Article IV: Members

Section 1:         Individuals desiring to become members of the Club will send a written application, sponsored by one active member, to the Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary will present it at the next general board meeting for consideration. Upon acceptance, the new member will be introduced at the next business meeting.

Section 2:          The annual dues will be payable by the May meeting. A $10 late fee will be imposed for any payment submitted after the May meeting. One written notice will be sent to members whose dues are not paid in full by May 31st of the current year. Those members who do not respond to this written notice by paying their dues will automatically lose membership.

Section 3:          All membership categories are subject to approval of the Board.

Section 4:          An active member is one who attends a minimum of three meetings a year, serves on one Committee in addition to one Hospitality Committee, and has voting privileges.

Section 5:          A former member may apply to the board for reinstatement. Following acceptance by the board, the member will be voted in at the next business meeting.

Section 6:          Life Membership is accorded to a member at the discretion of the board. Life members pay no dues.

Section 7:          Non-members may be admitted to all open meetings. No guest fee will be charged.

Section 8:The Sharon Garden Club shall not permit in their conduct of Club affairs any restriction or limitations whatsoever based upon race, color, creed, gender, national origin, or employment status.

Article V: Officers

Section 1:      The officers of The Club will be: President, President-elect, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2:          The Nominating Committee will present a slate of nominees for office at the appropriate annual meeting for vote by the membership. Officers will begin their term in office following the transfer of the presidential gavel at the biennial election held at the spring annual meeting.

Section 3:          The President will preside at all meetings of The Club and of the board and will be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President will appoint all chairpersons of committees. The President is empowered to fill, by appointment, the position of any officer unable to complete tenure. The appointment is valid until the next annual meeting. At that meeting the Nominating Committee will present, for vote by the membership, the name of the person selected to fill the office.

Section 4:          The President-elect will assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence of the latter and will serve as Chair of Education.

Section 5:          The Recording Secretary will keep the minutes of all meetings of The Club and will have charge of all the official books of The Club other than the Treasurer’s books.

Section 6:           The Corresponding Secretary will conduct the general correspondence of The Club and will keep membership records,

Section 7:          The Treasurer will collect, hold, and pay out funds of The Club as the elected officers may direct, or as The Club may determine by resolution;  and will keep accurate books of accounts, which will be open at any time, for inspection by the officers. The Treasurer will ensure that any expenditure over one hundred dollars ($100.00) will require the approval of the President. Any expenditure exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) will be presented to the general membership for approval. Any requests for monetary compensation will be accompanied by the receipts. Receipts must be given to the Treasurer for monies advanced to fund any Club project following completion of purchase.