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Missouri Master Gardener
State Advisory Board
Bylaws of the Missouri State
Master Gardener Advisory Board
I. Mission Statement
The mission of the Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board is "To unify and strengthen the Missouri Master Gardener program".
II. Purpose
The purpose of the Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board is as follows:
1. Serve as a sounding board for needed resources in the Master Gardener program and communities.
2. Assure equitable distribution of Master Gardener resources.
3. Establish minimum standards for core course training.
4. Expand the Master Gardener program throughout the state.
5. Strengthen Master Gardener education and training.
6. Raise awareness of the Master Gardener program throughout the state.
7. Support an annual Master Gardener conference.
8. Establish policies and guidelines for the Master Gardener program at a state level.
III. Meetings
Meetings of the Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board on the first Friday of March, June, September and November at the University of Missouri Campus. Meeting dates, times and locations may be modified at the board's discretion.
IV. Membership
The Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board will consist of the following:
1. A maximum of two (2) certified, active Master Gardeners from each of the eight (8) University of Missouri Extension regions. If no certified Master Gardeners are available from a given region, a Master Gardener trainee may represent that region. Each region shall also designate an alternate who may attend board meetings in place of one of the regular members from that region.
2. The state Master Gardener Coordinator.
3. Regional specialists are encouraged to attend.
Guests and staff are welcome to attend State Advisory Board Meetings and should contact the state coordinator prior to the meeting.
V. Selection Process
Recruitment of Master Gardeners for the State Advisory Board will be through the state Master Gardener Newsletter, regional staff members and other certified Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners interested in becoming State Master Gardener Advisory Board members shall submit a standardized application to the State Master Gardener Coordinator. Final decision on membership rests with the State Master Gardener Coordinator with input from regional staff and other certified Master Gardeners.
Alternates will be recruited through regional staff members and other certified Master Gardeners from that region. Alternates need not submit an application form.
Recruitment of staff members for the State Advisory Board will be done through the State Master Gardener Coordinator.
VI. Terms of Assignment
A board year (as applied to membership and officers) is from January 1st to December 31st.
Master Gardener members of the State Advisory Board will serve a term of three (3) years, not to exceed a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms unless modified at the Board's discretion. After an absence of one (1) year, a Master Gardener may apply for another term. One-third (1/3) of the Master Gardeners on the board will be replaced each year, thus maintaining a balanced continuity for conducting business.
Should a Master Gardener be unable to fulfill his/her term on the board, a replacement from the same region will be recruited. The replacement shall submit an application to the State Master Gardener Coordinator to fill out the remaining term.
Terms of assignment for staff members of the State Advisory Board will be determined by the State Master Gardener Coordinator.
VII. Dismissal
Any board member with unexcused absences from two (2) consecutive board meetings shall be subject to dismissal from the board. The board shall consider extenuating circumstances before recommending dismissal.
VIII. Board Leadership
Officers of the Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
These officers are elected for a term of one (1) year, not to exceed two (2) consecutive terms unless modified at the board's discretion. Election of officers for the following year shall take place at the final meeting (November) of each year.
The duties and responsibilities of the officers of the Missouri State Master Gardener Board are as follows:
Chairperson
To communicate to all Board members the time, date and location of all scheduled and/or special meetings.
Prepare and have available for mailing (after review with the State Master Gardener Coordinator) the program agenda.
Preside at all scheduled/special meetings of the State Master Gardener Advisory Board.
Start and stop all meetings on time.
Be a contact spokesperson for the Master Gardener program and the State Master Gardener Advisory Board.
Assign sub-committee/teams as necessary and maintain Board functions and responsibilities.
Check all details ahead of scheduled/special meetings (i.e. agenda items, projects, facilities, etc.)
Prepare and follow scheduled order of business at all meetings.
Relay to the appropriate sub-committee/teams related and pertinent information as received through the State Master Gardener Coordinator.
Performs other duties/responsibilities as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Vice-Chairperson
Assume the duties/responsibilities of the State Master Gardener Advisory Board Chairperson in his/her absence.
Performs other duties/responsibilities as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Secretary
1. Record all activities at the scheduled/special meetings of the State Master Gardener Advisory Board.
2. Type and see that copies of the minutes of each scheduled/special meeting are distributed to each Advisory Board member.
3. Performs other duties/responsibilities as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Treasurer
With Advisory Board assistance, develop an annual budget at the calling of the Chairperson to be approved at the September meeting.
Provides a monthly written “Treasurer’s Report” at the regularly scheduled meeting.
Provides an annual summary report of income and expenditures for the Advisory Board at the January meeting.
Performs other duties/responsibilities duties as deemed necessary and appropriate.
IX. Operation of the Board:
A. Voting Members
The state Master Gardener Coordinator, the Advisory Board Chairperson, Advisory Board staff members, alternates and guests are not voting members of the board. However, the Advisory Board Chairperson may vote in case of a tie. All other Master Gardener members of the State Master Gardener Advisory Board are voting members.
B. Quorum
A quorum shall consist of the majority of seated members, with the majority being one half plus one. "Seated members" shall be defined to mean representatives and/or alternates from each region that have been filled by appointment.
C. Voting
Voting will be verbal. However, a vote by show of hands or by secret ballot may be requested by any board member. Approval of motions brought before the board, with the exception of revisions to the Advisory Board by-laws (see below), requires a simple majority of the voting members present.
X. Revision of the Advisory Board By-Laws:
The by-laws of the Missouri State Master Gardener Advisory Board shall be reviewed annually by the board but changes may be proposed at any board meeting. Proposed revisions to the by-laws will be published in the meeting minutes and distributed to all board members. The proposed revisions will be voted on at the following board meeting. Approval of the revisions to the by-laws requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all voting members.
Revised 3 June 2005Updated 09/28/07