BY-LAWS of the OHIO STATE GRANGE Revised by Delegate Action October 23, 2010 With no Delegate action addressing by-law changes during the 2011 annual session, the By-laws as determined for 2011 are official for 2012 - Ohio State Grange Executive Board
NOTE: Throughout these By-Laws, the word Subordinate refers to both Subordinate and Community Granges. The word Master refers to the presiding officer. The term, President, is also acceptable. ARTICLE I Title This Grange shall be designated as the Ohio State Grange, and in all of its acts shall be subordinate to the Constitution and Digest of Laws, Rulings and decisions of the National Grange. ARTICLE II Membership Section 1. The membership of the Ohio State Grange shall consist of the officers of the Ohio State Grange and Delegates elected, as hereinafter provided, and all Sixth Degree Patrons in good standing in their respective Granges. Section 2. A State Junior Grange, known as the Ohio State Junior Grange, has been established in Ohio. The State Junior Director will serve as Junior Leader of the State Junior Grange, which will meet annually during Junior Grange Camp at Friendly Hills Grange Camp. ARTICLE III Meetings The Ohio State Grange shall hold meetings in October on a date at the discretion of the Executive Board and the State Master/President and continuing for such length of time as may be required to conclude their business. The meetings shall be held in such places each year as designated by the State Master and the Executive Board. They, the above named shall make satisfactory arrangements for meeting places, hotels and other needed accommodations at the place selected. Special meetings may be called by the Master of the Ohio State Grange with the approval of twothirds of the members of the Executive Board, by giving each delegate in the state a thirty-day notice of the date and purpose of the meeting. ARTICLE IV State Grange Legislative Power Section 1. The Legislative powers of the Ohio State Grange shall be vested in the Delegates elected by members of the Subordinate Granges of the state in accordance with the rules hereinafter set forth. All Fourth Degree members present at a meeting shall have the right to vote for Delegates in their respective Subordinate Grange. No voting by proxy, and votes so cast shall not be counted. Section 2. The following counties shall elect Delegates for a term of two years on the even numbered years, except as provided in Section 5: Adams, Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Butler, Champaign, Clermont, Columbiana, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Henry, Hocking, Huron, Jefferson, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Noble, Paulding, Pickaway, Portage, Putnam, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Summit, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, Warren, Wayne and Wood. 1 Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012
The following counties shall elect delegates for a term of two years on the odd numbered years, except as provided in Section 5: Allen, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Brown, Carroll, Clark, Clinton, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fayette, Fulton, Geauga, Guernsey, Hancock, Harrison, Highland, Holmes, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Logan, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Ottawa, Perry, Pike, Preble, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Trumbull, Union, Vinton, Washington, Williams and Wyandot. Section 3. Each county having a Grange shall be entitled to two votes. Each county whose paid-up membership is 1 to 500 shall be entitled to two (2) voting Delegates; from 501 to 1,000, four (4) voting Delegates; and from 1,001 to 1,500, six (6) voting Delegates. Not more than two (2) voting Delegates shall be elected from the same Grange. Each voting Delegate may receive compensation as determined by the Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange. Nominations must be from the membership of each Subordinate/Community Grange. Each Grange shall have the right to nominate two (2) persons, either two individuals or a married couple to cause two votes. In the case of a married couple, both names must be nominated and placed on the nominee form, individually. No spouse shall automatically serve unless elected. Section 4. On or before January 20, the Ohio State Grange shall compute by counties the number of members paid-up for the quarter ending December 31, as shown by the quarterly reports for the Subordinate Granges on file as of January 1. The correct forms shall be mailed by January 25 to the Deputy Master in each county, which is to elect Delegates, all the necessary blanks to be used in this election process, and the Deputy Master shall immediately distribute these blanks for the nominations to the Subordinate Granges in his/her county. Section 5. At the first meeting in February, in each county where Delegates are to be elected, nominations for Delegates shall be made in the Subordinate Granges from their own membership. Such nominations shall be immediately forwarded by the Secretary of the Subordinate Grange to the Deputy Master on the blank provided for this purpose. All nominations, to be valid, must be postmarked or in the hands of the Deputy Master on or before March 10. No later than March 25, the Deputy Master shall forward to the Secretary of each Subordinate Grange a complete list of all candidates nominated by the Subordinate Granges in the county, as reported