By Laws

BYLAWS

NEW ENGLAND GARDEN CLUBS, INC.

 ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be New England Garden Clubs, Inc., hereinafter referred to as NEGC.

The NEGC Logo is depicted as a three quarter floral wreath surrounding the map of the six (6) New England states comprising Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

 ARTICLE II – OBJECT

NEGC has been organized exclusively for charitable, educational and/or scientific purposes, including the making of distributions and Scholarships to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the objects set forth in the purpose clause hereof.  No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or otherwise intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on,

      1. by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

       2. by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE

NEGC shall not permit in their conduct of club affairs any restriction or limitation whatsoever based upon race, color, creed, gender, age and national origin or employment status.

ARTICLE IV – NEW ENGLAND GARDEN CLUBS, INC. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Officers – NEGC Executive Committee shall comprise a Director, Alternate Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Immediate Former Director and the presiding State President from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

  1. The business of the organization shall be managed by the Director and/or the Executive Committee.
  2. The Executive Committee decides regional matters, procedure and activity by a majority vote of Executive Committee members, provided at least seven (7) Executive Committee members are present and voting.
  3. The Executive Committee shall be elected for a two year term in the odd numbered year.
  4. No elected officer shall serve more than one term (2 years) in the same office except that of the Treasurer and Parliamentarian.
  5. If special circumstances are warranted and deemed necessary by the incoming Director, an Officer of the Executive Committee may remain in the elected position for more than the stated two year term in annual increments, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

 Eligibility

To be eligible for nomination as Region Director and/or Alternate Region Director, the nominee shall have an endorsement letter signed by the nominee’s presiding state president.

  1. If the State Garden Club does not have a nominee who has served a minimum of two (2) years as President of a State Garden Club and is willing to serve, the presiding President will become eligible for the nomination.
  2. The Director-elect shall be presented at the Region Convention in the even–numbered year.
  3. The Director-elect shall be installed in the odd-number year and assume office for a two (2) year term.
  4. The Alternate Director shall assume the duty of office for a two (2) year term in tandem to the official installation of the Director.

 Standing Committees
NEGC Board shall comprise the following Standing Committees:

  1. Nominating Committee
  2. Symposium Committee
  3. Awards Committee
  4. Finance Committee (Chair Treasurer)
  5. Meetings Committee
  6. Bylaws Committee (Chair Parliamentarian)
  7. Unified Project Committee
  8. Scholarship Committee
  1. No Chairman, Co- or Vice Chairman shall receive remuneration for services rendered in connection with the chairmanship in which they serve.
  2. Special/Ad Hoc committees may be appointed by the NEGC Director as needed.

 ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Business meetings shall be held by a Call of the Director.

  1. The Meeting Call includes the NEGC Annual Meeting held in the fall by State Rotation, and at the site of the NEGC Annual Convention.
  2. The Annual Meeting is for the purpose of presenting annual reports, election of officers held in the fall at the NEGC Annual Meeting, payment of dues, Awards, and the transaction of any other business that may come before the general membership.
  3. The Annual Meeting shall be held on a date and at a place to be determined by General Consent of the membership upon the recommendation of NEGC Board of Directors.

A Quorum will be a majority of the membership present and voting at NEGC Annual Meetings.

ARTICLE VI – DUES

The annual dues of the NEGC organization shall be $125 per year for the states under 1,500 members, and $150 per year for the states having 1,500 members or more.

ARTICLE VII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 

  1. The current edition of ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED shall govern all proceedings of NEGC to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
  2. The Director may appoint a Parliamentarian with the approval of the Executive Committee. The Parliamentarian may advise at the Executive Committee, Board of Directors meetings, and at all other meetings of NEGC.
  3. Revision of the Bylaws shall be required every five years in compliance with the requirements of 501(c)(3).

 ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

At any regular meeting, these bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present and voting, provided notice of such amendment(s) are transmitted by email or written notification to the membership at least 30 days prior to the meeting for consideration and adoption.

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section  501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated for such purposes.

