By
Laws
- Objectives:
To promote the dissemination of useful and practical information regarding
all forms of plant food, soil amendments, plant protectants, plant genetics,
biotechnology, soil conservation, economics of new technology, and their
application to crop production of all kinds of promoting cultural practices
which would improve crop productivity, enhance farm profitability, and
maintain environmental quality.
To foster and promote strong and positive relationships among agricultural
industries, academia, and the agricultural public sector.
- Purposes:
To operate in the State of Pennsylvania as a facilitator of educational
programs and services by providing members with current information
on agricultural programs and practices, encouraging cooperation by all
agricultural industries, private service organizations, universities
and governmental service and regulatory agencies in promoting economical
and efficient utilization of agricultural inputs by the Pennsylvania
farmer and related businesses.
ARTICLE I. Name and
Location
Section 1.
The name of the corporation shall be "THE PENNSYLVANIA AGRONOMIC
EDUCATION SOCIETY, INC.” Its principal place of business shall
be located at State College, Centre County. Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II. Membership
Section 1.
Members -Any individual concerned with the manufacturing, distribution,
research, retail sales, custom application, consulting, or governmental
service and regulatory agencies. Any person involved in the educational
process pertaining to plant food, soil amendments, plant protectants,
plant genetics, biotechnology, soil conservation, input economics and
new technology or any other individual actively engaged In serving Pennsylvania
agriculture, shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2.
Life membership. Upon retirement, any member in good standing for at
least five {5} years, shall be entitled to an honorary life membership
to the organization.
ARTICLE III. Meetings
Section 1.
The annual meeting of the corporation shall be held at the annual Lime,
Fertilizer and Pesticide Conference, or as otherwise specified.
Section 2.
A quorum to conduct a business meeting of the corporation shall constitute
twenty (20) percent of the active membership in good standing.
Section 3.
Special meetings of the corporation may be held at any time as specified
by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
Only active members shall be entitled to vote at all meetings, and each
member shall have one (1) vote on all issues, questions, and motions.
An active member is defined as an individual whose dues are current.
Section 5. Note
of the time and place of all annual and special meetings shall be mailed
by the secretary to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the
date thereof.
ARTICLE IV. Directors
Section 1.
The business of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors
consisting of thirteen (13) members. At each annual meeting four (4)
directors shall be elected for a term of three (3) years provided, however
no director shall be eligible for re-election for a second term, but
shall be again eligible to serve after the lapse of one term. The immediate
past president is automatically a member of the Board for one year upon
completion of his term of office as President.
Section 2.
All meetings of the Board of Directors shall be designated by the president,
or by a request of the majority of Board members. At least three (3)
board meetings shall be held annually. All Board members shall be notified
of all meetings verbally or in writing at least ten (10) days prior.
Section 3.
A quorum will consist of seven (7) Board members for the transaction
of any business.
Section 4.
In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board, it shall be filled by appointment
by the Executive Committee. Any voluntary resignations of Board members
shall be forwarded to the executive committee in writing.
Section 5.
Directors with unexcused absence of more than two (2) consecutive meetings,
the Board has the authority to vacate their position and reappoint a
replacement of the unexpired term.
ARTICLE V. Officers
Section 1.
The officers of the Corporation shall be President, Vice-President,
Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall serve for the term of one
(1) year. All shall hold office until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.
The President and Vice President shall be elected by the Board of Directors
from its own membership.
Section 3.
The Secretary end Treasurer shall be selected and approved by the Board
of Directors.
Section 4. The
President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation; shall have
general supervision over the affairs of the Corporation and all other
officers; and shall perform all such duties as are incident to the office.
Section 5. The
Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation in the
absence of the President and shall perform all such other duties as
are incident to the office.
Section 6.
If deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, an Executive Secretary
may be employed.
Section 7. The
Secretary shall issue notice of all Directors arid Corporate meetings,
shall attend and keep minutes, shall have charge of ail corporate book"
records, and papers, shall be the custodian of the corporate seal, maintain
the 501{c)5 status, and shall perform all such other duties as are incident
to the office.
Section 8.
The Treasurer shall have the custody of all financial assets and securities
of the Corporation. The person shall keep current financial statements
of all accounts and submit them reconciled with vouchers, receipts,
records or other documents, to the Board of Directors for examination
and approval at the annual meetings and as often as required by the
Board; and shall perform all such other duties as are incident to the
office.
Section 9.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, immediate past
President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 10.
Committee appointments shall be made by the President. Committees include:
Conference, Membership, Nomination, and Budget or any others the president
deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VI. Corporate
Seal
Section 1. The
Corporation shall legally maintain a 501(c)5 nonprofit status.
ARTICLE VII. Dues
Section 1.
The annual dues for each member shall be determined by the Board of
Directors. All changes in dues as determined by the Board of Directors
shall be approved by two-thirds vote of attending active membership
at the annual meeting.
Section 2.
To retain active member status, dues must be paid by January 30 of that
year.
Section 3.
All Honorary Life members shall be exempt from dues.
ARTICLE VIII. Budget
Section 1. A
budget committee shall be selected by the Board of Directors, The committee
shall consist of three (3) members of the Board of Directors, one of
which shall be the secretary/treasurer, one from industry, and one from
the university or government agency, plus the Executive Secretary. Selections
shall be selected on a yearly basis. A person can serve on the committee
more than one year as long as that person's term on the Board of Directors
is not expired.
Section 2. The
budget committee shall select a CPA firm to audit the organization's
books on a yearly basis. This shall be performed and presented to the
membership at the annual meeting.
Section 3.
The budget committee shall propose to the Board of Directors on a yearly
basis, monthly cash flow demands of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IX. Financial
Assets
Section 1.
The executive committee shall present to the Board of Directors for
approval the plan for investing and/or savings of the additional cash
assets of the Corporation.
ARTICLE X. Scholarship
Fund
Section 1. The
Corporation may offer two (2) scholarships each calendar year to worthy
students majoring in agricultural sciences. Preference will be given
to students with an interest in crop production.
ARTICLE XI. Order of
Business
Section 1.
The order of business shall be set forth in “Roberts Rules of
Order”.
ARTICLE XII. Dissolution
Section 1. Upon
dissolution of this Corporation, assets shall be distributed for one
or more exempt purposes within meaning of 501(c)5 of the Internal Revue
code, or corresponding section of any Federal tax code; or shall be
distributed to the Federal Government or to a state or local government
for a public purpose. However if the named recipient Is not then in
existence or no longer a qualified distributee, or unwilling or unable
to accept the distribution, then the assets of this Corporation shall
be distributed to a fund, foundation or corporation organized an operated
exclusively for the purpose specified in Section 501(c)5 or other section
of the Internal Revenue code exempted from the payment of income tax
(or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).
ARTICLE X. Amendment.
Section 1. Amendments
to these By-Laws may be made by two-thirds vote of the membership upon
presentation at any annual or special meeting provided; however, that
a copy of the proposed amendment shall be sent with the notice of such
meeting as herein provided.
Adopted by vote of membership
as revised
PPFPES Annual Meeting
January 21, 1997 for use beginning January 21, 1997
Signed,
Jeffrey Stine, President for 1997 |