to him/her. At a regular meeting after March 25, each Subordinate Grange in counties where Delegates are to be elected, shall ballot for same and the Secretary of the Subordinate Grange shall immediately certify under seal, to the Ohio State Grange, the names of all persons thus voted for and the number of votes each received. No election returns showing a postmark later than May 1, shall be counted in the vote for Delegates. The Ohio State Grange shall canvass and tabulate the returns received. The individual nominees in each county receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared the Voting Delegates. The nominees receiving the next highest vote shall replace the Voting Delegates not able to fulfill his/her duties. It shall be the duty of the Ohio State Grange to notify said Delegates of their election and to forward credentials to them by June 1. The Ohio State Grange shall also notify the Deputy Master of each county of these election results. Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012 2
Section 6. In the event the Delegate is unable to serve his/her duties at the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange, he/she shall notify the Deputy Master promptly. In the event neither the voting Delegate or the appointed voting Delegate are able to serve, the Deputy Master, along with the County Pomona Master and the Pomona Secretary, shall appoint a Patron to serve, and thereby file credential papers with the Ohio State Grange. In the event there is no election in a county, the Deputy Master, along with the County Pomona Master and the Pomona Secretary shall attempt to appoint Patrons to serve, and thereby file credential papers with the Ohio State Grange. When no Pomona Grange exists or no Deputy Master has been appointed, the Subordinate Grange(s) of the county shall contact the Ohio State Grange who will assist with the appointment of Delegates. Section 7. Each resolution shall be on a separate sheet of paper and shall bear the signature of the Master and the Secretary. Each resolution shall be mailed to the State Master and shall be in his/her possession by September 20 prior to the Annual State Grange Session. Any resolutions received after this date will be presented to the Executive Committee, and if they feel it is an emergency situation may be presented to the appropriate committee. Each delegate committee chairman at the Ohio State Grange annual session shall be given a copy of Grange present policy Section 8. The Ohio State Grange Youth (ages 14-20) shall be represented by two (2) voting atlarge Delegates. The election shall be held during the Youth Summer Camp and shall be for a one (1) year term. Each Youth shall submit a resume signed by their Subordinate/Community Grange Secretary to the State Grange Master/President by May 31. The Youth need not be present to be elected. The election will be conducted by the State Grange Master/President or his/her representative. In the event, the elected Youth Delegates is unable to attend the convention or no election was held, the State Master and the State Youth Director may appoint a Youth Delegate. Section 9. The Ohio State Grange Young Adults/Young Married Group (ages 21-40) shall be represented by two (2) voting at-large Delegates. The election shall be held during the summer meeting of the Young Adult/Young Married Group and shall be for a one (1) year term. Each Young Adult/Young Married shall submit a resume signed by their Subordinate/Community Grange Secretary to the Ohio State Grange Master/President by May 31. The Young Adult/Young Married need not be present at the meeting to be elected. The election will be conducted by the State Grange Master/President or his/her appointed representative. In the event, an elected Young Adult/Young Married Delegate is unable to attend the convention or if no election was held, the State Master/President and the Executive Board may appoint a young Adult/Young Married Delegate to serve. Section10. Whenever the Master of the Ohio State Grange is single, or a married Master s spouse is unavailable to serve as a delegate to the National Grange session, for whatever reason, and thereby causing the Ohio State Grange to lose a delegate vote at the National Grange Session, thus creating the need for choosing a second voting delegate to represent Ohio at the National Grange Session, the delegate body, having elected the officers of the state grange, directs the executive board to appoint the second voting delegate in order of the elected state officers to be the second delegate of the Ohio State Grange at the National Session. 3 Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012
ARTICLE V Quorum Section 1. A majority of the allowed number of Delegates present at a legal meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 2. If, at any time, a reasonable doubt exists concerning the number of Delegates present, any Delegate may appeal to the Master of the Ohio State Grange for confirmation of the presence of a majority of Delegates. In response to this appeal, he/she shall direct the Secretary of the Ohio State Grange to call the roll of Delegates or otherwise establish the presence of a quorum on the floor. ARTICLE VI Duties of Officers Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Master of the Ohio State Grange to open and preside at all meetings of the Ohio State Grange; to decide all questions of law and usage; to see that the laws are faithfully and promptly enforced; to exercise a general oversight over the affairs of the Order; to call special meetings as prescribed in Article III; and to perform such other duties as the Good of the Order may require. Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Overseer/Vice President of the Ohio State Grange to assist the Master in preserving order and to preside over the Ohio State Grange in the absence of the Master. He/she shall assign one-third of the Delegates to their respective committees for work at the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange. In case of a vacancy in the office of the Master of the Ohio State Grange, he/she shall fill this office until the next annual meeting. Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Lecturer/ Program Director of the Ohio State Grange to lead the literary and educational work of the Grange, subject at all times to the approval of the Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange. Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of the Ohio State Grange to review all receipts and disbursements of the Ohio State Grange. He/she shall receive copies of all bank statements. His/her name shall be the third signature on all bank accounts. Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Ohio State Grange to attend and record all of the proceeding of the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange; and any special meetings; and other duties as authorized by the Ohio State Grange. Compensation, as determined by the Executive Board, will be paid to the Secretary of the Ohio State Grange. Section 6. The Executive Committee of the Ohio State Grange shall consist of three elected members, one of whom shall be elected each year for a term of three years. Section 7. All other regularly elected officers of the Ohio State Grange shall perform the duties of their respective offices as prescribed by official Grange procedure. Section 8. All officers or directors of the Ohio State Grange who have Ohio State Grange money accounts shall make at least an annual report to the Ohio State Grange Executive Board. Money making projects shall be included. Monthly reimbursement not included in report. Section 9. Each officer of the Ohio State Grange at the expiration of his/her term of office, shall deliver to his/her successor immediately after installation, all books, papers, money, implements, or any other property of the Ohio State Grange which may be in his/her possession. Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012 4
Section 10. The officers and committee chairpersons of Pomona, Subordinate and Junior Granges shall abide by the duties and conditions set forth in Section 1 through 8. Section 11. It shall be the duty of the Master and the Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange to keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Ohio State Grange; to make out and forward all necessary returns to the National Grange; to keep an account of the Ohio State Grange with each Subordinate Grange; to keep an accurate roster of the name and number of each Pomona, Subordinate and Junior Grange together with the names and addresses of the Masters, Lecturers, Treasurers, Secretaries, Family Activities Chairpersons, Legislative Agents, Membership Chairpersons, Youth Chairpersons, Deaf Chairpersons, Community Service Chairpersons and the Historian of Pomona and Subordinate Granges and the Leaders of the Junior Granges. The Ohio State Grange shall receive and receipt all money. All bills must be approved by the Master and the Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange. The Ohio State Grange books shall, at all times, be open for inspection by any member of the Order in good standing. The fiscal year of the Ohio State Grange shall be from October 1 through September 30. ARTICLE VII Election of officers Section 1. The election of all officers of the Ohio State Grange shall be held biennially at the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange on the even-numbered years. Officers so elected shall serve for a term of two years, with the exception of the three elected members of the Executive Committee, one of who shall be elected each year for a term of three years. The Ohio State Grange Officers shall be elected in the following order: Master, Overseer, Executive Committee Member, Lecturer, Steward, Assistant Steward, Lady Assistant Steward, Chaplain, Treasurer, Secretary, Gatekeeper, Ceres, Pomona and Flora. Section 2. In the presentation of the names of the candidates for any office in the Order in the State of Ohio, no nominating speeches shall be permitted. Section 3. The election of all officers of the Grange in Ohio shall be by ballot and a majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect. Section 4. The election of officers in Subordinate and Pomona Granges shall be held annually or biennially at a regular meeting in July or August, and the names of the Master, Lecturer, Treasurer, Secretary, Legislative Agent, Family Activities Chairperson, Junior Leader, Deaf Activities Chairperson, Youth Chairperson, Membership Chairperson, Community Service Chairperson, and Historian, together with their complete street addresses, shall be reported to the Ohio State Grange upon blanks provided for this purpose by August 31. Section 5. When the Order of Business of the Ohio State Grange calls for the election process, it will begin with the Secretary calling the roll to determine the number of Delegates present and eligible to vote. No other roll call by the Secretary shall be required unless the election continues on the second day. 5 Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012
