Article I: Name

The name of this group shall be the Holliston Garden Club.

Article II: Mission Statement

The mission of the Holliston Garden Club is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening in its broadest sense, to aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, and to promote town beautification.

Article III: Membership

A candidate for any level of membership must submit a written application to the Club for review.  The candidate will be invited to attend one meeting as a guest. Acceptance for membership will be voted on at the next club meeting. Former active or associate members of the club may be reinstated with club approval.

Section 1: Active members must attend six (6) meetings a year, pay dues annually, and participate in club projects and activities as outlined on the club’s annual activity worksheet. Only active members have the right to vote.

Section 2: Associate member are those members in good standing who are unable to fulfill requirements of active membership. Good standing is defined as any member who has been active for at least five years in accordance with Section 1.

Section 3: Lifetime Active membership may be conferred upon any member who has rendered distinguished service to the club. Lifetime active members are exempt from the requirements of active membership but may participate in any club activity or committee. Lifetime active candidates must be nominated by another active member.

Section 4: An Honorary membership may be conferred on a Holliston resident who has provided outstanding support to the club and the community. An honorary member must be nominated in writing by an active member of the club.   An honorary member will receive a newsletter and a ticket to the November meeting.

Article IV: Officers

The Officers shall be president(s), first and second vice president(s), recording secretary, treasurer, and public relations officer. This group, with the most recent past president, will form the executive board of the Holliston Garden Club.

Article V: Duties of the Officers

Section 1: The president(s) shall preside at all club meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order and shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.

Section 2: The first vice president(s) shall assume all the duties of the president in the absence or disability of the president and shall be responsible for executing programs throughout the year.

Section 3: The second vice president(s) shall be responsible for developing the programs for the following year.

Section 4: The recording secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the club, highlight and record matters voted on, and take attendance when the membership chairman is unable to attend meetings.

Section 5: The treasurer shall collect, hold, and pay as directed by the board all money and shall keep accurate books of the accounts at the end of every fiscal year. The treasurer will give a monthly financial report at the business meeting and submit a hard copy of it to the recording secretary and the president(s) for the club records.  A complete financial analysis should also be given at the February business meeting.  The treasurer will assist the president(s) in an internal audit of the club’s finances at the end of each club year.

Section 6: The public relations officer will be responsible for developing the yearly external communications plan for club events and activities, working closely with publicity, website and social media chairpersons to provide consistent and comprehensive information on the club.

Article VI: The Board

The affairs of the club shall be managed by the executive board and chairpersons of all standing committees. This group will constitute the board of the Holliston Garden Club.

Section 1: Voting Rules

All changes to the club’s Bylaws and the election of club officers will be voted on by a quorum of the club’s active membership. A quorum for these purposes will be 2/3 of the current active membership.

All other club business will be voted on at the monthly business meetings by the active members present. A quorum for these purposes will be 1/3 of the current active membership.

Article VII: Election of Officers

Section 1: A nominating committee shall be formed in February. It will consist of three active members.

Section 2: The nominating committee shall nominate the president(s), vice president(s), corresponding secretary, treasurer, and public relations officer. These nominations shall be presented to the club in May. The election will take place at the June Annual meeting. Newly elected officers assume their responsibilities at the close of the June Annual meeting.

Article VIII: Standing Committees

The standing committees will be determined each year based on the club’s needs and interests, as indicated by the Activity Worksheet, which will be provided at the February Planning meeting. A list of the current year’s standing committees, including a description and the current chairperson(s), will be included in the yearbook after the list of club officers

In accordance with Article V, Section 1, chairpersons will notify the president(s) of all meetings held by their committees.

Article IX: Meetings

The Annual meeting will be held in June. Regular program meetings will be on the first Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted.  Monthly Business meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted.

Article X: Dues

Dues are payable at the June Annual meeting for the upcoming club year or upon acceptance of membership. Please refer to the Dues Schedule in the Club Policies section of the yearbook.

The treasurer shall notify in writing any active or associate member whose dues remain unpaid on July 1 that their membership is in jeopardy.  If they fail to pay within fourteen (14) days of notification, their membership will be terminated. A $10 fee will be charged to any member seeking reinstatement for failure to pay dues.

Article XI: Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall, after payment of necessary expenses, thereof be distributed to such organization as shall qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding provision of any subsequent federal tax laws, or to the federal government, state, or local government for public purpose, subject to the approval of a court of competent jurisdiction within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Article XII: Nondiscrimination Clause

The Holliston Garden Club shall not permit in their conduct of club affairs any restriction or limitations whatsoever based upon race, color, creed, gender, national origin, or employment status.


Back to Members Page