Bylaws of
Lee County Master Gardeners Association (LCMGA)
Approved: 01/03/2024
Article I – NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1 – Name: The name of the organization shall be the Lee County Master Gardeners Association, hereafter referred to as the Association or the LCMGA.
Mission Statement
“We improve the lives of Alabamians through research-based horticulture education delivered by a dedicated, trained and involved Extension volunteer team.” [1]
Section 2 – Purpose: the Lee County Master Gardeners Association is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.
The purposes of this organization shall be as follows:
● To enhance and supplement the ACES Home Horticulture Program (Extension Master Gardener Program).
● To help support ACES volunteerism among interns and certified Lee County Extension Master Gardeners.
● To promote continuing service and educational opportunities for Extension Master Gardeners.
● To advise, educate, and disseminate research-based horticulture related information to residents of Alabama.
● To promote fellowship with people interested in horticulture.
● To advise, educate, and lead projects that benefit the public.
● To cooperate and affiliate with other organizations whose purposes are consistent with and beneficial to the LCMGA.
Section 3 – Authority: The Association shall be non-profit, and no dividends shall be distributed to its members or officers as income, but it may pay compensation in a reasonable amount to its officers and members for services rendered to the Association that are in conformity with its purposes and powers. All assets of the Association shall be devoted to and expended only for the purposes for which the Association is organized. The Association is established as a 501 (c) (3), a Non-Profit Association under the Non-Profit Corporation Law of Alabama. [2]
● The Association shall follow the rules and guidance set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the State Association known as Alabama Master Gardeners, Inc.
● The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Association meetings in all cases unless otherwise stated.
Section 4 – Fiduciary Responsibility:
● The Treasurer is authorized to pay and reimburse budgeted expenses.
● In case of non-budgeted expenses occurring between meetings of the membership such as considerations for one-time expenses/special requests, fundraising activities or expenses related to workshop presentations, a simple majority of the Board may authorize expenditures up to $700. The President may authorize expenditures up to $150.
Article II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – Categories of Membership
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Membership as a Certified Extension Master Gardener EMG, to hold office and vote requires:
● Fulfillment of annual service requirements, 25 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education. These hours must be recorded in the EMG Volunteer Service report.
Certified Extension Master Gardeners transferring from another Alabama Local Associations will be granted Active membership and will start paying local and AMGA dues in December of the calendar year.
ALUMNI MEMBERS
Alumni EMG volunteers are members who have paid annual or lifetime local and AMGA dues, but who have not fulfilled and recorded 25 of volunteer service hours and 10 hours of continuing education in the EMG Volunteer Service report. Volunteers can return to “ACTIVE” status at any time after signing the MOU and participating in and reporting 25 hours and 10 CEU hours in a calendar year, [3]
INACTIVE MEMBERS
Inactive LCMGA members are members who have been certified as an Extension Master Gardener volunteer but have not paid annual or lifetime local and AMGA State dues and have not met the Certified Active requirements for volunteerism and education, i.e.25 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education. Inactive members will always be recognized as being a Certified Master Gardener but are not eligible to hold office and may not vote.
Inactive LCMGA members are members that:
An inactive member may move their membership to Friends of Lee County Master Gardeners.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be awarded to an Individual who has rendered outstanding contributions to the Association by the Board of Directors.
• Honorary members pay no dues and do not vote.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is available for Alabama Cooperative Extension System employees who work in an office that offers the Program may apply for membership.
• Associate members pay no dues and do not vote.
FRIENDS OF LEE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS-This is not an ACES / AMGA affiliated program. Anyone who is interested in being involved with LCMGA programs, activities, or becoming a Master Gardener but is not currently able to take the classes and fulfill all the volunteer requirements. Participation is entirely flexible and voluntary. Friends pay annual dues. They do not hold office or vote. Friends may not participate in any capacity unsupervised by a certified MG due to their lack of an ACES-approved Background Clearance.
Section 2 - Dues for the upcoming year shall be paid to the Membership Coordinator by December 15th of the prior year.
Article III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - The governing Board and management of the Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) composed of the eight elected officers, two State Advisory Council Members, and the immediate past President, (a total of eleven members), who will all have voice and vote. The Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, REA, serves as an advisor to the Board as a nonvoting member. The Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Program Director, Communications Director, Membership Director, Educational Outreach Director, and Treasurer (who will serve without bond). In case of a tie vote, the Treasurer shall carry the tie-breaking vote.
