CONSTITUTION
Article I: Club Name
The name of this Club shall be Luray Garden Club.
The Club Flower shall be Iris.
Club Motto: We pass this way but once. Let us beautify the path as we go so the world may see which way we went. (Edward Bok)
Article II: Club Objective
The objective of this Club shall be to stimulate and encourage the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native plants, to awaken in the community an interest in beautifying home grounds, and to promote civic planning.
Article III: Club Membership
The membership of this Club shall include five classes: Active, Associate Honored Honored membership is to be determined by the Executive Committee.
Article IV: Club Officers
The officers of this Club shall be President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain.
Article V: Amendments
This Constitution may be amended at any meeting by a two thirds vote of those present and voting.
The amendment should be laid on the table at a previous meeting. Notice of the proposed amendment must be submitted in writing and signed by two members.
BYLAWS
LURAY GARDEN CLUB BYLAWS
(revised February 2021)
Article I — Name
Section A – The name of the organization shall be known as the Luray Garden Club.
Section B – Luray Garden Club is a non-profit organization as a subordinate of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc (group exemption #5395.) The VFGC Inc, is, incorporated in the State of Virginia, as described in Section 501-c-3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Article II – Purpose The purpose of the Club is to stimulate and encourage the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native plants, to awaken in the community an interest in beautifying home grounds, and to promote civic planning.
Article III — Meetings
Section A — The regular meetings of this Club shall be held the second Tuesday of each month,
with the exception of June and December. Notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 7 days prior to the meeting.
Section B — Special meetings of the Club may be called by the President or Vice-President upon one week notice of such special meeting to all members.
Section C — A quorum is forty percent (40%) of active members. With a quorum present, a majority vote of active members may decide any question coming before the meeting.
Section D — At all meetings, each active member of the Club shall be entitled to one vote.
Article IV — Club Membership The membership of this Club shall include three classes: Active, Associate, and Honored. Honored membership is to be determined by the Executive Committee. Courtesy Membership is offered without dues to the spouse of the Superintendent of Shenandoah National Park.
Section A — The Active members of this club shall be limited to fifty-one.
Section B — After a prospective member has attended two meetings, they are eligible to join by submitting a Membership Application to the Corresponding Secretary and paying dues.
Section C — Members may apply for Associate Membership only if they are seventy-five years or older and have been a member of the Club for a minimum of ten years. These applications must be approved by the Executive Board. Exceptions may be made in case of invalidism. Associate Members may serve on a committee but may not vote or hold office.
Section D — A Leave of Absence may be granted for one year to any member showing “just cause.” These members shall continue paying appropriate dues. These applications must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Article V—Club Officers The officers of this Club shall be President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section A – All officers shall be elected for a term of two years and are not eligible for re-election to the same office until expiration of one term A Nominating Committee of three immediate Past Presidents shall present a slate of officers at the February meeting for vote at the March meeting. If there are additional nominations from the floor, the election shall proceed by ballot, and a majority of votes cast shall constitute an election. The new officers shall be installed at the end of the April meeting.
Section B – The officers of this Club and the chairmen of the following committees shall constitute the Executive Committee: Awards & Monthly Flower Exhibit, Civic & Community Projects, and Gardening & Horticulture Committee. The Executive Committee shall have supervision over the affairs of the Club and shall offer with recommendations all proposed measures to the Club for vote.
Section C — A vacancy in any office except the President shall be filled by the Executive Committee. The unexpired vacancy of the President shall be filled by the Vice President.
Article VI – Committees . The Executive Committee may, by resolution at any Club meeting, designate Standing or Special Committees of the Club. There shall be two classes of Committees: Standing and Special, and committees shall have at least three members.
Section A — Standing Committees shall be: Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Awards & Monthly Exhibits Committee, Civic & Community Projects Committee, and Program Committee.
Section B — Special Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the President.
Section C – The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Article VII – Finances
Section A – The Club shall be supported by annual dues for Active and Associate members.
Section B – All new members are encouraged to purchase the Handbook for Flower Shows from the National Garden Club at https://www.gardenclub.org/store/handbook-flower-shows-2017-edition
Section C – The annual dues of Active Members shall be $25; Associate members $30; payable at the March Meeting.
Dues for New Members shall be computed quarterly, based upon the date they join the Club: ¨ June – Aug: $20 ¨ September- November: $15 ¨ December-February: $10
Section D – The Treasurer shall notify all members whose dues have not been paid by the end of the
March meeting. If dues are not paid by the April meeting, the names of such persons shall be dropped from the roll.
Section E — $150.00 will be allocated toward expenses of two members wishing to take the Flower Show Judges’ course with exams (or $75.00 for one member.) This may be awarded annually.
Section F – Club shall approve the proposed (June 1-May 31) annual budget in May and review the Actual-to-Budget Report (June 1 – May 31) for prior fiscal year as the Annual Report in September.
Article VIII- Amendments By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of this Club by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. The proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing and signed by two Club members.
Article IX – Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of this association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of the Luray Garden Club.
Article X – Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Luray Garden Club, the Treasurer shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Club, donate all of the assets of the club to a tax-exempt organization with similar purposes that is selected by a majority vote of the membership.