Constitution & By-Laws of the Georgia
4-H Volunteer Leaders Association
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE

The name of this organization shall be THE GEORGIA 4-H VOLUNTEER LEADERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purpose of this non-profit association shall be to develop and strengthen the Georgia 4-H program by working with 4-H members and the staff of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service; to provide opportunities for leaders to receive training and exchange ideas to better serve youth; and to assist with the recruitment and utilization of volunteer leaders in the 4-H program.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

The members of this association shall consist of all Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

The annual meeting of G4-HVLA will be held at 4-H Fall Forum. Other planned meetings of the membership shall be held in conjunction with state 4-H events when possible – State Council, June; Southern Region Leader Forum, October; Any other meetings shall require no less than thirty (30) days notice to the members.  Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held as the Board shall deems necessary.

All business of the association shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised.

ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

a.    MEMBERS – The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of this Association and Directors selected from each Extension    
        District of the State.
b.    QUALIFICATIONS – Any active 4-H Volunteer shall be qualified to be elected to the Board of Directors.
c.    TERM OF OFFICE – The term of the Board of Directors shall begin upon installation of each year and terminate with the following year’s
        elections.
d.    MEETINGS – Each new Board of Directors shall meet within sixty (60) days after installation each year and at such other times during the
        year as needed.  No meeting, except the first meeting each year, shall be called without giving thirty (30) days written notice to all members
        of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

The officers of the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association shall be Past President, President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

a.    QUALIFICATIONS – All officers must be active Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders.  The President-Elect must have previously served as one
        year term as either a District Leader, as a member of the Board of Directors, or as a chairman of a standing committee.
b.    TERM OF OFFICE – The term of office of all officers shall be one year beginning with installation each year and terminating with installation
        the following year.  Any elected officer may not succeed himself/herself in that office, but is eligible after being out of office one year.
c.    NOMINATION OF OFFICERS – Qualified members of the Association may be nominated for office by submitting the proper nomination
        form, approved by his/her County Extension Agent, to the State 4-H Staff prior to election.    
d.    From these nominations the Executive committee will prepare the slate for nomination. This slate will be submitted to the membership for
       consideration.  Other qualified members having submitted the approved nomination from may be nominated from the floor.
e.    NOMINATING COMMITTEE – The nominating committee shall consist of a Past President, State 4-H faculty liaison to G4-HVLA  and 2
       people appointed by the current President.
f.    ELECTION OF OFFICERS – All officers shall be elected by the members of the Association at any meeting held in conjunction with a state
      4-H event.  Candidates receiving the majority of votes of the members present shall be duly elected.
g.    VACANCIES – If a vacancy shall occur during the term of office, except in the office of President, the vacancy shall be filled through
        appointment by the Board of Directors.  A vacancy occurring in the office of President shall be automatically filled by the President-Elect for
        the unexpired term.  The office of President-Elect shall remain vacant until the next election.
h.    DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
President – The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association.  He/She shall preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and members.  He/She shall be ex-officio member of all committees.  He/She shall appoint all standing committees and other committees as deemed necessary.  The President shall serve on the State 4-H Advisory Committee.

President-Elect – The President-Elect shall assist the President, and in the absence of the President, shall act in the capacity of President.

Vice President – The Vice President shall serve as Coordinator for Educational Programs.

Secretary – The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings, handle correspondence, send a copy of the minutes to the State 4-H Office; keep a permanent record of the Association and turn it over to his/her successor.

Treasurer –. He/She shall audit the records of the G4-HVLA account in the Georgia 4-H Foundation making note of expenditures and income and reporting to the members of the Board of Directors this activity.

All Officers – All Officers shall perform any other duties as requested by  State 4-H faculty liaison to G4-HVLA.

ARTICLE VII – FINANCES

Fund Raising Projects may be undertaken with the approval of the Board of Directors.  The Association may also accept all voluntary contributions to finance its work.  Such contributions shall be made payable to the Georgia 4-H Foundation to be tax deductible.  The funds shall then be deposited in the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leader Association Account and the donor receipted upon request.  All funds collected in fundraising efforts as well as donations will be deposited in the Georgia 4-H Foundation.  

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

Any amendment to these Articles shall required a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members present.

Proposed amendments shall be sent to all counties not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which a vote will be taken.


Revised December 2003

Voted on and Accepted: December 6, 2003