YOUNG FARMERS OF VIRGINIA STATE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Transcription

1 YOUNG FARMERS OF VIRGINIA STATE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARTICLE I: NAME AND OBJECTIVE Section A: Name CONSTITUTION The name of this organization shall be the Young Farmers of Virginia. The Young Farmers of Virginia is an organization of, by, and for young farmers and members of the agriculture community participating in the programs of organized, systematic instruction in agricultural education under the provisions of the National Vocational Education Acts. Section B: Primary Objective The primary objective is to develop responsibility of young farmers and members of the agriculture community through a structured adult agriculture education program Section C: Contributory Objectives 1. To develop sound business and financial practices. 2. To facilitate farm and agribusiness transition. 3. To develop an understanding of services and resources available to improve the quality of life. 4. To develop and promote volunteerism and community service. 5. To develop the character and leadership abilities needed to: a. Plan and conduct meetings b. Effectively speak in public c. Practice proper Parliamentary Procedure d. Be a productive citizen e. 6. To develop educational opportunities to: a. Improve production and efficiency b. Promote conservation practices c. Promote farm safety d. Maintain farm equipment and facilities e. 7. To develop awareness of public issues affecting agriculture but refrain from making resolutions concerning legislative matters which do not come within the scope of the purposes of this organization ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATION Page 1 of 9

2 Section A: Young Farmers of Virginia is an organization for young farmers and members of the agriculture community who are establishing themselves in agriculture and enrolled in a structured adult agriculture education program. It shall consist of affiliated Local Associations that are chartered by the State Association and organized in conformity with its constitution and bylaws. Section B: Local Associations of Young Farmers of Virginia shall be chartered only in localities with a structured adult agriculture education program under the provisions of the approved state plan for Career and Technical Education. Section C: The appropriate Specialist of Agricultural Education shall be responsible for the supervision of the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia. Section D: A current or former teacher of Agricultural Education should be Advisor of the Local Association of Young Farmers of Virginia. Section E: Delegates from active Associations shall meet in the State Convention to transact the business of the State Association. Section F: The fiscal year for this Association will be January 1 through December 31. Section G: Local Associations may become and remain affiliated with the State Association by complying with the spirit of the Constitution and procedures outlined in the Bylaws. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP Section A: The membership of the Association shall be of three kinds: 1. Active 2. Honorary 3. Associate Section B:Active Membership: Shall be comprised of adult young farmers and members of the agriculture community who are participating in structured adult agriculture education programs. Individuals are not discriminated against because of race, color, creed, or gender. Section C: Honorary Membership: Individuals closely affiliated with Career and Technical Education programs who have made an outstanding contribution to Young Farmers of Virginia and to the agriculture industry, may be made honorary members upon recommendation of the State Executive Committee. Honorary members shall neither vote nor hold any office. Section D: Associate Membership: Individuals in farming and agribusiness who are not: 1. Members of a local affiliated Young Farmer Association 2. Individuals not eligible for Active Membership Associate members are not eligible to vote, hold office, or win awards. Page 2 of 9

3 ARTICLE IV- ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP DEGREES AND PRIVILGES Section A: There shall be only one degree of Active Membership in the Local Association and only one degree of Active Membership in the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia ARTICLE V: OFFICERS Section A: The officers of the Young Farmers of Virginia shall be: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Reporter Director(s) Officers of this Association shall be active members. All officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of delegates assembled at the annual State Convention. Sole voting authority is vested in the elected officers. Section B: The Executive Committee of the Young Farmers of Virginia shall be: Elected officers of the State Association Past President Executive Secretary/Director Executive Treasurer Advisor This committee shall conduct business of the Association in accordance with the action taken in business meetings ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS Section A: A State Convention of the Young Farmers of Virginia may be held annually at a time and place to be determined by the State Executive Committee. Section B: Delegates from each Local Association in good standing shall be elected annually from and by the active membership to represent the Local Association at the State Convention of Young Farmers of Virginia. Each Local Association shall be entitled to two delegates for a membership of 20 or less, and one additional delegate for each additional 10 members or a major fraction thereof. Section C: The delegates from a majority of the chartered Local Associations registered at the State Convention shall constitute a quorum, and a quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or vote committing the Association to any proposal or action. Section D: A quorum for the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of the members of the committee. A quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or vote taken making recommendations to the Association. Page 3 of 9

