BYLAWS

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DODGE COUNTY FORAGE COUNCIL

 

ARTICLE  I.

Membership Standing

SECTION 1:

     A member of agribusiness shall be considered in good standing providing current fiscal-year dues have been paid as set by actions of the Board of Directors.  The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.

SECTION 2:

     A member in good standing may hold office; attend and vote at annual business meetings.  One person will represent each agribusiness group membership.  Those persons will have the same privileges as individual members. 

SECTION 3:

     A member who is delinquent in dues for a period of three (3) months or more after the date dues are due shall have no voting privileges.  If delinquency shall be for a period of six (6) months, the member shall be dropped from membership. 

 

ARTICLE  II.

Dues

The Council has the authority to collect from its members annual dues for the purposes of financing the activities of the Council.  A schedule of such dues shall be recommended by the Board of Directors.  Any changes in the annual dues schedule shall be announced by the Board of Directors at least three (3) months prior to the start of the fiscal year in which they are to become effective.  Any change in annual dues must be approved by the majority of members attending the Annual Meeting. 

 

ARTICLE  III.

Election of Officers

SECTION 1:

     The Board of Directors shall consist of nine (9) members.  Six (6) of the Directors shall be farmers and three (3) shall represent agribusiness.  Directors shall serve no more than three (3) successive terms.  Each member of the Board of Directors shall be elected for three (3) years. 

     The Dodge County UW-Extension Agriculture Agent shall serve as the Secretary.  The Secretary will be a non-voting member of the Board of Directors appointed annually by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership at the Annual Meeting. 

SECTION 2:

     The Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. 

SECTION 3:

     The Nominating Committee shall annually prepare a slate of two (2) nominees for Director.  The Committee shall nominate a minimum of two (2) candidates for each director position. 

SECTION 4:

     The Officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the time of the Annual Business Meeting. 

SECTION 5:

     In the case of retirement, death or resignation of a member of the Board of Directors, the vacancy shall be filled by election at the next Annual Meeting to fill the unexpired term.  In the case where the retirement, death or resignation is an officer, that Office shall be filled by vote of the Board of Directors at the Board of Directors Meeting following the retirement, death or resignation. 

 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Duties of Officials

SECTION 1:

     The Board of Directors shall be responsible for formulating and executing all policies of the Council in accordance with the stated objectives and such other direction as will best serve the interest of the Council. 

SECTION 2:

a.   The President of the council shall preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors. 

b.   The President shall preside at the Annual Business Meeting and be responsible for the executive actions in carrying out the policy designed by the Board of Directors.  The President may delegate such responsibilities, within such limits as may be set by the Board to other Officers or to Committees. 

SECTION 3:

     The Vice President shall preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee in the absence of the President.  The Vice President shall perform other duties as designated by the President. 

SECTION 4:

     The Secretary shall keep all records of the Council and perform all secretarial duties concerned with the Council.  He shall be authorized to employ clerical assistance as needed to carry out the office of Secretary of the Council, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. 

SECTION 5:

     The Treasurer shall collect and account for all funds collected and expended by the Council.  He shall be authorized to expend funds as needed to operate the office of Treasurer of the Council, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.  Monetary accounts of the Council require that the Treasurer and Vice President are authorized access to those accounts. 

ARTICLE  V.

Committee Duties

SECTION 1:

a.   The Membership Committee shall submit recommendations for membership dues to the Board of Directors at least four (4) months prior to January 1 every year.

b.   The Membership Committee shall be responsible for individual and agribusiness membership renewals, as well as seek new members. 

SECTION 2:

a.   The Activities Committee shall plan and execute at least one Annual Meeting. 

b.   The Activities Committee shall plan and execute at least one tour to emphasize new practices in forage production, utilization and/or marketing. 

SECTION 3:

a.   The Research Committee shall identify basic and applied research needs for forage production, utilization and/or marketing in the County. 

b.   This Committee shall inform the Dodge County Forage Council members at the Annual Meeting of current research activities in the County. 

SECTION 4:

a.   The Awards Committee shall develop awards to be presented at the Annual Meeting to identify outstanding forage producers and forage agribusiness-persons. 

b.   The Awards Committee shall continue to develop awards to identify outstanding characteristics relating to forage production and use.  This Committee shall establish liaison with the awards program of the Wisconsin Forage Council for unity of both awards programs. 

SECTION 5:

     Each Committee shall be responsible for the field of activity designated by its name or the Board of Directors and each shall formulate a program consistent with the objectives of the Council or as instructed by the Board of Directors.  An annual report shall be required of the Chairman of each Committee and this report shall be presented at the Annual Business Meeting. 

 

ARTICLE  VI.

Quorum

A quorum shall consist, in the case of the Annual Business Meeting and other meetings, of 1/10th of the membership of the Council in good standing.  In the case of the meetings of the Board of Directors, 1/2 of the membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum. 

SECTION 1:

     At the Annual Business Meeting or other meetings of members, actions shall be authorized by a majority of those present in person. 

SECTION 2:

At the meetings of the Board of Directors, actions shall be authorized by a majority of those present who are entitled to vote. 

SECTION 3:

     At the meetings of Committees and/or task forces, actions shall be authorized by the majority of those present. 

 

ARTICLE  VII.

Amendments

The Bylaws of the Council may be amended by 51% of the members present at the Annual Business Meeting or any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. 

 

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