Wisconsin Gourd Society (WIGS)

Our Chapter shall be known as the Wisconsin Gourd Society, Zeta Chapter of the American Gourd Society, and shall be a not-for-profit organization. Our Chapter may also be referred to as WIGS.

The purpose of the Wisconsin Gourd Society shall be educational in nature. WIGS shall create a community that sows the seeds of understanding and appreciation of gourds and their history, cultural identities, horticulture, utility and role as art medium.

Section 1.Individual/family memberships shall be available to all persons who will support the activities of this Society and pay annual membership dues. All members must have current membership to the American Gourd Society.

Section 2. Membership entitles all adult members (eighteen years of age and older) to vote, hold office, and participate in all Chapter activities.

Section 3. Membership shall be one year and begins upon receipt of membership dues.

Section 4. The fee for individual and family membership shall be the same. Family membership shall include all family members living at one address. Family members included in the membership who are 18 years or older shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 5. All personal membership information shall be regarded as private for the sole use of Wisconsin Gourd Society official business and shall be shared solely with the American Gourd Society for chapter status.

Section 1. Officers shall be: President, Secretary and Treasurer; additional officers may include Vice-President and Membership Secretary.

Section 4. The Officers and Directors shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Fall Meeting.

Section 5. The offices of Secretary and Membership Secretary or President and Treasurer may be combined when circumstances warrant.

Section 1. Two official meetings per year shall be held, one in the spring and a second in the fall, which shall be open to all membership and guests. Meetings shall be held at a place and time most convenient to the membership.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet as often as necessary to carry out chapter business. All members may attend any board meeting.

Section 3. Four members shall constitute a quorum at an Executive Board meeting. Ten percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a membership meeting.

Section 4. An agenda, which shall state the time, place, and major agenda items, shall be made available to all members two weeks prior to each meeting.

Section 5. All membership and Executive Meetings shall be conducted according to the following order of business:

Section 6. Special business meetings may be called by the President, or at the request of five (5) members. The membership shall be notified in advance of the proposed meeting and its agenda.

The WIGS Chapter Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at either of the two official meetings, provided that all members have been notified of the proposed amendment at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The text of the proposed amendment shall be made available to all Executive Board members prior to the thirty-day announcement. Copies of the proposed amendment(s) shall be available at the meetings.

BYLAWS

Article I. Mission Statement

Section 1. The purpose of the Wisconsin Gourd Society shall be educational in nature. WIGS shall create a community that sows the seeds of understanding and appreciation of gourds and their history, cultural identities, horticulture, utility and role as art medium.

Section 2. The WIGS is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article II. Chapter

Section 1. This Chapter shall be comprised of members organized to achieve the goals stated in the Chapter’s Purpose.

Section 2. Membership dues per individual or family membership shall be assessed annually. Annual membership dues shall be 12 (twelve) dollars.

Section 3. Relations between this Chapter and the American Gourd Society shall be governed by standard rules for Chapters as determined by the American Gourd Society Executive Board.

Section 4. In the event that there is a discrepancy between the American Gourd Society Constitution and the WIGS Chapter Constitution, the American Gourd Society Constitution shall prevail.

Section 5. Standing Rules may be adopted from time to time to meet the needs of the WIGS. A Standing Rule shall continue in force until rescinded. Standing Rules may be suspended at any one meeting by a majority vote, provided it pertains to the business of that meeting.

Article III. Officers’ Terms

Section 1. Terms of office are two years. Officers and Directors may run for re-election.

Section 2. Elections shall be held at the Fall Meeting. President, Secretary, and two (2) Directors shall be elected on odd numbered years; Vice-President, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and one (1) Director shall be elected on even numbered years.

Section 3. Newly elected officers shall start their terms January 1^st of the next calendar year.

Section 4. If a vacancy in any office occurs, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. A newly appointed Officer’s/Director’s term begins immediately. All Officers and Directors are expected to attend meetings. Should an Officer or Director be absent from three (3) consecutive meetings, the Executive Board retains the option to review and replace the officer or director in question.

Section 5. If a vacancy in the office of President occurs, the Presidential nominee shall accept nomination and election with the understanding of serving an additional year as ex-officio past president following completion of the presidential term.

