Bylaws
Article I. Mission
The mission of this association is to advance, encourage and protect the interests of the agricultural fairs and expositions of New Hampshire. As our agricultural exhibitors are an integral and historical part of our fairs, we hereby commit to continue to offer our exhibitors an opportunity to educate and promote agriculture and homecrafts to the general public who visit our fairs. We further commit to support the activities of local youth organizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America, as we believe that our future is in our youth.
Article II. Name
The Association shall be known as the New Hampshire Association of Fairs and Expositions.
Article III. Membership
Any non-profit association, society or group of people who are interested in the mission of this association, and who annually hold events that offer contests or exhibits of 4-H members and clubs, Granges, farm crops, domestic livestock competitions or homecrafts may be considered for membership.
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, set membership dues to support the programs of the Association. The dues shall be payable on or before the annual meeting.
Application for membership shall be made to the Secretary of this Association, who will refer the same to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may approve membership for said organization by two-thirds vote of this association's membership providing the Board of Directors is satisfied as to the eligibility of the applicant.
Article IV. Associate Membership
Any individual, corporation or other organization interested in the objective of this Association may become an associate member of this association by majority vote of the Board of Directors and the payment of dues as determined by the Board of Directors. Such membership shall not include the right to vote, hold office or to constitute a quorum.
Article V. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall manage the business affairs of this Association and shall determine its activities and policies. The Board of Directors shall exercise all powers granted them by these Bylaws subject to local, state and federal law. Each member organization, being in good standing as provided for in Article III, shall elect or appoint one representative to this Association annually and notify the Secretary of this Association. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food shall be considered a member of this Association and shall not be assessed dues in recognition of their support. A simple majority shall constitute a quorum for conducting business.
Article VI. Officers
The officers of this association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting of this association. The officers shall serve for terms of one year or until their successors are duly qualified and may be elected to multiple terms at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and, subject to the approval or direction of the Board of Directors, he/she shall oversee the general charge and care of the business and the property of the corporation. Additionally, he/she shall execute all authorized contracts, agreements, and perform such additional duties as directed by the Board of Directors. The President shall vote only in the case of a tie. If the newly elected President is a director from a member fair, that fair may replace him/her with a new director for the term of office. In order to be considered for office, prospective Presidents must have served at least one year as a voting member of the New Hampshire Fairs Association Board of Directors.
In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall be vested with all of the powers and perform all the duties of the President. Additionally, the Vice-President shall chair special committees at the pleasure of the President.
The Secretary shall keep a record of the votes and proceedings of the meeting of the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall have charge of the financial affairs of the corporation and of its funds. He/she shall be responsible for custody of bank accounts, investing idle cash, and for the handling of cash receipts and disbursements. He/she shall have the power to sign, accept and endorse all checks and drafts for or in behalf of the Association except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors. Checks or drafts over $500.00 shall require two original authorized signatures. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President is hereby authorized to execute the responsibilities of the Treasurer. The President, Vice President and Treasurer shall be authorized signatories to the bank account(s) by virtue of their respective office.
Article VII. Meetings
The annual meeting of the New Hampshire Association of Fairs and Expositions shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times per year in addition to the annual meeting. Other meetings may be held at the call of the President or the Board of Directors. All members shall be notified at least ten working days before holding said meetings.
Article VIII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall be the year ending December 31.
Article IX. Amendments
These bylaws may be altered or amended at a meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the Association's membership. Notice of the proposed changes shall be made to each member organization of the Association in writing at least thirty days prior to the meeting.
Article X. Dispute Resolution
Parliamentary Law, as defined by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall govern the conduct, customs and rules for conducting business, except for those cases specifically cited by these Bylaws. In the event of a conflict between the Bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order, the Bylaws shall prevail.
Article XI. Dissolution
This Association shall never be operated for the purposes of carrying on a trade or business for profit. Neither the whole or any part of the assets or net earnings shall be used for purposes other than those outlined in the mission statement and the guidelines of the Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (C) (6) as it currently exists or may hereafter be amended. If, by the direction of the Board of Directors, this Association should be dissolved, the assets of the Association which remain after the claims of the Association have been satisfied, shall be equally distributed to the organizations that are member fairs and expositions of the Association at that point in time.