=> Members should visit the Proposed Bylaws page to review the draft bylaws document.
Article 1 – Name
The name of this organization shall be the “Marion County Master Gardener Association.”
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of the Marion County Master Gardener Association, a nonprofit organization, shall be to promote good gardening practices in cooperation with Purdue Extension–Marion County.
Article III – Goals
SECTION I – Increase members’ knowledge of sound gardening practices.
SECTION II – Provide information to the community on current and timely gardening methods.
SECTION III – Assist Marion County Master Gardeners in fulfilling their volunteer commitments.
Article IV – Membership
SECTION I – To be a Marion County Master Gardener Association member a person must have completed the Master Gardener training and initial certification as a Master Gardener, OR be a Master Gardener Intern working to complete their initial Master Gardener certification according to Purdue’s current standards.
SECTION II – If an Association member becomes temporarily unable to recertify annually as required by Purdue’s current standard, they may remain an Association member if annual dues payment is kept current.
SECTION III – Officers, committee chairmen, and speaker-participants with the Speaker’s Bureau must be active Master Gardeners as defined by Purdue’s current standards.
(Article IV revisions approved by membership, March 14, 2005)
Article V – Officers
There shall be six annually elected officials: President, Vice President, Secretary, Communication Coordinator, Treasurer, and Membership Chair.
(Article V revisions approved by membership, June 9, 2014)
Article VI – Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held monthly.
Article VII – Amendments
This constitution may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided that notice of such amendment(s) shall have been mailed or emailed to all members at least 14 days before the meeting.
Article VIII – Nonprofit Status
SECTION I – The Marion County Master Gardener Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and scientific purposes pursuant to the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
SECTION II – No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purpose set forth hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by: (a) an association exempt from the federal income tax; (b)an association contributions of which are deductible pursuant to the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
SECTION III – Upon dissolution of the Marion County Master Gardener Association, the officers shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the Association, donate all assets of the Association to an entity or entities whose activities are pursuant to the goals of the Master Gardener Association, i.e. Purdue University Marion County Extension Service. The donee entity or entities must be organized and operated exclusively for charity, education, religious, or scientific purposes and qualify as exempt organizations pursuant to the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
Constitution revisions approved, August 12, 2005 and February 8, 2010, and June 9, 2014.