BY - LAWS

 

MANITOBA - NORTH DAKOTA ZERO TILL FARMERS ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

MANITOBA - NORTH DAKOTA ZERO TILIAGE 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 activities 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 resident, 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:

A. 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.

BY LAWS: cont'd

6. SIGNING OFFICERS:

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

7. CURRENCY:

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

8. REMUNERATION:

A. The directors, advisors and committee members may be 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:

A. 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:

A. 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:

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

 

AMENDMENTS

I. 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.

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

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