Bylaws

As amended and adopted at the ABF annual meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, Jan. 16, 2003.

The name of this organization, a non-profit organization, shall be The American Beekeeping Federation, Inc.

The purpose of the American Beekeeping Federation, Inc. (ABF) shall be to engage in any lawful activity that will promote the common interests and the general welfare of the diverse segments of the United States beekeeping industry.

Section 1. Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the beekeeping industry (or related activities) is eligible to become an active member of the ABF upon payment of the required dues.
 
The annual dues for each category of members of the ABF shall be determined by the membership at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors shall make its recommendations, as to such dues, to the membership prior to its vote thereon. A dues schedule, once established, shall remain in effect until changed.
 
Section 2. Each member shall be entitled to one vote at any annual or special meeting of the ABF. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
 
Section 3. Suspension and expulsion. Any membership may be suspended or terminated for cause. Sufficient cause for such suspension or termination of membership shall be violation of these Bylaws or any lawful rule or practice duly adopted by the ABF, or any other conduct prejudicial to the interests of the ABF. Suspension or expulsion shall be by three-fourths (3/4ths) vote of the Board of Directors, taken at any meeting of the Board, provided that a statement of the charges shall have been mailed by certified or registered mail to the last recorded address of the member at least fifteen (15) days before final action is taken thereon. This statement shall be accompanied by a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which the charges shall be considered and the member shall have the opportunity to appear in person and/or to be represented by counsel to present any defense to such charges before action is taken thereon.
 
Section 4. The active members of the ABF shall be divided into as many divisions as there are states from which there are members in the ABF.

Section 1. The officers of the ABF shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a non-voting Executive Director who shall be engaged by the Board of Directors.
 
Section 2. A seven-member Nominations Committee, with the immediate past president as chairperson, shall be elected. The Board of Directors shall elect two (2) members from their number. The Delegates shall elect four (4) members from their number in such a manner as to give geographic representation.
 
This Committee shall nominate candidates for President and Vice-President from among the members of the ABF who have paid their dues during the year previous and who have served on the Board of Directors. Any member may make nominations for these offices from the floor at the Annual meeting.
 
Section 3. The Officers shall be elected annually at the Annual Meeting of the ABF. Each Officer shall take office immediately following election and shall serve for a term of one year and until their successor is duly elected and qualified.
 
Section 4. Duties of Officers.
a. President - The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the ABF and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the membership, the Delegates Assembly, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. The President has the power to sign all agreements, contracts, drafts, and checks of the ABF. The President shall appoint such standing or special Committees as are deemed necessary to carry out the aims and policies of the ABF. The President shall confer with the respective Chairpersons in completing the membership of these Committees. The President shall appoint two (2) members of the Board of Directors to serve two-year terms. The President shall perform all the duties commonly incident to the office and such other duties as may be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors and not contrary to these Bylaws. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Executive Committee shall elect a new President.
 
b. Vice-President - In the absence of the President at any meeting, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of that office. The Vice-President shall chair the Legislative Committee and the Resolutions Committee. The Vice-President may also perform other duties as directed by the President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice-President, the Board of Directors shall appoint a new Vice-President.
 
c. Executive Director - The Executive Director shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the membership, Annual Delegates Assembly, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee and shall perform such other duties commonly incident to the office of secretary and as the Board of Directors shall designate. In the absence of the Executive Director at any meeting, an Assistant Secretary or Secretary Pro Tempore shall be appointed by the President to perform temporary secretarial duties.
 
The Executive Director shall have the care and custody of the monies, funds, valuable papers, and documents of the ABF and shall have and exercise, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, all powers and duties commonly incident to the office of treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the Executive Director shall give bond in such form and with such sureties as shall be required by them. The Executive Director shall deposit all funds of the ABF in such bank or banks, trust company or companies as the Board of Directors shall designate. The Executive Director shall keep accurate financial accounting records of the ABF and, together with all ABF property, the records shall be subject at all times to the inspection and control of the Board of Directors.
 
Section 5. Removal of Officers. The Board of Directors of the ABF is hereby empowered to remove from office any Officer who fails to fully support these Bylaws, any Resolution adopted by the membership in attendance at any annual or special meeting, or any directive of the Board of Directors. This action shall be accomplished by majority vote of the Board of Directors, at any called meeting or by written poll, within thirty (30) days after cause for action has been determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 1. Any state having at least one (1) ABF member is entitled to one (1) delegate. Any state from which the total ABF dues equals or exceeds five (5) times the current commercial dues level or from which the ABF members total fifteen (15) or more, is entitled to two (2) delegates to the Annual ABF Delegates Assembly. Any state from which total ABF dues equals or exceeds thirty-five (35) times the current commercial dues level or from which the ABF members total seventy-five (75) or more is entitled to one additional delegate.
 
