Officers

Click on name for email contact information

President – Norris Johnston

Vice-President – Ramsey Huffman

Secretary — Aileen Russell

Treasurer — Cecilia Adams

Assistant Treasurer/Membership — Mike Keck

State Advisory —Beverly Goodrich

Alternate – Cecilia Adams

Parliamentarian — Darryle Waldron

Past President — Susan Ledbetter

Committee Chairs

Communications —  Rita Baker

Field Trips — Rand Bryan

Greenhouse Operations — Doty Henry, Sonja Hyatt

Greenhouse Maintenance — Ramsey Huffman, Gary Kulaw

Hospitality — Philda Starks

Interns — Cecilia Adams

Lunch & Learn —Robert Honea

Mentors Program — Linda Russell

Plant Sale — Susan Kingsley, Judy Ramos

Programs — Ramsey Huffman

Publicity – Robert Honea

Sunshine — Jan Hooper

Volunteer Hours/Awards — Mike Keck

Special Projects

Chairman – Theresea Goode

Ask A Master Gardener — Becky Laremore

Decatur Morgan Senior Center — Allen Jeffreys

Garden Pathways —  Susan Ledbetter

Hospice & Morgan Co. Library — Susan Kingsley, 

Hospice of the Valley Gardens — Nancy Shannon

Schools: 

Hartselle Jr. High  — Anita Buckley

West Morgan Elementary — Linda Russell

BYLAWS OF THE MORGAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the association shall be “The Morgan County Master Gardeners Association” (hereinafter referred to as “the Association.”)

ARTICLE II: DEFINITION

The Master Gardeners Association is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and improve the quality of life with horticultural projects. Trained Master Gardener volunteers assist the Extension Service through such tasks as answering telephone requests for home horticultural information, maintaining demonstration gardens, designing and implementing community improvement projects, and assisting with coordinating ongoing Master Gardener classes.

ARTICLE III: OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Association shall be:

1. Enhance and supplement the Consumer Horticulture programs in extension, teaching, and research of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Universities;
2. Enhance Master Gardeners’ knowledge of and interest in horticulture and related activities;
3. Provide community service to residents of Morgan County and surrounding counties in the State of Alabama, by way of horticultural projects and dissemination of information on horticultural practices and techniques as approved by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System; and
4. Provide opportunities for Master Gardeners to associate with others who have interests in horticulture.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. There shall be six classes of membership: Active, Provisional, Associate, Honorary, Patron, and Inactive.

Section 2. Active member: Active membership shall be limited to individuals who have successfully completed an approved Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Training Program (hereinafter referred to as “the Program”) and also fulfilled the Program’s volunteer service requirements. Active members must pay annual dues.

Section 3. Provisional Member: Provisional membership may be granted for a period of one calendar year to Intern Master Gardener volunteers who have been reported by an Extension Agent to have satisfactorily completed the approved MG instructional program.  Once a provisional member reports completion of the Program’s volunteer service requirements to the coordinating Extension Agent,  the individual is certified as a Master Gardener and is eligible for Active membership. Provisional members pay no annual dues and have no voting rights..

Section 4. Associate Member: An Associate member is an Alabama Extension Service employee working with an office which offers the Program, or which cooperates with other units in offering the Program, or which plans to offer the Program within one year of his/her application for membership in the Association. Associate members pay no dues, but receive Association mailings.

Section 5. Honorary Member: Honorary memberships are bestowed by the Executive Board on individuals who have rendered outstanding contributions to the Program or to the Association. Honorary members may occupy an advisory capacity. Honorary members pay no dues.

Section 6. Patron Member: Patron memberships are available to persons, organizations, or businesses who contribute to the Program, either financially or through service, but who do not qualify for active membership. Patrons must pay dues, but do not have voting rights.

Section 7. Inactive Member: An Inactive Member is a former Active or Provisional member who has not participated in the activities of the Association for more than a year or has failed to pay annual dues, as required by section 9. An Inactive Member may be reinstated in good standing after paying current annual dues and pledging to provide the number of volunteer hours required for Active Members.

Section 8. Only active members are eligible to make motions, second motions, vote, and to hold office.

Section 9. Annual dues for each class of membership shall be established each year by the Executive Board and shall be payable on or before the first of each calendar year. Annual dues shall include both state and local dues. The treasurer shall notify members who are three months in arrears and those whose dues are not paid by that time will be automatically transferred to Inactive Member status.

Section 10. In the event a member must request a leave of absence, the leave will be granted for one calendar year. Dues for that year will be required, and member will remain on the Association’s mailing list. Requests for leave should be presented to the Executive Board in writing for approval. Voting for this period can be made by proxy. If more that one year is needed, see Section 11.

Section 11. Alabama Master Gardener Transfer: An Alabama Certified Master Gardener from another County may join the Morgan County Master Gardener Association by providing proof of state certification, paying annual dues, and pledging to complete the volunteer service hours currently required by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) for the Master Gardener Program. A Master Gardener who has been certified, but has not remained “active” for more than one year, may join the Association by providing proof of certification, paying annual dues, and pledging to complete the volunteer service hours currently required by ACES for the Master Gardener Program.

Section 12. Out-of-state Master Gardener Transfers: Master Gardeners from other states may join the Association provided they adhere to the ACES policy for out-of-state transfers.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall serve without bond.

