Constitution

Clover Rockets Equestrian 4-H Club

Article I – Name

Section 1 – Name

The name of this organization shall be Clover Rockets Equestrian 4-H Club .

Article II – Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility

Any boy or girl in McHenry County, surrounding counties or Wisconsin, 8 to 19 years of age by September 1 of the current year, may become a member of this club regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation or disability. The size of the club may be limited only by the capacity of the meeting room. Five to seven year olds may be 4-H Cloverbuds, if a leader is available.

Members must re-enroll in 4-H on an annual basis to retain active 4-H member status.

Section 2 – Responsibilities

Each member is encouraged to participate regularly in club meetings.

Each member must enroll in a minimum of one project and is encouraged to keep a project record and share what they learned through a talk, demonstration or exhibit.

Participation in 4-H is a privilege and participants are expected to show respect and cooperation to 4-H leaders and other participants. Each member is asked to sign and abide by the Illinois 4-H Member Code of Conduct and the Behavior Guidelines established by this club. Participants may be removed from 4-H programs or activities for misconduct.

Section 3 – Dues

No dues will be assessed from the membership. Operating monies will come from fund-raisers. Volunteering members will participate in these fund-raisers.

 

Article III – Meetings

Section 1 – Dates

The club shall meet regularly every month at the date and time of our choosing at a location of our choosing based on a consensus of members and their parents. The President and 4-H leaders as needed may call special meetings. Adequate notice is required.

Section 2 – Quorum

The lesser of a simple majority (one half plus one) or a minimum of 10 members must be present to conduct official business of the club

 

Section 3 – Order of Business

The following order of business shall be followed at regular club meetings:

1. Call to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge

3. Roll Call

4. Minutes of last meeting

5. Treasurer's report

6. Report of Committees

7. Unfinished business

8, New business

9. 4-H Leader's report

10. Announcements

11. Adjournment

12. Education program/project work

13. Recreation/refreshments

Section 4- Parliamentary Procedure

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of the club.

Article IV – Election of Officers

The officers of the club shall be elected at a meeting in the fall (goal is the October meeting) of each new 4-H year. They shall hold office for the current 4-H year. All active members are eligible to run for an office and to vote. Voting is by majority rule and done by secret ballot.

 

Article V – Officers

The officers of this club shall include: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, reporter/ historian, social/recreation and newsletter.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1 – Standing or Special Committees

These committees will be created as needed. Members are expected to volunteer for committee assignments. The president and/or vice president have the ability to make the assignments for members who do not make a committee selection. The president has the authority to appoint committee chairs.

By-laws

Clover Rockets Equestrian 4-H Club

Club meeting times will be as follows:

• Membership Arrival and Sign-In 7:00 pm

•  Preparation/Recreation Time 7:15

•  Call to order immediately after recreation period

Membership penalty

The following penalties apply only at the current meeting for members who disrupt the meeting:

• 1 st A warning will be issued
• 2 nd An adult will sit beside or between the offenders.
• 3 rd The offenders will be removed from the meeting circle to sit with the adults.
• 4 th Parents will be called in accordance with the 4-H Behavioral Guidelines.

Talks and Demonstration

Every member must present a talk and a demonstration to the club during the year on one or more of their projects. Volunteers will be requested for the following meeting. If no one volunteers, the vice-president may appoint members to present. More than one member may participate in the talk or demonstration. Credit will be given to all participants if they are enrolled in that project area.

Members assigned to give a presentation who come to the meeting unprepared will be required to draw from a brown bag for a topic and will give an impromptu speech. This speech will not be considered their talk or demonstration. The member will be assigned to give their presentation at an upcoming meeting.

Holding an Office

In order to run for a 4-H office, a member must:

• Have a minimum of 1 full year Clover Rockets Equestrian 4-H membership.
• Have met the state goal of 2/3 meeting attendance during the previous 4-H year.
• A parent/responsible adult must be present on election night.

Officers must attend each monthly meeting. If unable to attend, the necessary paperwork must be given to a leader or officer who will be in attendance. Any elected officer may be requested to step down for repeated non-attendance.

A member can hold the same office for no more than two consecutive years.

Voting for Officers

Members must be present to vote.

Requests for club funds are required to be presented to the club at the monthly 4-H meeting.

Conducting Business Meetings

Regular club business will be conducted during the regular monthly meeting, but should allow time for member presentations of project talks and demonstrations or educational presentations.

Section 2 – Audit Committee

A committee will be formed in the fall of each year to audit the club financial records. The committee will consist of one member, one parent and one adult volunteer. No member of the committee nor any of their family members will have signatory rights for the club funds. Auditors will have free access to review the club financial records. Auditing is desired on a quarterly basis, a minimum of twice annually is required including the August audit for submission to the McHenry County Extension Office.

Article VII – Fiscal Operations

Section 1 – Fiscal Policies

The club will follow all University of Illinois fiscal policies as well as state and federal regulations.

Section 2 – Tax Exempt Status

The club is authorized to use the University of Illinois identification number for tax exempt organizations in order to purchase items in support of 4-H activities.

Section 3 – Club Funds

A checking account will be established for the use of all club funds. Signatory rights are granted to the elected treasurer, a member, and two adults with no familial relationship. Withdrawals and checks will require the signature of a member and an adult. After the election of the treasurer, all those with signatory rights will be present at the banking institution in order to fulfill the paperwork requirements.

Article VIII – Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote cast by those in attendance, providing notice has been given at the previous meeting or through the monthly newsletter.

Article IX – Dissolution

If this club disbands, all club assets shall be assigned to the McHenry County Extension Office to be used for 4-H programming.