Bylaws

Bylaws of the Reblooming Iris Society

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ARTICLE I  Name And Affiliation
Section 1 Name:  This non-profit organization shall be known as the Reblooming Iris Society (RIS)
Section 2 Affiliation:  The RIS is a section of the American Iris Society (AIS).
ARTICLE II Objectives
Section 1

 

The purposes of the RIS shall be to develop the science of  horticulture and activities related to the study, propagation, and culture of reblooming irises; to stimulate and foster interest in botanical and horticultural pursuits; to cooperate with other organizations, public and private, in the scientific and horticultural education of all those interested in learning any phase of reblooming irises, by any means consistent with these Bylaws.  These shall include, but are not limited to:
(a) To support scientific research, including the culture and improvement of reblooming irises, and to encourage garden visiting by the general public;
(b) To collect and disseminate information on the history, classification, hybridization, climatic range, and culture of reblooming irises;
(c) To promote fall shows and exhibitions for the purpose of educating the general public and fellow irisarians;
(d) To educate the public through public display gardens, published standards for judging, and local, area, regional and
national meetings open to the public, and;
(e) To encourage membership in, and cooperation with, the AIS and its regional and local societies.
Section 2 Organization and Operation. The RIS shall be organized and operated exclusively for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.;
Section 3 Prohibited Activities.;
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, the RIS will not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under
Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.;
(b) No substantial part of the activities of the RIS shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the RIS shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign, including publication or distribution of statements on behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE III
Membership and Dues
Section 1 All voting members shall be members of AIS.
(a) There shall be the following classes of member: Single, Dual, Annual, or Triennial.
(b) Only members in good standing of RIS shall have voting privileges.
(c) Dual membership shall be limited to any two members residing at the same address with each having voting privileges; however, only one copy of the RIR shall be sent.
(d) Life membership shall be non-transferable, carry full membership privileges, and shall be limited to members of the AIS.
(e) A non-member of AIS may join at the regular rate but will have no voting privileges.
Section 2 Dues for all classes of members shall be established by the Board of Directors.
Section 3 Honorary Life Membership may be granted by the Board to a member in recognition of distinguished service in RIS.  An Honorary Life Member shall have full membership privileges, but shall no longer be required to pay RIS dues.
Section 4 Individuals or organizations may subscribe to the periodical publications of RIS by paying an amount equal to the annual or triennial membership dues.  If such individuals or organizations do not fulfill all requirements for membership, they shall be designated "subscribers" and shall not have voting or other membership privileges.
Section 5 Incurment of income:  No part of the net earnings of the RIS shall be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private person, except that the organization is authorized to pay reasonable compensation for goods and/or services rendered in furtherance of the objectives of the RIS.
ARTICLE IV  RIS Officers and Board
Section 1 The Board shall consist of elected and appointed officers.
Section 2 The elected officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Area Directors.  The President shall appoint a Membership Director, Publicity
Director, and the RIR Editor.
Section 3 There shall be five Area Directors to represent the geographical areas, which will be comprised of the AIS Regions
as follows:
EASTERN AREA:  Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, & 19
SOUTHERN AREA:  Regions 5, 10, 17, 22, 23, & 24
MIDWESTERN AREA:  Regions:  6, 8, 9, 18, 21, & overseas
NORTHWESTERN AREA:  Regions 11, 12, 13, & 20
SOUTHWESTERN AREA:  Regions 14, 15, & 22
Section 4 The Board shall have control and management of the affairs, policies, and business of RIS.
Section 5 (a) The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected for a three (3) year term or until their successors are elected.
(b) No member shall be eligible to serve consecutive terms in the same office except in the case of the Secretary and Treasurer, who may each serve two terms consecutively.
(c) All officers who are duly elected at the annual meeting shall assume office at the close of that meeting.
(d) The Area Directors shall be elected, one each year, for a four year term, or until their successors are elected.
Section 6 Business of the Board may be conducted by mail, telegraph, telephone, fax, conference call, email, or other communication systems.  All members shall confirm by written vote. The vote shall be recorded in the minutes.
