Monroe County Beekeepers Association

Here you will find information about Membership, Dues, our Association Mission Statement, Constitution, and By-Laws.

The Monroe County Beekeepers Association Mission Statement (Approved August 13, 2008)

The Monroe County Beekeepers Association, founded in 1977, is an organization whose members share common interests, concerns and camaraderie in beekeeping. A forum is provided whereby members learn beekeeping skills and continuing education in beekeeping is promoted. The Monroe County Beekeepers Association is dedicated to keeping its members informed of current beekeeping trends and assists its members to achieve high levels of confidence, skill and quality in bee management techniques.

Membership and Dues

Membership in the club is open to all beekeepers or those interested in bees and beekeeping. Most of our members are located in the Pocono and Slate Belt regions of northeastern Pennsylvania, including Monroe, Northhampton and Carbon Counties.

2012 Dues are $10.00 per person.

Constitution of the Monroe County Beekeepers Association (Approved August 13, 2008)

Article I
The name of the Association shall be the Monroe County Beekeepers Association.

Article II
The purpose of this Association is to share common interests, concerns and camaraderie in all aspects of honeybees and beekeeping including scientific, practical and profitable bee culture.

Article III
The officers of this Association, hereafter referred to as the Executive Committee, consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers shall be members in good standing of the Association and shall abide by the Constitution and By-laws.

Article IV
Any person complying with the regulations of this Constitution and who is current with the annual dues shall be considered a member in good standing. They shall be entitled to vote at the annual election of officers, to be nominated for office, and to participate in the deliberations of the Association.

Article V
Nominations for officers of the Executive Committee shall take place at a business meeting held each September (Annual Nomination Meeting).
The election of officers is to be held at a business meeting each October (Annual Election Meeting)
The new officers will be installed at the conclusion of the Annual Banquet in November.
In the event an officer leaves office before the end of their natural term, that office shall be filled for the remainder of the term as directed in the By-laws.
Nomination shall be by acclamation and election shall be by secret ballot. If there is no opposition to a given nomination, the President shall direct the Secretary to cast the ballot.

Article VI
The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote at any business meeting, provided that a written notice embodying the proposed changes shall have been distributed to each member at least fifteen (15) days in advance of such meeting.
No amendment may be proposed more than once a year.

By-laws of the Monroe County Beekeepers Association (Approved September 8th, 2010)

Article I

Section 1 – Concerning the Association President

Sub a: It is the duty of the President to schedule, call and preside over all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee, appoint all special committees and present a report of all activities of the Association at the Annual Election Meeting at which their term of office expires.

Sub b: The term of office for President of the Association shall be one year. The President cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. In the event the President is unable to fulfill the term of that office, the Vice-President shall succeed as President of the Association for the remainder of that term of office. The election of a President for the following term shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution.

Section 2 – Concerning the Association Vice-President

Sub a: It is the duty of the Vice-President to assist the President in the performance of the duties of that office and, in the absence of the President, to perform the duties of that office as requested by the President.

Sub b: The term of office for Vice-President of the Association shall be one year. In the event the Vice-President is unable to fulfill the term of that office, the nomination and election of a Vice-President for the remainder of that term of office shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution. The election of a Vice-President for the following term shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution.

Section 3 – Concerning the Association Secretary

Sub a: It is the duty of the Secretary to record the minutes of all Executive Committee and Association meetings, to conduct such Association correspondence as the President or the Executive Committee shall direct, to count and verify all balloted elections, and to destroy all secret ballots upon conclusion of said elections as directed by the President. The Secretary is responsible for keeping the journal of minutes. Once the journal is filled, the Secretary shall deliver it to the Monroe County Historical Society for archiving.

Sub b: The term of office for Secretary of the Association shall be one year. In the event the Secretary is unable to fulfill the term of that office, an interim Secretary shall be appointed by the President of the Association for the remainder of that term of office. The election of a Secretary for the following term shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution.

Section 4 – Concerning the Association Treasurer

Sub a: It is the duty of the Treasurer to keep an accurate record of all monetary transactions of the Association, to record and deposit all monies received by the Association, to make disbursements only upon the written request of the President for expenses over $100.00, to present to the Secretary a complete written report of all current transactions and bank balances at each Association meeting and to maintain a list of all dues-paying members, which shall be shared with the Secretary.

Sub b: The term of office for Treasurer of the Association shall be one year. In the event the Treasurer is unable to fulfill the term of that office, the nomination and election of a Treasurer for the remainder of that term of office shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution. The election of a Treasurer for the following term shall take place according to Article V of the Constitution.

Article II

It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to annually review and recommend the annual dues required for membership in the Association. The recommendation shall be presented to the Association at the Annual Election Meeting for approval or rejection by majority vote. Honorary life membership to the Association shall be awarded to those who have been members for 20 years. They shall be recognized at the Annual Banquet.

Article III

The By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of all members in good standing present at any business meeting, provided that a written notice embodying the proposed changes shall have been distributed to each member at least fifteen (15) days in advance of such meeting. No amendment may be proposed more than once a year.

Article IV

The officers of this Association shall cause the Constitution and By-laws to be printed in appropriate form, and a copy of the same to be distributed to each member of the organization.

Sub a: Members of the Executive Committee have the individual authority to make purchases or approve expenditures on behalf of the Association not to exceed $100.00 per Officer between regulary scheduled business meetings of the Asociation. All requests for reimbursement of purchases or expenditures made on behalf of the Association must be made in writing and preferably include written receipt(s) for such purchases or expenditures.

Article V

An Audit Committee of three (3) members in good standing shall be appointed by the President in September and provide a report of their audit to the members of the Association at the Annual Election Meeting in October.