Section 2 – Biennial Elections of Officers/Directors
● Elections of Officers shall be at the November meeting by majority vote of those members in attendance.
● A three-member Nominating Committee comprised of one Board member and two voting non-Board members, appointed by the President shall select candidates for office. The Nominating Committee shall submit a slate of Officers/Directors at the October meeting. The nominating committee shall acquire consent of the nominees. Voting shall take place at the November meeting with additional nominations accepted from the floor at that time with consent of the nominee.
● Officers shall serve for two years beginning in January and may be re-elected.
Section 3 - Vacancies may be filled temporarily by the Board to serve until the end of the original term.
Section 4 - The Board shall meet quarterly or as needed at a time and place suitable to a majority of the Board, with seven (7) days’ notice from the President at such time and place as shall be fixed in such notice.
● Association members may attend and speak at Board meetings by making a request to the President, verbally, written, or electronically one day prior to the meeting.
Section 5 - The Board shall make, amend, adopt, establish, and enforce Bylaws, rules and regulations for the control and government of the Association. Proposed amendments shall be brought before the Board in writing by any member or committee chair for consideration and deliberation. Amendments shall be presented in writing by the Board to the membership and shall be subject to the final approval of a 2/3 majority of the members present at the next general membership meeting.
Section 6 - The Board shall have the power to elect ex-officio members, to serve at the discretion of the Board. The ex-officio members shall have voice but not vote in the affairs of the Board, but may be a voting member of the Association.
Section 7- The Lee County Master Gardeners Training class shall select one class member to serve as an Ex-Officio, nonvoting member of the Board for a two year term.
Section 8 - A simple majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article IV – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS
A. The President:
● Serves as the chief executive officer of the Association and has general charge of the business of the Association.
B. The Vice-President:
● In the absence or disability of the President, conducts all duties of the President.
● Assists the Education Outreach Director and others in identifying quality projects to allow members to complete their annual volunteer hours requirement.
C. The Secretary:
● Maintains original digital copies of bylaws, agendas, minutes, and any other original important papers.
● Drafts and finalizes minutes for meetings of the Board and for monthly business meetings of the membership including review and timely electronic dissemination.
D. The Treasurer:
● Keeps an accurate account of the receipts and disbursements and reports to the Board at regular meetings and to the general membership at monthly business meetings.
● Has general charge of the funds of the Association and pays them out as authorized by the Board.
E. The Program Director:
● Provides Continuing Education Unit (CEU) training opportunities to the Association members.
● Reserves meeting locations for monthly meetings of the membership.
F. The Communications Director:
G. The Membership Director:
H. The Educational Outreach Director:
I. Two State Advisory Council (AC) members appointed by President:
● Serve as a link between LCMGA and the AMGA Advisory Council, relaying meeting information to LCMGA members.
Article V - GENERAL MEETINGS
Section 1 - The general membership of the Association shall meet monthly at such date, time and place as may be fixed by the Board; meetings may be added or deleted as events dictate. Notice thereof stating the time and place of meeting shall be delivered to each member no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 2 - Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, by a majority of the Board, or upon written requests of a majority of the members of the Association. Notice of the special meeting shall be delivered to each member no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of such meeting. Only the business stated may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 3 – Those Active members present at a regular or special meeting of LCMGA represent a quorum. Decisions will be based on a simple majority of Active members present.
Section 4 – Active members of the LCMGA are authorized to vote.
Article VI – COMMITTEES
Section 1 - The Association standing committees will be the Budget Committee, Projects Committee, Special Grants Committee, and Caring Committee.
Section 2 - The President or the Board has the authority to appoint additional committees as needed.
Section 3 - The Projects Committee initiated in 2012 is chaired by the President and includes three non-Board, voting members. The committee is charged by the LCMGA Board to evaluate proposed projects requiring more than 100 work hours or financial resource support to determine suitability for a long-term commitment by the Association.
Section 4 - The Special Grants Committee initiated in 2016 is chaired by the Vice President. The committee is charged by the LCMGA Board to solicit, receive, and evaluate proposals for special budgeted grants. The committee shall follow guidelines established by the Vice President and the Board.
