BYLAWS OF THE
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS, LINDHEIMER CHAPTER
Article I – Name
The name of the Society shall be the Native Plant Society of Texas, Lindheimer Chapter.
Article II – Purpose of the Chapter
The purpose of the Lindheimer Chapter shall be to promote conservation, appreciation and utilization of the native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Any person, family, or group who is a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas is eligible for membership in the Lindheimer Chapter.
Section 3. Membership dues are fixed by the State Society and are payable to the State Society on the anniversary of the membership.
Section 2. Each member is entitled to one vote on any question requiring a vote of the general membership. Only members are eligible to hold committee or officer positions.
Article IV – Chapter Officers
The officers of the Lindheimer Chapter shall be the President, President-Elect/Parliamentarian, Secretary, Treasurer, four Directors and the (Immediate) Past President/Nominating Committee Chair. These officers shall be known as the Executive Board and shall be elected for a one-year term. Officers may be re-elected for unlimited consecutive terms in the same office with the exception of the President and the President-Elect who may only serve two consecutive years. These nine (9) officers will constitute the Executive Board with voting responsibilities.
Article V – Chapter Meetings
The Executive Board shall decide the date, time and place of Chapter Meetings and notify the membership of their decision.
Article VI – Duties of Officers
Section 1. President
A. The President shall represent the Chapter to the general public; shall preside at the Chapter Meetings and Board Meetings; with approval of the Executive Board shall appoint all Committee Chairs not otherwise provided for in these Bylaws; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; shall be a voting member of the State Board or shall appoint a voting member for the Chapter; shall approve, with written evidence, all expenditures made by the Treasurer not previously approved by the Executive Board, and shall have supervision of the affairs of the Chapter.
B. The President shall appoint a Financial Review Committee of two or more members approved by the Executive Board to review the financial records and operations for the year.
Section 2. President-Elect/Parliamentarian
A The President-Elect/Parliamentarian shall become President upon expiration of the term of office of the President.
B. The President-Elect/Parliamentarian is expected to advise on meeting procedures during organized meetings. This role is purely advisory. The President- Elect/Parliamentarian shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President.
Section 3. Secretary
The Secretary shall record the proceedings of all Board/Chapter Meetings.
B. The Secretary shall be responsible for necessary correspondence as requested and shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President.
Section 4. Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of receipts and disbursements and render a financial statement to the State Society quarterly, to the Executive Board when it meets, and to the membership at each Chapter Meeting. Special reports shall be prepared as requested by the Executive Board, the President, or the State Society. The Treasurer, in conjunction with the President, shall be co-signers of all bank accounts in the Chapter’s name. All Chapter money shall be kept in these accounts.
B. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe and orderly storage of past and current financial records. Licensing documents and year-end financial statements shall be retained indefinitely; other financial records shall be saved for seven (7) years.
C. The Treasurer shall present an Annual Budget for the upcoming year to the Executive Board for approval in December and shall be ex-officio Chair of the Budget Committee.
D. The Treasurer’s signature as well as the President’s written approval or prior authorization by the Executive Board are required to disperse funds.
E. The Treasurer shall present the annual financial records to the Financial Review Committee for inspection after the end of each year and shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President.
Section 5. Director of Formal Education
The Director of Formal Education shall serve as the facilitator of all education programs sponsored by the state Native Plant Society of Texas.
Section 6. Director of Community Outreach
The Director of Community Outreach shall be responsible for coordinating outreach support of the purpose and mission of the Chapter as outlined in Article II.
Section 7. Director of Communications
The Director of Communications shall oversee all communications, publicity, and publications of the Chapter.
Section 8. Director of Plant Sales
The Director of Plant Sales Activities shall be responsible for the Chapter’s participation in the annual Plant Sales events. This director will request chapter volunteers to help with this important event.
Section 9. Past President
The (Immediate) Past President shall exercise the function of the President during any temporary or permanent absence of the President, and shall assist and advise the Executive Board as appropriate, and shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President.
