Constitution & Bylaws

THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF

THE CRYSTAL COAST BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION (CCBA)

CHAPTER OF

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (NCSBA)

ARTICLE  1

(Name)

SECTION 1:  NAME:  The name of this organization shall be The Crystal Coast Beekeepers Association (CCBA) Chapter of the NCSBA, Inc.

ARTICLE  2

(Objectives)

SECTION 2:  OBJECTIVES:  The objectives of this non-profit organization shall be:

            a.  Education:  Teach and encourage better methods among the beekeepers of the Crystal Coast/Carteret County area, to promote cooperation and sharing, to reach a common understanding regarding our problems and their solution, to maintain friendly and helpful relations with the NCSBA.

            b.  Charity:  Do such things as will tend to improve conditions relating to honey bees and the beekeeping industry.

            c.  Promotion:  Encourage beekeeping as a hobby and or/business enterprise.

            d.  Cooperation  Purchase supplies and equipment jointly among chapter members when advantageous to do so.

            e.  Should this Chapter undergo dissolution, its assets will be distributed to the NCSBA.

ARTICLE  3

(MEMBERS)

SECTION 1:  MEMBERS:  Anyone interested in beekeeping and the beekeeping industry may join the Chapter upon payment of the annual dues.  This organization is open to anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. The right to vote shall be limited to members in good standing.

SECTION 2:  BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR:  Nominations for Beekeeper of the Year will be submitted in writing from the membership present at the regular October meeting.  Selection for Beekeeper of the Year will be voted on by the membership at the regular November meeting.  Only members in good standing will be eligible for this award.

ARTICLE  4

(OFFICERS)

SECTION 1:  OFFICERS:  The officers of the Chapter shall initially be:  President, Vice-President/Program Director, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Directors (1, 2 and 3-year directors [a new three year director being elected each year]).  All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the November meeting and hold office from January through December of the next year, or until their successors are elected or appointed.  In the case of a vacancy, the President may appoint a member to serve during the remainder of the term.  No person shall be elected for any office without his or her consent.

ARTICLE  5

(Dues: Local, State and Life Memberships)

SECTION 1:  DUES:  The annual dues for the regular members shall be the sum of the NCSBA dues (currently $15) plus the annual dues of the Crystal Coast Beekeepers Association (currently $10), payable in advance to the treasurer of the Chapter and shall be due on January 1 of the fiscal year covered by said dues.  All dues expire on December 31 of each year.  Any member of the Chapter who becomes delinquent in payment of dues after December 31 will be dropped from the roll of membership after the State annual spring meeting and shall cease to be a dues-paid member of the NCSBA and the local Chapter.  A person who has been dropped from the roll of membership for nonpayment of dues may be restored to active membership by paying current year dues. 

ARTICLE  6

(Meetings)

SECTION 1:  MEETINGS:  There shall be regular meetings held on the second Monday of each month.  Notice of each meeting shall be advertised.  The time and place for each meeting shall be decided on by a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting.  If this is not possible, the Chapter may direct the Program Chairman to make the necessary arrangement for said meeting.

SECTION 2:  BOARD MEETINGS:  Each year, immediately following the regular November meeting, the current officers will meet with the elected future officers to transfer all documents, turnover folders, and other items pertaining to their duties.  Other Executive Board meetings will be at the discretion of the President.

 ARTICLE  7

(Committees)

SECTION 1:  COMMITTEES:  The Executive Committee shall consist of all the elected officers of the Chapter, namely:  President, Vice-President/Program Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors and the immediate Past President who shall be an ex-officio member.  The Executive Committee shall have authority to transact business on behalf of the Chapter when it is not in session.

SECTION 2:  The Auditing Committee shall consist of the three Directors, and its duty will be to examine and audit the books of the Treasurer and make recommendations on their findings at their regular January meeting.  At a minimum, there will be one audit conducted each year, between October 1^st and November 1^st, with the results presented to the membership at the following January meeting.

SECTION 3:  The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members (the Chairman appointed by the President), whose duty will be to nominate and present a slate of officers for the November meeting.  The nominating committee will be selected by a majority vote of members present at the August meeting.  Candidates for office will be presented to the membership at the regular October meeting.  Other names may be submitted from the membership at large at the time of the election.

SECTION 4:  SPECIAL COMMITTEES:  Such committees shall be appointed by the President consisting of a minimum of three members whose duty will be to serve as directed by the President.

ARTICLE  8

(QUORUM) 

SECTION 1:  QUORUM:  Those members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular meeting.  Two-thirds of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 9

(DUTIES OF OFFICERS)

SECTION 1:  PRESIDENT:  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter using regular parliamentary usage and Robert's Rules of Order.  This officer shall appoint such special committees as is deemed necessary, fill vacancies on any office, and perform such other duties as the Chapter may direct.  The President will be authorized to make deposits and disburse all monies, should the Treasurer be unable to perform those duties.

