Constitution
Article I – Title
Section 1. The society shall be known as the Tuscarawas County Agricultural Society.
Article II – Object
Section 1. The object of this Society shall be to promote and encourage agriculture, industry, science, art, and other interests of Tuscarawas County which the Board deems proper and in the best interest of the community.
It is also the purpose of the Tuscarawas County Agricultural Society to serve and benefit the citizens of Tuscarawas County, the surrounding counties, and the State of Ohio by planning, organizing and operating the Tuscarawas County Fair, as well as carrying out the other purposes stated herein, all of which serve the vital industry of agriculture in Ohio.
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Any resident of Tuscarawas County aged 18 years or older may become a member of this Society by paying annually the membership fee fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. No person shall pay for or secure more than one such membership and that membership shall be for himself. No membership shall be issued to corporations, organizations, partnerships, or firms.
Section 3. Annual memberships will be made available for purchase on January 1 through 12:00 pm on the last day of the annual fair. Annual memberships will be valid from the date of purchase until December 31 of the year said membership is purchased.
Section 4. Any former Board Director having served at a minimum three consecutive terms on the Board of Directors shall be considered an honorary member of the Board without voting powers and shall receive a free pass to the annual fair.
Article IV – Board of Directors
Section 1. The management shall consist of a Board of 12 elected members who shall be elected for a term of three years. The terms shall be arranged so that the term of one-third of the members expires annually. Not more than two Directors may be elected from one township to serve concurrently.
The Board of Directors may appoint two additional members at large to serve on the Board of Directors for a period of one year.
Section 2. Any vacancy caused by death, resignation, removal from office, or other causes may be filled by the Board of Directors until the next annual election when a Director shall be elected to fill the unexpired term. Said appointments shall be by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at a regular meeting where a quorum is in attendance.
Article V – Election
Section 1. The annual election of the Board of Directors shall be held in the office of the Secretary on the fairgrounds on the first Saturday of November each year from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Section 2. The election shall be by ballot. Ballots must be marked with an "X" opposite the name of each candidate voted for. Otherwise the vote shall not be counted.
Section 3. Members must declare their candidacy for the office of Director by filing with the Secretary a petition signed by 10 or more members of the Society who are residents of Tuscarawas County at least 30 days before the annual election. Only properly nominated candidates meeting the filing requirements will be eligible.
Section 4. The term of office of the retiring Director shall expire and that of the Director-Elect shall begin when the Director-Elect is elected and qualified at the regular session following the annual meeting on the first Saturday of November.
Section 5. Only members of the Society whose memberships are valid and who are current residents of Tuscarawas County may vote at the annual election.
Article VI – Annual Meeting of Membership
Section 1. The annual meeting of the members of the Society shall be held on the first Saturday of November each year at 3:00 pm in the office of the Secretary of the Society.
Section 2. At this meeting the Officers and Directors of the Society shall make reports to the membership concerning the past fair and make recommendations for the improvement of future fairs. Members may offer suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the Society and its fair. Other business may also be presented as prescribed by this constitution or the Board of Directors.
Article VII – Organization and Meetings
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall meet in regular session following the annual meeting on the first Saturday in November and elect a President, Vice-President, and Treasurer who shall serve one year and the Secretary not more than three years as determined by the Board.
Section 2. The President and Vice-President shall be Directors. The Secretary and Treasurer may or may not be Directors.
Section 3. Before election of officers, newly elected Directors shall qualify by taking the oath or affirmation before a competent authority:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Ohio, laws of Ohio, and rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture of Ohio pertaining to agricultural societies and, to the best of my ability, perform the duties of Director of the Tuscarawas County Agricultural Society.”
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall appoint department heads and committees for the following year and announce them at the regular December Board meeting.
Article VIII – Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to the constitution and by-laws may be proposed by:
- A majority vote of the Board of Directors at a scheduled meeting.
- A petition filed with the Secretary at least 30 days before the annual meeting signed by at least 25 members.
Section 2. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the membership at the annual meeting and published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in Tuscarawas County not less than 3 nor more than 10 days prior to the vote.
Section 3. If multiple amendments are submitted at the same time they shall be presented so members may vote on each separately.
Section 4. If a majority of the membership voting adopts the amendment, it becomes part of the constitution or by-laws.
By-Laws
Article I – Quorum
Section 1. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article II – Meetings
Section 1. Not less than three members of the Board may hold special meetings when necessary at the call of the President or by written request to the Secretary.
Section 2. Notice of special meetings shall be sent to each Director by mail or telephone at least two days before the meeting.
Article III – Order of Business
Section 1.
- Roll Call
- Reading and Approval of Minutes
- Bills and Accounts
- Report of Committees
- Report of Officers
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Appointments
- Adjournment
Section 2. The order of business may be temporarily suspended upon the suggestion of the President.
Article IV – Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at meetings, appoint committees, countersign orders for disbursement of funds, and perform duties determined by the Board.
Section 2. The Vice-President shall assume duties of the President in the event of absence or vacancy.
Section 3. The Secretary shall:
- Keep a list of all members
- Record proceedings of the Society and Board
- Notify members of meetings
- Maintain financial records
- Prepare the annual report to the Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Perform other duties determined by the Board
Section 4. The Treasurer shall:
- Receive all money and issue receipts
- Maintain records of receipts and disbursements
- Pay orders countersigned by the President and Secretary
- Perform duties determined by the Board
Article V – Rules
The Board of Directors may enact rules and regulations that do not conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws, regulations of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, or the laws of the State of Ohio.
Article VI – Committees
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall manage business between meetings of the Board but may not incur debts except for current expenses unless authorized.
Section 2. Committees may be appointed or dissolved by majority vote of the Board unless prohibited by law.
Section 3. The Board may grant committees authority to act between meetings on specific matters.
Section 4. The President, Vice-President, and Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer are ex officio members of all committees except the Nominating Committee.