BYLAWS
OF THE
SOUTHWEST
PROJECT GRASS COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Article I. Name
The name of the organization shall be the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee.
Article II. Purpose
This committee is an activity in rural
development to assist farm operators in utilizing and protecting the land, according to its capability for forage production. The purpose of this committee is to promote improved pasture systems and rotational
grazing systems for better forage production, quality, and utilization.
Article III. Objectives
Four broad objectives have been identified
for the committee:
1.
Enhance Pennsylvania agriculture through better utilization of grasslands.
2.
Improve the economic position of Pennsylvania
farmers, particularly small farms.
3.
Increase the amount of livestock production in the Commonwealth to increase energy efficiency and
develop improved marketing capabilities for cattle, sheep, hay, and other livestock.
4.
Achieve better utilization of land and water resources for improved environmental quality.
Article IV. Membership
The members of the organization shall be
members of various federal, state, and local agencies; private citizens; and other groups that support the Project’s
Purpose and Objectives. Voting members must live in one the following Pennsylvania counties; Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair,
Butler, Cambria, Centre, Fayette, Greene, Indiana,
Somerset, Washington, and
Westmoreland. Other counties in Pennsylvania,
and other counties from other states, and organizations may apply for membership to the organization. Membership requires the payment of dues by Conservation Districts
each year by February 1 in the amount of two hundred dollars and no cents ($200.00).
Dues are made payable to the Somerset County Conservation District, who along with Penn’s Corner Conservancy
Charitable Trust Inc., serves as the fiscal agent for Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee. In addition to paying dues, each county is to be represented at a minimum of one quarterly meeting per
year.
Article V. Executive Committee and Advisory Committee members
The Executive
Committee shall have the power of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee, between the meetings
of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee – to act in emergencies, just as the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating
Committee acts at the quarterly meetings. Minutes shall be taken at the Executive Committee meetings and distributed to the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee
at the next quarterly meeting of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee.
The Executive Committee shall report to the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating
Committee at each quarterly meeting of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee.
All recommendations contained in the Executive Committee report will be
acted upon immediately following the report.
1.
There shall be seven (7) Executive Committee members including the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Executive Committee members shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Southwest
Project Grass Coordinating Committee.
2.
Executive Committee members shall serve a two year term, or until they resign, or are removed. Terms shall be staggered with three terms expiring one year, and four terms expiring
the following year. Executive Committee members may be removed by a majority
vote of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee members upon, at least, 30 days prior notice of the intention to
do the same.
3.
When a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee, a Nominating Committee shall be formed to recommend
candidates to the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee. The recommendations
may be made either at a meeting of the Nominating Committee or by mail canvass of the persons that comprise the Nominating
Committee. The vacancy shall be filled from among the recommended candidates
by majority vote of the remaining Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee members, or if no recommended candidate is
approved, then the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee members may nominate candidates for the vacancy, again subject
to majority approval.
4.
A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the Executive committee, which in this case is four
(4) members. A quorum is needed to vote or take any action. The Chair shall conduct the meeting and maintain order.
5.
Advisory Committee members. The Southwest Project
Grass Coordinating Committee will appoint members to this Advisory Committee. Advisory
Committee members will attend the Executive Committee meetings and may give advice and participate in discussion but do not
have a vote. Advisory Committee members may be from sponsors who support Project
Grass, members of various agencies, members from universities, or other people who support Project Grass.
Article VI. Conduct of Business
1.
A majority of the fourteen (14) membership counties in attendance, which in this case is eight,
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
2.
Meetings shall be held quarterly at a time and place agreed to by a majority of all Executive Committee
members.
3.
Meetings shall be conducted by the Chair, or in his absence, by the Vice Chair. Proper parliamentary procedure shall be followed.
4.
Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee members must attend and vote at the meetings in
person.
Article VII. Officers
The Southwest Project Grass Coordinating
Committee shall, annually, in February elect the following officers to assist in the conduct of business:
1.
Chair, who shall be responsible for conduct and proper parliamentary procedures of the meetings
and shall execute all official correspondence of the organization. The Chair
shall establish and maintain order and conduct business with courtesy and impartiality.
The Chair should have a copy of the bylaws and an agenda prepared for every meeting.
2.
Vice Chair, who shall fulfill the functions of the Chair in his or her absence.
3.
Secretary-Treasurer, who shall maintain minutes, accept and initiate correspondence and other duties
normally performed by a secretary-treasurer.
Article VIII. Standing Committees
The Southwest Project Grass Coordinating
Committee has the right to form Standing Committees. The size and personnel associated
with a Standing Committee is to be determined by the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee. When a committee is formed their duties, objectives, goals, and responsibilities should be clearly stated
and recorded by the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee. The Nominating
Committee is considered a Standing Committee.
Article IX. Conflict of Interest
Responsibilities of Executive Committee
members shall be as defined in the Pennsylvania Ethics Act. Executive Committee
members shall abstain from voting on any matter in which they are personally interested.
Conflicts of interest shall be disclosed to the Executive Committee and notation of the same shall be made in the meeting
minutes.
Article X. Amendment of Bylaws
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority
vote of the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee members. The proposed
amendments are first presented in writing and discussed at an Executive Committee meeting.
The Executive Committee shall then present the recommended change to the Southwest Project Grass Coordinating Committee
for the final vote. The proposed amendments shall be presented to all Southwest
Project Grass Coordinating Committee members at least one week prior to the final vote, with notice of the time and place
of the meeting for the final consideration.
Article XI. Dissolution
At such time as the Southwest Project
Grass Coordinating Committee is dissolved, all unrestricted funds will be distributed evenly among Conservation Districts
in good standing.
_____________________________________________________
Chairman
Date
______________________________________________________
Secretary/Treasurer
Date
