| Bylaws
BYLAWS
(Revised 2000)
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association is to promote gardening at a community level, to allow a sharing of common interest and to provide an opportunity for enjoyable recreation and fellowship.
ARTICLE 11 NAME AND LOCATION
The name of this Association shall be the Long Beach Community Garden Association. The location of the Associationπs activities will be on land leased from the City of Long Beach at 7600 Spring Street, adjacent to the Nature Center. The mailing address of the Association will be:
C/O City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department
2760 Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815
ARTICLE 111 CONSTITUENCY OF THE ASSOCIATION
The constituency of the association shall be known as Plotholders and shall be restricted to residents of the City of Long Beach. Voting on Association business will be limited to one vote per plot. Plot dues will be assessed annually , or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Plot dues shall become due and payable on becoming a member and shall be renewable by midnight, December 31 for each succeeding year. Each household will have only one plot.
A gardener in good standing who voluntarily gives up his/her membership and leaves it in good repair may reapply for membership at any time.
A gardener who loses his/her membership for a minor infraction (such as excessive correction notices, may be added to the waiting list after a one year waiting period. However, if membership is lost a second time due to excessive Correction Notices the loss of membership is permanent.
A gardener who loses his/her membership for a major infraction, i.e. drinking alcohol anywhere at the site, stealing in any manner, verbal or physical abuse, the loss of membership is permanent.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
The officers of this Association shall be the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. A Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and ten Directors, who are members in good standing of the Association. A member in good standing is a member who has:
∑ Been a member for at least 1 year
∑ Paid current dues
∑ Performed at least 4 hours of community service
∑ Performed committee service
∑ Had no more than 1 weed notice in the calendar year
A Director having two unexcused absences from the Board of Directors meeting will be replaced
The Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department Coordinator for the Long Beach Community Garden Association, may attend Board of Directors meeting, but without a voting rights.
The President shall be the chief executive of the Association. The President will preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and is charged with the general supervision of all its functions and shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee. If there is a vacancy in any office, the President shall have the duty of filling such vacancy from the general membership. At the end of the term, the President automatically serves on the Board of Directors for a period of one year.
The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President or by reason of the Presidentπs inability to act. The 1st Vice President shall automatically assume the office of the President if that office becomes vacant during the term of its serving. Additionally, the 1st Vice President shall supervise the roll of members and the assignment of plots.
The 2nd Vice President shall be the third in command after the 1st Vice President.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all Board of Directors and general membership meetings. In addition, the Secretary shall be responsible for the maintenance of the official files of the Association, with the exception of the financial records.
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all funds and shall deposit the same in the name of the association in such bank as meets the approval of the Board of Directors. All checks drawn against the account shall be signed by the President and Treasurer of the Association. The Treasurer shall render an accurate report of all receipts and expenditures at meeting of the Board of Directors and the membership.
The ten Directors shall assist the Officers of the Association in the conduct of the Association business. The President may delegate a member to serve as chairperson of any special committees as may be deemed necessary in the interest of the Association affairs. Additionally, they shall form a Nominating and report two additional members to the Nomination Committee from the general membership.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
A quorum of eight voting members of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to conduct the business of the association. All meetings shall be called by the President, with the exception of the Annual General Meetings, which will be held on a Saturday in December.
ARTICLE V1 ELECTIONS
Officers and Directors shall be elected to serve terms of one year or until their successors take office.
The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates for elective office at the Annual General Meeting. Officers and Directors shall be elected by secret ballot. In any nomination from the floor, the nominee must be present to accept or decline
ARTICLE V11 FINANCE
The financial records of the Association shall be available for review by the City Manager of Long Beach on demand.
In the event of total dissolution of the Association, any assets of the Association shall be deposited in the Recreation Fund of the City of Long Beach.
ARTICLE V111 AMENDMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be posted on the bulletin board maintained at the Community Garden site at least 14 days prior to voting thereon. Such proposed amendments may then be adopted by a majority vote of the Association members present at the Annual General Meeting or at any general meeting called by the President. Final approval of these changes rests with the City Manager of Long Beach.
Robertπsπ Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the guide for any questions not provided for in these Bylaws.
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Rules
RULES AND REGULATIONS
General
Long Beach Community Garden Association is a nonprofit organization located on land that is leased from the City of Long Beach. It is necessary that LBCGA regulations conform to the City lease and to the rules governing El Dorado Park. Failure to comply with these rules may jeopardize our use of the land under the lease agreement. Our goal is to provide a safe and attractive environment for those persons desiring a place to grow edible produce. The purpose of the Rules and Regulations is to maintain a neat and productive garden area and provide a pleasant environment for all persons in the garden. As a member you agree to abide by the rules and regulation of this organization. Unpaid, elected volunteers govern the organization. The Officers and Board of Directors of the Association are the final arbiters of any disputes or violation of garden rules and regulations. Complaints or questions about the Association should be brought to the Officers and Board either in person or in writing.
