St. Louis Chapter Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes Bylaws

I. Purpose

The St. Louis Chapter is organized as a local chapter of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes. Our purpose is to promote the use and enjoyment of native plants in landscaping throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. “As a chapter of Wild Ones Natural Landscapers, Ltd, the rules which follow as adopted by the St. Louis Chapter are under no circumstances intended to conflict or undermine the national bylaws, but instead be considered an integral part of the national bylaws to provide additional support and direction as required by specific chapter requirements.”

II. Contact

The local contact is Shaw Nature Reserve, P. O. Box 38, Gray Summit, MO 63039 (636-451-3512, Ext. 6078). The local website is http://www.for-wild.org/chapters/stlouis.

III. Membership

Membership is open to any dues-paying member of the national organization. In addition, anyone is welcome to attend meetings and join the chapter’s email list. The email list is not shared with any other organizations and is used solely to communicate information regarding Wild Ones meetings and projects. Only dues-paying members are permitted to vote. Officers and standing committee heads must be dues paying members and are elected at the November meeting in odd-numbered years.

IV. Meetings

Meetings are usually held the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. No meetings are held in December and January. Dates and locations of meetings are published in the chapter’s newsletter, to its email list and on its website.

V. Board of Directors

The board of directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Member at Large, and the standing committee chairs. Standing committees are Education, Membership, Historian, Webmaster and Newsletter Editor. The board shall meet quarterly. A simple majority of board members is required for a quorum. A simple majority of those present shall be required for approval of all voting actions.

VI. Officers and Committee Heads

The officers include: The President is in charge of all chapter affairs; he or she presides over meetings and appoints someone to preside in his or her absence. He or she organizes and schedules the location of meetings. The Vice-President assists the president and handles other duties that may be assigned by the Board. The Secretary records minutes of the Board and Membership meetings. The Treasurer keeps the chapter’s books and is responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all funds as approved by the Board. A Member at Large Standing committees are approved by the board. They include: Education – responsible for educational programs for member meetings and the general public. Membership – maintains and distributes the chapter’s membership roster to members. Historian – maintains files of minutes, and photographic and other records of chapter projects and activities Webmaster – maintains the chapter’s website; emails reminders of meetings and activities. Newsletter Editor – under direction of the president, produces the chapter newsletter and distributes to members. The board may also approve other adhoc committee heads as needed.

VII. Nominating Committee

In May of odd-numbered years, the board shall appoint a nominating committee to develop a slate of officers. The committee will present the slate at the October meeting. Members will vote for officers at the November meeting. The committee shall consist of at least three members. The board will make every effort to choose individuals who represent a broad cross-section of all members.

VIII. Accounting Books

The accounting records are available for inspection by any dues-paying member.

IX. Grants for Projects

The chapter may support local activities consistent with its purpose, with financial or in-kind assistance. Requests for project support shall be made to the board, using the form and instructions attached to these Bylaws. The board shall act on the request at its next regular meeting.

X. Amendment

These Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority of the Board of Directors at a regular board meeting.

These Bylaws have been accepted the 6th day of January, 2005.