ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Association is the Missouri Meat Goat Producers Association. This Association is non-union, non-sectarian, and non-profit. Hereafter this association shall be referred to as the State Board.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to promote a quality meat goat industry worldwide but especially in Missouri and to oversee issues of a statewide nature that affect the member associations in state.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Divisions
The Association shall consist of four geographical divisions: Northwest Division (north of US highway 50 and west of Missouri state highway 5), Northeast Division (north of US highway 50 and east of Missouri state highway 5), Southwest Division (south of US highway 50 and west of US highway 63), and Southeast Division (south of US highway 50 and east of highway 63).
Section 2: Participation
Each division shall be autonomous with regard to election of officers, dues, and events sponsored. Members of any division may attend meetings of any other division but shall pay dues and have voting privileges only in the division in which they pay dues. Membership is not governed by ones place of residence.
Section 3: Statewide Officers
The President and one rotating Board member of each division shall automatically serve on a statewide Board of Directors for the limited purpose of dealing with issues that affect the entire state.In addition, the Internet Sales Committee shall elect one of their members to reside on the State Board. This member will have no term limit. The State Board shall meet at least annually to handle such statewide issues and allocate funds granted from state or federal agencies. No more than one member of the same immediate family shall be allowed to serve on the State Board.
Section 4: Voting Rights
Each board member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter addressed by the board.
Section 5: Funding
Funds to cover operating expenses shall come from an assessment of the divisional membership of $11 per member farm to cover liability insurance and incidentals, assessed March 15th each year and payable by March 31. The State Board shall review this rate annually according to expenses.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Annual Meeting
An annual meeting of this Association shall be held in the month of April in each year for the purpose of transacting such business as may come before the Board.
Section 2: Special Meetings
The President or a majority of members may call special meetings of the board. Members shall be notified of time, place, and subject of special meeting by mail or e-mail at least fourteen business days before any meetings in which votes shall be taken.
Section 3: Place of Meeting
The President of the State Board may designate any place within the state of Missouri as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Proxies
Proxies may be carried to cast votes for absent members but can only be exercised by a member of the Board of Directors of the divisional association represented by the absent board member.
Section 5: Attendance
General members of good standing of any division may attend meetings of the state board. They may address the Board upon approval of a written petition to speak.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Board shall be: a President, a Vice President, aSecretary, a Treasurer, and any other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint other such officers, including one or more Assistant Secretaries, as it shall deem desirable. Such officers shall have the authority to perform the duties prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Election & Term of Office
The officers of the State Board shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the state board at the annual meeting. Officers may not serve more than two consecutive one-year terms in the same position with the exception of the member-at-large who may be re-elected.
Section 3: President
The President shall preside at all meetings of this Board; shall recommend appointments and committee chairpersons and members, subject to the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors, and shall generally manage such business as may come before the State Board. The President may serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, except for nominations, and is a signer on all bank accounts.
Section 4: Vice President
In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President; and when so acting, shall have all the powers of the President. Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President.
Section 5: Secretary
The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the State Board in books provided for that purpose; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; be custodian of the State Board records; keep a register of the addresses of each State Board member which shall be furnished to the Secretary by each member; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or the State Board.
Section 6: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the State Board. The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the State Board from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the name of the State Board in any banks, trust companies, or other depositories with statewide branches as shall be selected by the State Board; in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or by the State Board. Checks shall require two signatures. Check signature cards shall include at least the President, Vice-President and the Treasurer of the board.
ARTICLE VI: STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1: Marketing Committee
A standing committee called the Missouri Internet Sale Committee shall exist under the governance of the State Board. Reports and plans are to be submitted to the President of the State Board. Commodity commissions will be deposited to the State Board bank Account and used for the promotion of the meat goat industry as they see fit. The bylaws governing this committee are attached as Exhibit A and will be approved by the State Board.
