Constitution

CONSTITUTION of the GARDEN CLUB OF CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND

I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Garden Club of Chevy Chase, Maryland (hereinafter referred to as “Club”).

 

II. OBJECT

The object of the Club shall be to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection and love of native trees, plants and birds, and to encourage civic planting and environmental responsibility.

 

III. MEMBERSHIP 

This organization shall consist of (1) Active Members, (2) Associate Members, (3) Honorary Members and (4) Nonresident Members, (5) Reciprocal Members. Active Members shall be limited to fifty. Associate Members shall be unlimited in number and shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote or hold office. Any Active Member of ten years standing may request transfer to Associate Membership, by submitting a letter to the chair of the Membership Committee. Such a transfer is subject to approval by the Executive Board and is reserved for members who have been active and accepted positions of responsibility. Honorary Membership is reserved for persons who add honor and distinction to the Club. They are elected at the discretion of the Executive Board. Nonresident Membership is reserved for members who leave the Washington area and wish to remain a member of the Club. Reciprocal Membership is reserved for GCA members who have moved to the Washington area and wish to remain a member of their original club.

 

IV. OFFICERS

The Officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding/Communications Secretary, and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected for a two-year term.

 

V. EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the Club, the chair of the Membership Committee, Program and Communications, a past president and members-at-large appointed by the President. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. The chair of any committee may ask or be requested by the president to report at an Executive Board Meeting.

 

VI. ELECTIONS

​Officers shall be elected by the membership and shall assume office at the Annual Meeting. To provide continuity, every effort shall be made to ensure that at least two but no more than three officers are newly elected each year.

 

VII. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and its By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present, providing a quorum is present and the proposed amendment has been read at the previous meeting and a copy of the same has been sent in writing to each member of the Club.

 

VIII. QUORUM

A majority of the Active Members shall constitute a quorum.

 

IX. DISSOLUTION

​The Garden Club of Chevy Chase may be dissolved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Active Members. All remaining monies of the Club after payment of all expenses will be disbursed by a majority vote of the Active Members to one or more recognized 501 (c) (3) organizations whose primary purposes include horticultural and conservational interests.