MSCBA BYLAWS

Updated: 2025

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF THE
MORRIS AND SOMERSET COUNTY BEEKEEPER’S ASSOCIATION (MSCBA)
A BRANCH OF THE
NEW JERSEY BEEKEEPER’S ASSOCIATION (NJBA)

MSCBA CONSTITUTION

Article I NAME

This organization shall be known as the Morris and Somerset County Beekeepers’ Association, MSCBA, a branch of the New Jersey Beekeepers' Association.

Article II MISSION

The mission of MSCBA is to:
a. To promote, support, and advance beekeeping in New Jersey with a focus on Morris and Somerset Counties.
b. Educate beekeepers, provide a forum for beekeepers to promote good beekeeping practices, enable networking, and sharing of useful and timely information associated with beekeeping and impact on local communities.
c. Raise public awareness of issues facing honey bees and beekeepers.
d. Dispel misinformation concerning the honey bee.

Article III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The membership of the MSCBA shall consist of beekeepers and others interested in beekeeping or allied activities, without discrimination as to gender, race, sexual orientation, color, or creed. Membership, unless otherwise specifically stipulated, shall require payment of annual dues, as prescribed by the NJBA. Membership shall be for twelve months, beginning from the receipt of payment.

Section 2. Any person may be elected to honorary membership in the MSCBA by approval of the MSCBA Executive Board. In so doing, the MSCBA Executive Board shall waive all MSCBA Membership fees. Honorary membership in the New Jersey Beekeepers Association (NJBA) is subject to the NJBA's approval.

Section 3. An Annual Membership Meeting shall be held in accordance with the By-Laws of the MSCBA. The purpose of this meeting is to review the past year's activities, begin planning for the upcoming year, to hold the election of officers, and to conduct any other business that may come before the MSCBA

Article IV OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 1. The officers shall be: President; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Technology Coordinator, and Community/outreach Coordinator

Section 2. It shall be the duty of the President to have general supervision of the affairs of the branch, to preside at all meetings of the branch and its executive board and call special meetings, when necessary. The President shall appoint whatever committees may be found necessary that are specified by the by-laws or as determined to be necessary by the president and with the approval of the executive board and shall be an ex-officio member of those committees. The president shall keep a current copy of the MSCBA Constitution and By-laws on file with the corresponding secretary of the NJBA to ensure compatibility with the NJBA constitution and by-laws.

Section 3. The Secretary shall attend and keep a full and correct record, and shall conduct the correspondence of the Branch under the direction of the President. The secretary shall prepare and distribute agendas for the Executive Board meetings and the business meeting portion of membership meetings, keep a full and correct record of all meetings of the Executive Board and business meetings of the Society, prepare and distribute minutes of all meetings to the Executive Board and membership as required, and manage elections pursuant to election rules as may be identified herein. The recording secretary, or such person as he or she may delegate, (1) shall give or direct the giving of notice of all meetings and (2) shall maintain the membership roll and the membership information.

Section 4. The Vice Presidents in the absence or disability of the President shall perform the functions of the office of the President; the Vice Presidents will succeed the President and each other in numerically ascending order. Each Vice President shall have supervision over those Committees as may be assigned by the President. Vice Presidents will typically serve the roles such as setting monthly club meeting program topics, organizing mentoring, liaison with other clubs, and equivalent functions with the President and Executive Board approval.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall manage the financial affairs of MSCBA.The treasurer shall receive all monies and deposit same to the credit of the MSCBA in a FDIC insured depository as may be approved by the Executive Board; prepare financial statements for presentation to the Executive Board; dispense funds as directed by the Executive Board; and prepare and cause to be distributed to the members of MSCBA annual financial statements. The treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for presentation to and approval by the Executive Board no later than the general membership meeting immediately prior to the Annual Meeting. The treasurer, in consultation with the recording secretary, shall keep current the membership rolls. In consultation with the treasurer of the NJBA, the treasurer shall provide information to and assist the NJBA treasurer in the preparation of any tax or other forms required by local, state or federal governments and agencies.

Section 6. The Community/Outreach Coordinator shall organize events within the chapter's outreach boundaries such as 4H events and community fairs which will enable MSCBA members to interact with the public to educate about beekeeping, while providing the opportunity and venues for members to sell their honey, bee, and comb products. Events are reviewed annually with the Board for approval. Useful equipment, props, etc., are acquired, maintained and made available through MSCBA.

Section 7. The Technology Coordinator shall ensure that the Branch’s technology resources operate effectively. This role maintains the Branch website, manages digital forms, and assists with communications when needed. The Technology Coordinator also supports online registration processes and membership-related information, provides technology support during meetings and events, and maintains the Branch’s digital assets—such as logos, presentations, and other media. The Coordinator offers basic assistance to members using club technology and advises the Board on technology-related decisions and improvements, including the selection and management of software platforms, all under the direction of the President.