4 ARTICLE VII: DUES Section A: Annual membership dues in the State Association shall be fixed by the state executive committee, subject to approval by a majority vote of the delegates present at the State Convention of Young Farmers of Virginia. Section B: Any membership dues paid to the State Association by a newly organized Young Farmers association after the first day of September will be applied to the following year's annual membership dues. Section C: The dues of any Local Association shall be fixed by the local executive committee, subject to approval of a majority vote of the active members of the Local Association. ARTICLE VIII: EMBLEMS AND COLORS Section A: The emblem of the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia shall be an outline of the State of Virginia with an ear of com in the background. On the face of the emblem are the rising sun and the words "Young Farmers of Virginia." Section B: Emblems shall be uniform in all Local Associations in the State. All members are entitled to wear the emblem. Section C: The colors of the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia shall be green and gold. Section D: The colors for the Local Association shall be the same as those adopted by the State Association. ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS Section A: Proposed amendments to the State Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the state executive committee at least 60 days before the annual state convention of Young Farmers of Virginia. The proposed amendments then must be submitted to Local Associations in the state at least one month prior to the next annual state convention, be reviewed by the state executive committee, and together with their recommendations, be submitted by them to delegates in state convention. When this procedure is followed, amendments to the State Constitution and Bylaws may be adopted at any State Convention by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present, provided they represent a quorum. BYLAWS ARTICLE I: DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section A: President: Shall preside at meetings of the State Association of Young Page 4 of 9

5 Farmers of Virginia and to serve as chairperson of the State Executive Committee. With the approval of the State Supervisor of Agricultural Education, the President shall appoint all committees and serve as an ex officio member of these committees. This person shall call a State Convention each year at such time and place as determined by the Executive Committee. Section B: Vice-President: Shall preside and assist the President at all times in carrying on the work of the State Association. Section C: Secretary: Shall perform the duties common to this office, such as keeping an accurate record of the State Convention sessions and all the meetings of the Executive Committee, one copy of which shall be given to the Executive Secretary for the permanent record. This person shall perform any other duties as directed by the Executive Secretary. Section D:Treasurer: Shall assist the Executive Treasurer in keeping the financial records of the State Association. This person shall give a financial report at the State Convention and serve as a member of the budget and dues committee. Section E: Reporter: Shall report promptly and correctly all media outlets and the state office any item of state or national interest relating to the association. Section F: Director(s): Shall perform the duties common to this office. The Director(s) shall see that all meeting rooms are properly arranged and that needed equipment and facilities are available as well as welcome visitors and perform such other duties as directed by the President Section G: Executive Secretary/Coordinator: The Executive Secretary shall work with the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Tech staff to enhance the Young Farmer Program. They shall attend all Virginia Young Farmer Executive Council meetings, serve as a liaison to the NYFEA for Virginia, and serve as a contact person for the Young Farmers of Virginia. They shall contact beginning Agricultural Educators and encourage new Young Farmer programs. They shall work with the Young Farmers Reports to publish the semi-annual newsletter and distributing to membership, assist the Young Farmers President in planning and conducting the Young Farmer of Virginia State Convention, maintain the Young Farmers of Virginia display with photos and recruitment/event information, serve as photographer at Young Farmer activities, and update They shall also collect and organize member award applications for award judging and work with the executive treasurer to produce membership roster annually. Section H: Executive Treasurer: The Executive Treasurer shall collect and disburse all funds authorized by the association and approved by the Executive Committee. This person shall keep complete and accurate records of all transactions and shall present to the association an annual financial statement of the condition of the treasury and perform such duties as may be assigned by the executive committee. This person shall submit a budget of proposed expenditures to the executive committee. This person shall submit a budget of proposed expenditures to the executive committee annually. This person shall also work with the Executive Secretary to produce a list of membership. Section I: Advisor: The Specialist of Agricultural Education, or a designated representative shall be an ex officio member of all committees. This person is an active member of the State Executive Committee of Young Farmers of Virginia and Page 5 of 9