Section 5 - The Budget Committee meets in July each year to draft a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, The fiscal year for LCMGA runs from October 1st to September 30th. The Treasurer and President invite active members to serve on the committee, including the Vice President, immediate past President and past Treasurer.
Section 6 - The Caring Committee has one or two members. The President contacts this individual who sends condolences, well wishes and other appropriate messages to members and Friends, who need a caring message from their Master Gardener friends.
Article VII – CERTIFICATION
These LCMGA Bylaws are approved by the Board President:
_____Charlot Ritenbaugh______________________________________ __1/3/2024_________
Signature Date
______Charlot Ritenbaugh ___________________________
Print Name
These Bylaws are reviewed and concurred Regional Extension Agent:
____________________________________________ ____________
Signature Date
_______Dani Carroll____________________________
Print Name
[1] Alabama Master Gardeners Association, Inc. (AMGA) Local Association’s Handbook, June 2019
[2] Articles of Organization LCMGA, 9 June 2010
[3]Memo of Understanding (MOU) formerly ANR-1155, pp3-5 Final October.27.2023
LCMGA BYLAWS AMENDMENT VI - 2023
[1][1] Extension Master Gardeners 5-Year Strategic Plan, September 1, 2023 Final
[2][2] Articles of Organization LCMGA, 9 June 2010
[3] Memo of Understanding (MOU) formerly ANR-1155, pp3-5 Final October 27, 2023
Lee County Master Gardeners Association (LCMGA)
Approved: 01/03/2024
Article I – NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1 – Name: The name of the organization shall be the Lee County Master Gardeners Association, hereafter referred to as the Association or the LCMGA.
Mission Statement
“We improve the lives of Alabamians through research-based horticulture education delivered by a dedicated, trained and involved Extension volunteer team.” [1]
Section 2 – Purpose: the Lee County Master Gardeners Association is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.
The purposes of this organization shall be as follows:
● To enhance and supplement the ACES Home Horticulture Program (Extension Master Gardener Program).
● To help support ACES volunteerism among interns and certified Lee County Extension Master Gardeners.
● To promote continuing service and educational opportunities for Extension Master Gardeners.
● To advise, educate, and disseminate research-based horticulture related information to residents of Alabama.
● To promote fellowship with people interested in horticulture.
● To advise, educate, and lead projects that benefit the public.
● To cooperate and affiliate with other organizations whose purposes are consistent with and beneficial to the LCMGA.
Section 3 – Authority: The Association shall be non-profit, and no dividends shall be distributed to its members or officers as income, but it may pay compensation in a reasonable amount to its officers and members for services rendered to the Association that are in conformity with its purposes and powers. All assets of the Association shall be devoted to and expended only for the purposes for which the Association is organized. The Association is established as a 501 (c) (3), a Non-Profit Association under the Non-Profit Corporation Law of Alabama. [2]
- The Authority of the Association shall be vested in its members and be exercised through its Board of Directors.
● The Association shall follow the rules and guidance set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the State Association known as Alabama Master Gardeners, Inc.
● The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Association meetings in all cases unless otherwise stated.
Section 4 – Fiduciary Responsibility:
● The Treasurer is authorized to pay and reimburse budgeted expenses.
● In case of non-budgeted expenses occurring between meetings of the membership such as considerations for one-time expenses/special requests, fundraising activities or expenses related to workshop presentations, a simple majority of the Board may authorize expenditures up to $700. The President may authorize expenditures up to $150.
Article II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – Categories of Membership
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Membership as a Certified Extension Master Gardener EMG, to hold office and vote requires:
- Successful completion of an approved Cooperative Extension System Master Gardener Training Program.
- fulfillment of the program’s volunteer service requirements as an intern (individuals participating in the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program and certification). Upon completion of the program requirements, interns are considered Active Members and pay dues the December beginning their first full calendar year as an Active member.
- Active members must pay annual dues or make a one-time Lifetime* dues payment donation.
● Fulfillment of annual service requirements, 25 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education. These hours must be recorded in the EMG Volunteer Service report.
Certified Extension Master Gardeners transferring from another Alabama Local Associations will be granted Active membership and will start paying local and AMGA dues in December of the calendar year.
