to members a membership list, updated or new members' addresses issued quarterly.
    c. To distribute name tags to members, greet guests and introduce them to the SOCIETY at each regular meeting.
    d. To send cards and special correspondence to ill or absent members.

SECTION 2      EXECUTIVE BOARD:
The Executive Board shall conduct the business of the SOCIETY and plan club activities when necessary.
    a. Business that does not receive a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members should be brought before the club membership for their vote.
    b. The President may table any decision of the Executive Board to be brought before the club membership for a vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VI NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES

SECTION 1      The President shall name a nomination committee of 3 members as follows: 1 each from the Executive Board and the general membership; and 1 other from either the Executive Board or the general membership at the President's discretion.

SECTION 2      Nominations shall be submitted to the membership by the Nomination Committee in March of each year. Additional nominations from the floor will be accepted at the April meeting, subject to the previous consent of the nominee.

SECTION 3      Requirements for Officers shall be as follows:
    a. All nominees must be members in good standing with membership dues paid.
    b. The nominee for President must have served as a member of the Executive Board at a previous period.

SECTION 4      Election of Officers shall be held in April.

SECTION 5      Installation of Officers shall be held in May at the Annual Spring Show.

SECTION 6      New Officers shall assume their duties at the May Regular Meeting.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS AND AGENDA
Regular meetings shall be held once a month throughout the year with the exception that it be the decision of the Executive Board for meetings to be held in the months of July and August.
Special meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be called by the President when required.

SECTION 1      The regular club meetings shall be informal, consisting of three parts.
    a. Introduction of Guests by Membership Officer.
    b. Business:
        1. Minutes -available to members
        2. Treasurer's report available to members
        3. Correspondence
        4. Committee Reports
        5. Old Business
        6. New Business
    c. Program

ARTICLE VII DUES
The membership year of the SOCIETY shall be January 1 through December 31.
Membership dues may be established and adjusted by a two-thirds vote of the attending membership at a regular meeting. A 30 day notice must be given the membership prior to this action.
Renewable membership dues are payable in January and shall be delinquent following the March meeting.
New members joining after July shall pay one-half the annual dues.

SECTION 1      MEMBERSHIP DUES CLASSIFICATION:
    a. Regular voting member - Dues are $10 or as adjusted by the vote of the membership.
    b. Second family member or two of the same household - Dues shall be one-half of the regular membership dues with only one newsletter per household. All other benefits are the same as a regular voting member.
    c. Junior member - Dues shall be one-half the regular membership with all voting membership privileges excepting the right to hold an elective office.
    d. Sustaining member - Donation shall be at least the same amount as regular membership but not limited to that amount. Sustaining members may submit advertisements in the SOCIETY newsletter.
    e. Charter members - Are not subject to dues, do not have voting privileges, but may be required to pay the postage for the newsletter. All other privileges are the same as a regular membership.

ARTICLE IX APPOINTMENTS AND AUDITS

SECTION 1      The President shall appoint a newsletter editor. The duties of the editor shall be:
    a. To cause to be published and mailed, a monthly report of upcoming meetings and activities of the SOCIETY.
    b. The newsletter should consist of not less than 10 issues per calendar year.

SECTION 2      The President shall appoint a committee of two to the membership to audit the books and records of the Treasurer each year, and give a report by the June meeting.

