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By-Laws - 2008 Edition

Article I: Formal Title

This organization shall be known as the Sakonnet Growers' Market Association and operate as a not-for-profit.

Article II: Purpose

Our purpose is to provide better access to the Sakonnet Community of seasonally produced fresh goods, produce and plant material. The market is designed to be a community-based market that promotes the local growth, production and sale of fresh goods, produce, plant material and local marine harvested products.

Article III: Membership

Local growers, producers, local harvesters of marine products in the surrounding community, who are properly insured and licensed, shall be eligible for membership in the association by agreeing to abide by the established market rules and by-laws of operation. Membership requirements include membership fees noted in the market or consignment agreement, valid certificates of insurance and retail/peddler license. The operation of said member will be allotted one vote.

Article IV: Officers

The officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, which will make up an executive board. The officers shall serve for one year, or until qualified successors have been elected. Sequential terms will be allowed pursuant to a majority vote of the members at the annual general meeting. Duties of the officers are as follows:

• Chairperson: The chairperson shall preside at all meeting of the Association. She/he shall request the secretary to call regular or special meetings and attend to all duties expected of such an officer.
• Secretary: The Secretary shall keep record of all meeting and send out notices, whenever requested to do so by the Chairperson.
• Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep a record of all dues and other money received from the market operation. She/he shall record any money paid out and report as to such at each meeting, or whenever requested. She/he shall deposit all monies received in a local bank account.

Article V: Meetings

An Association meeting to nominate and elect officers shall be held at the annual general meeting. The annual meeting shall occur in the first quarter of the calendar year. Members in good standing shall have the privilege of voting at all association meetings. Twenty percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum. Notice of the annual meeting will be announced by the executive board no later than two weeks prior to said meeting.

Article VI: Records

Every member shall have the right to examine, for any reasonable purpose, the books, records, roster of membership and other appropriate records of the Association.

Article VII: Dues and Liquidation

• Section 1: The market fees shall be determined annually, by the executive board, payable to Sakonnet Growers' Market. All fees shall be paid in accordance with the market or consignment agreement.
• Section 2: Any member of the association, whose fees fall into arrears exceeding two weeks shall, after proper notification by the treasurer, be automatically dropped from membership in the association, and loss of their site location at the market, unless immediate payment of such fees is made.
• Section 3: In the event of dissolution, all remaining funds in the Association's treasury shall be distributed 70% to The Tiverton Land Trust and 30% to The Tiverton Recreational Committee as a charitable contribution, after satisfying all debts and other obligations.

Article 8: Amendments

For the first year of operation, the articles outlined may be amended by a majority vote of the current executive board and no less than two members. Thereafter, the articles outlined may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members present at any regular or special meeting, providing that a notice of such revision or amendment was included in the call of the meeting, or else that the matter had been duly presented at a previous meeting. A vote submitted in a sealed envelope, forwarded via the US Postal Service, and to be opened and recorded by the Secretary at the time of the vote, will be allowed in lieu of a personal appearance. Any dispute to the revision or amendment must be made via a personal plea to the members and officers present at the meeting.

Created: 11-Jun-08. Last Updated: 19-Jun-08