Section 2: Special Committees
Other special committees of this Board shall be those deemed necessary by the State Board. Committee members shall either be appointed by the President, or may volunteer to serve with approval of a majority of the board. The members of the formed committees shall elect committee chairpersons. The State Board shall determine and assign the duties of the committees.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by the State Board, with an affirmative vote of two thirds of the Board. Notice of proposed amendments must be given to all members of the State Board at least 14 days before a vote is scheduled.
SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION - MISSOURI MEAT GOAT PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Association is Southwest Missouri Meat Goat Producers Association. This Association is non-union, non-sectarian, and non-profit.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be:
1. To promote a quality meat goat industry worldwide
2. To provide our members with the information to help them breed and raise quality meat goats
3. To help our members locate a ready market for their end product
4. To conduct shows and educational meetings to benefit our members and the general public when applicable.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Classes of Members
The Association shall have two classes of members. The designation of such classes and the qualifications and rights of the members of each class shall be as follows:
A. Farm / family members shall pay full dues and have full membership rights.
B. Associate members may include educators, veterinarians, etc., are not required to pay dues and have no voting rights.
Section 2: Voting Rights
Each member paying full dues shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.
Section 3: Dues
The Board of Directors shall establish the rate of dues and schedule of payment, a portion of which will be payable to the State Board for liability insurance and incidentals.
Section 4: Termination of Membership
The Board of Directors may, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds majority of the Board, suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing, with the accused present, or terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or who may be in default in the payment of dues.
Section 5: Reinstatement
Upon written request by a former member, filed with the Secretary, the Board of Directors may, by affirmative vote of two-thirds majority of the Board, reinstate a former member upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 1: Annual Meeting
Meetings of this Association shall be held bi-monthly in odd numbered months, with the January meeting convening for the purpose of electing officers and directors and for transacting other such businesses as may come before the Association.
Section 2: Place of Meeting
The Board of Directors may designate any place within the state of Missouri, as the place of meeting.
Section 3: Rights of Membership
Except as expressly delegated to the Board, all rights of membership as to voting for the election of officers, disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of this Association, or dissolution are vested in the voting members.
Section 4: Proxies
Proxies may not be carried to cast votes for absent members.
ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: General Powers
The affairs of the Association shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
Section 2: Number, Qualifications, and Tenure
The Board of Directors of this Association shall consist of the elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer,) and three Directors: one serving a two- year term, and one serving a three- year terms. The immediate past president of the Association shall be the third Director.
Section 3: Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors will be held at the Board’s discretion. Place and time will be announced by the President.
Section 4: Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Association shall be: a President, one Vice President a Secretary, a Treasurer, and any other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint other such officers, including one or more Assistant Secretaries, as it shall deem desirable. Such officers shall have the authority to perform the duties prescribed by the Board of Directors. No more than one member of the same immediate family shall be allowed to serve on the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Election and Term of Office
The officers of the Association shall be elected annually by the voting membership at the annual January meeting.
Section 3: Removal
Any officer elected by the membership or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Association would be served thereby.
Section 4: Vacancies
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5: President
The President shall preside at all meetings of this Association and at regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors; shall recommend appointments and committee chairpersons and members, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall generally manage the day-to-day business of this Association. The President serves.
Section 6: Vice President
In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President; and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President. Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 7: Secretary
The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the members and the Board of Directors in books provided for that purpose; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; keep a register of the addresses of each member which shall be furnished to the Secretary by each member; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or Board of Directors.
Section 8: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Association. The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Association from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the name of the Association in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors; in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII: STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The standing and special committees of this Association shall be those deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Committee members shall either be appointed by the President, or may volunteer to serve. Committee chairpersons shall be elected by the members of the formed committees. Duties of the committees shall be set forth by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, with an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board. Notice of proposed amendments must be given to all voting members of general membership in good standing at least 30 days before a vote is scheduled and affirmed by a majority of voting members.
I certify that the foregoing BYLAWS OF SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION - MISSOURI MEAT GOAT PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION, were adopted by the membership, this day of , 2001.
ATTEST: //Document signed by President and Secretary and on file //