Article V EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice President; Secretary; Treasurer; immediate past President, Technology Coordinator, Community/Outreach Coordinator, and the Chairpersons of all committees. No single member shall hold more than two titles concurrently. Regardless of the number of titles an individual holds, no single member shall have more than one vote on the Executive Board. Unless otherwise provided for herein, a quorum shall be required for conducting ordinary business. A quorum shall be defined as 50% plus one of the full Executive Board. Only elected officials are entitled to vote.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet no less than four times per year and additionally at the call of the President. It shall meet either in person, via conference call, or electronically. The Executive Board shall aim to meet monthly a week ahead of the general meetings with all board members expected to attend unless excused. The Executive Board shall have the power to transact all routine business of the Branch. A member of the Executive Board must be present at a meeting to cast a vote at a meeting. No member of the Executive Board may convey a proxy to another Board member.

Section 3. With input solicited from the general membership, the Executive Board shall arrange the time, place and program for all regular meetings of the Association. Careful attention shall be given to the selection of timely topics and good speakers.

Article VI ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice-Presidents; Secretary; Treasurer, Technology Coordinator, and Community/Outreach Coordinator shall serve for a two-year term and shall be elected every other year at the Annual General Member’s Meeting. These officer positions will also be reaffirmed at said meeting in each non-election off-year. Failure of an officer to be reaffirmed in an off-year shall constitute the need for a new election for that position at the next regularly scheduled General Member’s meeting. These officers shall hold their offices until their successors have been elected. No member shall hold the same office for more than two successive terms, other than that of the Technology Coordinator and Treasurer who may serve five consecutive terms. However, if at the time of election there are no nominees for any position due to become vacant as provided herein, the membership may decide, by a majority vote of those present at the Annual Meeting, to extend the tenure of the incumbent officer for one additional year.

Section 2. Not less than three months prior to an election year, at the annual General Member’s Meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three or more members who shall present their nominations for officers to the membership at least 30 days prior to the date of said General Member’s Meeting. These, together with any nominations submitted by a member or members in good standing or made from the floor, will be voted upon so long as a quorum is present. Where there is more than one candidate, vote shall be by secret ballot. The candidate receiving the greater number of votes shall be declared elected. Voting shall be by members in good standing only.

Section 3. The election shall be managed by the Secretary and the Nominating Committee. Each full member in good standing shall be entitled to cast one vote. Votes may be cast in person at the meeting, by mail-in ballot, or by electronic means as may be determined by the Nominating Committee. The membership will be duly notified how to exercise any of these options in a timely manner. The Nominating Committee shall develop the rules, procedures, and methods for conducting elections and present such to the Executive Board; the Executive Board shall approve, revise, or modify the rules, procedures, and methods governing voting by mail or by electronic means no less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the election. Such rules, procedures, and methods shall be published to each Association member, by secure electronic means, by posting on the Association website, by email, or in a letter mailed to the membership, at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the mailing, electronic posting, or distribution of the ballots. Only members in good standing who have paid dues in full by the date of the meeting at which elections are to be held shall be eligible to vote. Each member in good standing shall have one vote. For the purposes of this section, a family membership shall have one vote.

Section 4. If for any cause the office of President shall become vacant, it shall be filled in turn by 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President or 3rd Vice-President. Section 5. Vacancies in the offices of Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Technology Coordinator, Community/outreach Coordinator or Chairperson of any committee shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board; such appointment to hold until the next Annual General Member’s Meeting.

Article VII QUORUM

A general membership quorum shall consist of one fifth of the total Branch membership or 15 members, whichever is less. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of four. Article VIII DISSOLUTION All books, records, and/or monies of the Morris and Somerset County Beekeepers' Association shall automatically become the property of the New Jersey Beekeepers' Association in the event of dissolution of this organization by any means.

Article VII DISSOLUTION

Article IX AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution must be presented in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted upon section by section at the next following regular meeting. Following the introduction of a proposed amendment, all members shall be notified of the same in writing, either by mail or electronically, at least thirty days prior to the actual vote. The amendment, to become effective, must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present, so long as a quorum exists.

All books, records, and/or monies of the Morris and Somerset County Beekeepers' Association shall automatically become the property of the New Jersey Beekeepers' Association in the event of dissolution of this organization by any means

MSCBA BY-LAWS

Article I MEETINGS

Section 1. For the purpose of officer elections and reaffirmations, the Annual General Member’s Meeting shall be held sometime between December or January the following year.

Section 2. Regular member meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of the month with such exceptions as the members may decide. They shall be held at any convenient place as designated by the Executive Board. At the time of the latest revision, general meetings are held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Section 3. There shall be at least two Field Meetings (2) each year.

Article II DUES

The Morris and Somerset County Beekeeper’s Association shall use the amount stipulated in the Bylaws of the New Jersey Beekeepers' Association as a guideline for determining the club’s annual dues.

Article III COMMITTEES

Section 1. The President and/or the Executive Board shall be empowered to appoint standing committees as may be found necessary to further the mission of the MSCBA.

Section 2. In appointing members of committees, the President shall give careful consideration to select members on the basis of geographical distribution.

Article IV AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be changed at a regular meeting by a two thirds vote of members present, so long as a quorum exists, and provided such proposed changes are submitted in writing, either via mail or electronically, at least thirty days in advance to all members with the notice of the meeting at which they are to be voted upon.

Adopted February 14, 1948.

Retyped January 11, 1958 to incorporate amendments adopted August 7, 1949, February 4, 1950, February 7, l953, June 2, 1956 and December 6, 1969.

Revised December, 1985.

Revised June, 2009

Reviewed, no revisions March 2020

Revised December 2025