THE BYLAWS OF SCCPE
Founded 2019
Table of Contents
Article I Name and Purpose
Article II Membership
Article III Board of Directors (BOD)
Article IV Officers
Article V Standing Committees
Article VI Regular Meetings
Article VII Plant Sales at Meetings and Events
Article VIII Disciplinary Action
Article IX Dissolution
Article I Name and Purpose
1.1. Name: Southern California Carnivorous Plants Enthusiasts (SCCPE)
1.2. Mission Statement: Promote interest and knowledge of all things related to carnivorous plants.
1.3. Goals: Be a hub of education and resources for local hobbyists and industry professionals; and promote the conservation and propagation of carnivorous plants. Hold bimonthly meetings on odd numbered months for members and visitors to interact and share their experiences and plants.
1.4. Non-Profit Entity: California Public Benefit Corporation. Tax exempt non-profit status under California State and Federal regulations. Any and all donations to the Club shall be eligible for tax deduction as applicable under state and federal law.
Article II Membership
2.1. Membership is to be closed. “Member(s)” or “Membership” shall refer to those in good standing and current on dues.
2.2. Types and cost of membership: Membership shall consist of four (4) types, further described below: (1) Individual, (2) Household, (3) Distributor, (4) Premium. Memberships will start the beginning of the month the member(s) joins and will be for a 12 month period. The benefits for the different types of membership are described in section 2.3.
2.2.1. Individual Membership dues shall be $20.
2.2.2. Household Membership dues shall be $30.
2.2.3. Distributor Membership dues shall be $45. This will grant an individual or household the privileges described in Section 7.1.2.
2.2.4. Premium Membership dues shall be $100. This will include a 12 month membership to the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) and all the privileges of a Distributor Membership.
2.2.5. Complimentary Membership may be awarded at the discretion of the BOD or members via majority vote. The awarded membership shall be specified as one of the aforementioned membership types and will be for 12 months at a time. Complimentary Memberships may be renewed indefinitely but must be voted for confirmation every year.
2.3. Membership Benefits are as follows:
2.3.1. One (1) vote for Club matters as an Individual Member.
2.3.2. Up to two (2) votes per Household or Distributor Membership (if only one person of a given membership is present at the meeting, he/she will have one vote). Members must be present to vote.
2.3.3. Plant sales at meetings - only members can sell plants at meetings. Anyone can purchase.
2.3.4. Coordinated Group Buys
2.3.5. Discounts at sponsoring stores
2.3.6. Member-only events and field trips/tours
2.3.7. After one year of membership, a member in good standing may run for an Officer position or be appointed to a Board of Directors position.
2.4. Membership will be non-discriminating. However, individuals can be removed or banned at the discretion of the Board of Directors or members if deemed necessary through the means described in the appropriate section below.
Article III Board of Directors (BOD)
3.1. The Board of Directors (BOD) shall be responsible for the operations of the Club. The BOD shall consist of the Officers and up to three additional members as deemed appropriate and appointed by the Officers.
3.2. Changes to the BOD composition require at least a ⅔ vote by the members at a Regular Meeting.
3.3. BOD Meetings shall be held every month on a schedule that is to be determined and made available to all members. BOD Meetings shall be limited to members of the BOD and invitees only.
3.3.1. BOD Meetings shall follow the latest revision of Robert’s Rules of Order unless otherwise explicitly stated in these Bylaws. The Bylaws will take precedence where there is conflict.
3.3.2. Unless otherwise noted, all motions shall pass with a majority vote.
3.3.3. The Treasurer shall provide a report at each BOD Meeting.
3.3.4. The previous meeting minutes are to be approved by the BOD at the following meeting and then made available to the members digitally by the next Regular Meeting.
3.4. The BOD shall appoint Committee Chairpersons for Standing and Special Committees as deemed necessary.
3.5. Directors may chair or serve in any committee(s) without limit.
3.6. Any director that misses two or more consecutive BOD Meetings without consent from the President shall be reviewed for removal by the BOD. Removal will require a ⅔ vote.
3.7. The President shall cast an additional deciding vote when applicable.
3.8. The BOD shall have the authority to review and amend the Bylaws as deemed necessary. Any amendments to the Bylaws will require a ⅔ vote in the affirmative by all Members present at the meeting in which it is presented.
Article IV Officers
4.1. In order of seniority, Officers shall consist of President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
4.2. Officers are to be elected at the September Meeting of each year. Oncoming Officers shall start serving their term on October 1st, following their election and be continuous to the end of September the following year.
4.2.1. Voting may be rescheduled to another month if deemed necessary by the BOD. Members will be given sufficient notice and instructions if this is the case.
4.3. Officers may hold more than one position simultaneously with the exception that the President cannot also be the Treasurer.
