BY-LAWS

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ARTICLE I

Name

This organization shall be known as the Nebraska Turfgrass Association (NTA). This organization is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska as a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE II

Purpose and Objective

The purpose of this Association is to promote the turfgrass industry in Nebraska; to encourage and support the further study and research of turf; to disseminate information related to this study and research, and to represent this group in matters of policy, regarding the turfgrass industry.

The objective of this Association is better turf for all aspects of the industry including sports turf, cemeteries, golf courses, lawns, parks, roadsides, institutional grounds, industrial grounds, sod production, and other turfgrass areas.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Any person, institution, association, or business interested in growing and using turfgrasses, or in the development, manufacturing, and supplying of products and equipment necessary for the growth and production of turf may become a member of the Nebraska Turfgrass Association. Members must subscribe to the purpose and objective of the Association, and upon payment of the annual dues, shall be duly elected a member of the Nebraska Turfgrass Association, as provided by the Constitution and By-Laws of the NTA.

ARTICLE IV

Annual Membership Fee

As a condition of holding membership in this Association, each member shall pay an annual membership fee. The annual fees for membership shall be proportionate to the possible benefits to the member. Membership fees will be set by the Board of Directors and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. Changes in membership fees can be considered only at the Annual Meeting and are not subject to change during the course of the fiscal year. The fees of the Nebraska Turfgrass Association are due and payable January 1st of each year, and become delinquent March 31st. No delinquent member can vote on business of the Association.

ARTICLE V

Meetings of Members

SECTION I: The fiscal year of the Nebraska Turfgrass Association shall begin on the first day of May and shall end on the last day of April.

SECTION II: The annual meeting of the membership of this Association shall be held each year at such time, place and day as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

SECTION II (A): The annual meeting of the membership of this Association shall be held each year at such time, place and day as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

SECTION II (B): Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the President, by request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, or by request of a majority of the membership.

SECTION III: Notification of meetings shall be mailed to the members at least ten (10) days prior to the annual meetings. Announcement through the mail, Association website or e-mail will be sufficient for this purpose.

SECTION IV (A): Thirty (30) days preceding the date of any meeting is hereby fixed as the record date for the determination of members entitled to vote at such meetings. A list of members entitled to vote shall be available at the time of all meetings and shall be subject to inspection by any registered member.

SECTION IV (B): Any registered-current member shall have one vote to cast in any determination. This shall hold for determination of matters of business that affect the functioning of NTA.

SECTION V: Those present at any announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION VI: The order of business at meetings shall be:

Call to order
Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
Reports by President and Secretary-Treasurer
Committee reports
Old business
New business
Election of Directors and Officers (when appropriate)
Adjournment

ARTICLE VI

Board of Directors

SECTION I: The business and affairs of this Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors composed of nine (9) members, divided into three groups of three directors each, so divided that the term of office of three directors shall expire each year. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be considered as an ex-officio member to the Board of Directors, unless already an elected member to that Board.

SECTION II: Nominations for Directors will be made by a Nominating Committee appointed by the President from current members of the Association and from the floor by members.  Directors will be elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the existing Directors.

SECTION III: A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority (5 out of 9) of the existing Directors.

SECTION IV: A meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after the annual meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Directors.

SECTION V: Notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to the Board of Directors at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting date. This notice may be made by mail or e-mail.

SECTION VI: The Board of Directors shall have general supervision and control of business affairs of the Association. They shall make all rules and regulations for the guidance of the membership, officers, employees and agents of the Association.

SECTION VII: Each member of the Board of Directors shall be required to advise the NTA administrative office and/or Executive Director if he or she will be absent from the director’s meeting. Due to the important nature of these meetings, if a director is absent for 2 consecutive meetings, they will be notified by letter that his/her attendance at the next regularly scheduled meeting will be mandatory. If that director fails to attend such a meeting, he/she shall be replaced by appointment of the President with board approval.

ARTICLE VII

Officers

SECTION I: The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, and a Secretary-Treasurer to be elected by the Board of Directors immediately following the annual meeting of the Association.

SECTION II: The President of the Association shall preside at all meetings and perform generally, the duties required of such an officer. The President will appoint committees and designate committee chairmanships.

SECTION III: The Vice President of this Association shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or at his request. The Vice President will function as an ex-officio member of all committees.

SECTION IV: Secretary-Treasurer – The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping an account of all monies received and expended for the use of the Association, and shall make disbursements. All sums received shall be deposited in the bank or banks or trust company approved by the Board of Directors, and shall make a report at the annual meeting or when called upon by the President. Funds may be drawn only upon the signature of any of the following: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Director.

The funds, books and vouchers in his/her hands shall, with the exception of confidential reports submitted by members, at all times be subject to verification and inspection by the Board of Directors, or any voting member. It shall be his/her duty to give notice of and attend all meetings of the Association to keep record of all proceedings, to attest documents and perform such other duties as are usual for such official or as may be duly assigned to him/her.

Various duties of the Secretary-Treasurer may be assigned in whole or in part to the paid Association executive director.

SECTION V: In case of inability of any officer to serve in his delegated capacity, the Board of Directors may delegate, for the time being, the powers and duties of such officer to any other qualified member of NTA.

SECTION VI: Management – The management of the Association shall be in a salaried head, employed or appointed by, and directly responsible to the Board of Directors. He/she shall have the title of Executive Director or such other title as the Board shall from time to time designate, and he/she may act as secretary of the Association.

He/she shall be the chief executive and operating officer of the Association with responsibility for the management and direction of all operations, programs, activities, and affairs of the Association, including employment and termination of employment, and the determination of compensation for members of the staff and supporting personnel, functioning within the framework of policy aims and programs as generally determined by the Board of Directors. He/she shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.

ARTICLE VIII

Advisory Committee or Council

SECTION I: The Board of Directors may, at their discretion, appoint an Advisory Council, or informally seek the advice and counsel of the person actively engaged in/or supervising research turfgrass projects, particularly those projects that are supported in part or entirely by funds supplied by the NTA.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION I: The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended, revised, or repealed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, providing that notice to the membership shall have been given in the call for such a meeting.

ARTICLE X

Dissolution

SECTION I: In the event of dissolution of this Association, all assets shall be assigned to the Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for the specific use in the furtherance of turfgrass research in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.