Section 7 Finance.
(a) The Board shall determine the official depository for the funds of RIS and designate the officers who may sign checks.
(b) Debts shall not be incurred by any officer in the name of RIS unless authorized in writing by the Board.
Section 8 Duties of Officers.
(a) The President shall:
(i) Preside at all meetings of RIS, the Board; and
(ii) Be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.
(b) The Vice-President shall:
(i) In the absence of the President, exercise the functions of the President; and
(ii) Assume the office of the President in case of a vacancy.
(c) The Secretary shall:
(i) Keep all minutes and records of RIS and the Board;
(ii) Have ballots prepared for use, when needed, for the annual election; and
(iii) Record, in writing, any additional nominations made from the floor.
(d) The Treasurer shall:
(i) Receive, record, and account for all monies of RIS; and
(ii) Pay all bills approved in writing by the President.
(e) The Publicity Director shall:
(i) Solicit advertisements from hybridizers and/or commercial and private gardens; and
(ii) Conduct a program of publicity to promote reblooming irises and the RIS.
(f) The five Area Directors shall:
(i) Serve on the  Board:
(ii) Advise the President and Editor of any items of interest in their area;
(iii) Encourage reblooming fall shows/exhibitions and garden tours for rebloomers;
(iv) Support programs to educate the public about rebloomers; and
(v) Report to the Symposium Director, and the President what cultivars are reported to rebloom in their respective areas.
(g) The Editor of RIR shall be appointed by the President and, under the direction of the President, shall edit and publish the RECORDER, twice each year prior to March 31st (Spring issue) and November 30th (Fall issue).
(h) The Membership Secretary shall:
(i) Receive dues and transfer the checks to the Treasurer;
(ii) Keep all records of members and welcome new members in writing;
(iii) Supply all new members with a list of sources of reblooming irises based on those growers advertising in the RIR;
(iv) Notify members, in writing 45 days prior to their membership renewal date.  At that time, notify the Director of Area,
giving the names, etc. of those members who, after 60 days shall be dropped automatically if no response has been received; and
(v) Furnish labels to the Editor when requested.
ARTICLE V Meetings
Section 1 An annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the AIS National Convention, or at the call of the President.
Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Board when deemed necessary.  The Board shall call special meetings upon the written request of ten (10) members of RIS.  Notice of such meetings shall be mailed to each voting member at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, stating the business to be conducted.
Section 3 At all meetings, the members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4 The RIS shall represent in dealings with third parties that the AIS is not responsible for Section obligations.
ARTICLE VI Committees
There shall be the following standing committees:
Membership, Slides, Historian, Internet, Symposium, Awards, and Robins.  The chairs of these committees shall be appointed by the President, approved by the Board, but responsible to the President.  The President shall have the authority to create additional committees with the approval of the Board when the need arises.
Section 1 Nominating Committee.
(a) The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three people. The chairman shall be appointed by the President.  The other two members shall be elected at the Dual meeting. The names of the Committee shall be reported in the Fall issue of the RIR.
(b) The Committee shall select one nominee for each office to be filled.
(c) The report of this Committee shall be included in the Spring issue of RIR.
ARTICLE VII Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the RIS in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent
with these bylaws and those of AIS.
ARTICLE VIII Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting or special meeting of the membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those in attendance and voting, provided such amendments have been submitted in writing to the membership at least fifteen (15) days in advance.
ARTICLE IX Dissolution
Section 1 In the event of dissolution of the RIS, after paying or adequately providing for its debts and obligations, the RIS President and Treasurer shall distribute all assets of the RIS to the AIS or to such organizations as areas qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding provisions of a future Internal Revenue Law.
Section 2 Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court having jurisdiction for such purposes in the county in which the principle office of the organization is then located for such purpose or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine, which are organized exclusively for such purpose.

These Bylaws were approved by the Membership at the Annual Meeting in Madison, WI, on June 2, 2010.

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