Section 10. Executive Board
A. The Executive Board shall implement the purposes and policies of the Chapter and the State Society, develop short and long range plans in support of that effort, and approve an annual Chapter Budget for the upcoming year.
B. The Executive Board may create Standing or Special Committees as needed and shall perform other pertinent duties as directed by the President.
and shall approve assignment of Chairs for any of these committees.
C. The Executive Board shall approve any re-assignment of Board Member duties made by the President.
D. The Executive Board shall meet monthly.
E. A quorum shall consist of six members of the Executive Board. No business requiring a decision by the Executive Board may be conducted without a quorum.
F. Any Executive Board member may be removed from office with cause by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board Members then in office, at a regularly scheduled Executive Board Meeting. Written Proxy or telephonic/electronic vote from an absent Board Member will be accepted for this vote as long as a quorum is present at the Meeting.
G. Any resignation of an Executive Board member shall be submitted in writing to the President or Secretary.
H. Any vacancy on the Executive Board, other than the President, shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board as soon as practical.
I. A vacancy of the President shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board as soon as practical and shall be filled in the following order of preference: Immediate Past President, President-Elect, other current Executive Board Member, a Past President of the Chapter.
Article VII – Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Nominations
A. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers at the November Chapter meeting. This slate may contain one or more names for each office.
B. At that same Chapter meeting, the President shall ask for further nominations from the floor, after which the nominations shall be closed.
Section 2. Elections
A. Elections will be held at the November meeting, and shall be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for any office.
B. The elected officers shall take office in January.
Article VIII – Standing and Special Committees
A. Membership/Hospitality Committee
The Membership Committee shall be responsible for providing a sign-in for members and guests, seeing that refreshments are available if appropriate and welcoming all attendees.
B. Program Committee
The Program Committee shall be responsible for engaging speakers and planning special meeting activities as requested/agreed upon by the Executive Board of Directors.
C. N.I.C.E. Committee
The N.I.C.E. (Natives Improve and Conserve Environments) Committee will work with local nurseries in support of our chapter purpose as stated in Section II of these bylaws. Meetings will be held at the discretion of the Executive Board with the concurrence of the N.I.C.E. chairperson.
Section 2. Special Committees
- Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall be chaired by the (Immediate) Past President and be composed of no fewer than three members appointed by the President, with approval of the Executive Board. The Committee shall be responsible for seeking out qualified, willing candidates for the Chapter Officer positions for the upcoming Chapter election. The Committee will present a slate of officers at the November Chapter Meeting.
Financial Review Committee
The Financial Review Committee shall be appointed by the President, with approval of the Executive Board, and shall be composed of at least two qualified individuals who are not current Executive Board Members. The Committee shall provide an inspection of the annual financial records, operations, and reports after the end of the year, and provide a written report of its findings to the Executive Board.
Article IX – Parliamentary Authority
The parliamentary authority for these Bylaws is the latest version of Robert’s Rules of Order as modified for chapter use.
Article X – Amendments to Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at a Chapter Meeting after notice of the proposed changes has been presented to the membership at least thirty days in advance.
Article XI – Compliance with State Bylaws
The Lindheimer Chapter shall work in accord with the Native Plant Society of Texas and comply with the State Society Bylaws.
Article XII – Dissolution of the Chapter
In order to dissolve the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, a resolution should be prepared, such as: “Resolved, that the Lindheimer Chapter be dissolved as of (insert date).” This resolution may be preceded by a preamble setting forth the reasons for the dissolution. It is, in effect, a motion to rescind the Bylaws, and therefore requires the same notice and vote to amend them. The required notice should be sent by mail to all members thirty (30) days before a vote is taken. In the event that the Chapter is dissolved, the Treasurer shall pay all outstanding bills and any other expenses of the Chapter and turn all remaining money over to the Treasurer of the Native Plant Society of Texas. The Chapter Treasurer shall place a receipt for this money in his/her files and place a copy of the receipt in the Secretary’s minutes that shall with all other files be sent to the State Society’s office.