SECTION 2:  VICE-PRESIDENT/PROGRAM CHAIRMAN:  It shall be the duty of the Vice President/Program Chairman to perform those duties of the President in his or her absence, or upon the President's request and assist in making the necessary arrangement for programs and secure speakers for same.  When directed by the Chapter, he/she will secure a meeting place and make necessary arrangements for the regular meetings.  If the Vice President/Program Chairman is unable to perform these duties, then the Vice President/Program Chairman may appoint any member to act in his or her stead.

SECTION 3:  SECRETARY:  The Secretary shall:

            a.  record the minutes and the proceedings of the Chapter at each regular and/or called meetings   and any special group activities.

            b.  assist the President and others in notifying the membership five to eight days prior to   meetings.

            c.  use the media to inform the general public in a timely manner of meetings, also activities of      special interest.

            d.  maintain complete files of minutes, Constitution and By-Laws and rules of policy.

            e.  protect and serve the Chapter charter granted by the NCSBA.

            f.  maintain files of all communications including both correspondence and publications.

            g.  in cooperation with the President, arrange for a substitute if it becomes necessary to be             absent from the duties of Secretary.

SECTION 4:  TREASURER:  The Treasurer shall:

            a.  collect and receive all monies generated from membership dues, sales of goods, gifts,   special activities, or from any other source.  Such monies shall be fully protected in a proper and timely method.  Disbursements will be promptly made to cover membership dues to the NCSBA Treasurer including the necessary information as to new or renewal memberships.  The     Treasurer will also make prompt remittance to cover authorized invoices.  (Authorization for       expenditures result from the Chapter approved Budget or from special vote of the Executive             Committee and/or a Chapter meeting.)

            b.  maintain full and accurate records showing the receipts and disbursements of all monies.          c.  issue local membership cards (if used) and maintain an accurate membership list.

            d.  notify all members after December 31 who are delinquent in payment of dues and seek to        restore their membership.

            e.  promptly inform the NCSBA Treasurer when death occurs or changes occur in mailing             address and telephone numbers of the membership.

            f.  The books shall be closed prior to each January meeting and complete report on the financial    standings given to the Chapter at that time.

            g.  As a Chapter of the NCSBA which has a 501-C3 status, filing information returns with the     Internal Revenue Service may not be needed.

            h. maintain a complete inventory of the Chapter’s properties, location, and estimated value.          This inventory will be verified and updated each year at the time the financial books are closed            for the fiscal year and a complete report given to the Chapter at its regular January meeting.

            i.  serve as custodian of the Chapter’s properties, preserving all receipts, titles, and other    documents as proof of ownership.

            j.  The books and records are subject to unannounced audits by the Audit Committee.

            k. deliver all books and documents to the successor at the end of term of office, having them        audited at this time. 

            l.  at the end of the term of office deliver all files, records, and Chapter property to the      successor.       

ARTICLE  10

(Honey Queen)

SECTION 1:  HONEY QUEENS:  If desired, the Crystal Coast Beekeepers Association Chapter of the NCSBA, may sponsor and select a girl from their area to compete with other girls in the state of North Carolina to serve as Honey Queen for one year.  Basis of support, rules and regulations, honey queen committee, and the continuation of the contest and program may be decided upon a vote of the members attending a regular meeting.  These rules and regulations will fall within NCSBA guidelines.

ARTICLE  11

(Amendments)

SECTION 1:  AMENDMENTS:  Any article or any section of any article of this Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members present, providing proposed amendments have been presented to the Executive Committee for their recommendation, and have been presented in writing to the entire membership at least 30 days before any regular meeting.

 ARTICLE 12

 (REPEALING CLAUSE)

SECTION 1:  REPEALING CLAUSE:  Upon acceptance by vote of the Chapter this Constitution and By-Laws supersedes all previous Constitution and By-Laws.

SECTION 2:  ADOPTION:  This Constitution and By-Laws was read and adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members present at the regular meeting held on June 12, 2006 at the C-MAST Building of the Carteret County Cooperative Extension, 303 College Circle, Morehead City.

SECTION 3:  ADOPTION:  Amendment to Article 9 of the Constitution and By-Laws was read and adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members present at the regular meeting held on November 13, 2007, at the C-MAST Building of the Carteret County Cooperative Extension, 303 College Circle, Morehead City. 

SECTION 4:  ADOPTION:  Amendments to Article 3 (addition of Section 2), Article 6 (addition of Section 2), and Article 7 (Section 2 and Section 3) of the Constitution and By-Laws was read and adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members present at the regular meeting held on May 14, 2012, at the Morehead City Community Parks and Recreation Building, 16^th Street, Morehead City.

___________________________                                         _    _______________________________

President                                                                                 Secretary/Treasurer