PORTLAND ORCHID SOCIETY
BYLAWS
June 2007
ARTICLE I - NAME
This Society shall be called the Portland Orchid Society,
Inc., herein called the "Society".
ARTICLE II - OBJECT
The Portland Orchid Society shall be a non-profit
association for the preservation and education by the
extension of knowledge concerning the ecology,
conservation, preservation, science, cultivation,
hybridization, appreciation and uses of orchids, and to
carry on such activities as may be necessary or desirable
to effectuate such purposes.
The Society shall at all times be operated for the purposes
stated above, or any other like or similar charitable
purpose within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. No part of the net income of
the Society may under any circumstances inure to the
benefit of any private individual. No substantial part of
the activities of the Society shall be the carrying on of
propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation, and the Society shall not participate in or
intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaign on behalf of any
candidate for public office.
The Society shall not participate in any transaction
resulting in a diversion of its income or assets to any
officer, director, member, employee or contributor, other
than the payment of reasonable compensation for personal
services or supplies and service approved by the Board
actually rendered to the Society. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this certificate, the Society shall not carry
on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by
an organization exempt from federal tax under section
501(c)(3), contributions to which are deductible under
section 170(c)(2), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or
the corresponding provision of any future United States
Revenue Law.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to all persons who are interested
in furthering the purposes of the Society. Each member
shall agree to abide by the Bylaws of the Society.
Membership classes, privileges, and restrictions may, from
time to time, be established by the current membership.
Membership is activated upon payment of dues for the
current fiscal year of the Society unless the person
seeking membership has been previously expelled and the
stipulation in item 4 below has not been met. A member
consists of any person who is over the age of 15. Only
members over the age of 18 can vote.
All members are urged but not required to join the AMERICAN
ORCHID SOCIETY.
There shall be two classes of membership.
The annual dues shall be in such amount as shall be
determined by the membership. Annual renewal of membership
corresponds to the Society's fiscal year
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP: Shall be open to those who are
interested in orchids. This membership may be either
individual or family. In the case of family, there shall be
one vote for each family unit of two. Any member in good
standing may submit the names of proposed members to the
Membership Committee
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: May be conferred upon any person who,
in the opinion of the Board, shall have merited such honor
by reason of unusual service in the interest of Orchids.
Such membership shall have the right to vote and hold
office. Honorary members shall be exempt from the payment
of dues. Such persons shall be admitted to this class of
membership by the unanimous vote of the Board, or the
majority vote of the Society.
RESIGNATION OR EXPULSION OF MEMBERS: Members shall have the
right to resign from the Society or from an office of the
Society at any time. Members are expected to refrain from
conduct injurious to the Society or its purposes. A
membership may be terminated by a majority vote of the
Board of Directors present at any Regular, Annual or Board
meeting if that member has engaged in conduct tending to
injure the good name of the Portland Orchid Society,
disturb the well being of the Society or hamper the Society
in its purpose or work. Expulsion is permanent unless
rescinded by a majority of all Board Members.
ACTION ON BEHALF OF SOCIETY: No member may perform any act
in the name of the Society without prior consent.
ARTICLE IV DUES
The fiscal year shall begin on July first and end on June
thirtieth. Annual dues will be set by the Board and will be
for both regular memberships and Family
Memberships for members sharing the same address. Any
regular member who shall be in default of his annual dues
for three months shall cease to be a member in good
standing.
a. Dues of the Society shall be $15.00 per year for an
Individual Membership and $20.00 per year for a Family
Membership. Said Memberships shall be valid from July 1st
to June30th. Dues for new members joining after December
1st are $7.50 per Individual & $10.00 per Family and
are not prorated. Each new member will be provided with a
Society Membership Directory and may purchase a Membership
Badge from the Membership Chair.
b. Dues shall not be refundable upon resignation or
expulsion.
ARTICLE V- LIABILITY AND PROPERTY
This society shall not be liable or responsible for the
destruction, loss or damage of the property of any person
or for personal injuries received whether due to the
negligence of the Society, its members or representatives,
or not. Property of the Society injured, damaged or removed
by the act or neglect of any member shall be paid for by
such member
ARTICLE VI - GOVERNMENT AND MANAGEMENT
The control and management of the affairs, funds and
properties of the Society shall be vested in the Board of
Directors consisting of the President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer and Three Directors. The President
&Vice President shall serve a term of one year. The
term of office of Secretary, Treasurer and the Board of
Directors at shall be two years. One Director will be
elected in even years and Two Directors will be elected in
odd years.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR DUTIES
1. The BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors (Board)
shall manage and conduct the routine business of the
Society and recommend policy changes as deemed necessary.
Changes in policy must receive Membership approval by a
majority vote. The Board transacts all such business as may
be necessary between regular meetings of the Society. The
Board should regularly review the operations of the Society
and receive reports from all officers and appointees to
assure that the Society is functioning properly.
a. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President,
Vice President, Secretary Recording/Corresponding,
Treasurer and four Directors at large.
b. The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected
at the annual meeting and shall hold office for two
calendar years, or until their successors are elected. Each
officer shall perform the duties usually attached to
his/her respective office.
c. Any vacancy among the officers or directors shall be
filled for the unexpired term by two-thirds vote of the
remaining members of the Board.
d. The Board shall biannually appoint members to the
following positions: newsletter editor, conservation
committee chair, librarian, membership secretary,
newsletter editor(s), publicity chair, show committee
chair, show committee, program chair, AOS representative.
