Bylaws of the Five Cities Orchid Society

ARTICLE 1 NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

The name of the organization shall be FIVE CITIES ORCHID SOCIETY

ARTICLE II OBJECT OF THIS ORGANIZATION

The object of this organization is to promote and develop interest in orchids, orchid culture and to provide information on the different orchid genera their culture and other such information that would benefit its members.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Annual dues shall be an amount determined by the Board of Directors and voted on by the membership.  Annual dues are due by January 1st and must be paid by April 1st for the member to be included in the membership roster.

All funds received shall be in the name of the organization.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

The regular meeting of the membership of the Five Cities Society shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.

The regular December meeting will be the annual meeting.  Business at this meeting shall be held at the discretion of the presiding officers.

The Standing Committees recognized by the Board of Directors will be 1) the Show Committee and 2) The Education and Conservation Committee.

ARTICLE V BOARD OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The Board of Directors shall meet once a year or as necessary at a time and place designated by the President.  Two-thirds of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

Four Officers, three Directors and the Show Chairperson shall comprise the eight-member Board of this organization.

The Show Chairperson shall be appointed by a majority vote of the FCOS Board of Directors (BOD) to oversee the Show Committee, a Standing Committee. The Show Chairperson may be replaced by a majority vote of the FCOS BOD. The duly appointed Show Chairperson shall be a voting member of the FCOS BOD.

TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office for Officers and Directors shall not exceed two consecutive terms in the same office. A waiver of term limits for Officers and Directors shall be granted if elected by a 2/3 majority of members present. (Bylaws Change, Dec 2019)

VACANCIES

Mid-term vacancies on the Board may be filled by the action of the remaining members of the Board.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Conducts meetings and maintains order at all times

VICE PRESIDENT Carries out the duties of the President in their absence and acts at the Program Chairman

SECRETARY Keeps the minutes at regular meetings and Board Meeting and handles correspondence as necessary.

TREASURER Receives and disburses the funds of the organization at the action of the Board of Directors and stands ready at all times to present a report of organizational financial status.  The Treasurer is authorized to pay out funds for necessary expenses not to exceed $500.00.  Any expenses exceeding that amount shall require two-thirds vote of the Board. 

SHOWCHAIRPERSON shall present to the FCOS BOD, prior to each scheduled show, a proposed budget developed by the Show Committee of anticipated expenses and income.

The FCOS Board of Directors shall review such budget, and in a timely manner give either their approval or request for modification(s). Upon approval of the submitted budget by the FCOS BOD, the Show Chairperson will then be duly authorized to make the proposed expenditures.

ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS

The officers shall be elected annually by the membership in alternating years.  The President, Treasurer and one Director in the first year; the Vice President, Secretary, and two Directors in the second year.

The President will appoint a nominating committee of three members; one from the Board, two from the members at large.  The committee will make nominations for officers and present the nominees at the December meeting.  Additional nominees from the floor shall be called at the December meeting, subject to prior consent of the nominee.

Each regular member in good standing shall have a vote.  There shall be no voting by proxy or by absentee ballot.

ARTICLE VII LIAISON OFFICER

The Liaison Officer for the American Orchid Society, Inc. The Orchid Digest Corporation and any other appropriate organizations shall be appointed by the President subject to the endorsement of the Board.

ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS OF THE BYLAWS

The bylaws may be changed or amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership at any regular meeting, providing due notification of the proposed amendment has been given to the membership at the prior meeting.