Article IV. Officers’ Duties

Section 1. The President shall preside over all Executive Board and general membership meetings. The President shall be the official representative of the WIGS at all meetings or functions that involve or pertain to the WIGS unless a substitute is appointed. The President shall also appoint any committees that are deemed necessary and will be ex-officio member of such committees except the nominating committee.

Section 2. The Vice President shall assist the President and assume all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, and shall continue to do so until the President returns or until the next election.

Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall record meeting minutes, draft meeting agendas, and keep full records of all business for the chapter. The Secretary shall conduct all necessary correspondence and maintain document timelines and event details to in effect act as historian by recording chapter activities. The Secretary shall be responsible for creating and publishing a statewide newsletter on a quarterly basis. All dues-paying members shall receive a newsletter. The Secretary may send complimentary newsletters (e.g., to potential members, vendors, other state chapters). The newsletter shall be known as The Gourderly—Quarterly Newsletter. The Secretary may solicit the help of as many volunteers as needed for preparing the Chapter newsletter for mailing.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive, collect and account for all monies due and belonging to WIGS, including membership fees and the WIGS bank account. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of receipts and disbursements. Bills and receipts from expenditures shall be presented to the Treasurer for payment. Monies shall be directed to a bank convenient to the Treasurer. A printed report of receipts and expenditures shall be presented at both fall and spring meetings. The Executive Board may require the Treasurer to be bonded, paid for by the Society. The Treasurer shall provide budget updates to the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall maintain an up-to-date membership roll in coordination with Membership Secretary. The Treasurer shall be responsible for applying for and maintaining the tax-exempt status with the IRS by providing the necessary paperwork.

Section 5. The Membership Secretary shall maintain the up-to-date master membership role in coordination with the Treasurer and shall provide membership information as required to the American Gourd Society. The Membership Secretary shall notify members before membership expires. Upon receipt of dues, membership cards are to be sent. The Membership Secretary shall provide the membership list to any board members when requested.

Section 6. All officers and committee chairs must promptly surrender to their elected or appointed successors in an expedient manner all records, papers, and other pertinent information along with any properties belonging to the Wisconsin Gourd Society.

Article V. Executive Board

Section l. The Executive Board shall consist of all elected Officers and Directors and shall have the authority to conduct all business of the Wisconsin Gourd Society.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet as often as necessary at the call of President to conduct Society Business.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall establish a budget and oversee all Society expenditures. Fiscal year of the Wisconsin Gourd Society shall be from October 1 through September 30.

Section 4. The Executive Board shall be responsible for developing and recommending long-range goals, plans and projects.

Article VI. Committees

Section l. Committees may include, but shall not be limited to Nominating, Educational, Auditing, Ways and Means, and Publicity.

Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members and shall prepare a slate of nominees to present to the membership. The Nominating Committee shall have personal contact with the nominees before presenting their names to the membership.

Section 4. The Educational Committee shall consist of three (3) members and shall be responsible for overseeing all committees and business regarding educational events and programs. The Educational Committee Chair shall coordinate volunteers to conduct seminars, workshops, demonstrations, etc., to the appropriate public venues.

Section 4. The Auditing Committee shall consist of two (2) members who shall audit the Treasurer’s records every year in January. The Auditing committee shall provide a written statement of approval and/or comments.

Section 5. The Ways and Means Committee shall consist of between three (3) to six (6) members who shall provide plans and activities to supplement the income of the Society. The Committee Chair may appoint additional members where it is deemed necessary to assist in committee plans.

Section 6. The Publicity Committee shall consist of three (3) to six (6) members who shall announce all society functions and promote the objectives of the society through the media, publications, web site development and organizations.

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at either of the two official meetings, provided that all members have been notified of the proposed amendment at least thirty days (30) prior to the meeting. The text of the proposed amendment shall be made available to all Executive Board members prior to the thirty-day announcement. Copies of the proposed amendment(s) shall be available at the meetings.

Article VIII. Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Wisconsin Gourd Society, all debts shall be paid; any residual assets of this Society shall be presented to the American Gourd Society.

ARTICLE IV., Section 3. – “Recording” added in front of “Secretary”

ARTICLE V., Section 3. – Changed to “Four members shall constitute a quorum at an Executive Board meeting. Ten percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a membership meeting.” from “Six members shall constitute a quorum at a membership meeting.”

Bylaws Article V., Section 3. – “January through December” changed to “October 1 through September 30”

CONSTITUTION