Escarosa Beekeepers Association 

Constitution

10 February 2010

 Article 1 

The Escarosa Beekeepers Association shall include, but not be limited to Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties of Florida.

                                                                                                                  Article 2 

The purpose and functions of the Escarosa Beekeepers Association shall be:

To provide resources for the improvement of Beekeeping using proven techniques and procedures in the management of Honeybees and to share this knowledge with everyone interested in the Art of Beekeeping.

To support the Florida State Beekeepers Association in their endeavors.

Article 3

1. The annual dues for membership is fifteen dollars ($15.00) for Escarosa and ($15.00) for FSBA. This sum will cover membership for  beekeeper and spouse in both Associations.

2. The membership year shall be October 1 to September 30.

3. Any member whose dues are not paid by October 1^st, shall be given notice.

4. If dues are paid within thirty (30) days from said notice, the person shall not be dropped from the membership role.

5. Any member may become a Life Member of this association by donating one ten-frame colony of bees, consisting of the following: Bottom board, cover, queen excluder, one deep brood chambers and two medium supers with thirty (30) good frames with comb, and bees free of disease. In lieu of the above items Life Membership may be obtained by donating the full value of a hive in cash or new beekeeping equipment. This membership includes both beekeeper and spouse. The equipment list may be adjusted to the needs of the apiary.

Article 4

Section 1.   The Officers of this organization shall be active members in good standing, and shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Section 2.   The Escarosa Beekeepers Association shall elect officers for their organization at the September meeting.  Immediately after two members in good standing shall be appointed as Primary and Secondary  Representatives to the FSBA Board of Managers.

Section 3.  Officers shall be elected each year to serve for one (1) year, or until relieved.  Elections shall be separate for each office and shall be by secret ballot.

Section 4.   A President shall not be elected to more than two (2) successive terms of office. The maximum term shall be a total of two (2) years.

Section 5.   Any vacancy of an office shall be filled by election, with such election to take place at the first regular monthly meeting following such vacancy.

Section 6.   The officers of this organization and the primary representative to the Board of Managers of the Florida State Beekeepers Association shall constitute an Executive Committee.

Section 7.  The duties of the President shall be to conduct meetings, direct business of the organization, and call special meetings when necessary.

Section 8.   The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President if absent. 

Section 9.  The Secretary shall keep a record of the meetings and attendance, send notices of meetings, keep a record of all membership, collect dues, and furnish the President a roll of members in good standing.  

Section 10.   The Treasurer shall be the keeper of the funds and records pertaining thereto and see that old records are properly stored. 

Article 5

The Escarosa Beekeepers Association shall meet monthly at a fixed place, on date and time specified.

Article 6

A.   Any proposed changes to this Constitution must be presented at a meeting and voted on within 3 months.

B.  The Secretary must notify the membership of any proposed changes, as well as the time and place such changes will be voted upon.

      C.  (2/3) two-thirds vote of the members present shall be required to add to or remove from this Constitution.

Article 7

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority on questions of parliamentary procedure.

Article 8

Any financial expenditure in excess of $300.00, must be proposed at a meeting and voted on at a subsequent meeting.  The only exception to this requirement is a situation that does not permit a month’s wait, and may be bypassed with approval of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

Article 10

This writing of the Escarosa Beekeepers Association Constitution shall  supercede and replace all other past and undated Constitutions and Bylaws.

 

 

 Bylaws

Article 1

The officers of this Association shall be elected by Active members in attendance at a regular September meeting.  A majority of votes cast shall be required to elect.  Newly elected officers shall take office October 1^st.

Section 1.  Elections shall be separate for each office and shall be by secret ballot if more than one name is nominated for such office.

 Section 2.  There shall be elected a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. A majority of votes cast shall be required for election.

 Section 3.  The duties of the President shall be to conduct meetings, direct business of the organization, and call special meetings when necessary.

 Section 4.  The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence.  The Vice President shall Chair the Hospitality Committee and as such shall greet newcomers and be prepared to introduce them to the membership at all meetings.

Section 5.   The Secretary shall attend all regular and special meetings and shall keep a record of the meetings and attendance, send notices of meetings, and keep a record of all membership and collect dues.

Section 6.  The Treasurer shall be the keeper of the funds and records pertaining thereto and shall see that old records are properly stored.

 Article 2

All committees shall be appointed by the President, unless provision for their selection shall be made by motion, which shall be carried by a majority vote of the Active members present.  The following committees are suggested for use as they become desirable: Apiary, Audit, Monthly Program, Honey Exhibits and Fairs, Social, Cooperative Activities, Public Education, Youth Program and Government Relations.  This list is not meant to be all inclusive.

 Article 3

If a member wishes to resign an office or committee , he or she shall give written notice to the Secretary, who shall present it to the officers at the next regular meeting.   

 Article 4

Any member guilty of conduct not in harmony with the principles or well-being of this organization may be expelled by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided, a written copy of the charge has been presented to that person two (2) weeks prior to such meeting.

 Article 5.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority on questions of parliamentary procedure.

 Article 6

The order of business at all regular meetings of the Escarosa Beekeepers Association shall be as follows:

1. Meeting called to order

2.  Reports (Minutes, Treasurer, Committees)

3.  Unfinished or Old Business

4.  New Business

5.   Addresses, program or other main feature

6.  Questions and Answers

7.   Adjournment

                                                                                                                  Article 7

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Active members present at a special meeting called for that purpose.  The special meeting may be held in conjunction with a regular meeting.  Advanced notice of a special meeting for bylaws amendment shall be required.