CONSTITUTION

MANITOBA –NORTH DAKOTA ZERO TILLIAGE FARMERS ASSOCIATION

(as adopted January 21, 1982 at Minot, N.D.

NAME: The Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association.

(Man-Dak T Farmers)

PURPOSE: 1. To facilitate the exchange of ideas.

2. To encourage zero tillage research

3. To disseminate zero tillage information

INHERENT PURPOSE: To preserve our agriculture soil resource for future generations

by promoting a system of crop production which drastically reduces soil

erosion and builds up organic matter.

ORGANIZATION: The association is run by an elected board of ten farmers representing

all geographic areas of Manitoba and North Dakota, plus six appointed

advisors from Government and industry. (SEE AMENDMENTS)

MEMBERSHIP: The Association is open to any farmer interested in zero tillage not only

from Manitoba and North Dakota but also from surrounding states and

provinces.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: Open to any other interested persons in the zero tillage

concept.

ACTIVITIES:

    1. To hold an annual meeting and workshop

    2. To encourage research

    3. Other activates as needed.

 

 

BY LAWS

  1. ELECTIONS: The directors shall be elected by the general membership at the annual

meeting. The advisors shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

The offices of president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer shall be

elected annually by the out-going and in-coming board of directors.

2. TERM OF OFFICE:

    1. The term of office of directors, advisors and officers shall be no more than two years. (SEE AMENDMENTS)

    2. Directors must retire for at least one year before being re-elected.

    3. Ten directors shall be elected for the first year (1982) one half (drawn by

lot) to serve one year, and the other half to serve two years. Thereafter, five directors to be elected each year. At all times maintaining five directors from North Dakota and five directors from Manitoba.

(SEE AMENDMENTS)

3. QUORUM:

    1. Twenty members of the association shall constitute a quorum for all annual and special general meetings.

    2. One half of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for a board meeting.

4. FEES:

    1. To be set by the membership upon recommendation from the board of

directors.

5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

    1. Executive committee will consist of the president, vice-president,

secretary-treasurer and past president. They will have the authority to

speak on behalf of the Association, when necessary.

6.SIGNING OFFICERS:

    1. President or Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be signing

Officers

7. CURRENCY:

A. Exchange rate to be on par value basis for membership fee only.

8. REMUNERATION:

    1. The directors, advisors and committee members may reimbursed for

out-of-pocket expenses such as postage, telephone calls, $30 per night

lodging, and gasoline for trips on Association business as approved by

the board of Directors.

9. NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

    1. The nominating committee, two from Manitoba and two from North

Dakota to be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall serve one

year.

10. DISSOLUTION:

  1. In the event that the association breaks into separate associations from Manitoba and North Dakota, the money remaining at that time shall be divided on a pro-rate basis depending on the origin of membership at the time of dissolution.

11. AMENDING THE BY LAWS:

    1. The by laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at the annual meeting.

 

 

AMENDMENTS

1. TERM OF OFFICE: (Minutes of November 28-29, 1984)

SECTION A to read " NO MORE THAN THREE YEARS"

SECTION C to read " Twelve directors to be elected for a three year term

with six directors from North Dakota and six directors from Manitoba. Four directors (two from each area) to be elected annually after 1985.

11. TERM OF OFFICE: (Minutes of January 29, 1986)

SECTION D to read "Vacancy of Director caused by death, resignation or

extra ordinary circumstances to be filled by appointment by the

Executive Board.

III TERM OF OFFICE: (Minutes of January 23, 1987)

SECTION E to read "If President is elected to presidency in his third year

as director, the following year he will serve as past president. There

will be 13 directors on such years".