An Election Committee shall be named by the Master to conduct the election of each Officer in succession as defined by the National Grange Constitution. Ballots will be distributed to the Delegates and the election will commence with the nomination of the Master Candidates. Delegates will vote for their choice from the nominated patrons or write in the name of any patron of their choice. Marked ballots shall be collected and the Election Committee shall retire to tabulate the vote and then report the results to the Delegate body. If no election has occurred, the same procedure will be repeated until an election is reported. The election process will continue for the election for each officer in order, until the election of all officers is completed. Other business of the annual meeting shall continue during the election period. Section 6. A person must be contacted and state his/her consent before being nominated from the floor for a state office. If consent has not been obtained, then the person nominated shall have the right to decline. ARTICLE VIII Vacancies Section 1. In case of a vacancy in the office of Master of the Ohio State Grange, or any other office of the Ohio State Grange, such office shall be filled by an election for the unexpired term at the next annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange. The Overseer shall act as Master until the vacancy is filled. In case of a vacancy or inability to serve of either the Master and the Overseer, the Executive Board shall by appointment fill the vacancy in the Office of Master until the next annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange. In a like manner, the Executive Board shall fill vacancies in any other office in the Ohio State Grange. ARTICLE IX Directors and Committees Section 1. The Master of the Ohio State Grange, following his/her installation, shall appoint State Directors and committee members for the following committees: Family Activities Committee, Youth Committee, Junior Committee, Membership Committee, Deaf Committee, and such other committees as determined necessary by the State Master. Section 2. Prior to the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange, the Master and Overseer of the Ohio State Grange shall appoint such committees, as the Good of the Order requires; all business of the annual meeting must be referred to appropriate committee. Each voting delegate in attendance at such annual meeting shall be assigned for committee work; two-thirds of the assignments shall be made by the Master of the Ohio State Grange and one-third by the Overseer of the Ohio State Grange. Section 3. The Ohio State Grange shall create a Young Adult/Young Married slate of officers, consisting of the following offices: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and three (3) at large seats. These officers will be ages 21-40 and will be voted on by the YA/YM members at the YA/YM summer camp. The offices of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer will be voted annually while the three at large seats will have a staggered term of office. The YA/YM officers will be directly responsible to the Ohio State Grange Master and will look to the Ohio State Grange Master for approval of all YA/YM activities. Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012 6
ARTICLE X Executive Board Section 1. The Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange shall consist of three elected Executive Committee members together with the Master, Overseer, and Treasurer. Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum. Authority shall be granted to the Executive Board to act on any current legislative issues that may come before the Board to set Grange Legislative Policy on said issues, and that a 2/3 majority vote be required of the total membership of the Executive Board, and that the policy be reported to the membership. Section 2. The duties of the Executive Board shall be to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the Order during the period between the annual meetings Of the Ohio State Grange; to make up and submit to the Budget Committee of the Ohio State Grange at each annual meeting, a budget showing estimated receipts and expenditures for the year ahead; to provide for the general welfare of the Order in business matters; to act as Trustee of the State Grange Office; and to administer the finances of the Ohio State Grange in accordance with the mandates laid down by the Delegate body in the Report of the Budget Committee as adopted at the annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange. ARTICLE XI Fees and Dues to the Ohio State Grange Section 1. Each Subordinate Grange in Ohio shall be required to report promptly each quarter, through its Secretary to the Ohio State Grange, the number and names of its members initiated during the preceding quarter and shall accompany this report with a remittance equal to $1.00 per member for all members reported initiated during the quarter. In addition to this, such quarterly remittance shall include $7.25 per capita for each member on the roll of the Subordinate Grange at the beginning of the first quarter for which report is made. The quarterly reports of the Subordinate Grange shall be made as of March 31 st, June 30 th, September 30 th, and December 31 st each year and shall be submitted to the Ohio State Grange, postmarked no later than five (5) days following the close of the quarter. The Executive Board of the Ohio State Grange shall have the authority, between annual sessions of the Ohio State Grange, to adjust increases and decreases according to National Grange current policy dealing with dues structure, per capita required to be sent to the Secretary of the Ohio State Grange per quarter. If a Subordinate Grange is in arrears of paying their quarterly dues the following disciplinary action shall be taken: 1. The Annual Word shall not be communicated to them. 2. The Subordinate Grange and their Junior Grange shall not be permitted to participate in any local, state, or National Grange contests or activities. 3. They shall not be permitted to submit names to be Delegates to the state annual meeting. 7 Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012
