Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers

Purpose

The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG) is first and foremost an association of gardeners.  Our purpose is to promote and encourage the hobby of gardening with emphasis placed on the fun of competition and the production of obscenely large healthy vegetables.  The vegetable of main concern will be the pumpkin, however there are currently four other vegetables on the list for international competition and awards.  We will, to the best of our ability, treat each and every member equally and fairly.  We will listen to concerns of our members and strive for resolutions to problems.  We will continue to improve our organization for the benefit of our members.  We will share gardening tips and information and help to encourage new members and new gardeners.  We will encourage individuals and families to enjoy gardening together.  The hobby of gardening should be fulfilling, rewarding and above all fun for everyone involved.  This is our intent and our mission.

Bylaws

Article I

Membership

A. Membership - Membership in this club will be derived from fellow vegetable growers, associate clubs and anyone else interested in the hobby of growing giant vegetables.  Any person seeking membership will be subject to review and acceptance by the board, and if accepted, that person will be entitled to all rights as a member, once application is approved and dues are paid.  When applying for GPC recognition, all GPC rules and regulations apply.

Full Membership             $35.00

a) Entry into every PGVG sponsored event plus all benefits that pertain.

b) Eligible for (2) family* entries into each category.

c) Annual newsletters

d) Eligible for the annual seed give-away (if paid by March 15)

e) Eligible to vote for or run for any board position. Please note that you must be able to      attend scheduled meetings to run for any board position.

*Family is denoted by members of the immediate family (father, mother, son, daughter)                     living within the same household as a family unit.

B. Contest Rules - All entries entered must adhere to the contest rules as stated by the PGVG, GPC and the hosting site(depending on the affiliation)

C. Expulsion - If any person at any time be guilty of an act prejudicial to the club or to the purposes for which it is formed or inconsistent with the qualifications for membership, such person shall be notified to appear before the Board of Directors at a designated time and shall at that designated time be given a hearing.  Membership of that person may be terminated by a two-thirds vote of board members present at that meeting.

Article I

Officers and Board Members

 A. Control of the Club - Except as otherwise required by law or provided by these Bylaws, the entire control of the club and its affairs and property shall be vested in its current members.

B. Board of Directors - The Board of Directors shall be derived from individuals registered as a single or family member in the PGVG.  The Board of Directors shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President and (3) members at large. Directors shall serve for a period of two years or until a successor has been appointed, should the elected director vacate his/her position.   Initial directors for the year (2002) will be elected/appointed by the Founders* of the PGVG and their term will be for one year only.

C. Nomination and Election of officers - Nominations can be made by any member of the PGVG and must be presented to the Secretary in writing by the Winter meeting.  Election of officers is by majority vote of the membership.  Once all nominations are received, ballots will be emailed out to all current members.  The voting tabulation will occur at the Spring Meeting every year.  Anyone that did not participate in voting earlier, can request a ballot at the Spring Meeting and so vote.  Any duplication of votes will automatically make null and void any ballots submitted by that member.

D. Duties of elected directors

     A. President    

1. Will Chair all meetings

            2.   Will be responsible for appointment of all committee chairpersons.

            3.   Will automatically be an ex-officio member of all committees.

4.   Will temporarily perform the duties of Treasurer in the event the treasurer is unable to      

      fulfill the requirements of the position.

            5.   Will appoint temporary directors if any director is unable to fulfill the requirements of

                   his or her position.

            6.   Will also be a registered signer on the clubs bank account.

     B. Vice President

1. Will also be known as President-elect and automatically assume the position of

       President once his/her term is fulfilled pending board, membership and personal approval.

            2.   Will perform presidential duties in the absence of the president.

            3.   Will play an active role in committees.

            4.   Will also be a registered signer on the clubs bank account.

     C. Secretary

1. Will take minutes at each meeting.
   1. Will present a draft of the minutes to all board members within 48 hours following the meeting.
2. Upon approval of the minutes the secretary will then forward a copy via email to any member requesting them.
3. Will be responsible for all correspondence to the membership regarding club activities.
4. Will be assume the duties of Vice President should that person fail to fulfill his/her term of office.
5. Will be responsible for dispersal and accumulation of all ballots as well as tallying all results. 

