By-Laws of the Kentucky Dairy Development Council
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the council shall be the Kentucky Dairy Development Council, hereafter referred to as KDDC.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of KDDC shall be to increase the profitability of Kentucky dairy producers, and to promote, represent and foster an environment for growth of the whole dairy industry.
ARTICLE III
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year for KDDC shall be from July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE IV
Location
The principal office and place of business shall be in Kentucky in a location most advantageous to KDDC as determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V
Rules of Order
Section (1) Robert's Rules of Order shall be used for parliamentary procedure in all meetings of KDDC.
Section (2) Decisions at a membership meeting shall be decided by a majority of those voting members present at any properly called meeting.
Section (3) A Properly Called Meeting is one in which notice of the meeting is given to voting members at least 10 days in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE VI
Membership
Membership in KDDC shall be to those persons or organizations that have interest in Kentucky's dairy industry.
Section (1) Membership categories shall be:
a. Dairy producer (bovine) - any producer or associated individual with any Kentucky dairy farm having a permit to ship milk (1 vote per permit)
b. Allied member - an organization/business/individual with interest in Kentucky's dairy industry (one vote per paid membership)
c. Advisory member - a representative of a public agency engaged in business or activity relating to the dairy industry (non-voting member)
Section (2) The Board of Directors shall determine the dues of KDDC.
Section (3) Termination of membership may take place after a 30-day notice to members and after an opportunity for the member to be heard by the Board of Directors or their representative group. Termination of membership may occur for conduct which violates the fundamental objectives of KDC, brings the organization into disrepute, or for knowing violations of the laws of Kentucky or the United States. Termination may be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Board of Directors
Section (1) Authority of the Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) shall be:
a. To have general powers of supervision of the business affairs of KDDC. The board shall make necessary rules and regulations that are consistent with the law, these By-Laws, or the stated will of the membership for the management of the business, establish interim policy, provide guidance for the officers, and the Executive Director.
b. To require any elected officer, or employee charged with responsibility for the custody of any of its sums of money or property give bond for same. The cost of such bond shall be born by the KDDC.
c. Shall keep a complete record of all its acts and proceedings of its meetings and shall present a full financial statement at the annual meeting of KDDC. It shall also keep written minutes of all meetings.
d. Shall approve an annual budget for each account of KDDC.
e. The Board will be responsible for hiring and dismissal of the Executive Director. The Board shall also determine, approve and set forth in writing the duties, responsibilities, and activities of the Executive Director.
f. To maintain equitable districts within the state (district representation of producers must be evaluated at least every five years)
g. Board members shall be neutral parties, showing no favoritism towards any producer, producer group, industry, or other party. Their sole allegiance shall be towards the advancement of the Kentucky dairy farmer and industry
h. To set the annual meeting date and location
Section (2) The composition of the (20) member Board will be as follows:
a. Dairy producers representing the (12) established districts of the state of Kentucky.
Each district shall have an alternate representative.
b. Allied industry representatives (8 members to be elected to represent allied industry)
c. Advisory representatives (non voting)
Kentucky Department of Agriculture-Dairy Marketing
Kentucky Milk Control Branch - Branch Manager
University of Kentucky - Regulatory Services Milk Coordinator
Federal Milk Marketing Order
Governor's Office of Agriculture Policy
University of Kentucky - Dairy Science Representative
Eastern Kentucky University - Dairy Science Representative
Western Kentucky University - Dairy Science Representative
Dairy Products Association of Kentucky
Farm Bureau
American Dairy Association of Kentucky
Others as approved by the Board
Section (3) Officers of KDDC board shall be as follows: President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer.
a. These officers shall be elected from the Board by members of the Board.
b. The President shall be a dairy producer.
c. Advisory members cannot be elected officers.
Section (4) Directors and alternates shall be elected by mail ballot at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting as follows:
a. Producer directors and alternates shall be elected from eligible producers by producer members in each respective district. Director and alternate candidates shall be determined by written nominations to the Board. The alternate shall be the candidate who receives the second most votes.
b. Allied directors shall be elected by allied members from eligible allied members. Not more than one director per segment of allied industry (e.g. feed industry, equipment, animal health). Director candidates shall be determined by written nominations to the Board.
c. Advisory members shall be appointed by each individual advisory agency.
Section (5) Board specifics:
a. Terms of the members of the Board shall be for three years, beginning and ending with the annual meeting. No director may serve more than two full consecutive terms.
b. At the first election, a pre-determined one-third of the total number of directors shall be elected to serve for a period of one year; an equal number of directors shall be elected to serve a period of two years; and an equal number of directors shall be elected to serve a period of three years. Those serving less than a full three-year term are eligible to serve two additional full terms.
c. Vacancies of any director may be filled by the Board for the completion of the term.
d. Removal of a director requires a positive vote by two-thirds (14) of the full Board.
e. Meetings of the Board shall be quarterly at the call of the President. Special meetings may be called by the President, or by written petition of one-third of the directors.
f. Notice of meetings shall be at least 10 days prior to the meeting date.
g. Attendance of the Board shall be required at a minimum of one-half of the meetings during the fiscal year. Failure to attend meetings, without cause, shall be interpreted as a resignation from the Board and the seat will be declared vacant.
h. A majority of the Board at any properly called meeting shall constitute a QUORUM. Any decision made by the Board shall require a majority of the voting members to be producers.
i. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
ARTICLE VIII
Executive Committee
Section (1) The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of KDDC, including the immediate past-president. Additional board members may be elected by the Board to provide enough for the total number on the Executive Committee to always be five.
Section (2) Authority of the Executive Committee shall be the same as the Board in the interim between regularly scheduled Board meetings. The Executive Committee shall not have the authority to alter, amend, or repeal the Charter of KDDC, By-Laws, or policy. It shall have the authority to establish interim policy by majority vote. Interim policy must be approved by the Board at its next meeting. Minutes of each Executive Committee shall be kept and forwarded to the Board members for their review.
Section (3) Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called as necessary at a time and place selected by the President.
ARTICLE IX
Committees
Committees may be established and members appointed as needed by the Board. Any member is eligible for appointment to a committee. All committees shall have at least one-half of its membership from producer members.
ARTICLE X
Other Issues
Section (1) Amendments to these By-Laws may be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of the Board at any duly called meeting. Only the subject matter of the amendments properly published in the call for the meeting shall be considered.
Section (2) The duration of KDDC shall be perpetual.
Section (3) Upon dissolution of KDDC all business property and assets of KDDC remaining after discharge of its obligations shall be distributed to a scholarship fund under the auspice of the Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky or if not possible, to another organization selected by the Board which qualifies for exemption from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501 (c) (5) of the Internal Revenue code or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal tax laws.
Adopted 2-2-05, Revised 4-22-05, Revised 7-29-05, Revised 8-4-06