BYLAWS

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE

The objective of the Association is to advance, encourage, and protect the interests of the Agriculture Fairs of the State of Vermont; to encourage the efforts of farmers, dairyman, stock breeders, market gardeners, poultry men, fruit growers, and other agriculture, industrial, and educational interest's.

ARTICLE II - NAME

The association shall be known as the:

VERMONT AGRICULTURAL FAIRS ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE III - TERMS

The term Fair is used to denote any Agriculture Fair, Field Days, Harvest Days, or other Agriculture event that is used to promote agriculture.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Any duly organized, NON-PROFIT, agriculture Fair operating and located in the State of Vermont, and holding annual agriculture exhibits, may become a member of the Association, by submitting an application, in writing, to the Secretary, being duly elected, and paying such dues as the membership shall specify.

There shall be four (4) classes of membership as follows:

  1. Voting Members. Voting members shall be the duly appointed representatives of each of the Fairs that are members of the Association and that are eligible to receive state stipend money. Each Fair may appoint up to three (3) representatives, each representative having one (1) vote at Association meetings. Each Fair shall appoint its representatives in any manner they choose. The organization may admit Fairs that do not qualify for membership in that they do not receive State stipend money, if, at the sole discretion of the organization, they substantially share the goals other voting members share.

  2. Associate Members. Associate Members shall be non-voting members who represent fairs not eligible to receive State stipend money and not elected to voting membership.

  3. Supporting Members. Supporting Members shall be non-voting members who do not represent a fair but wish to support the Association in its business or activities.

  4. Honorary Members. Honorary Members shall be individually nominated and elected by the voting members for outstanding service to the Vermont Fair industry. Such members shall be non-voting.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

The officers of the Association shall be elected by the Association at the meeting held every spring. All officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year or until their successor is duly qualified. The President shall not serve more than four (4) consecutive one (1) year terms.

The Association shall have the following officers:

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, the immediate past President, and up to three (3) additional members appointed by the President. The Executive Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Association between regular meetings. It shall keep records of all actions taken and be subject to review by the membership at any regular meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to approve expenditures not to exceed $250.00 on behalf of the Association.

Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee annually. The committee shall be composed of at least three (3) members and will report to the membership at the spring meeting with its recommendations for officers. Members of the Nominating Committee MUST all represent different member Fairs.

Other Committees. The President may appoint other committees for specific purposes.

ARTICLE VII - QUORUM

Voting members representing five (5) Fairs with at least eleven (11) representatives present are required for a quorum at any meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII - DUES

Membership dues will be established annually by the voting membership. Fairs that have not paid their annual dues by the set due date will not be eligible to vote at Association meetings.

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

The Association will hold an annual meeting in the spring of each year at a time and place chosen by the President and announced to the membership at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. Three (3) additional meeting, held quarterly, shall be held. The President may call additional meeting with at least five (5) days notice of time and place.

ARTICLE X - AMMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended by two thirds (2/3) vote of the membership at two successive meetings. Written warning is required at least ten (10) days prior to thefirst meeting at which a By-law amendment is to be taken up.

Adopted - December 4, 1963
As amended - January 20, 1972
As amended - April 11, 1974
As amended - January 26, 1993
As amended - May 8, 2012
As amended - May 26, 2016

 


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