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THE UNITED STATES DURUM GROWERS ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of the organization shall be The United States Durum Growers Association
ARTICLE II – Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the production and marketing of durum wheat and semolina. The association shall also lobby on domestic policy issues that affect the durum producer.
ARTICLE III – Membership
Durum wheat growers or any individual vitally interested in the production of durum are eligible for membership.
Honorable membership may be conferred by unanimous vote of the directors upon any person who is recognized as having performed some single service for the durum wheat industry.
ARTICLE IV – Annual Meeting of Members
The annual meeting of the membership shall take place at the International Durum Forum each year. The annual meeting location and time shall be set by the executive committee by August 1st of each year and notice sent to the membership at least 30 days prior to the meeting date.
Directors will be elected by the general membership at the annual meeting. The nominating committee shall submit a list of potential member candidates to be mailed with the meeting notice. Members may be nominated from the floor at the annual meeting. One director from each North Dakota District will be elected each year at the annual meeting for a three-year term.
Each member shall have one vote. At all meetings all questions shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present in person.
ARTICLE V – Officers
The Board of Directors consisting of (14) members: (10) from North Dakota, (1) from Montana, (1) from other states indicating an interest in representation on the USDGA Board of Directors, and (2) at large appointed by the USDGA Board of Directors. The other states representative shall be determined at the discretion of the USDGA Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall elect from their members a President, Vice President, and 2nd Vice President. An Executive Secretary/Treasurer shall be appointed by the board of directors.
The President, Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Executive Secretary/Treasurer will constitute the Executive committee of the Association. The President, Vice President, 2nd Vice President shall not hold the same office for more than three (3) consecutive years.
ARTICLE VI – Directors and Meetings
The affairs of this Association shall be under the management of its Board of Directors and such officers and agents as said Board may elect or employ. All meetings will follow Roberts Rules of Order.
The qualifications of a Director are: (1) Must be a member of the Association in good standing: (2) Must be a bona-fide durum wheat grower: Whenever a director ceases to be a member, he shall cease to be a director. There shall be 3 director districts in North Dakota and one in Montana. The Montana director shall be elected at their annual meeting.
The Northwest district shall include everything west of Highway 83 and North of Highway 2 with one extra director. The Southwest district shall include everything west of Highway 83 and South of Highway 2. The East district shall include everything east of Highway 83.
Each district shall have three directors. One director from each district will be elected each year at the annual meeting for a three-year term. A nominating committee from each district shall be made up of the directors from that district. Each nominating committee shall have a chairman, whom shall be the director whose term will be up the following year, to organize and report to the full board. They are to meet at least 2 months prior to the annual meeting to nominate members to serve on the board of directors for their district. All contacts and commitments shall be made by each nominating committee and reported to the executive board no later than 45 days prior to the annual meeting. The nominating committees shall strive to have two members running for each director position. Nominees for each position, from each district may be nominated from the floor at the annual meeting. The nominees from each district receiving the highest number of votes from those present will be placed on the USDGA Board of Directors. USDGA Board Members shall serve for three (3) years or until their qualified successors are elected. Directors shall not serve more than three complete, consecutive terms.
Directors shall be replaced for failure of attending three (3) consecutive Board of Director meetings. All Board of Director replacements will be chosen by the Executive Committee. All directors appointed by the executive committee will serve until the next annual meeting, at which time the membership will elect a qualified director to fill out the remaining term.
The districts may be re-adjusted from time to time by the Board of Directors.
A quorum will consist of one member more than half the USDGA Voting Board of Directors.
Special meetings of the members may be called at any time upon order of the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed to each member. The Board of Directors shall hold its election of officers meeting immediately following the close of the annual meeting of the Association. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings upon call of the president and executive/secretary and be open to all members.
ARTICLE VII - Committees
Membership on all committees will be appointed by the President and approved by the USDGA Board of Directors. The President shall be authorized to appoint whatever committees from the membership as he deems necessary to conduct the affairs of the association. Committee appointments serve for one year:
ARTICLE VIII - Dues and Expenses
Annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors. Travel expenses shall have approval by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee to cover costs of lodging, meals, and mileage and other necessary items, when attending official meetings or other business of the Association.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
These by-laws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a vote of two-thirds of the USDGA Board of Directors present, on first reading, at any regular meeting of the USDGA Board of Directors, or at any special meeting duly called, providing written notice of proposed amendment has been given in or with the notice of the meeting. Amending the by-laws from the general membership must be presented at a regular or special meeting of the USDGA Board of Directors, for first reading. All amendments and/or resolutions require a second reading.
ARTICLE X - Resolutions