4.4. There are no term limits for Officer positions.
4.5. Description of duties:
4.5.1. President
4.5.1.1. Serve as the official representative of the organization
4.5.1.2. Chair BOD meetings
4.5.1.3. Conduct Regular Meetings
4.5.1.4. General oversight
4.5.1.5. Appoint replacement Directors or Officers in the event of vacancy between elections
4.5.1.6. Ensure state and federal filing requirements are met
4.5.2. Vice President
4.5.2.1. Assist the President in performing duties as needed
4.5.2.2. Assist committees as needed or requested
4.5.2.3. Serve as Acting President through the remainder of the term if the Presidency becomes vacant
4.5.3. Recording Secretary.
4.5.3.1. Maintain records of the organization.
4.5.3.2. Take notes and generate meeting minutes for BOD Meetings.
4.5.3.3. Distribute meeting minutes to the BOD for review within 15 calendar days of the meeting.
4.5.3.4. Track member and visitor activity at each meeting or activity.
4.5.4. Corresponding Secretary.
4.5.4.1. Oversee and maintain social media accounts.
4.5.4.2. Engage in public relations activities as needed with the support of the Public Relations Committee.
4.5.4.3. Maintain Club signage and promotional materials.
4.5.5. Treasurer
4.5.5.1. Manage the finances and financial records of the organization.
4.5.5.2. Collect monies and distribute payments as necessary. Any expenses not considered regular shall be approved by the BOD and co-signed with the President.
4.5.5.3. Summarize the financial activities of the organization at each BOD Meeting
4.5.5.4. Reconcile accounts annually and provide an Annual Report to the general membership at the September Meeting of each year.
Article V Standing Committees
5.1. Committee Chairpersons shall be appointed by the BOD by majority vote. The Committee Chair may form the body of their committee as they deem necessary to carry out their tasks.
5.1.1. Membership Chair/Committee shall maintain the membership roster of the organization. An annual Membership Report shall be made available to all members at the September Meeting of each year.
5.1.2. Public Relations Chair/Committee shall assist the Corresponding Secretary in communicating Club information and announcements to members and the public. They shall maintain the website, social media accounts, and any other forms of communication used by the organization. They shall also oversee planning and activities of events and shows.
5.1.3. Sales Chair/Committee shall oversee the collection of monies at Regular Meetings and events. This committee will report to the Treasurer.
Article VI Regular Meetings
6.1. Regular Meetings shall generally be held the first Saturday of odd numbered months. Meeting locations shall be determined on an ongoing basis. Dates and times are subject to change at the discretion of the BOD.
6.2. There is no cost to attend or participate in Regular Meetings. Regular Meetings are open to visitors.
6.3. Meeting Agendas will be made public at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
6.4. Members may petition items/business for the Meeting Agenda at least 30 days prior to a Regular Meeting by emailing any of the Officers. Members may also bring up new business not on the agenda for review/discussion at the end of any Regular Meeting. The President shall determine if there is sufficient time to address any new business at any meeting.
Article VII Plant Sales at Meetings and Events
7.1. Regular Meetings shall allow a designated space for members to sell their personal plants and materials based on their membership type as described below. SCCPE assumes no liability, express or implied, for any items sold or purchased at meetings. All items sold shall be in presentable form and of good quality. Buyers are to thoroughly inspect all items prior to purchase and assume responsibility for all purchases made.
7.1.1. Individual and Household Members will have a designated area where they will drop off their plants for sale. Each plant must have a tag identifying the plant and a separate tag identifying the seller and price. All transactions will be processed through a member designated by the Sales Committee. The total sales of a member’s items will be tabulated and disbursed to the member less a 15% fee held back to go to Club funds at the end of each meeting.
7.1.2. Distributor Members will have a designated area at which they can sell their own plants/products. Transactions will not be processed through the Sales Committee. No fees will be held back by the Club.
7.2. Any member or visitor participating in a Regular Meeting may purchase items.
7.3. Details for members to participate in selling items at a Club booth at shows and events will be determined on an event by event basis. Details for participation will be made public as soon as they are available.
Article VIII Disciplinary Action
8.1. Any member accused of wrongdoing shall be notified in writing by the BOD and be given at least 15 calendar days to respond. A single Director of the Board or at least three (3) members may submit a written petition regarding the specific detrimental conduct of a member to the BOD. After review, the BOD will issue a notice to the accused of their alleged wrongdoing with detailed criteria for a response expressly and clearly described.
8.2. Review and voting shall take place immediately following the accused’s response unless additional time is needed as deemed by the voting body. Voting privileges shall be suspended for all persons included in the accused’s membership.
8.2.1. The BOD shall have the authority to temporarily suspend or permanently remove any Member or Director as deemed necessary with at least a ⅔ vote in the affirmative during a Board Meeting.
8.2.2. Members shall have the authority to temporarily suspended or permanently remove any Member as deemed necessary with at least a ⅔ vote in the affirmative during a Regular Meeting.
8.3. In the event a Member is suspended or removed, no refund of Club dues will be given.
Article IX Dissolution
9.1. The Club may elect to wind up and be dissolved upon ⅔ approval of the BOD in accordance with the Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and the Corporations Code.
9.2. Notice of intent to dissolve shall be given to each Member in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting called for that purpose. Such dissolution shall be effective ninety (90) days after such vote is taken; provided all outstanding obligations of the Club have been paid.
9.3. Upon dissolution or liquidation of the Club, the remaining assets shall be distributed in accordance with both federal and California law, to an appropriate non-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization, determined by the final BOD. In no event shall any corporate assets inure to the benefit of any person or Member(s) or Director(s) of the Club.
Adopted November 2019