The First Publication of Proposed Bylaws for SLOLA

 This comprises the first publications of our proposed bylaws.  If you are a member of SLOLA, you are invited to read these bylaws and comment on them, either via the blog or in the next few meetings.  Bylaws will be amended in committee for the next month and then submitted to the membership at the October meeting for a vote.  If conclusive, the bylaws will be adopted and elections held to establish officers for the coming two years.  If not conclusive, amendments or other work will take place to allow them to be adopted.  It is the intent of the current board to begin to operate under a set of established bylaws as soon as possible, creating a legal framework to become a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  Please read this document and make comments, pro or con, as you see fit.  Thank you, David King, Chair

Bylaws

Seed Library of Los Angeles

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be Seed Library of Los Angeles, hereinafter referred to as SLOLA.

Article II – Mission

Our mission is to facilitate the growth of open-pollinated seeds among residents of the Los Angeles Basin. We are building and maintaining a seed collection and repository, educating members about the practice of seed-saving, and creating a local community of seed-saving gardeners. We seek to preserve genetic diversity, increase food security and food justice in our region, safeguard alternatives to GMOs, and empower all members through a deeper connection with nature and the experience of self-reliance. We will strive for excellence in all that we do, knowing the preservation of seed is a sacred trust.

Article III – Members

Section 1. Eligibility for membership

All persons who are interested in growing and/or saving seeds AND sign the Safe Seed Pledge (To wit, Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative. We pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities.) are eligible for membership.

Section 2. Dues

A lifetime membership of $10 is due upon completing the membership form and signing the Safe Seed Pledge.

Section 3. Fines/Fees

Fines/Fees may be imposed as needed. The Board of Directors may add new fees as required for continued operation of SLOLA.

Section 4. Resignation

Members may resign by sending a letter to the Membership Committee.

Section 5. Voting

All members in attendance and in good standing are entitled to one vote.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1. Officers

A. The officers of the board shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, past Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of each standing committee elected by the members or appointed by the Chair if an election is not possible in the time frame needed to fill the chair of a standing committee.

Section 2. Duties

The duties shall be as follows:

A. The Chair shall preside at all Board meetings, appoint committee members, and perform other duties as associated with the office.

B. The Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in case of the Chair’s absence.

C. The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the Board, keep all approved minutes in a minute book, and post the minutes on the SLOLA website or mail them to members without internet access by request.

D. The Treasurer shall keep record of the organization’s budget and prepare financial reports as needed and make these reports publicly available to the membership.

Article V – Elections

Section1. Election & Nominations

A. Elected officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) will serve a term of two years beginning January 1^st.

B. Elections will take place in October or November.

C. Nominations will be called for in an open meeting.

D. Only members in good standing may nominate for positions.

E. Each member is limited to two terms per position.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be: Best Practices; Membership & Education; Database & Catalog; Publicity & Outreach; and Organization.

A. Best Practices. This committee is responsible for setting and reviewing seed qualifications to be included in the library.

B. Membership & Education. This committee is responsible for keeping an accurate and updated membership list. This committee is responsible for sending membership-wide announcements and updates.

C. Database & Catalog. This committee is responsible for creating and maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of all seeds in the library.

D. Publicity & Outreach. This committee is responsible for creating and maintaining a SLOLA website. This committee is also responsible for coordinating the marketing of public outreach events.

E. Organization. The organization committee is responsible for reviewing the bylaws and submitting amendments for review by the membership. This committee is also responsible for setting procedures for the checking out and returning of seeds.

Section 2. Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the Chair, the board, or the membership.

Article VI – Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings

Regular Meetings will be held no less than 2 times per calendar year. The Board shall set the date of all general meetings.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair or a majority of the board.

Section 3. Agendas

Agendas shall be available at least one (1) day in advance, if requested.

Article VII – Voting

Section 1. Quorum

A majority of the board constitutes a quorum. In absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date.

Section 2. Motions

Passage of a motion requires a simple majority (i.e., one more than half the members present).

Article VIII – Fiscal Policies

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the board shall be January 1^st to December 31^st.

Section 2. Expenditures

The Board must approve all expenses over $50.00

Section 3. Petty Cash

The Chair is authorized to keep $50 in Petty Cash. Receipts should be given to the Treasurer for accounting purposes.

Section 4. Guidelines

No part of the net earnings of SLOLA shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the mission statement. No substantial part of the activities of SLOLA shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and SLOLA shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributions of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, SLOLA shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any further federal tax code.

Section 5. Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets remaining after payment of all debts shall be distributed to The Learning Garden at Venice High School for the purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for public purposes. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes ot to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article IX - Parliamentary Authority

Roberts’ Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern unless otherwise provided for in the bylaws.

Article X – Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present.

Article XI – Time of Taking Effect

These bylaws shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.