ALUMNI MEMBERS
Alumni EMG volunteers are members who have paid annual or lifetime local and AMGA dues, but who have not fulfilled and recorded 25 of volunteer service hours and 10 hours of continuing education in the EMG Volunteer Service report. Volunteers can return to “ACTIVE” status at any time after signing the MOU and participating in and reporting 25 hours and 10 CEU hours in a calendar year, [3]
INACTIVE MEMBERS
Inactive LCMGA members are members who have been certified as an Extension Master Gardener volunteer but have not paid annual or lifetime local and AMGA State dues and have not met the Certified Active requirements for volunteerism and education, i.e.25 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education. Inactive members will always be recognized as being a Certified Master Gardener but are not eligible to hold office and may not vote.
Inactive LCMGA members are members that:
- have successfully completed an approved Cooperative Extension System Master Gardener Training Program.
- do not pay annual dues or have not made a one-time Lifetime dues payment donation.
- have not met and recorded the annual service requirement of 25 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education into the database.
An inactive member may move their membership to Friends of Lee County Master Gardeners.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be awarded to an Individual who has rendered outstanding contributions to the Association by the Board of Directors.
• Honorary members pay no dues and do not vote.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is available for Alabama Cooperative Extension System employees who work in an office that offers the Program may apply for membership.
• Associate members pay no dues and do not vote.
FRIENDS OF LEE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS-This is not an ACES / AMGA affiliated program. Anyone who is interested in being involved with LCMGA programs, activities, or becoming a Master Gardener but is not currently able to take the classes and fulfill all the volunteer requirements. Participation is entirely flexible and voluntary. Friends pay annual dues. They do not hold office or vote. Friends may not participate in any capacity unsupervised by a certified MG due to their lack of an ACES-approved Background Clearance.
Section 2 - Dues for the upcoming year shall be paid to the Membership Coordinator by December 15th of the prior year.
Article III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - The governing Board and management of the Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) composed of the eight elected officers, two State Advisory Council Members, and the immediate past President, (a total of eleven members), who will all have voice and vote. The Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, REA, serves as an advisor to the Board as a nonvoting member. The Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Program Director, Communications Director, Membership Director, Educational Outreach Director, and Treasurer (who will serve without bond). In case of a tie vote, the Treasurer shall carry the tie-breaking vote.
Section 2 – Biennial Elections of Officers/Directors
● Elections of Officers shall be at the November meeting by majority vote of those members in attendance.
● A three-member Nominating Committee comprised of one Board member and two voting non-Board members, appointed by the President shall select candidates for office. The Nominating Committee shall submit a slate of Officers/Directors at the October meeting. The nominating committee shall acquire consent of the nominees. Voting shall take place at the November meeting with additional nominations accepted from the floor at that time with consent of the nominee.
● Officers shall serve for two years beginning in January and may be re-elected.
Section 3 - Vacancies may be filled temporarily by the Board to serve until the end of the original term.
Section 4 - The Board shall meet quarterly or as needed at a time and place suitable to a majority of the Board, with seven (7) days’ notice from the President at such time and place as shall be fixed in such notice.
● Association members may attend and speak at Board meetings by making a request to the President, verbally, written, or electronically one day prior to the meeting.
- Minutes of Board meetings are disseminated electronically to the membership with a written copy available if requested at general meetings.
Section 5 - The Board shall make, amend, adopt, establish, and enforce Bylaws, rules and regulations for the control and government of the Association. Proposed amendments shall be brought before the Board in writing by any member or committee chair for consideration and deliberation. Amendments shall be presented in writing by the Board to the membership and shall be subject to the final approval of a 2/3 majority of the members present at the next general membership meeting.
Section 6 - The Board shall have the power to elect ex-officio members, to serve at the discretion of the Board. The ex-officio members shall have voice but not vote in the affairs of the Board, but may be a voting member of the Association.
Section 7- The Lee County Master Gardeners Training class shall select one class member to serve as an Ex-Officio, nonvoting member of the Board for a two year term.
Section 8 - A simple majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article IV – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS
A. The President:
● Serves as the chief executive officer of the Association and has general charge of the business of the Association.
- Presides at all meetings of the Board and all general membership meetings.
