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amended March 23, 2005 Article 1 - Name of Organization: The organization shall be known as the North Bay Horticultural Society, henceforth referred to as the Society. Article 2- Authority The Society is incorporated, as of May 1962, under the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), The Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act, 1990. Article 3 - Objectives: The objectives of the Society shall be to encourage interest and involvement in horticulture: a) by holding meetings for instruction and discussion on subjects connected with the theory and practice of horticulture; b) by encouraging the improvement of private and public grounds, including highways and streets, by the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, and by otherwise promoting outdoor art, beautification, balcony gardening, therapeutic use of horticulture, community gardens and plot gardening; c) by interesting youth and others in the study of horticulture by holding meetings, field trips, contests and competitions and by such other means as the Society considers proper; d) by holding exhibitions and awarding premiums for the production of vegetables, plants, flowers, fruits, trees and shrubs; e) by the distribution of seeds, plants, bulbs, flowers, trees and shrubs in ways calculated to create an interest in horticulture; f) by promoting the protection of the environment with appropriate horticultural projects; g) by promoting the circulation of horticultural information through all available media. Article 4 - Membership: This Society is a membership organization enrolling individuals and organizations as members. They also become members of the OHA (Ontario Horticultural Association). All individuals, eighteen years or over, having paid the prescribed annual fee shall, be admitted to membership in the Society. All individuals under the age of eighteen years are entitled to become junior members of the Society, without voting privileges. Such members will pay a nominal membership fee each year. Article 5 - Organizational Structure: There will be up to 15 members on the Board of Directors, henceforth referred to as the Executive. The officers shall be a Past President, an elected President, and (2) Vice-President(s) who shall be elected to a one-year term, and will be eligible for re-election at the end of the term. The Executive shall appoint a Secretary and Treasurer who will serve for a term of one year, and will be eligible for reappointment at the end of the term. Article 6 - Meetings Section 1 - Annual Meeting: a) The Annual Meeting shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Horticultural Society Act. This meeting shall be held once a year, usually in November. b) At least four week's notice of every annual meeting shall be given by a publication of the notice of the meeting in the local newspaper having a general circulation or by making a notice in the Society newsletter, henceforth to be known as The Green Thumb. Section 3 - General Meetings: a) The Executive shall organize general or public meetings for such purposes as competitions, shows, demonstrations, information exchange or any other purpose to further the objectives of the Society. A notification of all such meetings will be given to each member a week before the meeting or sent out in the Green Thumb prior to the meeting. b) The Executive shall be responsible for developing rules and regulations regarding competitions held as part of any general meeting. Article 7 – Finances The Society operates as a non-profit organization, and not for a gain by any member. a) No member of the Society shall receive any remuneration for carrying out duties. However, while representing the Society as a delegate to the OHA Annual Convention or attending OHA District meetings, or in any other official capacity, fees and expenses may be allowed as per policies established by the Executive. b) The fiscal year of the Society shall be November 1st to October 31st. c) Cheques to disperse the funds of the Society shall bear two (2) signatures out of four (4), President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. d) The annual financial statement shall by audited by a certified accountant, or two (2) qualified individuals, none being a member of the Society’s executive. e) The audited annual financial statement shall be sent to OMAF before January 31st of the following year to maintain status as an Incorporated Society, and to qualify for the legislative grant administered by OMAF. f) The financial accounts and other books of the Society shall be made available for inspection by members, at their reasonable request. g) No two members of the same family can sign cheques. Article 8 – Constitutional amendments: This Constitution may be amended, revised or revoked by a majority of the members attending an Annual Meeting. Proposed amendments to the Constitution must have been previously recommended by the Executive and must accompany the Annual meeting agenda when communicated to the membership. By-laws shall be established and set forth as may be required by the Executive. By-laws cannot be established or amended unless it is in accordance with the Constitution of the Society. Article 9 - Interpretation: In addition to all its powers, the Executive may by resolution interpret the intent or meaning of any clause, resolution or report in connection with the affairs of the Society.
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