ARTICLE II – Purpose
Spirit of the Desert shall be directed to the education and instruction of those persons who are interested in the growing, culture, uses, history, crafting and fine art of gourds.

ARTICLE III – Membership
Individual memberships shall be open to all persons who participate in the activities of the Patch and pay an annual membership fee to Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch.

Membership in the Arizona Gourd Society is also required. State dues will entitle members to quarterly newsletter, participation in state sponsored events, and eligibility to vote at semi-annual business meetings.

ARTICLE IV – Officers
The officers shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and State Show/Education Chair. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the December Meeting.

ARTICLE V – Meetings
The business meetings of the Spirit of the Desert patch will be held monthly from October through May at a location most convenient to the membership. Executive Board members will be expected to attend all meetings. All other members and interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Executive Board shall meet prior to the October meeting and as often as deemed necessary during the year to conduct the business of the Patch.

ARTICLE VI – Amendments
The Constitution and/or the by-laws may be amended at the business meetings by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present, provided the announcement of the amendment is published in the Chapter newsletter thirty (30) days prior to the meetings of the Chapter. The text of the amendment shall be made available to all Executive Board Members prior to the thirty (30) day announcement. Emails of the amendments shall be sent to the members.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I – Objectives
The objectives of the Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch are to educate, promote, and encourage the culture, agriculture, crafting and fine art of gourds, and to provide information and educational service to its members and the general public.

ARTICLE II – Membership
Elected officers of this Patch shall be members of the American Gourd Society, Inc.

ARTICLE III – Patch
The Patch shall consist of an organized group of members for the purpose of promoting interest in the growing, education, culture, uses, history, crafting and the fine art of gourds. It will be necessary for the Membership Chairperson of this Patch to submit in February of each year a complete membership roll, with the name and address of each member and elected officers to the treasurer of the Arizona Gourd Society and identify the Patch.

Relations between Patches and the AZGS shall be governed by standard rules for Patches as determined by the Executive Board. In the event that there is a discrepancy between the AZGS Constitution and any Patch Constitution, the AZGS Constitution shall prevail.

ARTICLE IV – Officers’ Duties
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership. The President shall be the official representative of the Patch at all meetings or functions that involve or pertain to the membership of the AZGS. The President will also set up committees as deemed necessary.

Section 2. The Vice President shall assist the President and assume all duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, and shall continue to do so until the President’s return or until the next election. The Vice President will be responsible for the yearly elections, selection of 3 person nominating committee and other duties as assigned. The Vice President will also be responsible for overseeing all committees and business pertaining to shows, competitions and educational programs.

Section 3. The Treasurer will be responsible for collecting member dues and for maintaining the Patch bank account. This account shall have the joint signatures of Treasurer and President. The Treasurer shall provide budget updates to the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall maintain an up-to-date membership roll and provide membership information as required to the Arizona Gourd Society. All changes in membership information shall be forwarded to each member as they occur.

Section 4. The Secretary is the recording officer of the Patch and the custodian of its records. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all official activities of the Patch and conduct all necessary correspondence including taking minutes of each monthly meeting.

Section 5. The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for creating and publishing a newsletter on a monthly basis. All dues-paying members shall receive a newsletter. It is the Editor’s discretion for sending complimentary newsletters (e.g. to potential members, vendors and other state chapters.) The Editor shall also submit articles to local publications that encourage new members to join the Patch, and inform interested readers about what we do and when we meet. If the Patch has members who do not have computers, a printed newsletter will be provided at the monthly meetings.

Section 6. Deleted.

Section 7. It shall be the duty of all officers and committee chairs or their successors to promptly surrender all records papers and other pertinent information, along with any properties belonging to the Patch, to their elected or appointed successors within 30 days of change.

Section 8. All elected officers shall have a co-person, either elected or assigned, so their duties can continue to be performed if or when the elected officer is unable or unavailable to do so.

ARTICLE V – Officer’s Terms

Section 1. All officers shall be elected for a two (2) year term at the end of which they will be eligible for re-election if they are willing to serve. The election for the offices of President, Secretary and Newsletter Editor will be held in odd numbered years and the election for the offices of Vice President and Treasurer shall be held in even numbered years.

Section 2. In the event a vacancy should occur in any of the offices, except President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to serve the remainder of the term.

Section 3. The Officers shall be elected at the December meeting. New Officers shall start their term beginning January 1.

ARTICLE VI – Executive Board

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of all elected Officers and appointed committee chairs, and shall have the authority to conduct the business of the Patch.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President as often as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Patch.

ARTICLE VII – Publications

Section 1. An informative newsletter or bulletin shall be published monthly for the benefit and education of the membership. This publication shall be named by the general membership.

Section 2. The Patch will communicate by any media, such as email, published articles in local newspapers, telephone, etc.

Section 3. Bulletins, pamphlets, books, seeds, and other gourd articles dealing with the education, culture, crafting and fine art and promotion of gourds will be offered to the membership at a reasonable price if and when they become available and will purchased through the VENDOR committee/chairperson.

Section 4. The Editor of the newsletter shall be elected by the membership and shall be one who is qualified, capable and willing to assume the responsibility of editing and publishing the newsletter.

ARTICLE VIII – Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any scheduled meeting, provided the entire membership has been notified of the proposed amendment at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

STANDING RULES

1. Standing Rules may be adopted from time to time to meet the needs of the Patch.
2. Standing Rules may be suspended at any one meeting by a majority vote, provided it pertains to the business of that meeting.
3. A Standing Rule will continue in force until rescinded.
4. An agenda shall be provided prior to the Patch business meetings.
5. All membership meetings and Executive Board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Adopted March 2008
Revised October 2008
Revised October 2009