SECTION 3      Signing of all checks requires only one signature, but two Officers shall have the ability to sign checks. Either the President or the Vice-President shall have the ability to sign as well as the Treasurer.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS
The By-Laws may be amended or changed by a two-third vote of the membership present at any regular meeting, provided due notice of the proposed changes has been given to the membership 30 days prior to the discussion and voting of such amendments or change.
All other businesses of the SOCIETY not stated in this document shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE I	NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION The name of the organization shall be the CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY.
ARTICLE II	OBJECT AND PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION The CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY is a non-profit organization to promote the appreciation, knowledge and cultivation of Bonsai through education, publicity, display and any other means which would advance the Art of Bonsai.
ARTICLE III	MEMBERSHIP Membership in the CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY is open to any individual, group, or organization interested in the Art of Bonsai with no restriction as to age, race, sex, creed or religion.
SECTION 1	VOTING MEMBERSHIP: Individuals paying the yearly dues shall be entitled to participate and vote in all club matters. They are entitled to the newsletter notifying them of the coming monthly meetings, advance knowledge and registration for special workshops, use of the materials in the SOCIETY library, and participation in SOCIETY planned outings.
SECTION 2	JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP: Individuals under the age of 16 shall be Junior members and are entitled to all privileges of Voting membership, but are not entitled to hold an elective office.
SECTION 3	SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP: Groups or businesses or individuals who wish to contribute to the SOCIETY in a monetary manner to assist the SOCIETY in its pursuit of furthering the Art of Bonsai. Sustaining members are entitled to the newsletter and may submit reasonable advertisements and articles related to the subject of Bonsai.
SECTION 4	CHARTER MEMBERSHIP: Available to former voting members who have been in good standing for 5 or more years leaving the area or are unable to attend the regular meetings. These members are entitled to all SOCIETY benefits except voting privileges. At the request of two-thirds of the attending membership at a regular meeting, Charter membership may be bestowed upon an individual, group or business
ARTICLE IV	OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1	The officers shall be elected annually by the membership and shall consist of: President, Vice-President, Recording-Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Officer.
SECTION 2	The Executive Board shall consist of the elected Officers, the immediate past President and 3 appointed members. The Executive Board shall consist of 9 seats in all.
SECTION 3	The immediate Past President and the 3 appointed members shall be know as the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall serve as Chairmen of these Committees: Library-Historian, Door Prize-Raffle, Publicity and Refreshment.
SECTION 4	The president shall appoint the 3 members of the Board of Directors. The appointments shall be made at the beginning of each officer year and be for a one-year term. There is no limit of years of service for these 3 members.
SECTION 5	Term of office shall not exceed two consecutive years in the same office for all ELECTED officers except Treasurer. The Treasurer may serve as long as the membership of the SOCIETY desires.
SECTION 6	Any vacancy on the Executive Board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
SECTION 7	If the office of President is vacated, the elected Vice-President shall assume the office of President and shall appoint a new Vice-President, with the approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V	DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1	PRESIDENT: a. To preside at all regular and special meetings of the SOCIETY and the Executive Board. b. To appoint a newsletter editor, two members of the Board of Directors, and such special committees as desired. To appoint committees as requested by the Executive Board. VICE-PRESIDENT: a. To assist the President and to preside in absence of the President at all meetings b. To plan all programs, with approval of the President. RECORDING-CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: a. Shall keep the official record of the meetings of the SOCIETY and of its Executive Board. A simple statement of business transactions, motions made, committees appointed and their reports, etc. A written statement must be submitted monthly, and given orally if requested by the President. b. Shall handle all necessary correspondence for the SOCIETY of a business nature. TREASURER: To receive and disburse funds of the SOCIETY. To keep records of all transactions and submit a written or oral report monthly as requested by the President. To keep a record of all paid memberships. MEMBERSHIP OFFICER: a. To receive and record all membership applications and dues. b. To record and distribute to members a membership list, updated or new members' addresses issued quarterly. c. To distribute name tags to members, greet guests and introduce them to the SOCIETY at each regular meeting. d. To send cards and special correspondence to ill or absent members.
SECTION 2	EXECUTIVE BOARD: The Executive Board shall conduct the business of the SOCIETY and plan club activities when necessary. a. Business that does not receive a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members should be brought before the club membership for their vote. b. The President may table any decision of the Executive Board to be brought before the club membership for a vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
ARTICLE VI	NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES
SECTION 1	The President shall name a nomination committee of 3 members as follows: 1 each from the Executive Board and the general membership; and 1 other from either the Executive Board or the general membership at the President's discretion.
SECTION 2	Nominations shall be submitted to the membership by the Nomination Committee in March of each year. Additional nominations from the floor will be accepted at the April meeting, subject to the previous consent of the nominee.
SECTION 3	Requirements for Officers shall be as follows: a. All nominees must be members in good standing with membership dues paid. b. The nominee for President must have served as a member of the Executive Board at a previous period.
SECTION 4	Election of Officers shall be held in April.
SECTION 5	Installation of Officers shall be held in May at the Annual Spring Show.
SECTION 6	New Officers shall assume their duties at the May Regular Meeting.
ARTICLE VII	MEETINGS AND AGENDA Regular meetings shall be held once a month throughout the year with the exception that it be the decision of the Executive Board for meetings to be held in the months of July and August. Special meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be called by the President when required.
SECTION 1	The regular club meetings shall be informal, consisting of three parts. a. Introduction of Guests by Membership Officer. b. Business: 1. Minutes -available to members 2. Treasurer's report available to members 3. Correspondence 4. Committee Reports 5. Old Business 6. New Business c. Program
ARTICLE VII	DUES The membership year of the SOCIETY shall be January 1 through December 31. Membership dues may be established and adjusted by a two-thirds vote of the attending membership at a regular meeting. A 30 day notice must be given the membership prior to this action. Renewable membership dues are payable in January and shall be delinquent following the March meeting. New members joining after July shall pay one-half the annual dues.
SECTION 1	MEMBERSHIP DUES CLASSIFICATION: a. Regular voting member - Dues are $10 or as adjusted by the vote of the membership. b. Second family member or two of the same household - Dues shall be one-half of the regular membership dues with only one newsletter per household. All other benefits are the same as a regular voting member. c. Junior member - Dues shall be one-half the regular membership with all voting membership privileges excepting the right to hold an elective office. d. Sustaining member - Donation shall be at least the same amount as regular membership but not limited to that amount. Sustaining members may submit advertisements in the SOCIETY newsletter. e. Charter members - Are not subject to dues, do not have voting privileges, but may be required to pay the postage for the newsletter. All other privileges are the same as a regular membership.
ARTICLE IX	APPOINTMENTS AND AUDITS
SECTION 1	The President shall appoint a newsletter editor. The duties of the editor shall be: a. To cause to be published and mailed, a monthly report of upcoming meetings and activities of the SOCIETY. b. The newsletter should consist of not less than 10 issues per calendar year.
SECTION 2	The President shall appoint a committee of two to the membership to audit the books and records of the Treasurer each year, and give a report by the June meeting.
SECTION 3	Signing of all checks requires only one signature, but two Officers shall have the ability to sign checks. Either the President or the Vice-President shall have the ability to sign as well as the Treasurer.
ARTICLE X	AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS The By-Laws may be amended or changed by a two-third vote of the membership present at any regular meeting, provided due notice of the proposed changes has been given to the membership 30 days prior to the discussion and voting of such amendments or change. All other businesses of the SOCIETY not stated in this document shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.