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Article I – Name

 

The name of this organization shall be Prairie Garden Club, Inc.  The Prairie Garden Club is a member of the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and as such is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

 

Article II – Object

 

The object and general purpose of this organization shall be:

Section 1. To encourage the study and practice of horticulture, gardening, landscape design, and the art of floral design.

Section 2. To aid in the protection and conservation of our natural resources and wildlife.

Section 3. To promote civic development and to encourage the improvement and beautification of roadsides and parks.

Section 4. To encourage youth participation through cooperation with local schools, 4-H, and other organizations, and through appropriate achievement awards.

Section 5. To be an active member of the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., Rocky Mountain Region, and National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Section 6. To cooperate with other organizations in the furtherance of the foregoing objectives.

 

Article III – Membership and Dues

 

Section 1. Eligibility:

            All adults interested in the object and general purpose

            of this club may be eligible to join without

            discrimination.  Persons who have not reached 18 years

            of age may join as Junior members. 

Section 2.  Member categories will be:

             Active member and Active Couple members

             Supporting members

             Honorary members

             Junior members                                                                                                                     

1.  Active members shall be gardeners interested in the objects and activities of this club and shall participate in the activities of the club.

2.  Supporting members shall be those having an interest in Club membership, but who may not be able to participate actively in all projects.

3.  Honorary membership shall be conferred only to an individual in recognition of special achievement or service to the Club.  Honorary members shall have no vote. 

4.  Junior members are those youths interested in the objectives of the club who have not reached their 18th birthday.

Section 3. Dues

1. The fiscal year is from June 1 through May 31. 

2.  Dues shall be payable in April and shall become delinquent May 15.  Dues of new members joining after March 1 shall cover the period from that date through June of the following year.

3. Dues shall be decided by the executive board and approved by the membership.  These dues will be published in the yearbook annually.

 

Article IV – Officers

 

Section 1.  The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings and perform all duties which pertain to that office.  The President shall call Executive/Board of Director meetings and have the authority to appoint a replacement for any office which becomes vacant for any reason.  The President shall have signature on the bank account.  The President shall send a meeting agenda two (2) weeks before the meeting.

Section 3. The Vice President shall assume duties of the President while absent, be Chair of the Program Committee, and is responsible for completion of the Yearbook and program schedule.  In the event of death, resignation, or incapacity of the President, the Vice President shall become President for the unexpired portion of the term and the vacancy shall occur in the office of Vice President.

Section 4. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, including Executive Board of Directors, be guardian of all papers pertaining to the office and have charge of the general correspondence on the club, send a copy of the minutes electronically to the members prior to the next meeting.  The Secretary will maintain the historical records of all minutes (executive and general) and Treasurer’s reports for six (6) years.  These records will be passed from outgoing to incoming Secretary. Any other documents assigned by the Executive Board shall also be kept by the Secretary.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall collect and deposit in the account of the Prairie Garden Club all money belonging to the Club, shall maintain an orderly set of financial books, shall disburse funds according to the direction of the governing board, shall present a Treasurer’s Report at all general meetings, and an annual Financial Report at the annual meeting.
The Treasurer shall maintain new member applications and dues.

1. Submit new member information and WFGC dues to the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs State Treasurer.  The new member information will also be submitted to the State President and to the Auditor of the Wyoming Paintbrush.

2. Shall annually submit the appropriate amount of state dues to the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs by the end of May.

3. Collect money for the Penny Pines at each meeting and send the contributions of $68.00 when collected to NGC Penny Pines.

4. The Treasurer shall maintain a record of the club’s Wyoming non-profit corporation status with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Treasurer’s books will be reviewed in May by two (2) members appointed by the President.

Article V – Meetings

 

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held on the fourth (4th) Thursday of the month, unless otherwise voted by the membership or holidays falling on that day.

Section 2. Special meetings, tours, and workshops may be planned by the Program committee on dates other than regular meetings. 

Section 3. The Annual Meeting and Installation of officers will be in June at the normally scheduled meeting. 

Section 4. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members.

Section 5. Under exceptional circumstances, an email vote will be allowed and will be passed by the majority approval of respondents.

Section 6. Speaker Gratuity:  When there is a presentation and/or speaker, a gratuity may be extended to that person and shall not exceed $50.00 in value. Gratuity may be in the form of a plaque, check, or other appropriate form.   

