THE WISCONSIN PEONY SOCIETIES BYLAWS

ARTICLE I – Name & Organization

1.1          The name of this Corporation is the “Wisconsin Peony Society.”

1.2          The Corporation is organized under the General Nonprofit Corporation.

ARTICLE 2 – Purpose

        2.1          Promote, foster and generate interest in the cultivation and use of all peonies.

2.2          To facilitate the sharing of information pertaining to all peonies.

 2.3          To function as a regional link to the American Peony Society.

ARTICLE 3 – Membership

 3.1          The Society shall not limit the number of members.  

3.2          Any person or household is eligible for membership if they:

                        a.     Agree with the purpose and adhere to the objectives of the Society.

b.     Pay the required dues.

        3.3          Membership dues shall be payable at the commencement of the calendar year and shall be paid to the treasurer within 30 days.  Failure to pay membership dues on time shall be sufficient reason to drop the person(s) from the Society’s membership.  

                        Note:  Member(s) in default of their dues shall receive one reminder prior to being removed from the membership rolls.

        3.4          Membership dues are $5.00 per individual or household per year or $10.00 per individual or household per three years.  The rate of membership dues may be changed by a simple majority vote of the members attending the fall annual business meeting.

        3.5          Membership entitles you to:

a.     Attend regularly scheduled Society meetings.

b.     Receive a copy of the Society newsletter.

c.     Each paid membership shall have one vote on all matters before the meetings.

d.     Members in good standing shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors and appointment to any of the committees.

e.     Members may be admitted to and exhibit in Society shows without fee.

ARTICLE 4 – Board of Directors

        4.1          There shall be seven (7) directors of the Society including the officers.

        4.2          The Directors will be chosen by the members at the fall annual business meeting from among the individual members in good standing.

        4.3          A Director’s term of office will be 2 consecutive years and they may stand for re-election for one additional term.

        4.4          Each Director will have one vote.

        4.5          The Board of Directors shall establish rules to maintain the order and well being of the Society.

        4.6          The Board of Directors shall have complete direction of the affairs of the Society and it shall establish the programs and the specific projects to be undertaken.   To achieve its projects, the board may establish committees chaired by a Director, appoint members or non-members and delegate authority to carry out their function subject to the approval of the Board.

        4.7          Directors are required to participate in regular email discussions and the decision making processes, as required, throughout the year. 

        4.8          A quorum for the Board of Directors shall be five.

ARTICLE 5 – Officers

        5.1          The Officers of the Society shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Newsletter Editor. 

        5.2          The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society.  They shall have active direction of its affairs – subject to the democratic support of the Directors.  The President shall preside over all meetings, direct all official business, and appoint and direct all committees of the Society.

        5.3          The Vice President shall be vested with the powers of the President and preside over the matters of the Society in the absence of the President.  The Vice President shall provide the program schedule for the year.  The Vice President may also have duties assigned by the directors from time to time.

        5.4          The Treasurer will collect dues and provide the secretary with a list of current paid members.  The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements and produce budgets and statements whenever required to by the Directors.   The Treasurer will file an annual report for the fall annual business meeting to maintain the Society’s non-profit status.

        5.5          The Secretary shall maintain the minutes of all of the society meetings and a current membership roster.  The Secretary is the custodian of all of the records and documents of the Society.

        5.6          The Newsletter Editor shall provide timely notice of meetings and publish the minutes of the Society’s meetings.  Also, the Newsletter Editor should solicit articles of interest which will assist the society in meeting its objectives.

ARTICLE 6 – Meetings

        6.1          Regular meetings will be held each fall, winter, and spring with additional meeting(s) being held to meet the objectives of the society.

        6.2          The President may call a special meeting at any time. 

        6.3          The President may call the Board into session.

        6.4          All business matters shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the present membership at any duly announced meeting.

ARTICLE 7 – Committees

7.1          Committees shall be set up to assist in carrying out the functions of the society such as the Fall Root Auction Committee, the Flower Show Committee and any other committee necessary to coordinate the events sponsored by the Society.

7.2          A member of the Wisconsin Peony Society will audit the financial records on a yearly basis. 

ARTICLE 8 – Parliamentary Authority

        8.1          Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all cases where applicable.

ARTICLE 9 – Amendments

9.1          The Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a simple majority vote of the members present.

9.2          The members must be notified by written notice of the proposed amendment(s) prior to the vote to amend.

ARTICLE 10 – Assets

        10.1        In the event of dissolution of the Society all of its remaining assets, after payment of liabilities, shall be the property of the American Peony Society.