CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
of the Central Iowa Orchid Society



Article I

Section 1
The Society shall be known as the Central Iowa Orchid Society. Its object shall be to bring together those who are interested in the care and culture of orchids in order that experience and knowledge may be shared for the benefit of all.

Section 2
Persons interested in the care and culture of orchids are eligible for membership. Membership is contingent upon payment of dues.

Article II

Section 1
The officers of the society shall be the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Society Liaison to the American Orchid Society, the Society Liaison to the Orchid Digest, Librarian, Webmaster (not necessarily mutually exclusive), the immediate Past President, and three elected board members. The officers shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2
A nominating committee shall be appointed in October to present a slate of candidates for office at the November meeting.

Section 3
Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting in December. Before the election, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. Election shall be by ballot, one per member, sent out in the newsletter and returned by the December meeting to the secretary. Ballots will also be available at the December meeting.

Section 4
Officers shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected, except for the three elected board members who will serve staggered three year terms. Terms of office shall begin at the close of the annual meeting at which officers are elected.

Article III

Section 1
The President shall preside at all meetings at which he or she is present and shall exercise supervision over the affairs and activities of the Society. The President shall have the power to appoint committees as required from the membership in good standing.

Section 2
The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the latter whenever the President may be unable to perform the duties of his office. The Vice President, in addition, will be in charge of arranging programs for regular monthly meetings.

Section 3
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the membership and of the Executive Board. At the close of the year, a copy of the minutes shall be given to the President to serve as permanent record and reference.

Section 4
The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Society and shall pay out all monies by check only to cover those expenses of the Society as are approved by membership. The Treasurer shall at each meeting report the following: amount of money disbursed in the period since the previous meeting and the amount of money in the treasury on the date of the report. At the close of the year, the books shall be audited by the incoming Board, being sure that all outstanding bills are paid and all committee monies returned to the general fund. A copy of the Treasurer's report shall be given to the President at the close of the year to serve as a permanent record and reference.

Section 5
The Executive Board shall be a counseling and advisory board for the entire Society. Members of the board shall meet no less than quarterly to formulate guidelines furthering the activities and educational aims of the Society.

Article IV

Section 1
Annual dues shall be decided by the membership of the Society.

Section 2
Annual dues shall be payable at the beginning of the year, January 1, and shall become delinquent after the February meeting. Members delinquent for six months will be dropped from the rolls unless annual membership is paid.

Section 3
New members joining after midyear will be required to pay one-half the annual membership fee.

Section 4
Honorary lifetime membership may be granted by the Society to an individual for their outstanding service to the Society. Such membership shall be granted by recommendation of the officers of the Society and majority vote of the Society members.

Section 5
An honorary lifetime member shall be given full benefits of a member in good standing with the Society and listed in the membership directory. They shall not be required to pay annual dues nor any other assessment of the membership.

Section 6
Following the January meeting, donations shall be made to The American Orchid Society, The Orchid Digest, and the Orchid Conservation Coalition ("1% for Conservation") in the amounts to be decided by the membership. (Amended 3/4/2018)

Section 7
In the case of the dissolution of the Central Iowa Orchid Society, all remaining funds shall be donated to the American Orchid Society, the Orchid Digest and/or other orchid related entities providing educational and other services to the orchid community as determined by majority vote at a meeting of all society members present. (Approved 3/3/2019)

Section 8
The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall have signatory authority over the Society funds. (Approved 11/7/2021)

Article V

Section 1
There shall be one regular meeting each month, to be held on the first Sunday at 2 p.m., unless specifically voted otherwise.

Section 2
The annual meeting shall be held in December and election of officers shall take place at that meeting.

Section 3
The normal order of business shall be:
      Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
      Treasurer's report
      Reports of the boards and standing committees
      Reports of special committees
      Unfinished (old) business
      New business
      Exhibits
      Program

Article VI

Section 1
Twenty-five percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2
Amendments shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present.

Section 3
If two or more members are nominated for an office, the nominee receiving the majority of ballots shall be declared elected.

Article VII

Section 1
These by-laws may be amended or altered at any regular meeting.

Section 2
No amendment shall be voted upon until the meeting following the one at which it was proposed.

Article VIII

Section 1
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the guide.

(Revised December 9, 2022)


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