6 assists state officers in conducting meetings and other affairs of the Association. This person reviews actions taken by all committees and the state convention to determine whether or not they are in conformity with policies, plans, and regulations pertaining to the program of agricultural education as approved by the State Office of Career and Technical Education. Section J: Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall conduct business of the State Association, subject to such regulations, bylaws, and in conformity with the policies and plans governing the administration of agricultural education in the state. ARTICLE II: COMMITTEES Section A: The President of the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia shall appoint three regular committees annually: 1. Nominating Committee 2. Auditing Committee 3. Program of Work Committee. Other special committees may be appointed as needed. Section B: The Nominating Committee, after careful consideration of the Young Farmers of Virginia personnel, shall place in nomination candidates for the various state offices. Section C: The Auditing Committee shall examine annually the books of the Treasurer and Executive Treasurer and report its findings to the delegate body assembled in State Convention. Section D: The Program of Work Committee shall set up the objectives and goals of the annual program of work for the State Association and suggest ways and means of attaining them. ARTICLE III: PROCEDURES Section A: Election of state officers The Nominating Committee shall study and review the qualifications of members for the various offices in the Association. The committee shall nominate active members for State Offices. Nominations also may be made from the floor of the Convention following the report of the Nominating Committee. Section B: Issuing charters to Local Associations Local Associations of Young farmers of Virginia shall apply through the Advisor for affiliation with the State Associations of Young Farmers of Virginia. Such applications shall be signed by the President, the Secretary, the teacher of agricultural education of the Local Association, and the high school principal and division superintendent. The following materials shall accompany the application for local charter: Page 6 of 9

7 1. A copy of the proposed constitution and by-laws 2. A copy of the annual program of work 3. A charter application signed by the membership 4. A list of the Association s officers and address of each A Local Association charter shall be granted by the State Executive Committee at its next meeting, provided the proposed constitution of the Local Association is not in conflict with the Constitution of the State Association of Young Farmers of Virginia and that it otherwise meets the standards established for the Young Farmer program. The charter will be signed by the President, State secretary, and State Advisor. Section C: Determining standing of Local Associations A Local Association of Young Farmers of Virginia shall be considered in good standing with the State Association provided the following general conditions are met. 1. Local members are enrolled in a program of adult agricultural education which is maintained for young farmers and members of the agriculture community, and which meets the standards in the State Plan for Career and Technical Education. 2. The constitution and activities of the Local Association is not in conflict with the State Constitution. 3. All appropriate information is submitted to the proper state personnel. 4. All active membership dues are paid by a date specified by the State Executive Committee.. 5. If a Local Association of Young Farmers of Virginia considers it desirable to take action on a political issue outside the scope and purposes of this organization, such proposed action will be forwarded to the office of the State Advisor for consideration by the State Executive Committee before action is taken. In the event a Local Association is not in good standing at the time of the opening of the State Convention, the delegates in the convention shall have the power, on the recommendation of the State Executive Committee, to withdraw or suspend its charter and refuse such an Association official representation at the annual State Convention. When and if such action is taken, the members of the Local Association in question shall be denied the regular privileges of the Association. By meeting the requirements for good standing, a Local Association may be reinstated by action of the State Executive Committee not earlier than 10 days after the close of the State Convention during which it was not in good standing. The charter for a Local Association must be surrendered to the Associate Director of Agricultural Education when structured adult agricultural education for young farmers and members of the agriculture community is not provided and maintained during any fiscal year. Exception is made when a local department of agricultural education is discontinued. The Local Association of Young Farmers of Virginia so involved will be permitted to operate officially for a period not to exceed 12 months from the date of the discontinuance of the local department in the school concerned. Proper supervision must then be given by a person having the approval of the local school administration. Page 7 of 9

8 Section D: Determining standing of members An active member is considered to be in good standing provided: 1. Member attends Local Association meetings. 2. Member shows interest and takes part in the affairs of the Local Association. 3. Member pays dues regularly. ARTICLE IV-MEETINGS Section A: Regular and special meetings of the State Executive Committee shall be held at such time and place as determined by the State President with the approval of the State Advisor. Section B: Special meetings of the State Association may be called at any time by the State President with the approval of the State Advisor and a majority of the other members of the Executive Committee. Section C: Meetings of the Local Association shall be held regularly throughout the year at such time and place as determined by the executive committee of the Local Association. Special meetings may be called at my time. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OR ARTICLE V-ASSETS YOUNG FARMERS OF VIRGINIA Section A: Should it become necessary to dissolve the Young Farmers of Virginia the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the association, dispose of all its assets to the following organizations in order of priority: 1. The Virginia FFA Foundation 2. The Virginia FFA Association If both of the above organizations cease to exist, the assets shall be disposed to such other organizations that are organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as a Non-Profit Organization under section 501 [c] [3] of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954, as the Executive Committee shall determine. Section B: The Young Farmers of Virginia is a non-profit organization. The Executive Committee will perform all actions to maintain the Non-Profit Organization status at all times. Section C: No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be: distributable to its members, Directors, Trustees, Officers, Executive Committee, or other private persons. Page 8 of 9

9 Adopted January 26, 1980 by Delegates of Young Farmers of Virginia Page 9 of 9