ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the KZN Winegrowers Association
(hereinafter referred to as the “association,” ).
ARTICLE II: Purpose
Section 1:
The purpose of the association shall be to represent, promote and
research the national and international interests of the KZN wine
industry.
The Association’s work to enhance and promote local viticulture goes
hand and hand with its strong advocacy of sustainable farming and
responsible environmental stewardship in addition to empowerment and
enhancing human skills. This approach gives KZNWA the opportunity to
work in partnership with governmental, environmental and community
entities on issues that specifically include the protection of our
natural resources and local wine growers' right to farm. Our outreach
efforts also serve to educate the public about the economic and cultural
benefits of the KZN Wine Industry.
The primary purpose is to advance the wine and grape growing industry of
the Province through development and education. The KZNWA raises money
to fund viticulture development and host technical winemaking and grape
growing seminars. The KZNWA encourages an open dialogue between the wine
grape community and the local government representatives, special
interest groups and the general public to promote an accurate
understanding of industry issues.
Section 2:
The association shall coordinate and promote activities, programs
and fund-raising events which are of support to the goals of the
organization.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1:
Membership of the association shall be open to any and all those
involved or interested in furthering the wine industry in KZN. Active
membership
shall be determined by those directly involved in the production of wine
in KZN that includes grapes grown in KZN and those with vineyards of
wine grapes with the intention of wine making or selling grapes to a
wine cellar.
Section 2:
An affiliate member is one who is interested in the KZN wine
industry’s development or involved in the industry indirectly for
example chemical suppliers for the vineyard etc. Such members may not
outnumber Active Members, hold office, vote for officers, or vote on the
expenditure of money. They may not schedule facilities or services on
behalf of the organization. Such members are expected to know,
understand, and abide by all the wine and spirits and associations rules
and regulations.
Section 3:
Any member may be removed from membership for violation of the
purposes of the association by a two-thirds vote of the active
membership. All members must be notified of this pending action at least
one week prior to the removal decision. Written charges by a member are
to be presented to the Executive Committee who will notify the member in
question with sufficient opportunity given for the member to answer
charges at a meeting of the membership. Voting for removal from
membership is to be done by secret ballot within seven days of the
meeting. Only active members may vote. The member in question must be
notified immediately of the outcome of the vote.
Section 4:
It shall be stated as part of the policy of the association that
there shall be no form or type of discrimination in the association
whether it be due to one’s race, colour, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, handicap, or veteran’s
status.
Section 5:
With active membership in the association comes full floor and
voting privileges on any and all items of the association business,
including resolutions, items of legislation, bylaws and elections.
ARTICLE IV: Officers
Section 1:
The officers shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary
and treasurer, The officers shall be responsible for all administrative
duties of the association.
Section 2:
The President shall have the power to establish and maintain
operation procedures of the association call meetings, and answer for
all actions of the other officers. The President shall be able to vote
in all decisions affecting the association, etc
Section 3:
The Vice President shall assist the President with all
administrative duties and assume those duties in the absence of the
President.
Section 4:
The Secretary shall keep accurate and detailed records of all
meetings and affairs, send/transmit all official association
correspondence, and coordinate preparation and distribution of
association, flyers, handouts, and publications.
Section 5:
The Treasurer shall receive and distribute association funds upon
the authorization of the President, and make financial reports at all
Executive Committee meetings, and at the regular meetings of the
association and coordinate all fund-raising activities.
Section 7:
The elected officers shall form the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V: Elections
Section 1:
The officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer)
shall be elected by the active members of the association to serve a
term of one year. Annual elections shall be held in January. The
officers shall be elected by means of a secret ballot. The term of
office for all officers shall begin on the first day of February and end
on the same day the following year.
Section 2:
Nominations of candidates for association officer positions shall
from the floor of the meeting by the associations active member.
Nominees for officer positions must be association active members for a
minimum of one year.
Section 3:
Voting shall take place after the close of nominations for each
office. Officers shall be elected by majority vote of those association
active members present, provided quorum is met. Affiliate members are
ineligible to vote for officers.
Section 4:
The order of succession shall be: (1) president, (2) vice president,
(3) secretary, (4) treasurer.
Section 5:
Vacancies occurring in any of the elected offices shall be
officially filled at the next
regular association meeting following the occurrence of such a vacancy
or vacancies. The order of succession shall be followed in the filling
of any vacant office during any unexpired term. If an officer declines
to succeed to a vacant office, then an election shall be held to fill
the vacant office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The election
procedure for filling the unexpired term of a vacant office shall be the
same as the normal procedure for elections.
ARTICLE VI: Appointments
Section 1:
The president shall appoint, with the approval of the Executive
Committee, such positions as may contribute to the successful operation
of the association. Examples include, but are not limited to, program
chair, fund-raising chair, etc.
ARTICLE VII: Removal From Office
Section 1:
Any officer may be removed from office for failure to perform
his/her prescribed duties by a two-thirds vote of the active membership,
provided that all members are notified of this pending action at least
one week prior to the removal decision. Removal from office can occur
for failure to carry out the responsibilities of that office, for
actions which violate the purposes of the organization, or for actions
which violate the rules and regulations governing the wine industry.
Written charges
by a member are to be presented to the Executive Committee who will
notify the officer in question with sufficient opportunity given for the
officer to answer charges at a meeting of the membership. Voting for
removal from office is done by secret ballot. Only active members may
participate in this vote, affiliate members are ineligible to vote.
ARTICLE VIII: Meetings
Section 1:
General membership meetings shall be held twice per year, with
additional meetings called by the president as needed. Notice of
additional meetings must be given to all members in the most timely
manner possible but not less than one week. The official means of
notifying members shall be agreed upon at the first meeting held after
the election of a new president.
Section 2:
The Executive Committee shall meet when called by the president.
Section 3:
Official notice of the meeting at which the election of association
officers will take place must be provided to all association members not
less than two weeks prior to such meeting.
Section 4:
Quorum shall be defined as fifty percent plus one of the total of
the association active membership.
