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Club Bylaws

Plattsmouth Garden Club Bylaws (as of January 2024)

Article 1 – Mission Statement

The PGC is under the FGCN, a 501c (3) organization that functions exclusively for educational, charitable and scientific purposes. The club promotes gardening, and beautification within the City of Plattsmouth and surrounding areas, as well as fosters programs that encourage individuals of all ages to pursue their passion for gardening and nature.

Article 2 – Membership

The membership of the club shall be open to the public. No prior gardening experience is needed or expected. Members are expected to attend at least one (1) business meeting a year and complete 5 hours of volunteer time per year. Activities such as planting or weeding at PGC activities, or teaching or assisting with PGC classes are examples of some of the volunteer events that are available.

To recognize the contributions of former members, a member may be transferred to a category known as ‘Honorary Members.’ Honorary members are typically members who move away, or are in poor health, yet who desire to be an active or inactive member. The transfer to an honorary member status may be requested at a club meeting and requires a majority vote by non-honorary club members.

Those considered Honorary Members:

*Are not obligated to pay membership dues.

*Will abstain from voting privileges.

*Are not part of a quorum count at any meeting.

Article 3 – Election of Officers

The PGC Executive Officer positions are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the immediate past President. PGC officers are nominated in March of the appropriate year, and are expected to hold office for the subsequent two years beginning April 1st following their election. The role of the immediate past President occurs at the end of their Presidential term and an election is not necessary.

PGC President Duties

The PGC President’s primary duties consist of conducting monthly business meetings and chairing The Executive Committee. Other duties may include establishing open communication with members and officers, organizing special projects, and applying for grants.

PGC Vice President Duties

The role of the Vice President consists of conducting monthly business meetings in the absence of the PGC President and fulfill the President’s position when needed. Furthermore, the Vice-President will assume the duties of the President should the President resign from the position, or the President’s position becomes vacant for any reason.

PGC Secretary Duties

The Secretary is expected to create a written record of business meeting discussions and decisions. Meeting records should be created within seven (7) calendar days from the day of each business meeting and sent to the Executive members for edits and corrections. Once feedback is received from the Executive Officers, the meeting records (minutes) from each business meeting are communicated via e-mail to all PGC members. The Secretary is also responsible for maintaining a current annual membership directory.

PGC Treasurer Duties

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial component of the PGC. Duties include depositing income into the PGC checking account and disbursing funds when needed. The PGC Treasurer also provides Treasurer Reports at each monthly PGC meeting, and pays membership dues to the FGCN and the Eastern District.

Past President Duties

The immediate Past President shall provide a historical perspective of the PGC and be an advisory presence to the current President.

Article 4 – Dues

The annual dues shall be determined based on the Executive Officers’ recommendations at the February meeting of each calendar year. Annual membership dues should be paid at the March meeting of each calendar year. A portion of the dues for each member is sent to the FGCN (Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska and an annual PGC dues is sent to the Eastern District by the PGC Treasurer. As of January 2024, the FGCN annual membership dues is $10.00 per member/$11.50 per family and the PGC annual dues to the Eastern District is $5.00 for all club members. The remaining dues amount for each member or family is deposited by the PGC Treasurer into the PGC’s checking account.

Article 5 – Meetings

The PGC meetings are held on the second Monday of each month (except in September, December and January when there are no meetings). Any change to the meeting venue or meeting date and time is communicated by e-mail by the PGC Secretary within 48 hours of the scheduled meeting. Special meetings may be requested and conducted by the PGC President when needed. All PGC meetings are open to the public.

In addition to PGC monthly meetings, PGC members are welcomed and encouraged to attend one (1) Eastern District meeting per year, one (1) FGCN meeting per year, one (1) RMR meeting each year and one (1) NGC meeting per year at their own expense. Information regarding the dates and locations of the Eastern District, FGCN, RMR and NGC meetings are provided by e-mail.

Article 6- Quorum

A quorum is defined as the minimum number of voting members who must be present at a monthly meeting in order to conduct PGC business. Motions can be made and passed at monthly meetings with a simple majority – a minimum of six (6) members, including at least two (2) officers present shall constitute a quorum.

Article 7 – Dissolution

If dissolution of the PGC is necessary, 90% of the members must vote to dissolve the club. At that time, all assets will be delivered to the current treasurer of The Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc. Once the Treasurer of the Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc. has received the remaining funds, the PGC checking account will be closed.

Last updated 1/17/24 by Lorraine Patrick and McKynna Kelly

Plattsmouth Garden Club Policy Sheet

Upon the death of a garden club member, the Secretary/Courtesy Correspondence Officer will send condolences to the family with a sympathy card and $50.00 memorial donation. The placement of Memorial Plaques placed on Garfield Park benches is discontinued.