Section 2. Duties of Officers:

1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board. He/she shall be the chief executive officer. Subject to the approval of the Executive Board, he/she shall appoint standing committee chairpersons, all other special committee chairpersons, and a newsletter editor.
2. Vice-President: The Vice President, in the absence or inability of the President, shall perform the duties of President. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President, shall perform the duties of President. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall become President.
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board and conduct correspondence not specifically assigned to other Officers or Committees.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the Association and shall deposit them in such bank or banks as may be designated by the Association. He/she shall disburse these funds by check or electronic transfer as directed in the approved budget or by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies and make reports to the Association at regular or special meetings. In addition, the Treasurer shall prepare a final financial report at the end of each calendar year and at the end of the Treasurer’s term of office. Any expenditures presented to the Treasurer for reimbursement must be accompanied by a Payment Request Form and supported by receipts. The Association’s Treasurer should use a board approved Accounting computer software.  The Treasurer also provides guidance for Assistant Treasurer.
5. Assistant Treasurer shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. The goal of the Assistant Treasurer is to serve as a temporary replacement in the event that the Treasurer is unavailable.  Assistant Treasurer should be knowledgeable of the Association’s accounting policies and accounting methods.  Shall hold an advisory position on the Board; however, in the event of the absence of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer will have the capabilities of the Treasurer.

Section 3. Election of officers:

Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership at the annual meeting. Votes may be cast in person or by proxy.

1. Candidates for office shall be chosen by a Nominating Committee. Nominations for any office will be accepted from the floor at the election or by submission prior to the annual meeting.
2. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three members appointed by the President. The Nominating Committee shall report in August and shall prepare a ballot for the election of officers and the Advisory Representative to the State.

Section 4. Term of Office: Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are installed. Officers shall take office effective January 1^st. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive elected terms in the same office, except Treasurer may serve additional terms due to unique qualifications required. Any vacancies that may occur among the officers shall be filled by the Executive Board, subject to approval at the next regular business meeting.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate past President, Greenhouse Manager, the Advisory Representative to the State, and any non-voting advisors invited by the President. This board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association between meetings provided that none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Association. Four members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Board meetings shall be open to the general membership. To address the board, a member must have previously requested for the topic to be placed on the agenda. Only Board members shall be permitted to make motions, second motions, or vote on motions before the Board. In the event that a member’s name or good character must be discussed, the Board will adjourn behind closed doors.

Section 2: Chairpersons of standing committees shall be appointed by the President, upon the approval of the Board, and members of the standing committees shall be appointed by the standing committee chairpersons subject to the approval of the President.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meeting: The Association’s annual meeting shall be during the regular September meeting. The membership shall elect officers and transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

Section 2. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings shall be monthly, with the time and place of the meetings announced in advance.

Section 3. Quorum: Attendance of the voting membership at a properly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII: ADVISORY REPRESENTATIVE TO STATE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. The Advisory Representative to the State Association shall be elected by the voting Association members and must be a member of the Association.

Section 2. The Advisory Representative shall:

1. Serve as a link to the State Association and keep the Master Gardeners in the Morgan County Association informed about the activities of the State.
2. Act as an advisor and liaison between the local Association and the State Association and serve on the local Executive Board.
3. Perform the duties required by the State Association.
4. The Association President will appoint one alternate to serve in addition to the elected representative. If both the elected member and the alternate attend the state meetings, only the elected representative is eligible to vote.
5. The term of the elected representative will be for two years. The Association President will specify the term of the alternate.

ARTICLE IX: FINANCES

Section 1. The Association’s fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 2. A financial report of the Association shall be given at each monthly meeting. All major expenditures should be pre-approved by the membership and then submitted to the Treasurer for reimbursement.

Section 3. An Audit Committee shall audit the financial records of the Association when there is a transition to new Treasurer or as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.

Section 4. Budget Committee shall consist of the Executive Board, President Elect, Treasurer Elect and any advisors appointed by the President.  Committee, based on input from committee chairs and project leaders and on available funds, shall prepare and approve an annual budget. The approved budget will be presented and voted on at the regular membership meeting in November.  However, this budget may be amended by the Executive Board that takes office on January 1 at the recommendation of the incoming President.  In the event that the budget is amended by 5% or more the amended budget must be approved by Executive Board and voted on by the general membership.

Section 5. Check writing and electronic transfer authority is granted to President, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. 

ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order adopted by the Association. The President may appoint a parliamentarian either to assist or to assume the duties of the Bylaws Committee.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by a majority vote of the Members present or represented by proxy at a regular or special meting at which a quorum is present, provide that notice of the proposed amendment(s) shall have been given to the membership at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION
In the event the Association ceases to function and dissolves itself, all assets after the obligations and expenses of the Association have been satisfied shall be transferred to the Alabama Master Gardeners Association.  In no event shall any of the assets be distributed to any organization, which doesn’t qualify as exempt under Section 501(c))(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or its corresponding future provisions.

ARTICLE XIII: MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. All service shall be voluntary with no remuneration except for out-of-pocket expenses for Association-related activities as approved by the elected officers and/or membership.

Section 2. Within the Association, there will be no discrimination with respect to race, color, sex, age, creed, or national origin.

Section 3. Recognizing that “Master Gardeners” are among the most highly esteemed in the community, all members of the Association will, at all times, endeavor to conduct themselves in such a manner as to justify the continuance of that high esteem.

Section 4: Waiver of Responsibility/Liability:  All meetings, field trips or other Association activities are attended by members or guests at the sole election of the attendees. The Association assumes no responsibility for personal injury or loss of or damage to property.

Effective January 1, 2019

Approved and adopted by the Morgan County Master Gardeners Association on September 26, 2018.