Bylaws of the Sumter County Beekeeping Club
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name The name of the organization shall be the Sumter County Beekeeping Club, hereinafter referred to as the “Club.”
Section 2: Purpose The purposes of the Club shall be: a. To promote the art and science of beekeeping. b. To provide educational resources and training for beekeepers. c. To support research on bees and beekeeping. d. To engage in environmental conservation efforts. e. To foster a sense of community among beekeepers. f. To advocate for policies that benefit beekeepers and bee populations.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility Membership is open to anyone interested in beekeeping and the objectives of the Club.
Section 2: Classes of Membership a. Individual Member b. Family Member c. Honorary Member (granted by the Board of Directors)
Section 3: Dues Membership dues are $20 annually per individual or family. Dues are payable on January 1 of each year.
Section 4: Voting Rights Each Individual Member and each adult member of a Family Membership shall have one vote in Club elections and decisions. Members must be present to vote.
Article III: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings Meetings are planned for the third Thursday of the month, at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting shall be held in January for the purpose of electing officers and conducting any other business that may arise.
Section 3: Special Meetings Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Quorum A quorum for any meeting shall consist of a majority of the members present.
Article IV: Board of Directors
Section 1: Composition The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three additional Directors, all elected by the membership.
Section 2: Duties The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Club, including setting policies, approving budgets, and organizing events.
Section 3: Meetings The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the President.
Section 4: Quorum A quorum for Board meetings shall be a majority of the Board members.
Article V: Officers
Section 1: Officers The officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: Election and Term Officers shall be elected at the November Meeting and shall serve a term of one year. Officers will be installed the following January. Officers may be re-elected for consecutive terms.
Section 3: Duties a. President: Presides over meetings, represents the Club, and oversees Club activities. b. Vice President: Assists the President and assumes the President’s duties in their absence. c. Secretary: Keeps records of meetings, maintains membership records, and handles correspondence. d. Treasurer: Manages the Club’s finances, including collecting dues, paying bills, and preparing financial reports.
Article VI: Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees The Club shall have the following standing committees: a. Education committee: This committee organizes educational events for members, like mentoring, guest speakers, and demonstrations on beekeeping practices. b. Membership committee: This committee oversees membership recruitment, manages applications, and plans events to welcome new beekeepers. c. Website & social media committee: This committee maintains the club website and social media presence to share information and connect with members and the community.
Section 2: Special Committees Special committees may be appointed by the President as needed.
Article VII: Finances
Section 1: Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Club shall be January 1 to December 31.
Section 2: Budget The Board of Directors shall prepare an annual budget for approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Section 3: Expenditures Expenditures shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 1: Amendments These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting and approved by the board, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.
Article IX: Dissolution
Section 1: Dissolution Upon dissolution of the Club, any remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit organization with similar objectives, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Certification
These bylaws were approved by the membership of the Sumter County Beekeeping Club on [Date].
President: ________________________________
Secretary: ________________________________
This set of bylaws is designed to provide a clear and structured framework for the operation of the Sumter County Beekeeping Club, ensuring that the club can achieve its objectives and serve its members effectively.
Looks good!
I was wondering about the Committee section. Probably don’t need Research and Conservation. Looking to beef that up a bit.
This sounds like a legitimate, well written base for the Club and we can base our standards/future plans off the written document.
I am here to help in whatever way I can, to make this group grow/succeed in anyway I am capable. I’m excited for what the future holds!
I like it…simple and direct
Article II – Section 4 Voting rights, specify if present at the meeting.
Article III Meetings are planned for the 3rd Thursday of each month, final dates and times will be announced by the board
Article VI The sentence: “The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three additional Directors elected by the membership.” is not clear on the 3 additional Directors, everyone is elected by the membership, not just the 3 directors.
Article VII – Your budget will be presented at the same time your new board is elected? The new Board would then have to work with the prior board’s budget? Maybe elect the board in November and the new board is installed in January with their budget?
Article VIII Amendments: up for a vote after the suggestion was put in writing at the prior meeting AND approved by the board to put up for an amendment. (avoids, continual changes in the bylaws!)
– Are you going to have a teaching apiary?
Thanks Rein! Glad you took the time. I incorporated most of what you suggested. I read Article IV several times and it says the President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary, along with 3 additional Directors, elected by the membership. I added a comma and ALL in the sentence to clarify. In article VI I left out an apiary committee since we don’t have any club hives yet. I included mentoring in the education committee in an effort to cover this. I have hives across the field from the rec center where we have the meetings but will need to talk to the property owner before I bring a bunch of people over. I do bring people I mentor now. We’ll see as we grow.
Thank you again for your suggestions!
The draft is on point within bylaws guidelines. Simple and clear. Thank you
I agree with Rein! Great work and one thing is that is says “bees” and not “Honey bees” as to help all bees and beekeepers!
So do you think it should be changed from “bees” to “honey bees”?
Hadn’t considered it but now wonder if we should include a lesso0n on native bees. Just wondering 🙂