Eligibility
∑ A member is a person assigned a plot who actively gardens within the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of the association, and whose fees and dues are current.
∑ Plots maybe reassigned at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
∑ The only qualification is a bona fide address of residence in the City of Long Beach. Proof of residency must be shown at the time of admittance and upon each yearly renewal. Proof of residence is a California Drivers License or Identification Card and a current utility bill. If a question of residence should arise the following may be used to support residency verification: a current property tax bill; mortgage statement or rent receipt and verbal statements from neighbors.
∑ One plot assignment per bona fide Long Beach residential address.
∑ Dues are payable on an announced and published schedule for the ensuing year. Current yearπs membership expires at midnight, December 31, for non-payment of dues. There is no grace period.
∑ Plots are assigned and cannot be transferred, exchanged or sublet to another person.
∑ It is the responsibility of each member to keep the First Vice President notified of your most current address and telephone number. Any correspondence mailed to the current address on file is considered delivered.
∑ Each member will sign a Long Beach Community Garden Association Contract agreeing to abide by the current By-laws, Rules and Regulations.
General Rules and Regulations
∑ I will be aware of and follow the rules and regulations of the Association.
∑ I will observe good conduct and civil behavior at all times.
∑ I will notify the Association Vice-President when giving up my plot.
∑ I will read the bulletin board for current information each time that I enter the garden.
∑ I will arrange for someone to take care of my plot if I am ill or on vacation. I understand the Association is not responsible for the upkeep of my plot.
∑ I will attend two work parties per year, or give four hours of other service.
∑ I understand that only work party members will be admitted to the garden during work parties.
∑ I will observe the 5-mile per hour speed limit in the garden. I will travel one way (south) on the center road of the garden and one way (north) on the east and west roads.
∑ I will directly supervise and be responsible for any children in my care while in the garden and keep them with me at all times.
∑ I will be responsible for my guests following the rules and regulations of the Association and their actions.
∑ I will properly use the equipment and tools of the Association and return them to the proper place.
∑ I will return wheelbarrows and carts to a trash pickup area, leaving room for the mechanical pick up of trash.
∑ I will not drink alcoholic beverages in the garden or El Dorado Park (park rule).
∑ I will not destroy any property, buildings, fences, or signs in the garden.
∑ I will not bring household furniture to the garden.
∑ I will not sell or use my garden produce for profit, and I affirm that my produce is intended for home use.
∑ I will not remove anything but my own produce and flowers from my assigned plot. I understand removing anything else without permission is considered stealing and is prohibited causing the permanent loss of my membership.
∑ I will not bring domestic animals to the garden even in an automobile.
∑ I will not skate board, bicycle or roller skate except for passage to the garden plots.
∑ I will not harvest in another garden plot without written permission.
∑ I agree to be assigned to a committee of my choice.
Gate
∑ I understand that entry into the park is determined by El Dorado Park hours, which are seasonally adjusted. The park is closed on Christmas Day.
∑ I will stop at the gate and not proceed until the gate attendant indicates admittance, and I will observe the 15-MPH speed limit in the park.
Orchard Area
∑ I wil not go into the orchard, for any reason to include but not limited to the following, planting, watering fertilizing, removing, relocating, altering, modifying or changing any plants or trees in the orchard.
∑ I will not climb (or let my children) the trees, or pick the fruit.
The Orchard Foreman or the President will do picking of the fruit and distribution will be made appropriately.
Paths
∑ I will keep my paths at their original widths and will keep the north and east paths free of
weeds and chipped at all times.
∑ I will keep my crop trimmed out of all pathways, and understand if my crop extends into the pathway it may be cut back.
∑ I understand the Association provides chips, which are located on the 6 corners of the garden.
Water
∑ I will conserve water at all times.
∑ I will stay with the hose at all times when the water is turned on.
∑ I will turn off the water completely when finished.
∑ I will not wash or rinse off motor vehicles in the garden.
∑ I will report problems with the water to the chairman of the water committee or any Officer or Board Member.
Hoses
∑ I will coil the hose on the storage rack in a neat manner when not in use.
∑ I will take care to straighten all the kinks while coiling the hose.
∑ I will not cut any hose.
∑ I will report problems with hoses to the chairman of the water committee or any Officer or Board Member.
