Mission Statement
1.To provide a forum though which the members may exchange their knowledge and experiences about all aspects of gardening for their mutual benefit and to make such information available to the public. Topics will include, but not be limited to:
the beautification of gardens and the community
appreciation of horticulture
developing gardening skills and knowledge through demonstration, shows and awards
2. To provide service by promoting the study of horticulture and/or related fields through the award of an annual scholarship to a deserving and qualified Craven County or Pamlico County high school student.
FHGC BY-LAWS
The Fairfield Harbour Garden Club
Article I-Name
This organization shall be known as the Fairfield Harbour Garden Club, Fairfield Harbour, North Carolina, hereafter referred to as the “Club”.
Article II-Purposes
The objectives and purposes of the Club shall be accomplished through such activities as may be approved by the members of the Club.
Article III-Membership
Membership is open to all interested parties. Members shall pay annual dues and shall be entitled to one vote per household.
Article IV-Meetings
Section 1: The regular meetings of the Club shall be held monthly, September through June, with the exception of December.
Section 2: Special Meetings may be called at any time by the President or upon request of 10 (ten) or more members of the Club. The object of any special meeting shall be stated in a prior
written notice to all members.
Section 3: The members present at a general meeting shall constitute a quorum of the Club for the transaction of business.
Article V-Admission of Members
An applicant for membership shall turn over his/her application to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee.
Article VI-Membership Fees
Section 1: The annual membership fee for households for the next year shall be established yearly at the May meeting by vote of the members.
Section 2: Membership fees for the next year will be paid after June 1 of that fiscal year.
Membership fees not paid by September 15 are considered delinquent.
Section 3: The Treasurer shall advise all members present of the membership fee for the succeeding year at the May general meeting.
Article VII-Officers
Section 1: The Officers of the Club shall be a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
Section 2: Newly elected officers shall take office at the June meeting and shall serve one year or until their successors are duly elected. The President shall not serve for more than two (2) successive terms and will be eligible for the same office after a lapse of one year.
Section 3: The duties of the officers are as follows:
A: The President shall be the executive officer of the Club, shall preside at all meetings of the Club and Board and shall be an ex-officio member of all the Committees.
B: The 1st Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall preside at all meetings of the Club and Board, assume duties of Program Chair, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
C: The 2nd Vice President, in the absence of the 1st Vice President, shall assume the duties of the 1st Vice President, and assist the President in the discharge as assigned. The 2nd Vice President shall act as Committee Chair for the Audit Committee.
D: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings of the Club and the Board, shall be custodian of all official documents and shall make reports, as the President may request.
E: The Corresponding Secretary shall assist the Secretary in the discharge of duties, and in the absence of the Secretary, assume the duties of the Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall serve on the Audit Committee.
F: The Treasurer shall all membership fees and other monies, and deposit same in one or more depositories approved by the Board. The Treasurer shall keep such books and accounts as necessary, which shall be open to inspection by the President and authorized auditors. The Treasurer shall pay bills and make disbursements authorized by the Board. In the absence of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer or the President is authorized to sign checks. The Treasurer shall prepare a monthly and an annual report to the Club. All accounts are subject to an annual audit as arranged and authorized by the President.
G: The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the discharge of duties, and in the absence of the Treasurer, assumes the duties of the Treasurer.
Article VIII-The Board
Section 1: The duties of the Board are to carry out the mandates and policies as determined by the membership subject to the provisions of the By-Laws and all resolutions and enactments of
the Club.
Section 2: The Board of Directors shall consist of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer.
Others deemed necessary by the President and the Board may be invited to participate in the Board meetings.
Section 3: The Board shall hold regular monthly meetings prior to the Club meeting.
Section 4: Fifty percent majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board of Directors.
Article IX-Standing Committees
Section 1: There shall be the following Standing Committees of the Club: Audit, Garden Projects, Historian, Horticulture, Librarian, Membership, Program, Scholarship, Ways & Means, and the Yearbook.
Other discretionary committees may be appointed by the President and they shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 2: The Chairperson of each committee and the third member of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the President. The selection of committee members is delegated to the committee chairpersons, with the consent of the President.
Article X-Elections
Section 1: The President shall explain the nominating procedure at the March meeting of the Club. Not later than April meeting of the Club, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) active members who shall submit a slate of officers for the succeeding year. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the May meeting.
Section 2: Officers shall be elected at the May meeting of the Club and be installed at the June meeting.
Article XI-Finance
The fiscal year of the Club shall be July 1 through June 30 of the succeeding year.
Article XII-Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular or special meeting of the Club provided public notice has been given to all members one month
prior to the meeting.
Article XIII-Parliamentary Authority
Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern procedures of all Club and Board meetings, insofar as they are consistent with these By-Laws.
Article XIV-Methods of Operations
Section 1A: The President is authorized to make expenditures up to one hundred ($100) when necessary to expedite the business of the Club. Generally, this authority would only be used to make contributions to memorials and/or worthy causes on a timely basis. It would not be used when it is possible to bring financial matters before the Board. Under all circumstances such expenditures shall be reported to the Board at the first subsequent meeting.
Section 1B: The Board shall have the authority to approve expenditures up to a maximum of two hundred dollars ($200). Such expenditures shall be reported as information to the subsequent
general membership meeting.
Section 1C: Any proposed expenditures over $200 must be approved by the general membership at a regular monthly meeting. Any request for approval shall be preceded by a full report on the
necessity for such an expenditure, and normally shall be discussed and approved by the Board.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income
Tax under Section 501(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 2: In the event the Club should dissolve or be discontinued, the Club shall transfer its residual assets, if any, to some organization or organizations having purposes similar to its own or to some organization, contribution to which is deductible under the Federal Internal Revenue Code or to the State, Federal, or local government for public use.
Section 3: No part of the income of this organization shall inure to the benefit of its officers, members, or other private persons or firms, except as reasonable compensation for services rendered and as payment made in carrying out its exempt purposes.
Amended June 2023 Approved by the membership June 12, 2023
HISTORY
The Fairfield Harbour Garden Club was started in 1981. It is one of the most active clubs in the Harbour. Among its large membership, there are several Master Gardeners. These members have completed a course of study and volunteer commitment sanctioned by the Craven County Cooperative Extension.
The Garden Club meets once a month from September to June, except in December. The meetings feature speakers that are both interesting as well as informative. The members have an interest in information that assists them in maintaining and developing their landscapes.
In 2005, the Club purchased the first banners for the main entrance. The Christmas banner display spurred on other clubs in FH to add to the collection.
The Club awards a scholarship to a deserving high school student
yearly.