 ADOPTED:  October 31, 2017

 Selection of Regional Director and Alternate

 ME…..MA…..NH…..CT…..RI…..VT

Selection of National Nominating Committee and Alternate

CT…..NH…..MA…..RI…..ME…..VT

Hostess State for the Annual Meeting

ME…..RI…..MA…..NH…..CT…..VT

Hostess State for the Regional Flower Show Symposium

 CT…..NH…..ME…..MA…..RI…..VT

 Committee of 2 Presidents to approve the Annual Business Meeting Minutes

CT…..VT…..NH…..ME…..MA…..RI

Beginning 2011 New Rotation and Regional Flower Show Symposium

In the event that a State Garden Club is unable to accept its turn in any rotation, it passes to the next State Garden Club in that rotation until a State Garden Club is reached that can accept the opportunity.  A passing State Garden Club is entitled to another opportunity at its next turn in rotation.  A State Garden Club providing the Alternate for Regional Director or for Nominating Committee Member in place of the State Garden Club whose regular turn it was, does not lose its turn to select the Director or Nominating Committee Member if the Alternate is not called upon to serve.  Any exception to the above rotation must be approved by vote of the Executive Committee.  Requests must be made in writing to the New England Regional Director prior to the deadline as determined by the NGC Nominating Committee

POLICY FOR NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM CHAIRMAN 

1.     Everyone taking the course for credit is required to pay full course with NGC examination fee.

2.     Everyone auditing the course to extend their good standing is required to pay the full course fee with NGC fee.

3.     Hotel expenses (one double room only) for Chairman and Registrar to be paid from the Symposium funds.  The following committee members are not required to pay course fee and lunch: Chairman: Registrar: Horticulture Chairman (1 day): and Design Chairman (1 day).  Those in #1 and #2 above must pay full course fee.

4.     Single day tickets (including lunch) are to be given to Master Panel Judges to hear NGC Instructor’s presentation of subject material prior to judging.

5.     Single tickets (including lunch) are to be given to exhibitors, unless they are Judges in #1 or #2 above.  A MAXIMUM OF $25.00 will be given to such design exhibitors to help defray the costs of plant material (bills must be submitted).

6.     All courtesies (hotel room, meals, etc.) as incurred are to be extended to the NGC President.

7.     Courtesies extended to the NER Director and hostess State Garden Club President shall include dinner the night before the first day of Symposium, room for that night, breakfast and lunch on the first day.

8.     The NER Symposium Funds are to be placed in a separate account by the NER Treasurer.

9.     The Chairman (or committee member designed by her) shall submit a detailed, audited financial report within two (2) months to the NER Director and the NER Treasurer with copies to each State Garden Club President, State Garden Club Flower Show School Chairman, Flower Show School/Symposium Advisor and the New England Region Judges Council Chairman.

10.   Finance:

a. The hostess state may request up to $1,000.00 in advance to cover early expenses for the Symposium.  This amount will be returned at the end of the Symposium.

b. Each Symposium must submit a budget to the NER Symposium Committee for approval at least six months in advance of the Symposium.

c. At the end of the Symposium the host state will retain $500.  Any additional profit will be divided, with 60% to the host state, and 40% to the NER Operating Fund.  If there is less than $500 profit after all approved bills are paid, the NER Symposium Fund will pay the difference to the host state Symposium Fund. If the balance of the Symposium Fund drops below $3000, then 20% of the profit will be returned to the Symposium Fund until it reach $3000.

d. Monies raised by the host State Garden Club from their own Ways and Means, books, etc. and not from vendors contracted only for the Symposium, shall be the sole property of that State Garden Club.  All vendor and raffle income will be income to the NER Symposium.

11.   The NER Flower Show Symposium Fund Committee, consisting of a Chairman appointed by the NER Director and the Flower Show Schools Chairmen from each State Garden Clubs, shall review these policies prior to each NER Annual Meeting.

 Presented June 14, 1995                     Revised October 22, 2003

Adopted September 1995                   Revised October 14, 2004

Revised October 17, 2002                  Revised October 17, 2008