TREASURE COAST BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Constitution
Article 1: NAME
NAME. The name of this organization shall be the Treasure Coast Beekeepers Association (the Association). The Association is a non-profit organization. The Association is an affiliate of the Florida State Beekeepers Association.
Article 2: MISSION
MISSION STATEMENT. To promote the study and science of honey bees and native bees, and to provide education, encouragement and mentoring to all beekeepers in St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River Counties.
Article 3: PURPOSE
PURPOSE. The Association is formed for the purpose of:
1.) Educating of the public of all aspects involving honey bees and other bee pollinators endangered through chemical use, diseases, parasites, or other deleterious problems encountered in a bee’s short lifespan;
2.) Encouraging new beekeepers by assisting them in set-up and operation of hives and mentoring them for the first year or as needed and assist all members as needed;
3.) Encouraging members with the development of home gardens and landscapes that create a habitat for native bees;
4.) Encouraging area youth to become involved in a bee-related field and to volunteer for leadership positions in the Association.
Article 4: MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP. The Association shall be composed of individuals interested in promoting the art and skill of beekeeping and assisting the Association in carrying out its mission and purpose. Members shall consist of the following classes: Active, Commercial, Honorary and Junior (under 18).
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING. Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due the Association within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice from the secretary shall forfeit his/her good standing and shall so remain until such indebtedness is paid in full. Only members in good standing may exercise the voting privilege and hold office in the Association.
FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP. Any member may be expelled from the Association for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire board of directors. Upon removal from the Association, the person may not attend any meetings of the Association or other activities and shall not be eligible for re-entry to the Association. The Association shall remove members whose conduct has been deemed a violation of the Constitution and By-Laws, other rules of the Association, or generally accepted ethical practices.
Article 5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The elected officers shall comprise the Board of Directors. The Officers and Directors shall consist of:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times and places as the board shall determine.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held when called by the president, or when requested by three (3) or more members of the board of directors, at such time and place as the president shall determine.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR VACANCY. If the office of president or of any vice president shall become vacant for any reason, the vice president shall advance in office. In the event such provision for advancement shall fail to fill the office of president, or any office of vice president, the board of directors shall thereon call a special election, giving each member in good standing fourteen (14) calendar days prior notice of the time and place, which time and place shall be determined by said board, and such office shall be filled at said election meeting.
In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the board of directors shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. In the event vacancies shall be of such number as to reduce the number of directors to less than the number required for a quorum, the membership of the Association shall have power to fill such vacancies by an election held at any regular meeting of the Association upon prior notice. Such notice may be given by any remaining officer or director, but if none, then by any member.
Article 6: CONDUCT
CONDUCT. Members of the Association shall abide by the following rules of conduct:
Article 7: BY LAWS
BY LAWS. Members of the Association shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as may be required to carry out the purpose of the Association.
Article 8: AMENDMENTS
AMENDMENTS. Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted upon an affirmative vote by the general membership at the meeting following the initial proposal. Any member in good standing may propose an amendment to this Constitution. The Constitution must be amended by a vote of two-thirds majority at any regular or special meeting. A notice of not less than 30 days shall be given to the members in regards to changes to the Constitution.
NAME. The name of this organization shall be the Treasure Coast Beekeepers Association (the Association). The Association is a non-profit organization. The Association is an affiliate of the Florida State Beekeepers Association.
Article 2: MISSION
MISSION STATEMENT. To promote the study and science of honey bees and native bees, and to provide education, encouragement and mentoring to all beekeepers in St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River Counties.
Article 3: PURPOSE
PURPOSE. The Association is formed for the purpose of:
1.) Educating of the public of all aspects involving honey bees and other bee pollinators endangered through chemical use, diseases, parasites, or other deleterious problems encountered in a bee’s short lifespan;
2.) Encouraging new beekeepers by assisting them in set-up and operation of hives and mentoring them for the first year or as needed and assist all members as needed;
3.) Encouraging members with the development of home gardens and landscapes that create a habitat for native bees;
4.) Encouraging area youth to become involved in a bee-related field and to volunteer for leadership positions in the Association.
Article 4: MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP. The Association shall be composed of individuals interested in promoting the art and skill of beekeeping and assisting the Association in carrying out its mission and purpose. Members shall consist of the following classes: Active, Commercial, Honorary and Junior (under 18).
- An Active member is a current dues paying member. Active members have the ability to vote on issues.
- An Honorary member is an individual whose caliber of service to the Association or the beekeeping industry is recognized. The board of directors, by majoring vote, may confer Honorary membership. An Honorary member is not required to pay annual dues. An Honorary member has no voting rights.
- A Junior member is under the age of 18. A Junior member is not required to pay annual dues, and is encouraged to take on active leadership roles in the association as appropriate. A Junior member has no voting rights.
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING. Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due the Association within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice from the secretary shall forfeit his/her good standing and shall so remain until such indebtedness is paid in full. Only members in good standing may exercise the voting privilege and hold office in the Association.
FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP. Any member may be expelled from the Association for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire board of directors. Upon removal from the Association, the person may not attend any meetings of the Association or other activities and shall not be eligible for re-entry to the Association. The Association shall remove members whose conduct has been deemed a violation of the Constitution and By-Laws, other rules of the Association, or generally accepted ethical practices.
Article 5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The elected officers shall comprise the Board of Directors. The Officers and Directors shall consist of:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Vice President
- Immediate Past President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times and places as the board shall determine.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held when called by the president, or when requested by three (3) or more members of the board of directors, at such time and place as the president shall determine.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR VACANCY. If the office of president or of any vice president shall become vacant for any reason, the vice president shall advance in office. In the event such provision for advancement shall fail to fill the office of president, or any office of vice president, the board of directors shall thereon call a special election, giving each member in good standing fourteen (14) calendar days prior notice of the time and place, which time and place shall be determined by said board, and such office shall be filled at said election meeting.
In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the board of directors shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. In the event vacancies shall be of such number as to reduce the number of directors to less than the number required for a quorum, the membership of the Association shall have power to fill such vacancies by an election held at any regular meeting of the Association upon prior notice. Such notice may be given by any remaining officer or director, but if none, then by any member.
Article 6: CONDUCT
CONDUCT. Members of the Association shall abide by the following rules of conduct:
- The Association shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Association shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
- No officer or member of the Association shall use his/her membership as a means of furthering any personal, commercial, political, or other aspiration, nor shall the Association, as a whole, take part in any movement not in keeping with its purposes and objects.
- No funds shall be solicited from members of the Association during meetings by any individual or individuals who are not members of the Association. Any suggestion or proposition made at any meeting of the Association calling for the expenditure of money for other than the regular obligations shall be referred to the appropriate committee or to the board of directors.
- The Association shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office, nor shall partisan politics or sectarian religion be debated by members during meetings of the Association.
- All Board meetings and membership meetings of the Association shall be conducted using the most current edition of “Roberts Rules of Order.”
Article 7: BY LAWS
BY LAWS. Members of the Association shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as may be required to carry out the purpose of the Association.
Article 8: AMENDMENTS
AMENDMENTS. Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted upon an affirmative vote by the general membership at the meeting following the initial proposal. Any member in good standing may propose an amendment to this Constitution. The Constitution must be amended by a vote of two-thirds majority at any regular or special meeting. A notice of not less than 30 days shall be given to the members in regards to changes to the Constitution.