ARTICLE I. Name
This Society shall be known as the Georgia Gourd Society, Inc. It is the Pi Chapter of the American Gourd Society, and is a Georgia non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II. Mission and Objectives
The Mission of the Georgia Gourd Society is to promote the horticulture, crafting, and appreciation of hard-shelled gourds (Lagenaria) to its members and the interested public.

This Society is organized and operated exclusively to provide educational opportunities, plan membership activities, and provide public exhibitions of crafted and artistic gourds, in furtherance of the Mission. Funds raised, dues collected, and contributions accepted will be used only for the stated objectives. No funds or assets will inure to the benefit of any individual or entity, other than for charitable or educational purposes.

ARTICLE III. Membership
Section 1. Individual memberships are open to persons of all races and creeds who are interested in and will support activities of this Society, and will pay the membership fees. All members must have current membership in the American Gourd Society.
Section 2. Membership entitles all members to be able to vote, hold office, and participate in all Society activities.
Section 3. Membership begins upon receipt of membership dues and is renewable every January 1st.
Section 4. Individual membership includes all members of the same family living in the same household.

ARTICLE IV. Officers, Directors and Executive Board
Section 1. Officers are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and Editor.
Section 2. Additional offices may be determined by the Executive Board, if approved by membership vote.
Section 3. Six Directors are elected from the Membership.
Section 4. Executive Board includes both officers and Directors.

ARTICLE V. Meetings
Section 1. At least two General Membership Meetings per year will be held, open to all members and interested visitors.
Section 2. The President will convene the Executive Board as often as is necessary to conduct business of this Society. Meetings may be held in person or electronically at the discretion of the President.
Section 3. Twelve members present shall constitute a quorum at a Membership Meeting. A majority present of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum at a Board Meeting.
Section 4. If Membership vote is required on an important issue between Membership meetings, the Executive Board is authorized to conduct the vote via mailed and/or electronic ballots, providing appropriate notification is provided for and all membership rights are protected.
Section 5. Notification for meetings and/or other business may be by any or all media– publication, website, email, postal, or phone.

ARTICLE VI. Amendments
The Georgia Gourd Society ByLaws may be amended by two-thirds majority vote of members present at a Membership Meeting with the provision that all members have been notified of the proposed amendments thirty days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VII. Dues
The amount of membership dues shall be proposed by the Executive Board and approved by a majority vote of the Membership at a Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. Officers’ and Directors’ Terms
Section 1. The tenure for Officers/Directors is two years. Newly elected Officers/Directors will begin their terms immediately after the election.
Section 2. President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Directors are elected on odd-numbered years at the fall or winter Membership Meeting; Vice-President, Membership Secretary, Editor, and three Directors are elected on even-numbered years at the fall or winter Membership Meeting.
Section 3. If a vacancy in any office except Presidency occurs, the President shall nominate and the Executive Board shall approve a member to fill the unexpired term of office. The newly appointed officer’s/Director’s term shall begin immediately.

ARTICLE IX. Officers and Duties
Section 1. The President presides over all meetings of the Executive Board and the General Membership, and must have complete knowledge of all business and workings of the Society. The President is an ex officio member of all Committees.
Section 2. The Vice President assists President as needed and assumes all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, the Vice President continues to do so until the President’s return, or until the next President takes office.
Section 3. The Secretary is the Recording Officer, Historian, and keeper of its records. The Secretary shall record Minutes of all meetings and votes, and shall coordinate the publishing of the Minutes.  He/she shall conduct necessary Society correspondence. As Historian, he/she shall maintain a scrapbook of pictures, clippings, etc. that relate Society activities and accomplishments.
Section 4. The Treasurer receives all money belonging to the Society and keeps accurate records of receipts and disbursements. Bills and expenditures must be presented to the Treasurer for payment. Monies must be directed to a bank convenient to the Treasurer. A written report of receipts and expenditures shall be presented at all Executive Board and General Membership Meetings. Upon the  Executive Board vote, Society may require the Treasurer to be bonded, paid for by the Society.
Section 5. The Membership Secretary maintains an up-to-date membership roll and notifies members (individually or via official media) before expiration of their annual membership. Upon receipt of dues, he/she sends membership cards or other official credentials. The Membership Secretary provides membership lists to Society members as appropriate for official Society business.
Section 6. The Editor publishes the official newsletter of the Georgia Gourd Society.
Section 7. The Directors participate in all Executive Board meetings and assume additional duties as requested by the President. At Board meetings, the Directors serve as members-at-large, representing the interests of members from diverse geographic areas of Georgia.

ARTICLE X. Executive Board
Section l. The Executive Board of this Society shall consist of all elected officers and Directors. The Executive Board has the authority to conduct any business of the Society.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall establish the budget and oversee all Society expenditures. The Executive Board shall present a budget to the Membership annually for their approval.
Section 3. All elected officers/Directors shall attend Executive Board meetings and present reports when appropriate.

ARTICLE XI. Committees
Section l. Committees may include, but are not limited to, Nominating, Auditing, Event, Publicity, and Budget.
Section 2. Additional committees may be recommended by the President and approved by the Board. All committee chairpersons must be approved by the Board.
Section 3. The Nominating Committee, consisting of 2 or more members, shall annually prepare a slate of recommended nominees for election or re-election. The chairperson will select all committee members necessary for performance of duties.  The committee members must agree upon qualified candidates, have personal contact with each nominee, and advise them of their job responsibilities. Nominees must be ready, willing, and able to hold the position for which they are nominated. The slate must be announced to the Membership 30 days prior to the election date.
Section 4. The Auditing Committee consists of 2 members. They will audit the Treasurer’s records before a change in Treasurer, six months after a new Treasurer takes office, and at other times to ensure that an audit takes place at least once in a calendar year. The Committee may select to ask a qualified auditor to review the books and make recommendations. The Committee submits findings in a report to the Board.
Section 5. Event Committees organize a show or other event sponsored by the society. Chairperson will select all committee members necessary for performance of duties. The Show or Event Committee shall plan activities in support of the society’s non-profit mission, adhering to a budget, and keeping the President informed of all plans.
Section 6. The Publicity Committee shall organize announcements of all Society activities and shall promote objectives of the Society through various publications, and media. The Publicity Committee chairperson shall select all committee members necessary to performance of duties.
Section 7. The Budget Committee, consisting of 2 or more members, shall recommend a proposed budget to the Executive Board for approval, to be submitted at a General Membership Meeting for majority vote.

ARTICLE XII. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the Georgia Gourd Society, all debts must be paid, and any remaining assets of this Society shall be presented to the American Gourd Society.

STANDING RULES:
1. All Membership and Executive Meetings will be conducted according to the Order of Business and Robert’s Rules of Order.
2. Standing Rules will be enforced until suspended which can be done at any one meeting by majority vote, providing that it pertains to business at hand.
3. Fiscal year of the Georgia Gourd Society will be from January 1 through December 31 of each year.
4. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
 a. Call to order
 b. Secretary, Approval of Minutes
 c. Treasurer’s report
 d. Membership report
 e. President’s report
 f. Committee reports
 g. Unfinished business (from last meeting)
 h. New business, Motions
 i. Appointments and reminders
 j. Adjournment