 

Article VI – Nomination, Election, Terms of Office

 

Section 1. A Nominating Committee shall be made up of three (3) members of the club elected at the April meeting of the odd numbered years. They shall prepare a slate of officers for the ensuing term and present this slate at the May meeting for election. Additional nominations may be made from the floor during the election at this meeting. Installation of Officers will be held at the June meeting.

Section 2. Terms of Office shall be two (2) years.

Section 3. The President and Vice President shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms.

 

Article VII – Executive Board

 

Section 1. The Executive Board, comprised of all elected officers and immediate Past President, shall have general charge of affairs, funds, and properties of the club. The Past President shall be an advisor to the executive board and shall have no voting privileges except to break a tie vote.

Section 2. Three (3) Board Members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Board will be held at least six (6) times per year unless Club business necessitates calling meeting.

Section 4. The Executive Board can approve up to $250.00 club expenditure. Any expenditures above $250.00 must be presented to the Executive Board and then go to the membership meeting as soon as possible for a vote.

Section 5. Only members of the Executive Board are authorized to send emails or texts to the General membership. Any member having an announcement or any information for the club shall contact the President for approval.

Section 6. The website editor upon approval from the Executive Board shall be authorized to send communications at the board request.

 

Article VIII – Committees

 

Section 1.  Standing Committees

                        Standing Committees may be appointed by the President upon approval of the Executive Board and by the voting assembly at the Annual Meeting in June.

1. Nominating Committee:  Shall consist of three (3) active members. See Article VI-Section I

2. Annual Audit/Review:  There shall be an annual review of the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s transactions. See Article IV -Section 5.

3. Annual Fundraiser Plant Party:  Held once a year.  The social/fundraiser typically visits several members gardens. Refreshments can be served. The club will charge an amount decided by the committee and approved by the board. Details of the party such as refreshments, plants, and member’s gardens will be decided by the committee

4. Awards Committee:  Work with the State Awards Chairman to decide in which awards the club can participate.

5. NGC Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest:  Work with staff at the Paul Smith Children's Village or any other organization to share Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl educational children’s program.

6. Public Relations:  Prepare publicity for newspapers and other media including digital, as requested by the Executive Board.  See Article VII-Section 5.

7. Meeting Refreshments:  Schedule members to provide refreshments for each General Meeting.

 

Section 2. Special Projects

1. Any active member may propose a project with its scope and the cost for the project to the Executive Board. If approved, this special project will be presented to the general membership for a vote. If approved the project will then proceed as presented. Updates about how the project is proceeding will be presented to the Executive Board every month.

2. If an active member of the club proposes a project to the Executive Board and the Board denies to advance or fund the project, the active member may choose to appeal the decision as follows:

1. Call for the immediate formation of an Appeals Panel, the three (3) members will come from the general membership and be agreed upon by both the Executive Board and project proposer.

2. The project proposer will present the project to the Appeals Panel and the Executive Board will present their reasons for denial.

3. The Appeals Panel will either resolve the issue based on Bylaws and reasonable process or, if it is not possible to resolve the issue, the Panel will refer it to the General Membership for resolution.

 

Article IX– Delegates to the Convention of WFGC, Inc.

 

The club shall be entitled to two (2) delegates to the annual convention of WFGC, Inc. for the first ten (10) members, and one (1) additional delegate for each ten (10) members, or major fraction thereof, based upon the membership record of the WFGC, Inc. Treasurer, thirty (30) days prior to the opening date of the annual convention. 

 

 

 

 

Article X – Parliamentary Authority

 

The parliamentary procedure contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the procedure of this club in all matters not covered by these BYLAWS.

Article XI – Amendments
 

These BYLAWS may be amended at any regular meeting by a majority vote of active members present. The purposed Bylaws will be presented in writing to all members by email or by general mail.

 

Article XII – Dissolution

 

In the event of dissolution or liquidation of Prairie Garden Club, all assets of the corporation remaining after payment of any debts shall be transferred to an exempt organization with tax-exempt status under the then existing provision of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America.  Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes. The Prairie Garden Club would designate The Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens as recipient of club assets.  None of the funds shall inter to the benefit of individual members.

 

 

 

Bylaws Adopted May 22, 2012

Bylaws Last Amended April 28, 2022

All Bylaws are in accordance with the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Wyoming Non-Profit Corporation Act Title 17, Chapter 19, 2020.

ent.