North Surrey Organic Community Garden Constitution and Bylaws

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Franklin Roberts
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1 North Surrey Organic Community Garden Constitution and Bylaws This Community Environmental Education Project is a partnership between the City of Surrey Parks, Recreation and Culture Department and the North Surrey Organic Community Garden. In conformity with the Society Act of British Columbia, Schedule A, Form 2, this document sets forth the constitution and bylaws of the North Surrey Organic Community Garden. CONSTITUTION 1. The name of the group is North Surrey Organic Community Garden. 2. The purposes of the group are: BYLAWS (a) to provide opportunities for non-profit, recreational gardening for the residents of an urban area. (b) to provide horticultural advice and shared experience for the members, and to encourage those who wish to undertake gardening for the first time. (c) to perpetuate, in an increasingly technological age, an awareness of the natural processes for food growing. (d) to encourage the involvement of schools, youth groups and citizens in gardening. (e) to provide 20% of the available gardening plots to those individuals who cannot afford to pay the annual plot rental. The bylaws of the group are those set out in Schedule B of the Society Act, with the following additions whose numbers follow those in the said schedule. Part 13 Membership: Dues: Other Fees and Voting Rights 63. (1) Members shall pay fees consisting of three items (a) a membership fee (b) a volunteer security deposit, and (c) an annual plot rental Fees will be determined on or before January 31 st of each year. (2) The amount of the plot rental shall be determined separately from the amount of the membership fee, but in the same manner as prescribed in Bylaw 2 of Schedule B of the Society Act. 64. (1) Payment of fees shall be made after January 31 st of the current 1

2 year for which membership is to be held. (2) Fees for renewal of plot rental shall be paid by a date to be determined by the Executive for the current year. (3) Refund of fees shall not normally be given, but may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 65. (1) One membership fee shall be required for each plot rented except where two unrelated persons share a plot, in which case each person must pay the full membership fee. (2) Where a plot is rented by a couple or a family who pay one membership fee in accordance with Bylaw 65. (1), all members of the couple or family shall be deemed to be members, but only one of them shall be entitled to vote in the deciding of group affairs. 66. (1) A maximum of one plot may be rented per member. (2) A maximum of two plots may be rented per family, if available. (3) Applications for membership will be accepted from residents of Surrey as a first priority. Non- Surrey residents will be considered for new membership if plots are available. Proof of residence is required. 67. (1) No two family members may be on the Executive at the same time. (2) Any Director missing three or more meetings may be dismissed from the Executive. (3) If required, decisions can be made if a majority of the Executive Directors are present and in favour of the motion. Part 14. The Lease and Operation of Plots 68. (1) Garden plots shall be leased for a period of one year commencing March 1 st. 69. (1) The boundaries of plots shall not be extended. (2) Adjacent plots shall not be combined in any way and the pathways between them shall be kept unimpeded and free of weeds, and garden refuse. (3) Each plot is identified by a number and these numbers must be 2

3 clearly visible at all times. 70. (1) The Directors may cancel the lease of any plot on which cultivation has not begun by May 1st. 71. (1) Plots shall not be used as a storage place for materials such as excess boards, boxes, plastic or metal. (2) The maintenance of a neat and tidy condition of the pathways bordering each plot is the responsibility of the plot holder. No rubbish, such as garden waste, sticks or stones shall be left on pathways. 72. (1) Structures of an approved design and materials will be permitted on garden plots as described in the Garden Guidelines. 73. (1) Mechanical cultivators may be used on agreed upon dates and times as set by the Executive. 74. (1) The use of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides is prohibited by Surrey Parks, Recreation, and Culture on whose land The North Surrey Organic Community Garden is located. 75. (1) Municipal water regulations will be adhered to without exceptions. Summertime restrictions are imposed annually by the City of Surrey. 76. (1) Produce from North Surrey Organic Community Garden shall not be sold or offered for sale by members. (2) A diversity of plant species shall be planted in all garden plots. (3) Growing or using illegal substances in the Garden will lead to immediate and permanent expulsion with no return of plot fee. 77. (1) All plots shall be cleared of all garden refuse by November 1 st of each year, except for actively growing winter crops or perennials. Plots shall be left in a tidy condition at all times. (2) No fires will be permitted within the Park. 78. (1) Plots may be examined at intervals by the Society Directors or a committee established by them. 3

4 78. (2) Plot holders, whose plots are not considered to be of a satisfactory standard of cultivation, or whose plots reveal infringement of the bylaws, shall be notified by the Directors or their delegate and given five business days for correction. If the situation has not been corrected within this time period, the Directors may notify the plot holder that their lease is cancelled. An explanation or reason for cancellation shall be provided. No fees will be refunded in such cases. (3) The Garden area may be inspected at will by Surrey Parks, Recreation and Culture Department representatives in whose jurisdiction our Garden is located. 79. (1) Unauthorized removal of produce from a member s plot by another member may result in cancellation of the offender s membership. Similarly unauthorized interference in another member s plot may result in cancellation of membership. (2) A written complaint stating the nature of the offense, the date, and plot number must be given to the Executive so that an investigation can be conducted before a membership can be cancelled. (3) Any notice of cancellation of membership issued in accordance with a bylaw must be approved by a majority of the Executive. (4) An appeal against a cancellation of membership issued in accordance with Bylaw 78. (2) may be made. Such an appeal shall be in writing and be made within one week of the date of notification of cancellation. Any appeal so made shall be considered at the next meeting of Executive. Part 15 General Site Management 80. The Garden site is to be vacated between sunset and sunrise or as specified in the Guidelines. 81. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas, except during the loading or unloading of gardening supplies. 82. Plot holders shall remove their own garbage from the Garden and Surrey Park area. Compostable refuse from the Garden shall be composted on site. 4

5 83. Soil or other growing media cannot be introduced into the garden plots without the approval of the North Surrey Organic Community Garden. 84. The North Surrey Organic Community Garden, including its Directors and the City of Surrey or its representatives shall not be held personally or collectively responsible for loss, damage, or injury to crops, persons or property within the Garden site. 85. The assignment of garden plots is the responsibility of the Garden Coordinator or the delegate of the Society s Executive. 86. The use of drugs or alcohol is prohibited in Surrey Parks on whose property we are located. 87. There shall be no pets allowed in the Community Garden. Chairman of North Surrey Organic Community Gardens Group Date Manager, Parks Operations North Date 27 November

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