Name
The EagleVail Community Garden — Growing food and community organically
Mission Statement
The EagleVail Community Garden is an organic garden where we grow healthy food, create beauty, nurture relationships between young and old, create educational opportunities and foster a more sustainable community.
Membership
Any person may become a member of the EagleVail Community Garden. Plot memberships shall run from May 15 through October 16 of each year. A 30-day grace period is granted on plot membership renewal. If rental fees and completed membership forms are not received by the end of the grace period, then the member shall lose his or her plot membership and all EagleVail Community Garden privileges.
The membership fee will be determined by the Garden Committee, may change from year to year, is non-refundable, and will be used, at the discretion of the Garden Committee, to pay for supplies and services for the garden.
Plot membership entitles each individual in the member household to participate as a gardener in shared garden plots and to make use of the composting facilities.
All members also elect the officers, may themselves serve as officers, and may serve on the Garden Committee. For the purpose of voting and petitioning in accordance with these bylaws, each plot will count as one vote or as one petitioning member regardless of the number of individuals who share that plot. Except where otherwise specified, the term “member” in these bylaws refers to all individuals associated with a specific plot and not to the individuals who share the plot.
Membership may be terminated at any time by notice from the member, by majority vote of the Garden Committee, or by petition from five or more members.
Electing Officers
Officers are volunteers chosen from the membership. They will be self-nominated prior to the annual members meeting and elected at the annual meeting. A majority of the full membership must be voting in the election of officers, either in person or by proxy, or by the prior completion of a ballot. Officers receiving a majority of the votes cast will be elected and will serve for one year.
Responsibility of President
The President presides over all meetings of the Garden Committee and has the authority to sign legal documents and checks on behalf of the organization.
Responsibility of Vice President
The Vice President acts as the President when the President is absent or unavailable, and sits on the Garden Committee.
Responsibility of Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial records. All checks disbursed by the Treasurer shall require two signatures: President and Treasurer or other persons authorized by the Officers.
Garden Committee
The Garden Committee shall be composed of at least five members. Part of the Garden Committee is the Garden Coordinator and Garden Stewards. Any member may join the Garden Committee at any time by nomination of at least two members, not including themselves. Advance notice of such nomination must be given at least one week before the next Garden Committee meeting. Members thus nominated serve on the Garden Committee for two years, with the option to renew, after which re-nomination is required.
Any member missing three consecutive meetings of the Garden Committee will be removed from further service on the Garden Committee. Members who are removed from the Garden Committee as a result of missed meetings may only be reinstated for service once, through re-nomination. The Garden Committee may, by a majority vote at any meeting, waive this limit in individual instances. Termination of membership in the organization also terminates service on the Garden Committee.
A quorum of 50 percent or more of the Garden Committee is required at each meeting, in order to transact business. Decision making at such meetings will be by majority vote of those present. Garden Committee meetings shall be open to all members, although only members duly nominated to the committee prior to the meeting shall have voting rights and be counted for quorum.
Other Committees
In addition to the Garden Committee, other committees can be formed around special interests and will require volunteer leaders who can coordinate the efforts. Decision making at such meetings will be by majority vote of those present; however, in order to transact business, a quorum of a 50 percent or more of the Garden Committee is required at each meeting.
Garden Plots
The garden consists of a combination of communal garden areas and private member plots. All members may participate in the planting and maintenance of communal garden areas and the overall garden infrastructure.
Priority is given to members who live or work in EagleVail. Plots will be assigned with a priority given to EagleVail residents on a first come, first served basis. Plots may be assigned to outside residents with a priority given to those outside residents who serve on a committee and regularly volunteer for the EagleVail Community Garden.
The number, size, location, cost, and assignment to members of garden plots will be determined by the Garden Committee and may be altered from year to year.
However, whenever a plot survives from year to year, the renter of that plot during the previous year will be given first choice to rent that plot again in the immediately following year. Rents paid for private member plots will not be refunded, even if membership is terminated during the rental period.
The Garden Committee has the right to reserve some plots for sponsorship plots, and it is up to the Garden Committee to determine the sponsorship fee and how many plots to devote to sponsorship plots.
Public Access
The EagleVail Community Garden shall be open to the general public from sun up to sun down provided that their activities do not interfere with the operation of the gardens and are not in violation of the Rules and Regulations. The Garden Committee has the authority to determine Garden Hours, and hours may change from year to year and from season to season. The Garden Committee shall seek and maintain insurance and other measures necessary for such public access. The Garden Committee reserves the right to lock the garden.
Meetings
The members will meet at least once per year at a place and time set by the Garden Committee, with the purpose of electing officers for the following year, to review the financial status of the organization, to discuss planning for the coming year, and to socialize. Advance notice must be given to all members at least two weeks before the date of the meeting.
Regular meetings of the Garden Committee will be held as needed.
Rules and Regulations
The Rules and Regulations for use of the EagleVail Community Garden shall be established by the Garden Committee. Members must abide by these rules. Failure to do so will be grounds for termination of membership.
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by the Garden Committee, or by petition from a majority of the members. Members who wish to change the bylaws must submit the proposed change in writing at least one week prior to a meeting of the Garden Committee.
Organizational Note
The EagleVail Community Garden is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
EagleVail Community Garden 