Other positions may be created as deemed necessary by the
Board.
e. In the event of repeated failure to perform to the
satisfaction of the Board the minimum duties of the office,
the officer or any of the appointees shall be warned that
his/her performance is unsatisfactory. If, after 60 days,
his/her performance is still deemed unsatisfactory by the
remaining Board, the officer or appointee shall be deemed
vacated by a majority vote of the remaining members of the
Board of Directors. Failure to perform shall be defined, as
anything, which the majority of the board decides, is
failure to discharge duties or to act in an appropriate and
timely manner.
f. The Board of Directors shall cause to be created and
periodically updated a Society Handbook which will contain
a record/guidance about the critical functions of the
Society such as non-profit status, insurance, and detailed
duties for officers, committees and all appointed
positions.
g. Upon transfer of the office of treasurer, and at any
time the Board deems necessary, the Board of Directors
shall audit the treasury. At the same time, the Board shall
review the status of the Society.
h. The resignation of any officer or Director shall be
tendered to the Board and may be acted on at any regular or
special meeting of the Board.
i. The Board will be in charge of selecting speakers,
inviting them to present their programs and entertaining
them before the meetings as guests for the Society. The
board will make sure that any equipment needed for the
presentation (such as a projector, screen, table, etc.) is
available for the use of the speaker.
2. The PRESIDENT shall be administrative officer of the
Society and shall supervise the business and affairs of the
Society. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
Board and of the Society and shall, subject to the approval
of the Board, enforce all Bylaws, rules and directives of
the Society. The President shall be a member ex-officio of
all committees except the auditing, Nominating and
elections committees. The President shall by and with the
approval of the Board make and execute all contracts for
and on behalf of the Society. The President shall keep the
Board fully informed and frequently consult it concerning
the business and activities of the Society.
3. The VICE PRESIDENT shall perform the Presidents duties
in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall
act as chairman of the Program Committee and shall also
perform such duties as may be delegated to this office by
the President.
4. The CORRESPONDING/RECORDING SECRETARY shall be
responsible for all writings and correspondence that are
authorized by the Board or the President and shall have
custody of the bylaws. The Secretary shall take the minutes
at the monthly meetings. These minutes will then be
forwarded to the Newsletter Editor within seven days after
the meeting. The Secretary will also take minutes at all
Board meetings and forward them to the President.
5. The TREASURER shall
a. Conduct all banking arrangements of the Society,
including the establishment of checking and savings
accounts.
b. Receive all monies belonging to the Society, including
those collected by the Membership Secretary or any
Committee, and deposit said monies within one business day
of their receipt. During fundraisers money is to be counted
by Treasurer and one other authorized person and deposited
a minimum of one time daily for the duration of the
fundraiser.
c. Pay all authorized obligations of the Society promptly
by a check.
d. Submit a written statement of bank accounts, credits,
and expenditures to the Board of Directors at all regular
Board Meetings. Proper vouchers shall be produced if so
requested by any Board Member.
e. Have all books and accounts open to inspection by any
Society Member or Auditor, at any reasonable time. An audit
committee selected by the Board of Directors shall audit
the Treasurer's accounts for the preceding fiscal year. A
report of the results shall be prepared and copies made
available to any member upon request.
f. Be custodian of an inventory list of all Society-owned
property. Inventory of all Society property shall be taken
each April.
g. Furnish, if so desired by the Board of Directors, a
Position Bond paid for by the Society.
h. Prepare the annual budget report and file all necessary
state and federal tax forms within allowable filing periods
6.The NEWSLETTER EDITOR shall collect all information
including minutes, articles of interest, meeting notices
and other pertinent data for the newsletter. The Editor
shall organize, collate and edit this information for each
month's newsletter and shall post it to the societies
website and email the membership of its availability. The
editor will also make sure that hardcopies of the
newsletter are on hand at the monthly meeting for those not
having access to the website.
7. The MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON shall be responsible for
collecting dues and forwarding them to the treasurer,
registering and announcing new members, and keeping a
record of the names and addresses of the Society's members.
New Member names and addresses shall be published in the
monthly newsletter for addition to existing rosters. The
Membership Chairperson shall publish this membership list
once a year and have updated information available to
members as requested.
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the society shall be held monthly on
the fourth Tuesday of each month unless the meeting date is
changed by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the
society may be called by the President or by any two
members of the board. All meetings and changes will be
posted on the societies website.
Annual Meeting shall be held in June, at which time the
annual reports of the Officers and Committees shall be
given and the Election of Officers and shall take place.
Any meeting of the Society may, for lack of a majority of
the total Membership, or for other cause, be adjourned.
This adjournment may cancel the meeting entirely, or may
move the meeting to a definite location and time, not to be
more than thirty days thereafter.
