Maine Extension Homemakers Council Bylaws

Revised October 2016

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Maine Extension Homemakers Council, hereafter referred to as MEHC.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of MEHC is to develop leadership and promote Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in all parts of Maine; to provide a communication link between the community, county, and state.

Article III: Membership

Membership in the MEHC is open to anyone. As partners with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, MEHC will also comply with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

Each County President or their representative and each Local Group President or their representative in attendance are eligible to vote at State and special meetings. Members at large will vote and be represented by a member appointed by the Executive Committee, with one vote at State and special meetings. Past State Presidents, Past State Vice-Presidents, Past State Secretary, and Past State Treasurer are also voting members. The current State Vice-President, State Secretary, and State Treasurer are also voting members. The State President votes only in the event of a tie.

Membership categories are as follows:

  1. Members belonging to local groups within a County organization, Regular members.
  2. Members without a local group within a County organization, Independent members.
  3. Members without any connection to a County organization, Members at Large.
  4. Members with 60 or more years of membership in MEHC, Lifetime Members.

Dues for members-at-large will be $4.00 annually, paid to MEHC Treasurer by December 15.

Dues for lifetime members will be waived by MEHC.

Article IV: Officers

The officers of the MEHC shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Any qualified person who has been a member of any Extension Homemakers group or is currently a member of MEHC may be elected to a state office. Terms are for two (2) years and officers may be elected for one additional term with the exception of the Treasurer who may serve for three consecutive terms.

The Nominating Committee will operate according to a set of guidelines established by the MEHC Executive Board. The Nominating Committee will present a slate of qualified candidates at the Fall Meeting. The election will be by written ballot. Terms for newly elected officers will commence on January 1st of the following year.

In any case of a vacancy in any office other than President, the President will call an Executive Board Meeting as soon as possible, to fill the unexpired term.

Article V: Meetings

Regular meetings of the MEHC shall be held semi-annually, Spring and Fall. The Spring Meeting will be a one-day meeting to be held in the Bangor area. The Fall Meeting may be hosted by County units. Special meetings may be called by the President.

Article VI: Quorum

Delegates, identified as voting members, present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. A simple majority vote of those voting is needed to pass a motion.

Article VII: Committees

The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, County Presidents, or their representative, and immediate Past State President or their representative. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will appoint an advisor to this Committee.

Nominating, Bylaws and other appropriate committees shall be appointed by the President.

Article VIII: Finances

The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31. The state will collect dues per member, the amount to be determined by the Executive Board and approved by a vote of the membership, and paid by December 15.

If vote to combine dues and assessment… will eliminate second

Each County Unit’s assessment shall be determined by the Executive Board. This assessment will be waived for counties having no formal MEHC affiliation.

Article IX: Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended at a regular or special meeting of the MEHC. The Bylaws shall be reviewed at least once during a President’s term.

Article X: Dissolution

The Officers of the MEHC, in case of dissolution of this organization, shall assign all assets to a non-profit organization associated with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

In case of dissolution of a county or local Extension Homemaker group, the assets of the same may be assigned to any not-for-profit organization at its own discretion.

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority

The rules of the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised,” shall govern the MEHC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and special rules MEHC may adopt.

Revised September 2012

Accepted September 15, 2012

Revised October 20, 2014

Accepted May 2, 2015

Revised/Accepted October 22, 2016