Maine Somerset Beekeepers
Bylaws
Article 1 - Name and Purpose
This organization shall be known as the Maine Somerset Beekeepers.
Purpose: To foster the keeping and efficient management of honey bees; To educate the
members in the science and techniques of apiculture; To inform the members and the public, on
occasion, of the ecological and economic benefits of honey bee culture; To provide opportunities
for informal exchanges of information through fellowship and association with other beekeepers.
Article 2 - Membership
Anyone interested in beekeeping and in the beekeeping industry may join the Maine Somerset
Beekeepers upon payment of the regular annual dues.
Article 3 - Officers
The officers of the club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Education Director, and Membership Coordinator. The President may serve no more than three (3)
consecutive terms of office. A quorum for voting for officers shall consist of at least ten members in
good standing.
The officers shall be elected by a majority vote when members are present at the
December meeting of each year and shall serve in that capacity for the next twelve (12) months.
The officers shall serve without pay but may be reimbursed for actual expenses within the budget
constraints set by the Board of Officers.
The President shall provide leadership and generally guide the club meetings and keep the
membership informed of all significant matters. The President will act on matters considered of
vital interest to the club.
The Vice President shall act for and on behalf of the President in the President’s absence or
during the remainder of the term if there is a vacancy in the position.
The Treasurer shall manage the financial affairs of the club and provide detailed reports of
financial transactions at each club meeting.
The Education Director shall be responsible for the development, coordination, and oversight of the
Club’s educational programs and member development initiatives.
The Membership Coordinator shall be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies
to attract new members and promote the Club within the community.
In case of a vacancy in the position of Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Education Director, or
Membership Coordinator, the President shall appoint a member to serve during the remainder of the term.
Only dues-paid members may serve as officers of the club or as a chairperson or member of select
committees.
Article 4 - Financials
All club bank accounts shall have at least two authorized officer signatories at all times. The Treasurer and
President shall serve as the primary signatories unless they are related by blood, marriage, domestic
partnership, or household, in which case another qualified officer approved by the Board of Officers shall
serve as a signatory instead.
Disbursements other than routine in nature must be approved by both the President and the Vice President.
Expenditures in excess of $300.00 must be approved by the general membership.
Article 5 - Dues
Any individual or a family unit may join the club by paying a single membership fee.
The annual dues shall be voted on each year at the December meeting and will be payable in advance to the
Treasurer and shall be due on January 1 of the year covered. All memberships expire on December 31 of each
year. Any member of the club who becomes delinquent in payment of dues shall be dropped from the roll of
membership after the June meeting and only restored to active membership by paying the current year's dues.
Article 6 - Meetings
There shall be regular meetings of the club to be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The
Board of Officers may change a meeting during the month if circumstances require it.
In addition to the regular meetings, special programs may be presented any time during the
year.
Members of the club shall be notified by mail, email, or by other means as appropriate, of the
time and place of each meeting or special program.
Membership in the club is not required for attendance at meetings, however, only paid members
may vote on any business conducted at the meeting.
Article 7 - Quorum
Twenty percent of the dues-paid membership of the club shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any
business of the club.
Article 8 - Amendments
When a quorum of members is present, these by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of
the members present at any regularly scheduled meeting provided that written notice of the
proposed amendment has been sent to each member of the club not less than 15 days prior to
the scheduled meeting by email.
Any amendment to the by-laws will take effect immediately upon passage unless otherwise provided for in that
amendment.
Article 9 - Removal for Cause
Any member whose conduct is determined to bring discredit upon the Club may be subject to removal from
membership and ineligibility for future membership, upon a majority vote of the Board of Officers. Any member so
removed shall be entitled to a full refund of any current membership dues paid.
Allegations of such conduct must be submitted to the Officers by one or more members in good standing. Upon
receipt, a quorum of the membership must approve, by vote, the authorization for the Officers to review and discuss
the matter outside of a regular meeting. Following such review, the decision of the Officers shall be final, unless
subsequent or additional transgressions warrant further action.
Article 10 - Dissolution
Dissolution of the Maine Somerset Beekeepers may be accomplished by a simple majority vote of those members
in good standing at the monthly meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose only after the membership has
received a 30 day written notice by either email or regular mail specifying the time, place, agenda, and purpose of the
meeting.
Upon dissolution of the Maine Somerset Beekeepers, any assets remaining after payment of liabilities shall be disposed
of in a manner agreed upon by the members in good standing.
Article 11: Adoption and Certification of Bylaws
These Bylaws shall become effective upon their adoption by a duly constituted quorum of the membership of the Club
at a properly noticed meeting. Adoption shall require the affirmative vote as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws.
The undersigned Officers hereby certify that these Bylaws were duly adopted by the membership on the date indicated
below and constitute the official Bylaws of the Club.
In witness whereof, the undersigned have executed this Certification on behalf of the Club.
President
Date: ____________________________
Secretary
Date: ____________________________