B. The Vice-President:
● In the absence or disability of the President, conducts all duties of the President.
● Assists the Education Outreach Director and others in identifying quality projects to allow members to complete their annual volunteer hours requirement.
C. The Secretary:
● Maintains original digital copies of bylaws, agendas, minutes, and any other original important papers.
● Drafts and finalizes minutes for meetings of the Board and for monthly business meetings of the membership including review and timely electronic dissemination.
D. The Treasurer:
● Keeps an accurate account of the receipts and disbursements and reports to the Board at regular meetings and to the general membership at monthly business meetings.
● Has general charge of the funds of the Association and pays them out as authorized by the Board.
E. The Program Director:
● Provides Continuing Education Unit (CEU) training opportunities to the Association members.
● Reserves meeting locations for monthly meetings of the membership.
F. The Communications Director:
- Produces articles and coordinates information to produce the New Weeds email newsletter.
- Produces, publishes, and maintains the LCMGA website.
G. The Membership Director:
- Works closely with Board Members to ensure continuity of updated contact information and the date of Certification as a Master Gardener volunteer for members in the Directory available through the Master Gardener Service Report.
H. The Educational Outreach Director:
- Coordinates volunteer opportunities for LCMGA Extension Master Gardeners with Extension, local entities such as Auburn, Opelika, Auburn University and community organizations.
I. Two State Advisory Council (AC) members appointed by President:
● Serve as a link between LCMGA and the AMGA Advisory Council, relaying meeting information to LCMGA members.
Article V - GENERAL MEETINGS
Section 1 - The general membership of the Association shall meet monthly at such date, time and place as may be fixed by the Board; meetings may be added or deleted as events dictate. Notice thereof stating the time and place of meeting shall be delivered to each member no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 2 - Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, by a majority of the Board, or upon written requests of a majority of the members of the Association. Notice of the special meeting shall be delivered to each member no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of such meeting. Only the business stated may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 3 – Those Active members present at a regular or special meeting of LCMGA represent a quorum. Decisions will be based on a simple majority of Active members present.
Section 4 – Active members of the LCMGA are authorized to vote.
Article VI – COMMITTEES
Section 1 - The Association standing committees will be the Budget Committee, Projects Committee, Special Grants Committee, and Caring Committee.
Section 2 - The President or the Board has the authority to appoint additional committees as needed.
Section 3 - The Projects Committee initiated in 2012 is chaired by the President and includes three non-Board, voting members. The committee is charged by the LCMGA Board to evaluate proposed projects requiring more than 100 work hours or financial resource support to determine suitability for a long-term commitment by the Association.
Section 4 - The Special Grants Committee initiated in 2016 is chaired by the Vice President. The committee is charged by the LCMGA Board to solicit, receive, and evaluate proposals for special budgeted grants. The committee shall follow guidelines established by the Vice President and the Board.
Section 5 - The Budget Committee meets in July each year to draft a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, The fiscal year for LCMGA runs from October 1st to September 30th. The Treasurer and President invite active members to serve on the committee, including the Vice President, immediate past President and past Treasurer.
Section 6 - The Caring Committee has one or two members. The President contacts this individual who sends condolences, well wishes and other appropriate messages to members and Friends, who need a caring message from their Master Gardener friends.
Article VII – CERTIFICATION
These LCMGA Bylaws are approved by the Board President:
_____Charlot Ritenbaugh______________________________________ __1/3/2024_________
Signature Date
______Charlot Ritenbaugh ___________________________
Print Name
These Bylaws are reviewed and concurred Regional Extension Agent:
____________________________________________ ____________
Signature Date
_______Dani Carroll____________________________
Print Name
[1] Alabama Master Gardeners Association, Inc. (AMGA) Local Association’s Handbook, June 2019
[2] Articles of Organization LCMGA, 9 June 2010
[3]Memo of Understanding (MOU) formerly ANR-1155, pp3-5 Final October.27.2023
LCMGA BYLAWS AMENDMENT VI - 2023
[1][1] Extension Master Gardeners 5-Year Strategic Plan, September 1, 2023 Final
[2][2] Articles of Organization LCMGA, 9 June 2010
[3] Memo of Understanding (MOU) formerly ANR-1155, pp3-5 Final October 27, 2023
