Constitution and By-Laws

Article #1. Purpose.

Article #2. Eligibility.

Article #3. Meetings.

Article #4. Trustees and Officers.

Article #5. Duties of the Officers.

Article #6. Duties of the Board of Trustees.

Article #7. Amendments.

Article #8. Club Equipment.

Article #9. Education Liaison.

Article #10. Newsletter Editor.

Article #11. Policy.

Article #12. Dissolution of the Club.

Section 1. The Sky Valley Stock & Antique Tractor Club is formed to promote the common interest and general welfare of tractor and farm machinery owners. Our purpose is to preserve tractors and farm machinery, to encourage good tractor and farm machinery practices, and to encourage good public relations between tractor and machinery owners and the general public. To implement these objectives we have set forth these By-laws of the Sky Valley Stock & Antique Tractor Club, herein after referred to as the "Club".

Section 1. Any person interested in agriculture/tractors/farm machinery is eligible to join the Club.

Section 2. Any eligible person requesting membership may become a member upon payment of an annual membership fee. Annual membership fees are waived for any member who has reached 80 years of age the previous year. 

Section 3. Membership is not transferable.

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Club shall be from January 1 through December 31. 

Section 2. In parliamentary matters, 'Roberts Rules of Order, Revised', shall be used in all cases where they are applicable, subject to the by-laws of the Club.

Section 3. Special meetings of the Club may be called by the President or by written request by one quarter of the membership, or by five members of the Board of Trustees. Not less than ten days written notice shall be given prior to such special meeting.

Section 4. Any meeting of the members at which at least five officers and/or trustees are present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Club. A committee shall require a majority of its members for a quorum.

Section 5. Dues are payable on or before January 1 of each year. Only paid members can vote 

at the December meeting and on other Club issues. A paid or lifetime membership will include a Spouse or Domestic Partner. If family members, other than Spouses or Domestic Partners, wish to vote they have to become paid members of the Club. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. No vote by proxy shall be permitted. If a new member joins our Club at our Annual Show, or later that year, their membership will be credited for that year, and the following year.

Section 6. The order of business for all meetings of the Club, unless changed by the majority of the members present, shall be as follows:

A. Call to order.

B. Salute to the American flag.

C. Welcome new members and guests, and recognize birthdays.

D. Reading of minutes of the last meeting. Minutes can be approved as posted by a majority vote of the members present.

E. Treasurer's report.

F. Report of President. 

G. Report of Committees as requested by the President.

H. Old business.

I. New business

J. At the December meeting only, election of officers by ballot.

K. At the January meeting only, installation of new officers.

L. At the February meeting only, report of the Auditing Committee.

M. Announcements, including the next Board and Club meeting dates and locations.

N. Adjournment.

Section 7. The President shall preside at any meeting, in his absence the Vice-President, Treasurer, or Secretary in succession, shall preside.

Section 8. Club meetings and Board meetings shall be held monthly at such time and place that shall be determined by the President. The Vice-President shall have the authority to call a meeting of the Board if the President declines to do so, providing seven members of the Board have indicated their desire for such meeting. 

Section 1. No person shall be eligible to become an Officer or member of the Board of Trustees who is not an active member in good standing of the Club.

Section 2. The Officers of the Club shall consist as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as deemed necessary by the membership. The term of each officer shall be one year. The President may not succeed himself/herself for more than two years. If a candidate for the office of President cannot be found, the incumbent President can be re-elected by a majority vote of the membership. All other officers may continue in office at the discretion of the membership. 

Section 3. The Board of Trustees of the Club shall consist of the officers of the Club, namely; The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President. Six (6) Trustees will be elected from the membership of the Club and serve three (3) year terms which will be staggered. They shall hold office until their successors have been elected. If vacancies occur they shall be filled by the President for their unexpired terms. If the incumbent President serves two or more terms, the last outgoing President will remain as a Trustee. If the last outgoing President does not, or cannot remain as Trustee, the trustee position shall be filled at the next election. In the interim, the President may appoint a Trustee until the next election. Board Members shall not fail to attend more than half of the meetings of the Board.

Section 1. President:

A. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Club and of the Trustees.

B. Call special meetings of the Club and the Trustees.

C. Perform all acts and duties required for the proper function of the Club.

D. The President shall have the power to pay a bill of up to two hundred dollars ($200.00) for out-of-pocket Club expenses.

E. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, consisting of three members of the Club. The recommendations of the committee shall be submitted at the November meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor. Consent should be obtained from the nominees proposed for office, before submitting their names to the membership.

F. The President shall appoint an Auditing Committee, consisting of three members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Trustees, and act as chairman. Their duties shall be to audit the books of the Treasurer, and make a report at the February meeting.

Section 2. Vice President. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, or because of his/her disability or inability to perform, shall perform all the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall certify that a quorum is present at Board and membership meetings. In his/her absence, the treasurer or secretary shall perform this duty. 

Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all meetings of the Club and Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board of Trustees.

Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall sign all checks and other duly incurred obligations of the Club. The Treasurer's shall state all receipts and disbursements, bank savings and checking account balances at each membership meeting. Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds, and be custodian of all securities of the Club. Treasurer shall keep a full and accurate account of all financial transactions of the Club in books belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies of the Club in the name and to the credit of the Club in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. The Club membership may designate an alternate treasurer. The alternate treasurer has signature authority and can temporarily perform the functions of the Treasurer when the Treasurer is unable. Payment of all bills shall be made upon the approval of a majority vote of the Trustees, or a majority vote of the members at a regular meeting. When an expenditure exceeds $200, Club members may elect to have voting by paper ballot. The Treasurer shall have the authority to pay all routine bills, such as printing the newsletter, utilities, postage, and related items and routine Show expenses. Without prior Board or membership approval, a Club member may not be reimbursed for expenses incurred. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board of Trustees.

Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall direct the business and the affairs of the Club and make the Rules and Regulations for the use of its services by its members, consistent with these by-laws.

Section 2. No Board Member, officer, or member of the Club shall receive, directly or indirectly, any salary or compensation for services rendered this Club either as Board Member, Officer, or in any capacity, unless authorized by the concurring vote of the quorum of the Club at a meeting.

Section 3. A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.

Section 1. Any proposed amendment to these by-laws may be submitted at any meeting of the Club by a 3/4 vote of eligible members present. Any proposed amendment shall be read and voted on at the next meeting of the Club. The notice of such proposed amendment shall be included in the call for said meeting.

Section 1. From time to time, Club equipment is taken off the grounds for maintenance or storage and should be returned when maintenance is completed or when storage space is available. The Club membership must pre-authorize all off premises use or rental of all Club equipment. The current fuel reimbursement for hauling wagons, and/or other Club equipment, is $40 for a round trip.

Section 1. There shall be a member who will be designated the Education Liaison. He/she will work with young people to promote a continuity of membership by encouraging young people to become members. The Education Liaison shall be able to call upon other members when needed to assist with youth organizations such as the Future Farmers of America, 4H Groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, or schools. This will also be a way to implement our Club's purpose of preserving our agricultural heritage.

Section 1. There shall be a member who will be designated the Newsletter Editor. He/she is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees, and does not have a vote. If Newsletter Editor is an officer or Board Member, this does not apply. The Newsletter is the official news source of the Club. The Editor operates the newsletter as directed by the Board of Trustees. His/her duties are to publish an informative newsletter at times designated by the Board of Trustees, usually every other month, and to print notices of impending events and dates. The Newsletter Editor will use his/her own discretion as far as editing articles submitted or deciding what material is to be included in the newsletter. The Newsletter Editor will also maintain the Club roster, and may also perform other such duties related to the newsletter, as requested by the Board

Section 1. It will be the policy of the Club to promote good relations with the public pertaining to tractors, equipment, and related machinery. No member of the Club shall operate their tractor/equipment in such manner as to endanger any person or animal. Also, no member shall operate their tractor or equipment late at night or early in the morning in an urban area. This does not apply to members using their tractors or equipment for farming purposes. To promote good will with the public, the Club shall make its equipment available for any show or parade that requests it, upon favorable vote of the membership.

Section 1. In the event the Club is dissolved, all its assets and/or monies shall be turned over to another non-profit club with similar purpose. Any member, who loaned any equipment to the Club, may if he/she elects to do so, take it back. The Board will vote on the organization to receive the assets and recommend this to the members. The members will also have a say as to the disposal of the Club's assets and are not bound by the Board's recommendation. Notice should be given via the Newsletter prior to any action to dissolve the club.