Board of Directors Meeting shall be held at least every
thirty days. The location and time of such meetings shall
be specified by a majority vote of the Board. Special
meetings may be called at the order of the president or at
the request of two members of the board. Unless otherwise
specified in these bylaws, the affirmative vote of the
majority of the members of the Board present shall be
required for the adoption of any resolution or motion. Five
members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
At the February Meeting of the Society, the Board shall
appoint a nominating Committee consisting of three regular
members, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the
Board. This Committee shall be responsible for the
nomination of one qualified member for each office and
trusteeship. The slate shall be presented to the Society
members at the April meeting. In addition to this slate, a
regular member duly seconded by another regular member may
make additional nominations fro the floor at the May
meeting. All members must have signified their willingness
to serve before their names are presented. No member shall
serve on any Committee for more than two consecutive years.
1. It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to
nominate a minimum of one qualified Society Member in good
standing to each of the following offices: President,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
2. They shall also nominate a minimum of one qualified
Society Member in good standing per vacancy on the Board of
Directors.
3. The Committee shall report these nominations at the
Regular March Meeting, with no floor nominations allowed at
this time. These nominations shall then be published in the
Society's newsletter, which shall be distributed to the
membership before the regular April Meeting. The
nominations shall then be read again at the regular April
Meeting, at which time nominations from the floor will be
accepted. The floor-nominated member in good standing must
be present to give consent, or must have supplied written
consent.
4. The list of nominees selected by the Nominating
Committee shall be posted on the societies website at least
ten days before the May meeting and the list of all
nominees shall be posted on the societies website ten days
prior to the annual meeting.
5. Elections shall be held by verbal vote, in the event of
a contest the president shall appoint an Election Committee
of three regular members, which shall collect and tabulate
written ballots. The nominees receiving the highest number
of votes for Officer or Director shall be declared elected.
In the event of no contest, the chair may entertain a
motion to instruct the Secretary to cast one ballot and the
chair will announce the elected officers and Directors.
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES
There shall be at least the following Committees, the
members of which are appointed annually after each Annual
Meeting by the President and with the approval of the
Board. The chairmen of these Committees may be invited by
the Board of Directors to attend meetings of the Board as
non-voting members.
The AUDITING COMMITTEE composed of at least two regular
members, who are not Board Members, shall audit the
accounts of the Society at the end of the Fiscal Year and
shall report to the new Board of Directors at their first
meeting. At the request of the Board of Directors a formal
review of the books may be requested. An independent
auditor certified to perform such review would be retained.
The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE, composed of a chairman and one or
more of the regular members of the Society, shall take
appropriate steps to stimulate interest in Society
memberships, receive membership applications and dues,
distribute membership information and introduce new members
and guests to the Society.
The HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE shall be composed of a chairman
and at least one other member, who will be responsible for
the details necessary or desirable for all. This committee
is responsible for arrangements at meetings of the Society
pertinent to arranging meals, menus and decorations, and
will, with the approval of the board, select and make
arrangements for the place for all meetings of the Society.
ARTICLE XI- RULES OF PROCEDURE
All meetings of the Society, of the Board of Directors, and
of the committees shall be according to Roberts Rule of
Order, so far as applicable and when not inconsistent with
these bylaws.
ARTICLE XII- INTERPRETATION OF BYLAWS
(Except as applicable to Elections) shall be decided by the
Board of Directors. The Elections Committee shall decide
questions of interpretation of these bylaws applicable to
elections.
ARTICLE XIII - INDEMNIFICATION PROVISION
Each person who acts as a Director or Officer of the
Society shall be indemnified by the Society against
expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him/her in
connection with the defense of any action, suit, or
proceeding to which he/she is made a party by reason of
his/her being or having been a Director or Office of the
Society, except in relations to matters as to which he/she
shall be individually adjudged to be liable for gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of
his/her duties. The right of indemnification provided
herein shall insure to each Director and Officer at the
time such costs or expenses are imposed or incurred, and in
the event of his death, shall extend to his/her legal
representative.
ARTICLE XIV- AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting, duly
constituted, of the members by an affirmative vote of two
thirds of the members voting. No amendment shall be adopted
unless the substance and effect of the proposed amendments
shall have been stated in the call for the meeting. The
Amendment(s) shall be published in the next Society
newsletter along with "Notice of the Intent to Vote" upon
the Amendment(s) at the following regular Meeting of the
Society. At the next regular Meeting of the Society
following publication, written balloting shall be carried
out as in accordance with the voting bylaws. If the
amendment carries, Secretary shall be instructed to submit
the amended Articles of Incorporation to the proper Oregon
State agency for approval. If the amendment causes the
Articles to become inconsistent with the Bylaws, the Bylaws
shall be amended to reflect the new Articles. Copies of the
Articles of Incorporation shall be made available to any
Society Member upon request.
ARTICLE XV - DISSOLUTION OF ASSETS
Upon dissolution of the Portland Orchid Society assets
shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within
the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Tax code and shall be distributed to the American Orchid
Society, Inc. 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, Florida
33446-4351; or at its current address.