Mission Statement
The Cambridge Community Garden is a welcoming organic garden where we grow healthy food, create beauty, share knowledge, nurture relationships, and have fun.
Membership
Any person regardless of race, creed, color, age, sexual orientation, handicap, or location of residence may become a member of the Cambridge Community Garden by paying the per-household membership fee. The membership fee will be determined by the Steering Committee, may change from year to year, is non-refundable, and may be used at the discretion of the Steering Committee, to pay for supplies and services for the garden. Membership entitles each individual in the member household to participate as a gardener in shared garden plots and to make use of the composting facilities. Members also elect the officers, may themselves serve as officers, and may serve on the Steering Committee. For the purpose of voting and petitioning in accordance with these bylaws, each member household will count as one vote or as one petitioning member regardless of the number of individuals that live in that household. Except where otherwise specified, the term “member” in these bylaws refers to the household and not to individuals within the household. Membership may be terminated at any time by notice from the member, by majority vote of the Steering Committee, or by petition from five or more members.
Electing Officers
Officers are unpaid volunteers chosen from the membership. They will be self-nominated prior to the annual members meeting and elected at the annual meeting. A majority of the full membership must be voting in the election of officers, either in person or by proxy, or by the prior completion of a ballot. Officers receiving a majority of the votes cast will be elected and will serve for one year.
Responsibility of President
The President presides over all meetings of the Steering Committee and has the authority to sign legal documents and checks on behalf of the organization.
Responsibility of Vice President
The Vice President acts as the President when the President is absent or unavailable, and sits on the Steering Committee
Responsibility of Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for all written records of the organization, notices of meetings, minutes of meetings, official correspondence, and sits on the Steering Committee
Responsibility of Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial records, has the authority to sign checks on behalf of the organization and sits on the Steering Committee.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee shall be composed of at least five members, and at most nine members, including the four above-listed officers. Any member may join the Steering Committee at any time by nomination of at least two members, not including themselves. Advance notice of such nomination must be given at least one week before the next Steering Committee meeting. Members thus nominated serve on the Steering Committee for one year, after which re-nomination is required. Any member missing three consecutive meetings of the Steering Committee will be removed from further service on the Steering Committee. Members that are removed from the Steering Committee as a result of missed meetings may only be reinstated for service once, through re-nomination. The Steering Committee may, by a majority vote at any meeting, waive this limit in individual instances. Termination of membership in the organization also terminates service on the Steering Committee.
A quorum of a 50% or more of the Steering Committee is required at each meeting, in order to transact business. Decision making at such meetings will be by majority vote of those present. Steering Committee meetings shall be open to all members, although only members duly nominated to the committee prior to the meeting shall have voting rights and be counted for quorum.
Garden Plots
The combination of private and shared garden plots, and their size and layout, shall be determined by the Steering Committee and may be altered from year to year. All members may participate in the planting and maintenance of shared garden plots and the overall garden infrastructure.
Any member may for an additional fee rent a private garden plot, when available. The rented plot will be reserved for their private use for one growing season, provided that such use complies with the Rules and Regulations. The number, size, location, cost, and assignment to members of private garden plots will be determined by the Steering Committee and may be altered from year to year. However, whenever a plot survives from year to year the renter of that plot during the previous year will be given first choice to rent that plot again in the immediately following year. Rents paid for private plots will not be refunded, even if membership is terminated during the rental period.
Public Access
The Cambridge Community Garden shall be open to the general public provided that their activities do not interfere with the operation of the gardens and are not in violation of the Rules and Regulations. The Steering Committee shall seek and maintain insurance and other measures necessary for such public access.
Meetings
The members will meet at least once per year at a place and time set by the Steering Committee, with the purpose of electing officers for the following year, to review the financial status of the organization, to discuss planning for the coming year, and to socialize. Advance notice must be given to all members at least two weeks before the date of the meeting.
Regular meetings of the Steering Committee will be held as needed, with at least two weeks advance notice of the place and time of meeting to all Steering Committee members. The requirement for advance notice of Steering Committee meetings may be waived by mutual agreement of all Steering Committee members.
Rules and Regulations
The Rules and Regulations for use of the Cambridge Community Garden shall be established by the Steering Committee. Members must abide by these rules. Failure to do so will be grounds for termination of membership.
Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by the Steering Committee, or by petition from a majority of the members. Members who wish to change the by-laws must submit the proposed change in writing at least one week prior to a monthly meeting of the Steering Committee.
