BY-LAWS

Of the DURHAM REGION

BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

This organization was formed as the "Durham Beekeepers' Association" in September 1997.

Article I - Name

The name of the Association shall be The Durham Region Beekeepers' Association, henceforth referred to as "The Association" or "DRBA".

Article II - Purposes

The purposes of the Association are to assist its members and others interested in beekeeping, to provide an opportunity to meet and discuss beekeeping, to contribute to the improvement of the beekeeping industry, to cooperate with the Provincial Apiarist of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, to disseminate the latest beekeeping information, and to give the members an opportunity to get together to promote the use and sale of bee products and to assist members to educate new members and assist members to educate the public.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. Any person interested in bees is eligible for membership in the Association.

Section 2. Any eligible person requesting membership may become a member upon the approval of the request by the Membership Chair and the payment of the Annual Membership Fee. New members joining after 30 June shall be considered paid-up members for the current year by paying one-half of the annual fees. Returning members pay full fee.

Section 3. Membership fee will include spouse and dependents.

Section 4. A membership card will be issued to each paid-up member. Membership is not transferable.

Article IV - Meetings

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on 1st January and end on 31st December of the same year.

Section 2. The Annual Meeting will be held in October of each year, a Nominating Committee shall be appointed at the August meeting to report at the September meeting. The Directors and Officers for the ensuing year shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and take office 1st January of the following year.

Section 3. The President may call special meetings. The members must receive printed notice (by post, fax, or email) detailing the reason for the meeting at least five days prior to the special meeting.

Section 4. Notice of time and place and agenda of each regular meeting of the Association shall be posted electronically or relayed by telephone at least five days previous to such meeting.

Section 5. The order of business of the Association unless changed by the President, shall be as follows: 
    a. Call to Order  
   b. Introduction of guest(s)
   c. Reading and adopting of the minutes of the last meeting 
   

d. Report from the Treasurer

 
   

e. Report from the Directors

 
   

f. Report from Committees

 
   

g. Unfinished business

 
   

h. New business

 
   

i. Program

 
   

j. Question & Answer

 
   

k. Adjournment

 

Article V - Directors and Officers

Section 1. The Officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Program Committee Chair, and a Membership Officer.

Section 2. The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of the immediate Past President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Committee Chair, and Membership Officer.

Section 3. The Board of Directors must be members in good standing, membership fees paid in full.

Article VI - Duties of Directors Section 1.

The Board of Directors shall direct the business and affairs of the Association and make the rules and regulations for the use of its services by its members, consistent with these by-laws.

Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting shall be read at the next general meeting.

Board of Directors will mention funds spent: the maximum amount shall be approved by vote at a regular meeting of the Association.

Invite other groups to the meetings that are interested in topics for example the Christmas honey sale
donations, horticulture society, and the Multiple Sclerosis groups.

Article VII - Duties of Officers

Section 1. The President shall:

a) Preside over all general meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors meetings.
b) Perform all acts and duties required of an executive and presiding officer
c) Appoint various committees that may be required for the proper functioning of the Association.
d) Appoint two members to the auditing committee. Their duties shall be to review the books of the treasurer and
to make a report at the annual meeting.
e) Call special meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors.
f) Appoint a Nominating Committee at the August meeting to report at the September meeting. The committee
shall consist of three members and the president Their duties are to submit a slate of nominees for officers for the ensuing year at the annual meeting. Consent must be obtained from the nominees proposed for office
before submitting their names. Nominations may also be made from the floor; however, consent must also be obtained from the nominee.
g) Arrange for such other activities as be requested.

Section 2. The Vice-President shall:

a) Perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence or because of his/her disability to service.


Section 3.The Secretary shall:

a) Keep a complete record of all the meetings of the Association.

b)Read the minutes at each meeting and forward a copy to the presi dent.

c) Notify all members of the regular and special meetings.

d) Write letters as directed by the President or the Board of Directors.

e) Maintain a list of names and addresses of guest speakers and ideas for programs.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:

a) Receive and disburse all funds of the Association.

b) Sign as Treasurer with either the President or Vice President all cheques and other obligations of the Association.

c) Keep accurate accounts of all the financial transactions of the Association in books belonging to the Association.

d) Make a full report of all matters and business pertaining to this office to the members at the annual meeting.
He/She shall give a copy of the audited financial statement to the President and the Secretary.

e) Deposit in the Canadian Chartered Bank of his/her choice all monies of the Association in the name of the Association.

f) Report at the annual meeting or as requested expenditures receipts and balance.

Section 5. The Membership Chairperson shall:

a) Notify those who have not paid their dues as directed by the Treasurer.

b) Promote new members and membership retention.

c) Keep a complete list of members and their addresses and make available to members.

d) Turn over to the Treasurer all monies received from the memberships.

e) Issue a membership card to each paid up member.

Section 6. The Program Officer shall:

a) Co-ordinate the programs for the regular meetings.

b) Obtain speakers for the meetings

Article VIII - Non-Profit

The Association shall be carried out on a non-profit basis and all assets, physical or financial, if any, on dissolution shall be forwarded to the Ontario Beekeepers Association to farther studies and research in this field.

Article IX - Restriction on Transactions

Neither the club nor any of its members shall contract or enter into any arrangement to purchase or otherwise acquire any goods or services without the prior consent of the majority of the Directors and Officers of the club. In keeping with Article VI, section 1c, any person contravening this practice shall be solely liable for any obligation so incurred, thus saving the club from all actions, causes of actions, and expenses in connection thereof.

Article X - Amendment of by-laws

The Directors and the Officers of the Durham Region Beekeepers Association may from time to time amend, vary or repeal the same provided that no such by-law repeals; amendment or variations thereof shall take effect unless approved by a vote of two thirds of the membership. Members may cast their vote in person or by proxy. Each member shall be notified at least 21 days in advance of the vote.

Durham Beekeepers' Association By-Laws - draft - March 09