Trash
∑ I will place all trash and refuse from my garden into any one of the barrels provided.
∑ I will keep the trash in my plot if the barrels are full until the barrels are emptied (not in a wheelbarrow).
∑ I will not bring or dump trash from home or outside the gardens.
Garden Plot
∑ I will keep my garden plot planted at all times with vegetables of the season. I will not token plant or plant a cover crop. I may plant 10% of my garden in beneficial flowers. I will not plant more than 25% of plot with any one crop. I understand that LBCGA is a year round garden.
∑ I will not use pressure treated wood in the plot.
∑ I will not construct a fence around the plot even a vegetable fence.
∑ I will not extend, paint or alter the redwood border of my plot and I will keep them free of soil or obstruction and I will not allow the soil height to exceed the boarder boards.
∑ I will keep the plot marker on the NE corner of the plot clear and readable.
∑ I will not have trellises, supports or cages that exceed 6 feet and will not let them shade neighboring plots
∑ I will keep my plot free of Bermuda grass, morning glory and all other weeds.
∑ I will not let plants over 4 feet shade my neighbors plot and will keep all plants from growing into the pathways. I will plant crops that grow over 4 feet in the center of my assigned plot.
∑ I will plant my berry bushes at least 4 feet from the border of my plot and I will keep the runners trimmed back 4 feet and the suckers dug up. I will limit the amount of berries to 25% of my plot.
∑ I will plant asparagus and artichokes at least 4 feet from the border of my plot. I will prevent them from growing into the pathways.
∑ I understand the following plants are banned and will not plant them: Rose Bushes
Any illegal plant Sugar cane Morning glories (flower or weed) Potatoes (including
Sorghum Trees Chayote squash sweet potatoes)
Passion Fruit Bamboo 4 OπClocks(the flower)
Cactus Plumeria Castor Bean
Jerusalem artichoke Grapevines Mint (except in a container)
*Any perennial over 4 feet tall
∑ I will limit my composters to two neither to exceed 3πX3πX3π. I will not open trench compost.
∑ I will not bring grass clipping to the garden.
∑ I will bring only one storage container (no wood) and it will not be taller than 42 inches (31/2 feet).
∑ If I have any questions or requests I will call the President. If in doubt I will ask first.
Termination of Membership
∑ Membership in the Association may be terminated if any rules (including El Dorado Park Rules) are broken or if false information is given. When membership is terminated you may reapply after one year. Termination for stealing or drinking alcohol is permanent loss of membership.
∑ Inspection of plots will be done on a regular basis and members will be notified if any corrections are needed. Failure to make corrections in the specified time or three notices in a 12-month period will result in termination. Correction of a notice will not cancel the notice and it will be counted. Friendly notices are not counted in three-notice rule.
∑ New members are on probation for the first 90 days and membership may be terminated for cause or rules violation.
Fees
∑ Annual dues are $45.00 and are prorated for membership after July 1.
∑ Passes are limited to 2 per plot.
Garden Passes
Garden passes are required for entrance to the garden whether driving a vehicle, bicycling, or walking. Passes should be visible at all times. Passes are valid for passage to the garden only and are not to be used for admission to any other areas of El Dorado Park.
Information
In a garden emergency, such as the presence of bee swarms, fire ants, flooding (either natural or uncontrolled watering, fire, unauthorized entry, or other such events; the President, Vice-President, or any Board member on site, may take appropriate corrective action in consideration of the welfare of the gardens and/or its members as a whole.
LBCGA, through its Food Bank provides free produce for the charitable organizations approved by the Board of Directors including but not limited the homeless, battered women, abused children, the poor etc. Each member is encouraged to contribute a portion of his or her produce to this Food Bank project. The taking of produce from the Food Bank plots (Q1, Q2, Q14, and Q15) and from the produce collection plot (H9) will result in the immediate and permanent loss of membership.
Board Meetings
The Board of Directors of the Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at, 2760 Studebaker Road (Parks Dept. large conference room). Members are encouraged to attend board meetings. To bring any concerns or questions before the board in person call the president to be added to the agenda. Letters may be sent to LBCGA, 2760 Studebaker Road, Long Beach CA 90815. You may also call any Board member and express your concerns.
The physical address of the garden site is 7550 E. Spring Street, Long Beach.
Appeals
Members can appeal the loss of membership to the Board of Directors. The appeal can be either in person or written. The member requesting the appeal should call the president to be placed on the meeting agenda. The appeal will be heard at the next board meeting or at a special meeting called by the president. The Board of Directors decision is final.
FYI
For Rototilling RUSSEL BLANKENSHIP 598-1155 or 810-7360
Revised for 2003
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