By-laws of the West Sound Beekeepers Association

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be West Sound Beekeepers Association, herein WSBA.
This Association is not for the profit of any individual member and does not need to be incorporated at this point in time. It is reserved that this Association may be incorporated within the State of Washington and apply for its Internal Revenue Service designation as a charitable organization.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purposes of WSBA are to assist its members, other members in the community interested in bees, and the public at large with a continuing education in the art and science of beekeeping. Specifically, to assist its members and others interested in bees with their beekeeping problems; to provide those interested in bees an opportunity to meet and discuss their problems; and to cooperate with the Washington State University Extension Service, other Universities, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and the Washington State Beekeepers Association to disseminate the latest beekeeping information.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Membership in WSBA may be open to all persons interested in bees and beekeeping, upon payment of annual dues in the amount of $24.00. Members are expected to be upstanding members of the community at large and to contribute to the Association. The membership year shall be from January 1 through December 31. New members joining after October 1 shall be considered paid up members for the following calendar year. The amount of the annual dues shall be established by the Association. Dues may include a fee for Associate Membership in the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

The State Entomologist; the Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture; the Chief Apiary Inspector; and the County Agricultural Extension Agent may be ex-officio members and pay no dues and have no voting privileges.

Any member may be terminated from WSBA for inappropriate, unethical, or unattractive behavior by a two-thirds majority vote by the members of the Association after open discussion.

ARTICLE IV - CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

The business affairs of WSBA shall be conducted by the committee chairs and officers. The Association may select a Board of Directors, but no such Board is required. No officer, director or member of WSBA shall receive any remuneration for services rendered directly or indirectly in any capacity to the Association unless authorized after discussion by affirmative vote of a simple majority of all the members of the Association. Any conflict of interest shall be discussed and resolved in front of the membership of the Association.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The elected officers of WSBA may be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer upon a majority vote of the Association members. Any two positions may be combined. Officers shall serve for a one-year period and may be elected to serve not more than three successive terms. Officers may be reelected after retirement of one year.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The President shall preside over all Association meetings; call special meetings as deemed fit; perform all acts and duties required of an executive and presiding officer, including the appointment of any committees required for the proper function of the Association.

The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence, and assist the President as necessary.

The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of all official meetings of WSBA; report official Association activities to the membership; and perform other duties as requested by the Association.

The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds honestly and efficiently; maintain accurate records of the Association's checking account; keep complete and accurate account of all financial transactions after appropriate approval by the officers/Association. The Treasurer shall deliver complete books documenting all financial transactions to her/his successor in office. An audit committee shall be selected by the Association and shall perform an audit on an annual basis. A report from the auditing committee shall be made to the membership at large during the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Meetings of the general membership shall be held at an established place and time no less than quarterly; no more than monthly. It is the intention of this Association to invite the general public to these meetings, and it shall be the responsibility of the officers or their delegates to ensure appropriate notice to the public so that they may attend.

Every April there will be an Annual Meeting. This Annual Meeting shall conduct the business of electing new officers; approving a budget, and making any changes to the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES

No indebtedness shall be incurred by any officer, committee member or any other member of this Association on behalf of WSBA except as authorized by the Association. Authorization by the Association is evidenced by discussion and by an affirmative vote by a simple majority of the membership at large.

WSBA dues and monies in excess of immediate operating expenses shall be placed into an account to accumulate interest.

If WSBA ceases to exist at some future time, funds and assets of record shall be disbursed to Washington State University with the objective and intent that these funds and assets be used for the benefit of the art and science of beekeeping.

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

The President shall appoint such standing committees as may be necessary and proper for the conduct of the affairs of WSBA. The President shall elect to serve, or shall appoint, a public information officer who will respond to inquiries from the public and will be available to the media to respond to any questions.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

Changes to these Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of WSBA of which the members shall be given at least ten days notice, by a 2/3 vote of the paid up members present and voting, and that the proposed amendment be read at the meeting of the club prior to said meeting and the notice of such proposed amendment shall have been included in the call for said meeting.

Approved Signed by Roy Barton, President, September 19, 1997

Bylaws were prepared by Roy Barton and Lynda H. McMaken, Attorney-at-Law, September/97, for approval by the Association members.