ARTICLE 1. NAME
This organization shall be known as the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market Association.
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
The mission of the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market Association is to create, promote, and operate a producer-only farmers’ market in Bowdoinham that will provide residents access to fresh food, encourage community activity in Bowdoinham’s village, and stimulate public interest and awareness in local farm products, thereby supporting local agricultural producers and rural life in Maine.
This Association is responsible for setting market rules and guidelines for vendors participating in the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
Any home gardener, farmer, or producer with Maine homegrown or homemade products shall be eligible for membership in the organization by agreeing to abide by the by-laws and established rules of operation. Members will be allowed to sell after paying membership fee and providing proof of applicable insurances and licenses, provided the market has not reached capacity. Only those who participate in the market will be considered members; i.e. membership will not be granted to those on the waiting list. The right to vote on any matter shall be restricted to members in good standing with this association.
ARTICLE 4. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND OFFICERS
The Executive Board of the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market Association will be made up of four officers and at least one member at large. The general membership of the association will elect from within the membership a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The board shall also contain up to one member at large. The Community and Economic Developer for the Town of Bowdoinham will attend board meetings as a non-voting member. One member of the Merrymeeting Grange shall be invited to all Board and membership meetings as a non-voting member. Officers shall serve a term of one year, and shall be elected at the annual membership meeting.
Section 1 Duties of the Board.
The Board will be responsible for (1) overseeing the operation of the market and setting policy for the Association; (2) arranging all meetings of the general membership; (3) general administration of the association’s activities, including power to authorize the Treasurer to pay bills approved by the Board; (4) appointing special committees as needed; (5) advertising and promotion by newspapers, radio, television, or other means; (6) investigation of any suspicious or questionable practices or violation of market rules by any seller. If verified, the Board is authorized to immediately enforce corrective action or cancel the offender’s membership; and (7) relations with the Merrymeeting Grange.
The Board shall meet as necessary. In the case of vacancy on the Board, The Board may appoint an interim member to said vacancy between annual meetings.
Section 2 Duties of the Officers.
President- The President shall be responsible for (1) setting the agenda and presiding at all meetings of the Association and Board, and generally supervising the business of the Association; (2) calling regular or special meetings and attending to all administrative duties expected of such an officer; (3) signing checks upon the authorization of the Board: (4) work with the Bowdoinham Community and Economic Developer to actively advertise, promote the market.
Vice President– The Vice President shall be responsible for (1) maintaining member records of proof of liability insurance and applicable licenses (2) coordinating weekly member duties to assure that the Grange is clean; (3) determining the market floor plan.
Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for (1) keeping record of all meetings and sending out meeting notices, minutes, and other information to the general membership as directed by the Board; (2) polling members by phone when such votes are necessary; and (3) performing other duties as directed by the Board.
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for: (1) maintaining custody of all funds of the Association; (2) managing accounts payable and receivable; (3) keeping record of all dues and other money received from the market operation; (4) recording any money paid out and report on the foregoing, whenever requested; (5) depositing, in a timely manner, all monies received in a bank account authorized by the membership; (6) signing checks upon authorization of the Board, and; (7) filing all tax and corporate forms.
ARTICLE 5. FULL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
There shall be an annual meeting of the full Association membership, at which time a new Executive Board will be elected and the market rules and Association By-laws may be reviewed and/or amended. This meeting shall be held in the late fall, after the end of the market season. The Board will set the date of this meeting by September 30. Notice of the meeting and a meeting agenda, including all proposed amendments, must be sent so that members receive notice at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
All matters brought before the Association at a duly authorized meeting shall be decided by a majority vote. A quorum of at least 50% of the general membership is required to conduct business. Votes shall carry by a simple majority of those present at the meeting. Members in good standing shall have the privilege of voting at all Association meetings. Each vendor membership shall have one vote.
ARTICLE 6. RECORDS
Each member shall have the right to examine, for any reasonable purpose, the books, records, roster of membership and other records of the Association.
ARTICLE 7. DUES
The annual dues and daily market fees for the next market year shall be proposed by the Executive Board annually and approved by the membership. In no case shall market members be allowed to attend market without having first paid their annual dues. Annual dues shall be paid by January 15.
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENTS
The articles and by-laws outlined may be amended in whole or in part by a simple majority vote of members present at any regular or special meeting, providing that the proper two week advance notice of such revision or amendment was included in the call of the meeting.
ARTICLE 9. DISSOLUTION
In the event of liquidation or dissolution, all remaining funds in the Association’s treasury shall be distributed to current members, regardless of chronology of such patronage, on the basis of respective patronage contributions as shown on the books and in the records of the Association, insofar as practicable, and after satisfying all debts and other obligations of the Association.
Revised 3-15-08