     D. Treasurer

1. Will be responsible for all club funds.
2. Will act on the behalf of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers in all financial matters.
3. Will be responsible for issuing all checks approved by budget or majority of the membership.
4. The treasurer is required by these By-laws to challenge any request for issuance of any club funds not consistent with event rules and regulations or approved in the yearly budget.  In the case the treasurer is directed by the officers to issue club funds on an emergency basis, the request shall be presented to the treasurer in writing and signed by the President and Vice-President.
5. Will make all deposits and issue all checks.
6. The treasurer has the right to select a financial institution, upon written approval by the President, in which to deposit the clubs funds for convenience of banking.
7. Shall maintain and present a financial report at every meeting.  Copies of the balance sheet and account register will be available for all board members at each meeting.
8. Will be responsible for maintaining the membership list.  Omitted parts here.
9. Will be responsible for acquiring and maintaining a not-for-profit status for the club

Article III

Meetings

A. Frequency - There will be (3) annual Board meetings and (1) annual entire club meeting to be held concurrent with the Spring Meeting.  It is the responsibility of all board members to make every legitimate effort to attend these meetings.   Meeting schedules will be announced at all meetings and in the newsletter.  At times special meetings may be required and can be called by the President only, to be recognized as an official director’s meeting.

B. Location - The Board of Directors will determine the location(s) of these meetings.  Omitted parts here.

C. Meeting agenda - Meetings are open to all members.  The President will preside over all meetings.  In his/her absence the Vice President shall preside.  Meetings will be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rule and Order.  The Fall meeting will be the budget and planning meeting for the upcoming year.

D. Quorum - a quorum at any meeting of the club, including the annual meeting, shall be a majority of the members present.  A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of the Directors present and may occur at an official board of director’s meeting only.

E. Proxies - No proxy voting shall be allowed.

Article IV

Committees 

A. Committees - Standing committees shall be appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors and shall serve for the ensuing year of appointment.  The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.  Committees will consist of no less than (1) club member and (1) Board Member.

B. Committee Chairperson - Every Committee Chairperson will be elected by the Board of Directors.  It is the responsibility of the Chairman of each committee to stay within the allotted budget set forth by the Board of Directors.

C. The Committees of the PGVG are as follows:

 Seed Committee                   

      A.   Has the primary responsibility to acquire ( Omitted )seeds to use as trade material with other clubs’ seed committees.

1. Omitted

            C.   Will maintain an electronic inventory of all seeds brought in and dispersed.     

            D.   Will present the inventory acquisitions and dispersal report at every meeting.

1.  Will provide a suitable location for storage and maintenance of the inventory.
2.  First and foremost will vow to keep all club seeds separate from his/her personal seed collection under penalty of expulsion from the PGVG and all of it’s sponsored events.
3. Will disperse seeds to all members who have signed up at the time of the Spring meeting.  Identification/Dispersal of these seed packets will be determined by the committee for approval by the Board of Directors.  Seed allocations will be as equitable as possible for each qualifying member.
4. Will retain the first year seeds in the clubs seed bank to better identify the value of

      that particular seed in the future.

2. Newsletter Committee

            A.  Will be responsible for creation of the quarterly newsletter.

            B.  One member of the committee shall be deemed the editor. 

1. Will be responsible for articles, photographs and other information necessary for a top rate newsletter.
2. Will be responsible for printing and copying of the newsletter for dispersal by the   

      Secretary to the membership.

1. Extra copies to be sent to the treasurer for dispersal to new members and late sign-ups.

3. Public Relations/Sponsorship Committee   * Combined with Site Committee              

4. Site Committee

    A.  Will meet with the site owners and assist them with details of the weigh-off.

    B.  Will be responsible for all aspects of the weigh-ofF

            1.Suitable scale

            2.Ribbons/Awards

            3. .Judges

            4.Lifting Teams & Devices

            5.Registration at Events

            6.Traffic Control

            7.Plaques

            8.Event emcee

            9.Results Recorder during the event

           10. Reporting the results to the GPC central committee before the allotted deadline (if

                 it is a GPC sponsored weigh-off)

            C.   Will propose a payout schedule/award schedule to the board at the November  

                  meeting.  Cash dispersal will be done with the consent of the site owner and

                  any sponsors involved.

            D.    Will aide in the promotion of various club events through obtaining sponsorships.

            E.     Will work with local and national media to promote our growers and events.

F.     Will ensure proper advertising for sponsors at every event to ensure value to the            sponsor and proper exposure.

G.    Will always act solely on the behalf of the PGVG and will not use this position for   personal gain.

H.     Will be responsible for meeting with, and assisting the weigh-off site owner with

                   public relations regarding the weigh-offs.

            I.     Will be responsible for arranging the sites for the quarterly meetings.

5.   IT Committee

           A.    Responsible for website design, maintenance and upkeep.

           B.    Will play an active role in all club meetings.

           C.    Will only modify club website, or its contents,  upon Board of Directors approval.