LAKE COUNTY FARM HERITAGE ASSOCIATION, INC
STATE OF ILLINOIS
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I NAME
Section 1. This Association shall be known as the “Lake County Farm Heritage Association, Inc.”, incorporated in the State of Illinois. This Association is a 501c3, Non-for-Profit Organization. All Association records and bank accounts shall be kept in Lake County, Illinois.
ARTICLE II OBJECT
Section 1. The object of this Association is to promote the collection, restoration, preservation and exhibition of farm associated equipment, machinery, tools and household items. Through this promotion we will stimulate an interest in and educate the public about our agriculture heritage, the American farmers and their families.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership is open to any individual over 18 years of age paying dues annually to the Lake County Farm Heritage Association., Inc. In all matters governed by membership vote, one paid membership shall be entitled to one vote. All the members including lifetime members are eligible to vote and hold office.
Section 2. Junior membership is open to any individual under the age of 18 paying junior dues to the Lake County Farm Heritage Association, Inc. They may not vote, or hold office, or be a voting member of any committee.
Section 3. Lifetime membership may be bestowed upon a member who has provided exceptional service to the Association, over a great length of time, having served in many official offices and positions. Recommendations for Lifetime membership shall be approved by 75% of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the membership.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1. PRESIDENT – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors; enforce all laws, rules and procedures of the Association; be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee; pass on all bills to be paid by the Treasurer. He/she shall appoint the chairperson of all permanent committees with the approval of the Board of Directors, and make, execute and deliver all contracts on behalf of the Association with the approval of the Board of Directors, unless someone in specific instances is authorized to enter into contractual agreements on behalf of the Association.
Section 2. VICE PRESIDENT – The Vice President, in absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President. If neither is present at any meeting, a chairperson shall be chosen by vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. SECRETARY / TREASURER – The Secretary / Treasurer shall keep all accounts of the Association in books belonging to the Association and provided for that purpose. He/she shall receive and be responsible for all monies; pay all bills when properly audited and passed on by the President and approved by the Board of Directors and preserve vouchers for all payments. Checks shall be signed by the Secretary /Treasurer. Such books shall be available for inspection to any and all members of the Board of Directors or individual members in the presence of a Director. The Secretary / Treasurer, in accordance with the direction of the President and/or Board of Directors shall conduct all official correspondence of the Association; keep all records including minutes of all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors; issue and send all notices to the members. The Secretary / Treasurer shall file the appropriate Internal Revenue forms with the Internal Revenue Service at the end of each year and file the Association’s 501c3 paperwork annually.
Section 4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS – The Board of Directors shall consist of eight (8) members. Each preceding President may attend the Board of Directors meetings. The Board of Directors shall control and manage the Association property, appropriate its funds and approve all contracts and purchases consistent with the charter and by-laws of the Association and the wishes of the membership. Purchases on behalf of the Association in excess of $1000 must first be approved by the Board and then approved by twenty percent of the active membership. Purchases on behalf of the Association less than $1000 must have the approval of four (4) members of the board. Board meetings shall be held as deemed necessary by any officer or director of the Association.
Section 5. LIABILITY – The Association, or any member shall not be liable to any other member resulting in injury arising out of the display, exhibition or any internal combustion engine, any steam engine or observation of any powered machinery, or any activity provided by the Association. The Association shall have general liability coverage for club functions.
ARTICLE V NOMINATION
Section 1. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President in the month of June. The committee shall propose candidates for the elective offices. All candidates shall be verified for eligibility prior to being nominated.
Section 2. Nominations shall be made at the August general membership meeting by the nominating committee. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member. Nominations will be open again prior to the election at the October general meeting by any member.
Section 3. In case there is more than one candidate for any office, election shall be held by secret ballot at the October general meeting.
ARTICLE VI ELECTION
Section 1. The election of officers of the Association shall be held at the regular October meeting. The officers elected shall take office on January 1st of the following year. The President and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected for two years in the even years. The Vice President shall be elected for two years in the odd years. An officer must be a voting member in good standing for a minimum of one year.
Section 2. All members are to be notified prior to the meeting for election. The Officers and Board of Directors are to be elected by a twenty percent majority vote of the membership. No election shall be held unless there is a quorum of twenty percent of the total membership present.
Section 3. If a member knows he/she will be absent at the time of election he/she may request an absentee ballot no less than two weeks prior to the election. The completed absentee ballot must be received by the nominating committee on or before the October meeting.
Section 4. A member is eligible to be nominated for an officer and a director. The officer election will be held first. If the active member is elected as an officer, they will withdraw their name from nomination slate for director. If the active member is not elected as an officer, they may be elected as a director.
Section 5. A vacancy in an unexpired term of office may be filled by an appointment by the President with the majority approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Each Director shall serve for two years, four members being elected each year for a two-year term. A Director must be a member for a minimum of one year.
ARTICLE VII MEETINGS
Section 1. All meeting shall be conducted following the guidelines of Roberts Rules of Order, unless this provision of the by-laws is suspended by a majority of members present at any meeting.
Section 2. The membership meeting shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from March to October with the exception of September due to our show. The meeting place and time shall be selected by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. Members shall be provided a schedule of the meetings for the year at the March general membership meeting. Members will be notified of any changes of date and time two weeks prior to the meeting.
A special membership meeting may be called whenever the Board of Directors or the President deems it necessary.
Section 3. The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at a place and time selected by the President or Board of Directors.
Section 4. Twenty percent of the membership eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special meetings.
Section 5. All meetings will be conducted in an orderly manner
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Section 6. Attendance will be taken at each general membership meeting to ensure the twenty percent quorum.
ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint the chairman of all committees (i.e, safety, nominating). All committees shall be directly responsible to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX SAFETY
Section 1. To insure the safety of all participants at a club function, all exhibitors and demonstrators are to operate equipment in a safe manner during all club functions (i.e. parades, demonstrations and shows). A common sense approach to safety should be all that is necessary. The Officers and Board of Directors are to insure all equipment is operated in a safe manner. Any operator (member or non-member at a club function) that is notified of an unsafe condition must remedy the problem or shut down and secure said piece of equipment. Refusal by operator to correct unsafe act or condition will result in the removal of the operator and equipment from the club function.
Section 2. The Officers and Board of Directors will determine action to be taken against said members or non-members.
- Non-members will not be allowed to demonstrate or show equipment at any future club functions.
- Members may lose their membership with no refund.
- Members may not be allowed to demonstrate or show equipment for a minimum of one year.
Section 3. Association owned equipment may only be operated by current paid Association members. This will ensure that Association liability insurance covers said operator(s).
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Section 1. Amendments to the by-laws shall be considered on the recommendation of any member. Such recommendation shall be passed to the Board for proper drafting and editing. The new recommendation must then be ratified by a quorum of twenty percent of the active membership, either absentee or present, at a regularly scheduled meeting selected by the Executive Committee. Notification of the meeting for voting on the recommendation to amend the by-laws will be sent two weeks prior to the meeting.
Voted on and Approved:
06-26-1996
02-18-1999
04-24-2002
10-26-2005
03-25-2009
04-24-2013
06-25-2014
05-24-2017
Revised: Board of Directors, Officers & Members