Section 2. Delegates and Alternates shall be qualified in writing by the State Association of the state represented. When neither Delegate nor Alternate is present, a member of that state may be seated as a Delegate by a vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the Delegates assembled. Once seated, a delegate shall serve until a successor is named. For a person to qualify as a Delegate or Alternate, the ABF membership dues of such person must have been paid for the year preceding such qualification.
 
Section 3. The President, Vice President, immediate Past President, members of the Executive Committee, and members of the Board of Directors shall be members ex officio of the Delegates Assembly, with the right to vote.
 
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Annual Delegates Assembly to 1) receive from the ABF such information as may benefit the several state associations and to be the representatives of the ABF to such regional, state and local associations as they may be connected; 2) convey information and formal resolutions from the several states to the ABF; 3) elect four (4) members to the Board of Directors of the ABF; and 4) elect four (4) members of the Nominating Committee.
 
Section 5. Election Procedures: The Delegates Assembly shall elect four (4) members from among its number of state Delegates to serve two-year terms on the ABF Board of Directors. Each year the Assembly shall elect two (2) Directors as follows: On the nominating ballot, each Delegate present may nominate in writing two candidates. On the first elective ballot, each Delegate present shall vote for two of the nominees from the nominating ballot. The four (4) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be eligible for the second elective ballot. On the second elective ballot, the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. The candidates receiving the next highest votes will become the alternates. The number of votes cast for any candidate must be kept secret until after the final vote and elected candidates are determined. Each Delegate must vote for a full ticket of candidates on each elective ballot or that ballot will be invalidated.
 

Section 1. The ABF shall establish and maintain Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that will represent various segments of the diverse beekeeping industry in the United States. Each SIG will meet at the Annual ABF Convention to 1) discuss issues of importance to its respective participants; 2) offer resolutions to be considered at the ABF Annual Meeting; 3) elect a Chairperson; 4) elect other officers and representatives as deemed beneficial; 5) conduct other business relevant to its area of special interest but not contravening these Bylaws or objectives and resolutions of the ABF; and 6) if entitled, elect two of its participants to the ABF Board of Directors. Officers of the SIGs must be ABF members.
 
Section 2. The ABF Board of Directors shall organize a SIG for any segment of the ABF membership which demonstrates sufficient interest. A SIG which meets on a regular basis may be entitled by two-thirds vote of the ABF Board of Directors to elect members to the ABF Board of Directors. This privilege may be revoked by a two-thirds vote of the Directors if the SIG does not maintain sufficient participation.
 
Section 3. Election Procedures: Each SIG, which is so-entitled, shall elect two (2) members from among its number to serve two-year terms on the ABF Board of Directors. Each year the SIG shall elect one (1) Director as follows: Each SIG participant present shall nominate in writing one candidate. On the first elective ballot the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be eligible for the second elective ballot. On the second elective ballot, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. The candidates receiving the next highest votes will become the alternates. The number of votes cast for any candidate must be kept secret until after the final vote and elected candidates are determined.
 
Section 4. Any member of the ABF may participate in one (1) or more SIG at the annual meeting; however, no member may cast votes in the Board of Directors election in more than one (1) SIG per annual meeting.

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of four (4) members elected from the Delegates Assembly; two (2) members elected from each entitled Special Interest Group; and two (2) members appointed by the ABF President. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive two-year terms on the Board of Directors in the same elected or appointed position. To be eligible for election or appointment as a Director, a person must be an ABF member.
 
Section 2. The President, Vice-President, and immediate Past President shall be members ex officio of the Board of Directors, with the right to vote.
 
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall have supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the ABF, shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of these Bylaws and the wishes of the membership of the ABF at the Annual Meeting or at a Special Meeting. The Board shall actively pursue the ABF purposes, shall have discretion in the disbursement of ABF funds, and shall oversee an annual audit of ABF funds and records. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of the powers granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary. The Board may authorize a person or persons to sign agreements, contracts, drafts, checks, and/or other documents of the ABF.
 
Section 4. In addition to regular meetings at the time and place of the annual meeting, the Board shall meet at such time and place specified by the President or by a majority of the Executive Committee or by demand of a majority of its members. The Board of Directors may conduct its business and vote by mail, telephone conference call, electronic mail, or any other means of communication it deems necessary or effective. Notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be sent to each member of the Board at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of such meetings.
 
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

Section 1. Following each ABF Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors, by written ballot, shall elect from their body four (4) members to serve one-year terms with the President, Vice-President, and immediate Past President as the Executive Committee.
 
