- Objectives:
To promote the dissemination of useful and practical information regarding all forms of plant food, soil amendments, plant protectants, plant genetics, biotechnology, soil conservation, economics of new technology, and their application to crop production of all kinds of promoting cultural practices which would improve crop productivity, enhance farm profitability, and maintain environmental quality.
To foster and promote strong and positive relationships among agricultural industries, academia, and the agricultural public sector.
- Purposes:
To operate in the State of Pennsylvania as a facilitator of educational programs and services by providing members with current information on agricultural programs and practices, encouraging cooperation by all agricultural industries, private service organizations, universities and governmental service and regulatory agencies in promoting economical and efficient utilization of agricultural inputs by the Pennsylvania farmer and related businesses.
ARTICLE I. Name and Location
Section 1. The name of the corporation shall be "THE PENNSYLVANIA AGRONOMIC EDUCATION SOCIETY, INC." Its principal place of business shall be located at State College, Centre County. Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II. Membership
Section 1. Members -Any individual concerned with the manufacturing, distribution, research, retail sales, custom application, consulting, or governmental service and regulatory agencies. Any person involved in the educational process pertaining to plant food, soil amendments, plant protectants, plant genetics, biotechnology, soil conservation, input economics and new technology or any other individual actively engaged In serving Pennsylvania agriculture, shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2. Life membership. Upon retirement, any member in good standing for at least five {5} years, shall be entitled to an honorary life membership to the organization.
ARTICLE III. Meetings
Section 1. The annual meeting of the corporation shall be held at the annual Lime, Fertilizer and Pesticide Conference, or as otherwise specified.
Section 2. A quorum to conduct a business meeting of the corporation shall constitute twenty (20) percent of the active membership in good standing.
Section 3. Special meetings of the corporation may be held at any time as specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Only active members shall be entitled to vote at all meetings, and each member shall have one (1) vote on all issues, questions, and motions. An active member is defined as an individual whose dues are current.
Section 5. Note of the time and place of all annual and special meetings shall be mailed by the secretary to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof.
ARTICLE IV. Directors
Section 1. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of thirteen (13) members. At each annual meeting four (4) directors shall be elected for a term of three (3) years provided, however no director shall be eligible for re-election for a second term, but shall be again eligible to serve after the lapse of one term. The immediate past president is automatically a member of the Board for one year upon completion of his term of office as President.
Section 2. All meetings of the Board of Directors shall be designated by the president, or by a request of the majority of Board members. At least three (3) board meetings shall be held annually. All Board members shall be notified of all meetings verbally or in writing at least ten (10) days prior.
Section 3. A quorum will consist of seven (7) Board members for the transaction of any business.
Section 4. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board, it shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee. Any voluntary resignations of Board members shall be forwarded to the executive committee in writing.
Section 5. Directors with unexcused absence of more than two (2) consecutive meetings, the Board has the authority to vacate their position and reappoint a replacement of the unexpired term.
ARTICLE V. Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Corporation shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall serve for the term of one (1) year. All shall hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The President and Vice President shall be elected by the Board of Directors from its own membership.
Section 3. The Secretary end Treasurer shall be selected and approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation; shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Corporation and all other officers; and shall perform all such duties as are incident to the office.
Section 5. The Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation in the absence of the President and shall perform all such other duties as are incident to the office.
Section 6. If deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, an Executive Secretary may be employed.
Section 7. The Secretary shall issue notice of all Directors arid Corporate meetings, shall attend and keep minutes, shall have charge of ail corporate book" records, and papers, shall be the custodian of the corporate seal, maintain the 501{c)5 status, and shall perform all such other duties as are incident to the office.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all financial assets and securities of the Corporation. The person shall keep current financial statements of all accounts and submit them reconciled with vouchers, receipts, records or other documents, to the Board of Directors for examination and approval at the annual meetings and as often as required by the Board; and shall perform all such other duties as are incident to the office.
Section 9. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, immediate past President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 10. Committee appointments shall be made by the President. Committees include: Conference, Membership, Nomination, and Budget or any others the president deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VI. Corporate Seal
Section 1. The Corporation shall legally maintain a 501(c)5 nonprofit status.
ARTICLE VII. Dues
Section 1. The annual dues for each member shall be determined by the Board of Directors. All changes in dues as determined by the Board of Directors shall be approved by two-thirds vote of attending active membership at the annual meeting.
Section 2. To retain active member status, dues must be paid by January 30 of that year.
Section 3. All Honorary Life members shall be exempt from dues.
ARTICLE VIII. Budget
Section 1. A budget committee shall be selected by the Board of Directors, The committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Board of Directors, one of which shall be the secretary/treasurer, one from industry, and one from the university or government agency, plus the Executive Secretary. Selections shall be selected on a yearly basis. A person can serve on the committee more than one year as long as that person's term on the Board of Directors is not expired.
Section 2. The budget committee shall select a CPA firm to audit the organization's books on a yearly basis. This shall be performed and presented to the membership at the annual meeting.
Section 3. The budget committee shall propose to the Board of Directors on a yearly basis, monthly cash flow demands of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IX. Financial Assets
Section 1. The executive committee shall present to the Board of Directors for approval the plan for investing and/or savings of the additional cash assets of the Corporation.
ARTICLE X. Scholarship Fund
Section 1. The Corporation may offer two (2) scholarships each calendar year to worthy students majoring in agricultural sciences. Preference will be given to students with an interest in crop production.
ARTICLE XI. Order of Business
Section 1. The order of business shall be set forth in “Roberts Rules of Order".
ARTICLE XII. Dissolution
Section 1. Upon dissolution of this Corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within meaning of 501(c)5 of the Internal Revue code, or corresponding section of any Federal tax code; or shall be distributed to the Federal Government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. However if the named recipient Is not then in existence or no longer a qualified distributee, or unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, then the assets of this Corporation shall be distributed to a fund, foundation or corporation organized an operated exclusively for the purpose specified in Section 501(c)5 or other section of the Internal Revenue code exempted from the payment of income tax (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).
ARTICLE X. Amendment.
Section 1. Amendments to these By-Laws may be made by two-thirds vote of the membership upon presentation at any annual or special meeting provided; however, that a copy of the proposed amendment shall be sent with the notice of such meeting as herein provided.
Adopted by vote of membership as revised
PPFPES Annual Meeting
January 21, 1997 for use beginning January 21, 1997
Signed,
Jeffrey Stine, President for 1997
