DENTON COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS

Updated: February 2025

ARTICLE I

Association Purpose and Mission

1. Mission Statement

Denton County Beekeepers Association’s Mission is: To teach, share, and inform our community about bees and beekeeping, and enhance our member’s beekeeping experience.

2. Purpose

The DCBA operates on a non-profit basis, with a commitment to ensuring that none of its net earnings benefit individuals, including members and employees. It is dedicated to education and operates as a volunteer organization, with the following objectives:

2.1 Public Understanding

To improve public understanding of bees and beekeeping ecology and management by developing a pool of local knowledge that can be used to enhance education efforts for members and within local communities.

2.2 Enhance Education and Outreach

To enhance beekeeping education and outreach activities by providing training at the local level, thereby developing an association of dedicated and informed members.

2.3 The association will endeavor to provide members with:

  • Mentorship
  • Beekeeping Classes
  • Club Equipment
  • Local Bee Information Dissemination
  • Website Access

3. Advocacy Prohibition

3.1

The DCBA mission is to be an educational association.

3.2

No activities or funds of the DCBA shall be devoted to advocacy, lobbying, politically or privately promoting issues, agendas or businesses and personal endeavors, by propaganda or otherwise.

3.3

Members will not use the DCBA name to promote personal businesses or issues.

ARTICLE II

Association Partners and Donors

1. Partnerships

1.1

DCBA may partner with businesses, universities, clubs, etc. for the benefit of the organization.

1.2

All partnership agreements must be approved by the Board and announced to the membership.

1.3

There is no prohibition for any member, including board members, from having a relationship with a business partner.

2. Donors

Donors are businesses, organizations, or individuals who contribute money, supplies, or services to support DCBA activities without receiving compensation from the chapter in return.

ARTICLE III

Membership

1. Non-discriminatory Membership

DCBA membership is open to individuals and/or families regardless of race, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

2. Membership Categories

2.1 Membership

A membership consists of one or two people in the same household. The primary family member must be over 18 years of age.

2.2 Student Membership

Available at no charge to anyone under 18 or still in secondary education.

3. Voluntary Termination

3.1

A member who wants to voluntarily terminate membership should communicate that decision in writing to a Board member.

3.2

A member who is in arrears of dues for 60 days is considered a Voluntary Termination. No refunds will be made for a Voluntary Termination.

4. Involuntary Termination

A member shall be subject to removal with or without cause at a board meeting called for that purpose by approval of two thirds of the board.

5. Voting Rights

Voting shall be extended to members who are over 18 years of age.

6. Dues Schedule

6.1

Dues are paid annually and run from the first of the month when they were first paid until the last day of the previous month the next year.

6.2

Dues are in arrears on the first day of the month following the date they were due. A member in arrears is not in Good Standing.

6.3

Only members In Good Standing can be a candidate or hold an office, be in the Mentor Program, serve on a committee, or use any club equipment.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

1. Officers and Terms

All terms are two (2) years with a portion of the board elected in even years and a portion elected in odd years.

Even Year Elections

  • President
  • Secretary
  • Membership
  • Mentorship

Odd Year Elections

  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Communications
  • Historian

Replacement officers, when needed, are assigned by the board to serve the remaining term of the officer they are replacing.

2. Duties of Officers

President

  • Preside over all meetings of the membership and Board.
  • Sign all agreements, contracts, drafts, and checks unless delegated.
  • Approve all standing or ad hoc committees.
  • Perform duties needed for compliance and smooth operations.

Vice President

  • Perform duties of the President in the President’s absence.
  • Provide speakers for meetings.
  • Preside over the nominations committee.

Secretary

  • Keep and publish minutes.
  • Maintain records and documents.
  • Maintain Registered Agent status with Texas.
  • Handle required state and federal filings.

Treasurer

  • Maintain custody of association funds.
  • Maintain financial records and bank accounts.
  • Provide financial reports.
  • File required IRS and Texas documentation.

Membership

  • Maintain membership records.
  • Manage members-only access.

Communications

  • Reply to board emails.
  • Post information to Facebook and assist communication efforts.

Mentorship

  • Maintain mentor and mentee lists.
  • Manage mentor assignments.

Historian

  • Maintain association collateral.
  • Assist in training and transition of new board members.

ARTICLE V

Board of Directors

  1. The Board consists of officers defined in Article IV.
  2. The Board shall meet at least monthly.
  3. Meetings are open to the public and members.
  4. Three Board members constitute a quorum.
  5. Each officer has one vote; the President may cast an additional vote in a tie.
  6. The Board may conduct business electronically if necessary.
  7. The Board may fill vacant positions.
  8. Board members may be removed by a two-thirds vote.

ARTICLE VI

General / Board Meetings

Order of Business

  1. Call to order
  2. Reading of minutes
  3. Election of Officers
  4. Installation of Officers
  5. Annual Reports
  6. Communications and announcements
  7. Officer reports
  8. Committee reports
  9. Unfinished and new business
  10. Adjournment

General Membership Meetings

  • Meetings shall be conducted at a location designated by the Board.
  • Members shall receive notice at least five days in advance.
  • Decisions are made by majority vote of members present.

ARTICLE VII

Nomination / Election / Appointment Process

1. Nominations Process

  • The Nominating Committee is chaired by an elected board member.
  • Nominations shall be published to the membership 30 days prior to elections.
  • Nominations from the floor are permitted.

2. Election Process

  • Elections are conducted by secret ballot.
  • Winners are determined by simple majority vote.
  • Candidates may speak for three minutes.
  • Members in good standing may vote.

3. Transition of Officers

  • New officers assume duties in January or July.
  • Outgoing officers assist with transition.

ARTICLE VIII

Financial

1. Annual Dues

Annual dues shall be determined by membership at the annual meeting.

2. Financial Controls

  • Fiscal year is January 1 through December 31.
  • Treasurer, President, and Vice President may sign checks.
  • Officers may not sign checks payable to themselves.

3. Expenditure Limits

  • Unbudgeted expenditures over $250 require Board approval.
  • Expenditures over $500 require approval by Board and General Membership.

4. Gifts and Donations

  • DCBA may accept contributions and grants.
  • Acceptance does not imply endorsement.
  • Board members are ineligible for door prize drawings.

ARTICLE IX

Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

  • Ad hoc committees may include Compliance, Librarian, Hospitality, Fund Raising, Audit, and Scholarship.
  • Committees must align with the DCBA Mission Statement.

ARTICLE X

Amendment of Bylaws

  1. Proposed amendments must be presented to members at least 30 days prior to consideration.
  2. Amendments require a two-thirds vote of attending members.

ARTICLE XI

Dissolution

Should the membership elect to dissolve the Association, all assets will be donated to a similar not-for-profit beekeeping organization, university, or research entity. Nothing will accrue to any individual.