1.1       The name of this organization shall be the Groveport Garden Club

1.2       The object of this club shall be to stimulate a knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs and aid in the protection of native trees, plants, birds and encourage planting.

2.1       These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds majority of members present provided that the amendment has been submitted for consideration at a previous meeting.

3.1       Regular meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month, except in January, July, and August.

3.2       Meetings will be automatically cancelled in the event of a snow emergency level 1 (or above) or tornado watch or warning. (April 1, 2025)

3.3       Monthly activity costs and/or presenter fees over $200 require prior club approval. (November 7, 2024)

3.4       A donation of $200 will be given to the Groveport Zion Lutheran Church in October of each year, to thank them for lending us the use of their Fellowship Hall for club meetings and activities. (as of 2024)

4.1       Total number of members shall be unlimited.

4.2       Anyone wishing to become a member can do so by expressing an earnest desire to join by attending a club meeting and paying dues.

4.3       Members must possess a garden and work in it, must participate in any club activities assigned to them, and cooperate in all club activities.

4.4       Any member who is seriously ill and in the hospital will receive a gift.

4.5       A remembrance will be sent upon the death of a member, spouse, or child.

4.6       A memorial brick, for installation in the Heritage Park Memory Walk, shall be purchased through the City of Groveport in remembrance of members who have passed away. (September 2024)

DUES:

4.7       Membership dues shall be established by June for the upcoming year. $5 per member (as of June 2024).

4.8       Any person who cannot continue as an active member can become an associate member. Dues will be $10 per year.

4.9       Membership to the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs (OAGC) is voluntary and will be at an additional separate cost. OAGC dues are set by the OAGC.

4.10.    Honorary member dues are paid by the club (Approved in 2012)

5.1       The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

5.2       Officers shall take office in October.

5.3       The Nomination Committee of three members shall be appointed by the president at the annual meeting in May.

5.4       Officers shall serve a minimum of 1-year but no more than 2-years, consecutively, in the same role.

5.5       The President shall assume leadership of the club, preside at all meetings, and appoint a chairperson of all committees.

5.6       The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President when absent. The Vice President shall be the chairperson of the Program Committee. The Vice President shall also serve as an additional authorized signer to the Treasurer to serve as a back-up for the treasurer, and to facilitate financial transparency and fiscal accountability. (Approved June 2025)

5.7       The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and shall be custodian of all papers and records pertaining to the club and attend to all correspondence.

5.8       The Treasurer shall collect and hold all money belonging to the club and shall disburse such funds according to the direction of the club members. The Treasurer is responsible for paying each member’s dues to the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs before Sep. 15. The treasurer shall ensure all club tax documents are submitted by applicable State and Federal deadlines. Fiscal Year: Oct. 1 – Sep. 30. Beginning Jan. 2027

the club will begin using a calendar year for all club activities and fiscal operations. (Approved June 2025)

6.1       Under Ohio's Nonprofit Corporation Law ("NCL"), a nonprofit's voting members must authorize dissolution by voting to adopt a resolution to dissolve. (March 2024)

6.2       Remaining club funds, less any required expenses related to dissolving the club, are to be redistributed as determined by vote of the authorized voting members at the time the club adopts a resolution to dissolve. (March 2024)

6.3       The club is responsible/accountable for ensuring the 990 is filed annually. IRS 990 Deadline: no more than 5 months after the fiscal year-end. FY 10/1 - 9/30. Tax-exempt status will be automatically revoked for organizations that fail to file required tax documents for three consecutive years.