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NWODGA CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
NORTHWEST OREGON DAIRY GOAT ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME AND ADDRESS
Section 1: The name of this Association shall be the Northwest Oregon Dairy Goat Association.
Section 2: The mailing address of this Association shall be the address of the current Secretary.
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
Section 1: To inform the public of the importance of goat milk and dairy goat products. To emphasize the position of the dairy goat industry as a substantial self-sustaining one in many communities.
Section 2: To disseminate technical information relative to the value of goat milk, goat meat products and other goat by-products.
Section 3: To disseminate information regarding the general care, health, and well being of dairy goats to members and the general public.
Section 4: To provide support for youth and their dairy goat projects through education and other means as approved by the Association.
Section 5: To secure state and national assistance and cooperation whenever possible in experimental work and dissemination of reliable information pertaining to the dairy goat industry.
Section 6: To promote cooperative purchasing of feeds and supplies for the members of the Association.
Section 7: To promote the dairy goat industry by advertising, by every legitimate means of publicity, by securing needed legislation, and by holding dairy goat shows.
Section 8: To promote fellowship and interchange of useful knowledge and ideas among dairy goat breeders.
ARTICLE III
Section 1: ELECTIVE OFFICERS
The elective officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Directors.
Section 2: ELECTIONS
The officers of the Association shall be elected by ballot at the last regular meeting of each year. A nominating committee shall be selected to present a slate of nominees at the meeting preceding the election meeting, at which time, following any additions by the membership, the nominations will be closed. Additions may be made in person or via electronic means. An election ballot will be distributed to each member in good standing. Ballots may be returned in person, by mail, or by electronic means. All official terms shall begin at first regular meeting in January of any year. But, if for any reason the annual election is not held before January of any year, the official term begins at the commencement of new business at the meeting in which the election was held.
Section 3: TERM OF OFFICE
The officers of the Association shall serve one year or until successors have been qualified and elected to serve.
Section 4: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Directors to be elected at the regular election of each year. Four members of the Executive Committee constitute a quorum at all Executive Committee meetings.
Section 5: VACANCIES
Vacancies in office occurring by reason of death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, shall be filled by special election to serve the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, act as Chairman of the Executive Committee, appoint all committees not otherwise provided for, call special meetings of the Association or of the Executive Committee and perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office.
Section 2: The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of that officer, or in case of his or her inability to act. In the absence of both the President and Vice President, that Association may choose a president for the meeting from the members present.
Section 3: The Secretary shall take care of the general correspondence, send out all notices of the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee, keep on file all letters received together will all letters sent out by him or her, shall act as secretary to the Executive committee and shall keep all minutes of all meetings.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall collect all monies due the Association and shall pay, from the funds of the Association, such claims as are properly authorized and approved. He or she shall furnish to the President a satisfactory report of the assets of the Association at each regular meeting by reading same into the minutes.
Section 5: The Executive Committee shall carry out the instructions of the Association, shall authorize expenditures (but no expenditure shall be authorized beyond the assets of the Association), shall devise ways and means to carry out the objectives of the Association, shall make such rules as may be necessary during the year for the conduct of the meetings, shows, the awarding of prizes, etc., and shall perform such other duties as pertain to their offices. The Executive Committee may also audit the books of the Treasurer annually and report the accuracy of same to the Association.
ARTICLE V: DISSOLUTION OF ASSOCIATION
Section 1: The Association may be dissolved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote after being submitted in writing by the Resolutions Committee. Said resolution shall be read at two consecutive meetings and/or distributed by mail or electronic means two consecutive times and will be voted on by the membership following the two distributions. A ballot will be mailed or sent electronically to each member in good standing. Ballots may be returned in person, by mail, or by electronic means.
ARTICLE VI: DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Section 1: If the Association should be dissolved, all assets of the Association shall be donated to one or more non-profit organizations that promote dairy goats, to be determined by 2/3 majority vote of the members in good standing. Such a vote may be conducted in person, by mail, or by electronic means.
