RVAA By-laws
River Valley Agritourism Alliance By-laws
Article I-Purpose
The purpose of the Alliance shall be to plan and implement programs to benefit farmers by the promotion of agritourism operations and related businesses for the economic well being of the region. Agricultural tourism thus refers to the act of visiting a working farm or any horticultural or agricultural operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or involvement in the activities of the farm or operation that also adds to the economic viability of the site.
Article II- Principle Office
The Alliance may have such other offices, as the business of the alliance may require from time to time. Correspondence will be mailed to the Mason County Extension Office, 800 U.S. 68, Maysville, KY 41056.
Article III-Membership
Annual membership shall be automatically extended to any person, organization, agency, institution or business interested in home or farm-based business or related businesses (irrespective race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability) that pay dues to the Alliance.
No membership or interest in the Alliance shall be assignable or transferable to any member. No membership or interest shall pass to any legal representation of any deceased member.
Classification of Membership Classification of membership shall include voting member (Active) and non-voting member (contributing/associate) members as follows:
Active Member: Only persons with active membership currently operating or aspiring to operate an agritourism or direct marketing operation and paying such active member dues shall have voting rights and may serve as an officer or county representative. There will be one vote per business membership. Non-profit organizations may join as an active member by paying dues and gain benefits thereof.
Contributing Member: Individuals, organizations, and/or firms whose activities or programs are pertinent to the affairs of the Alliance with interest in agritourism, etc. Examples: hotels, farm stores, restaurants, etc.
Associate Member: Individuals, organizations, and/or firms whose activities or programs are pertinent to the affairs of the Alliance, including but not limited to: Small Business Administrations, Chambers of Commerce, and Extension Agents.
The secretary will keep a record of membership and membership will be for a period of one year or the remainder of the calendar year in which the dues were paid. The membership year will be based on the calendar year, January-December.
Article IV- Dues
An annual membership fee of $25 will be collected from each active member. Contributing members will have a membership fee of $50. All memberships will be collected on a calendar year basis. No dues for Associate membership.
Article V- Board of County Directors and Officers
All Officers must be members of the Alliance and will be elected at the annual meeting. Each officer shall be elected for a one-year term, and no officer may hold the office for more than 2 consecutive terms. Any member county may elect to appoint a representative to serve that county as a county director. The county director will automatically be a member of the Executive Board and must also be a member of the Alliance. The officers, county directors and immediate past officers shall make up the Executive Board. Only active members can serve on the Executive Board. If a vacancy occurs, the officers shall appoint a member to complete the term until a special election can be held.
The Executive Board shall have the following duties:
1. The Executive Board shall manage business and affairs of the Alliance.
2. The Executive Board shall manage business as directed by the membership.
3. The Executive Board works at the behest of the membership and is accountable to the membership.
The President shall have the following duties:
1. Preside at all meetings of the membership and at all meetings of the officers
2. Signs or co-signs as necessary all such bills, checks and contracts
3. Report to the members at regular meetings on items of interest or of concern
4. Submit a report of operation of the Alliance to the membership at the annual meeting 5. Appoint necessary committees
6. Such other duties as a majority of the officers shall deem necessary
The Vice President shall have the following duties:
1. Assist the president in the management of the business of the Alliance
2. In absence of the president, preside at meetings
3. Such other duties as majority of the officers shall deem necessary
The Treasurer shall have the following duties:
1. Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Alliance
2. Deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Alliance
3. Sign or co-sign, as necessary, all such bills, checks, contracts associated with Alliance’s business
4. Such other duties as majority of the officers shall deem necessary
The Secretary shall have the following duties:
Keep accurate records of the Alliance membership Record and maintain the minutes of the Alliance Send all notices to membership required by the by laws
Be the custodian of the Alliance records
Distribute the minutes to membership County Directors Serve as a liaison between the Alliance and their county Recruit agritourism operations in their county for membership and participation
Lead county specific activities relative to the mission of the Alliance
All participating counties shall be entitled to one county director who serves on the Executive Board. Counties include: Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Greenup, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Pendleton and Robertson Kentucky.
Report annual and regular meeting as to activities and/or concerns of their represented county.
Article VI- Meeting of Members
The minutes of all meetings shall be reported to the membership at the next regular meeting of the Alliance. No action or vote at a meeting of the Alliance shall be valid unless a quorum of 10% of the registered membership is present.
Meetings shall be Annual (installment of officers), Regular (monthly), and Special. The annual meeting of the membership will be held in November. It shall include the installation of elected officers, reports of the affairs of the Alliance and any other business, which may be properly brought before the meeting. Regular meetings shall be held at a minimum of quarterly to conduct the affairs of the Alliance. Special meetings of the members for any purpose may be called by the president or by a vote of the majority of the Executive Board. Notice of such a meeting shall be given in such a manner that all members shall receive it prior to the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be limited to the purpose stated in the notice.
Minutes must be taken and reported to the membership by or at next scheduled meeting of the Alliance. Article VII-Contracts, Loans, Checks, Deposits The voting membership of the Alliance shall authorize any officer or officers, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instruments in the name of and on behalf of the Alliance, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Alliance and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the executive board and 25% of the Active membership at a regular or special meeting. All checks, drafts, or other order for the payment of money presented, then voted and passed by the membership, shall be signed by the president or vice-president, and treasurer. All funds of the Alliance not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Alliance in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the executive board may select.
Article VIII-Voting Processes and Amendment to By-laws.
Voting-
1. In order to expedite the business of the Alliance, a quorum of 10% is required for passage of motions at meetings.
2. Resolutions involving monies require a 25% quorum.
3. For resolutions involving election of Officers or changes to By-laws, a greater participation of Active membership is required. In order to enhance participation and member representation, ballots involving election of Officers or By-laws are to be sent to all voting members of the Alliance by hard copy (or electronically upon request). All ballots must be returned within two weeks from date of postmark for ballots in order to be counted.
Article IX-Dissolution of Alliance.
Upon the dissolution of the Alliance funds shall be distributed in the following manner:
3) Leftover funds shall be distributed equally among member county departments of tourism.
Approved: _______________________ Date
Chairman:
Dewey Stanley
Ron Nadicksbernd
Dee Potter
Peggy Parker
Advisor: Debra Cotterill
Appendix:
Revision one: dated 11, 15, 2005, revision concerns revision to member counties in Article V, under County Directors, line four: removal of Adams, OH, Brown, OH.
Revision two: dated 11, 15, 2005, newly created Article IX concerning disbursement of funds upon the dissolution of the Alliance.
Revision three: dated 11, 15, 2005, revision to Article VII, paragraph three, addition of Vice-President as signatory of checks or drafts.
Revision four: dated 6, 17, 2008, revisions are as follows: · Article One-addition of definition for Agricultural tourism · Article Two-clarification of RVAA business ·
Article Four-wording change to support change in Article Three · Article Five-change in election and status of County Directors · Article Six-clarification of meeting schedules and reporting of minutes to reflect present operation · Article Seven-authorization for loan by membership clarified · Article Eight-voting processes and amendments to by-laws explained and clarified
Revision five: dated 6, 3, 2010, revision as follows: Article Five-addition of Greenup, Pendleton, Campbell, Kenton, Boone, Grant and Gallatin counties.