4. They shall be notified when their annual dues are in arrears. If said dues are not paid, (a) within two or more quarters, the State Master shall have the duty to suspend or revoke the charter of such Granges; (b) The Ohio Granger magazine shall be discontinued to all members of delinquent Granges following notification by the Ohio State Grange. Section 2. Each Junior Grange shall report and contribute 50 cents per capita annually for each member on the Junior Grange roll at the end of the June quarter. This report is to be sent to the Ohio State Grange. Section 3. Pomona Granges shall pay an annual fee to the Ohio State Grange of $30.00. The fee shall be sent to the Ohio State Grange with the Report of Officers for the roster. When the Annual Word for the new year is available, the same shall be mailed to each Pomona Grange whose annual fee has been paid, as shown by the records in the office of the Ohio State Grange. Section 4. There shall be an Associate Membership Program and the dues of Associate Members shall be Thirty-five Dollars ($35.00) per year Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) to be sent to the Subordinate Grange that attained the membership. Ten Dollars ($10.00) to the Ohio State Grange and Ten Dollars ($10.00) to the National Grange. The Associate Member shall be entitled to Grange member services, such as the grange member rate for camping at the Friendly Hills Camp, the Ohio Granger, and other such members services, which may be available to grange members in the future. The Associate Member shall not be entitled to attend regular Grange meetings, vote on matters on Grange policy or participate in National Grange sponsored contests that are designated by regular Grange members. Section 5.There shall be an Affiliate Membership Program whereby Grange members moving into another Grange state or moving into another area of their home state could retain their membership in the home Subordinate Grange and also join a Subordinate Grange as an Affiliate Member in the area to which they move. Election to membership shall be by majority vote by paper ballot. The Affiliate Member shall pay the applicable membership dues and be entitled to hold office and vote in the additional Subordinate Grange, provided that Affiliate Members are clearly designated as such in reports to the Ohio State Grange and to the National Grange. The Affiliate Member shall not hold the same office in two Subordinate Granges at the same time. Subordinate Grange Affiliate Members are eligible to hold office in the Ohio State Grange and participate in contests by the National Grange and the Ohio State Grange. Neither of these two benefits of the Order may be exercised by such Affiliate Members in more that one Subordinate Grange at the same time. A Subordinate Grange member can become an Affiliate Member with another Subordinate Grange in any county. Affiliate Members cannot be counted to meet the minimum number of thirteen members as required by Grange law to constitute a legal Grange. basis. Affiliate Membership is also extended to Pomona members by following the above rules on a similar Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012 8
ARTICLE XII Deputies Section 1. The Master of the Ohio State Grange may appoint Deputy Masters and Junior Deputy Masters in such numbers as he/she may deem necessary and shall assign them to such territory, for the performance of such duties, as will in his/her opinion serve the best interests of the Order. Such appointees shall serve at the discretion of the Master of the Ohio State Grange, but all Deputy Masters and Junior Deputy Masters commissions will automatically expire December 31. The beginning date of a two-year appointment will be January 1 following election. ARTICLE XIII Appeals for Aid Section 1. All appeals to Subordinate Granges for financial aid, to be entitled to consideration, shall pass through the hands of the Master of the Ohio State Grange. A statement of the worthiness of the applicant must accompany the appeal to the Master of the Ohio State Grange and no appeal shall be mailed to any Subordinate Grange until the appeal has been approved by the Master of the Ohio State Grange. ARTICLE XIV Amendments Section 1. All By-Laws heretofore adopted in conflict with these By-Laws are hereby repealed. Section 2. Any matter not specifically covered by these By-Laws shall be decided by reference to the Digest of the Laws and Enactments of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry as adopted by the National Grange. Section 3. These By-Laws may be altered or amended at any annual meeting of the Ohio State Grange by two-thirds vote of all members present and voting by the voting sign of the Order. NOTES: 9 Revised October 23, 2010 for 2012