ARTICLE VII : AMENDMENTS
Section 1: The Constitution may be amended or rescinded by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, providing that all proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing by the Resolutions Committee before or during the meeting and said amendments shall be read at two consecutive meetings before being voted upon.
Section 2: The Resolutions Committee shall consist of three members, in good standing, to be appointed by the President.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I: NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE
NWODGA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, disability, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, marital status, political ideology, military or veteran status, parental status, or breastfeeding in a public place. This applies to all activities of the organization, including-but not limited to: elections, meetings, workshops, shows, and conferences. NWODGA Officers, Board members, and committee Chairpersons shall be aware of this policy and uphold it at all times, in accordance with state and local law.
ARTICLE II: MEETINGS
Section 1: The regular meetings of the Association shall be held every other month at a time and date mutually agreed upon by a majority of the members. Meetings of the Executive Committee (open to all Association members) may be held in the other months or when deemed necessary either as a face-to-face meetings, conference calls, or via electronic discussions.
Section 2: At all general membership meetings, five members of the Association shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES
Section 1: The President shall appoint from time to time such standing committees as may be deemed necessary and proper for the conduct of the affairs of the Association. Only members in good standing shall be appointed to such committees.
Section 2: The amount of indebtedness which may be incurred by a committee shall in no case exceed the amount appropriated for its use by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Any person may become a member in good standing of the Association after payment of his or her dues.
Section 2: All members shall be considered active members whose dues are paid for the current year. Individual members are entitled to one vote; family memberships are entitled to two votes.
Section 3: Membership shall start on the date the dues are paid and continue until the following December 31; at which time it will terminate.
Section 4: The annual dues shall be set by a vote of the membership. They are payable in advance at the last monthly meeting of the calendar year.
Section 5: 2019 dues are $10.00 per individual and $12.00 per family.
Section 6: The Treasurer and/or his designee shall notify a member of his or her arrears in dues. If the dues are not paid by March 31 of that year, he or she shall be dropped from the Association membership roll.
Section 7: Lapsed members, if wishing to join again, may do so the same as any new member.
Section 8: Lifetime memberships are provided for individuals/families with 25 years or more of membership.
ARTICLE VI: PENALTIES
Section 1: If any member is charged with violation of the Constitution and By-Laws, or with misrepresentations, unjust or unfair business dealings detrimental the the welfare of reputation of the Association, said charge shall be made in writing and filed with the Executive Committee for such action as it may deem best. The accused party shall have full opportunity for defense and explanation before the Executive Committee. If unsatisfactory, the Executive Committee may take such action as may, by them, be deemed best, excepting suspension or expulsion, which, if recommended by the Executive Committee, shall be referred to the Association for action thereon.
Section 2: An office may be declared vacant by the Association if the office-holder is absent from three consecutive regular meetings without acceptable excuse.
Section 3: Any officer of the Association may be removed from office by the Association for inattention to his or her duties or conduct unbecoming an officer of the Association. But, before removal, charges shall be preferred against him or her. The accused party shall have full opportunity for defense and explanation before the Executive Committee. He or she shall not officiate in the Association during the pending of such charges herein.
ARTICLE VII: RULES OF ORDER
Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern the parliamentary procedures of the Association, subject to special rules and/or bylaws that may be adopted by the Association.
Section 2: By-Laws may be amended or rescinded by a simple majority vote of those in attendance at any meeting.
ARTICLE VI ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Reading and Approval of Minutes of previous regular or special meetings.
2. Report of Treasurer
3. Report of Executive Committee
4: Report of Other Committees
5. Reading of Communications and Bills
6. Election of Officers
7. Unfinished (Old) Business
8. New Business
9. Discussions
10. Adjournment
Last Approved with Amendments, 10/11/1996
By-Laws Revised, 01/07/2020