Section 2. Election Procedures. On the first elective ballot, written nominations shall be made by each Director for four candidates. The second elective ballot shall be comprised of the six (6) candidates receiving the highest number of votes. Each Director must vote for a full ticket of candidates to be elected or that ballot will be invalidated. On the second elective ballot, the four (4) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected.
 
Section 3. In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee, except for officers, an alternate selected at the last Board of Directors meeting will fill the remainder of the term. If a vacancy occurs in the position of Past President, the Executive Committee will select by secret ballot a replacement from among Past Presidents who have remained active as ABF members.
 
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to transact all necessary business between Board of Directors meetings, but no action by the Executive Committee shall be contrary either to the wishes of the membership as expressed at the annual or special meeting or to those of the Board of Directors.
 
Section 5. The Executive Committee shall meet as deemed necessary. The meetings shall be held at such time and place as specified by the President or by a majority of the Executive Committee. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Committee may conduct its business and vote by mail, telephone conference call, electronic mail, or any other means of communication it deems necessary or effective. Notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be sent to each member of the Executive Committee at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of such meetings.

Section 1. Appointments. The President shall appoint members to such committees as the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee determines are necessary to carry out the goals and policies of the ABF. The Chairperson will be appointed by the President except in the cases of the Legislative Committee and the Resolutions Committee, for which the Vice-President will serve as Chairperson. Committee members shall be appointed by the President after conferring with the respective Chairpersons. Chairpersons and committee members will serve for one (1) year unless they are re-appointed by the President, or in the case of special committees, members will serve for the time required to complete the assigned objectives but no longer than one (1) year unless re-appointed. Committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Article X, Section 5.
 
Section 2. Expenses. Executive Committee members, members of the Board of Directors, chairpersons and members of committees may, upon request, be reimbursed for such expenses as are covered by the reimbursement policy established by the Board of Directors.

Section 1. Annual Meeting. There shall be an annual meeting of the ABF during the month of January, unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, for election of Officers, for receiving the annual reports and for the transaction of other business. Notice of such meeting, signed by the Executive Director (or other person designated by the Board of Directors), shall be mailed to the last recorded address of each member at least thirty (30) days before the time appointed for the meeting.
 
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the ABF shall be called by the President upon the written request of twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the ABF. Notice of any special meeting shall be mailed to each member at their last recorded address at least thirty (30) days in advance, with a statement of time and place and information as to the subject or subjects to be considered.
 
Section 3. Quorum. Fifty (50) members present at any meeting of the ABF shall constitute a quorum.
 
Section 4. Order of Business. The order of business at meetings shall be as follows. The order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members present.
            1. Call to order.
            2. Reading of Rules of Order.
            3. Reading of Minutes of previous meeting.
            4. Presentation of Financial Report.
            5. Receiving communications.
            6. Reports of Officers
            7. Reports from Special Interest Groups.
            8. Reports of Special Committees.
            9. Reports of Standing Committees.
            10. Unfinished Business.
            11. New Business.
            12. Election of Officers.
            13. Adjournment.
 
Section 5. Parliamentary Authority. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down in "Robert’s Rules of Order" shall govern all deliberations, when not in conflict with these Bylaws.
 
Section 6. Rules of Order. The following Rules of Order govern the conduct of the Annual Meeting of the ABF:
            1. Members and non-members shall be separated.
            2. No dues can be accepted until after the Annual Meeting ends.
            3. Each member shall be allowed three (3) minutes for discussion and no one shall be allowed to speak twice until everyone has had the opportunity to speak.
            4. In the case of a contested election, two 3-minute nomination speeches and two 3-minute seconding speeches will be allowed for each can¬?didate.

The fiscal year and the membership year of the ABF shall commence on the 1st day of October and shall end on the 30th day of September.

Section 1. Purpose. The ABF shall establish and maintain the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc., a non-profit corporation, for the expressed purpose of the preservation of the practice and the profession of beekeeping through education and research.
 
Section 2. Relationship to ABF. The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. shall be administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the ABF Board of Directors. Also, the ABF Board of Directors must approve any changes to the Foundation’s bylaws.

These Bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, in whole or in part, by two-thirds of the votes cast at the annual meeting; Provided, that proposed amendments are published or posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting during which they are to be considered; and Provided, that the publication requirement shall not preclude further changes to the proposed amendments as they are being considered.
 
MAJOR REVISIONS TO BYLAWS

• January 22, 1976- Philadelphia
• January 21, 1987- New Orleans
• January 18, 1990- Las Vegas
• January 21, 1995 - Austin
• January 18, 1997 - Norfolk
• January 15, 2000 - Fort Worth - Combined Constitution and Bylaws; changed Directors to Delegates; formalized SIGs; and established structure of new Board of Directors.