Dusty Riders Ohio 4-H Youth Development Club Constitution
Article I. Name The name of the Club shall be Dusty Riders 4-H Club (the “Club”). Organized in the County of Licking, OH. The Club shall be organized as an unincorporated association.
Article II. Purpose The Club will work with boys and girls to help them grow into productive, contributing members of society. The Club will offer fun, active opportunities for personal learning and growth through club meetings, projects, hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, fairs and activities. The Club is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article III. Ohio State University Extension Affiliation The Club agrees to comply with all applicable OSU Extension policies and procedures governing Ohio 4-H and agrees that the County 4-H Youth Development Professional has all necessary and proper authority to oversee the Club to ensure the Club’s compliance. OSU Extension is authorized to include the Club in a group tax exemption, and the Club will supply all necessary documentation to ensure the Club’s inclusion in a group tax exemption.
Article IV. Policies Any major decisions of the Club must be voted on by 2/3 of the membership unless the Executive committee was authorized to make the decision. Major decisions include: 1. Amendment of this constitution 2. Financial disbursement from the Club treasury 3. Members being nominated for an office must have been a member for one year prior to being elected. 4. Officers may only hold the same office for two (2) consecutive years.
Article V. Membership Section A. The Club will follow the current Ohio 4-H policy requirements that define eligibility age for membership. Any youth, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin will be accepted as a member. The Club will accept a maximum number of members each year. Once capacity is met, enrollment will be closed until a vacancy occurs. The maximum shall be determined by the decision of the organizational leader and or the County 4-H Professional. Section B. The Club may work with Cloverbuds, as well as project members, age 8 and in 3rd grade through age 18 as of January 1st of the current year. If working with Cloverbud members they will be part of the total club, but will have separate activity based learning that is appropriate for their age group. Section C. To become a member, individuals must complete an enrollment form each year with a parent/guardian signature and agree to abide by the rules defined by the Club, the Ohio 4-H Program and the County 4-H program. Members must make a commitment to follow the values stated in the 4-H Club Member Pledge. Section D. The Club will enroll at least 5 members from at least 3 families each year. Section F. The Club will meet the standards of usage and protect the 4-H Name & Emblem as set by 4-H National Headquarters.
Article VI. Officers, Elections, and Duties Section A. The Club will have the following officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, (and the following optional choices of officers) Recreation Leader, Historian, News Reporter, Reports office, Refreshment Officer. Section B. Officers shall be elected annually. Section C. Officers shall perform duties as defined in the 4-H officer guides and/or resources. If an officer resigns or can no longer serve as an officer, the Club will select a replacement.
Article VII. Committees
Section A. Executive Committee The Executive committee will be made up of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee shall make any business decisions that must be made prior to the next regular business meeting. The Club members may also delegate decisions to this group. Section B. Standing Committees Standing committees are appointed by the Club president and serve as long as needed. Each committee will consist of a chair, and enough members to get the task completed.
Article VIII. Meetings Section A. The Club will meet a minimum of six times per year. A calendar of meeting dates, times, and locations will be distributed to members. Section B. Members will be given an excused absence for illness and other reasons. Members must contact an advisor or officer, prior to the meeting and explain why they are unable to attend the meeting.
Article IX. Leadership The Club shall be under the direction and guidance of adult local club leader(s) who have completed the Ohio 4-H Youth Development volunteer selection process.
Article X. Enrollment and Registrations Annually, members are required to complete a variety of enrollment registration forms and other paperwork in order to participate in 4-H activities and events such as project judging, fairs, clinics, workshops, camps, and awards. It is each member’s responsibility to meet the deadline for completion of these forms. Failure to complete the materials in a timely manner may result in non-participation in the activity.
Article XI. Financial Reporting and Responsibilities Section A. The Ohio 4-H fiscal year is defined as January 1 through December 31. Section B. The Club will obtain and maintain its own Tax Payer Identification Number (TIN), also known as Employee Identification Number (EIN). Section C. The Club Annual Financial Report in the format requested by OSU Extension must be submitted to the County Extension office every year by the date established by OSU Extension. Section D. An annual IRS 990 filing (Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N depending on Club revenue) must be completed by May 15 for the previous tax year.
Article XII. Use of Club Revenue Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits the Club from paying any net earnings beyond reimbursements for the Club’s expenses, to any of its members, directors, or officers. Additionally, Section 501(c)(3) prohibits the Club from participating in or taking sides either in political campaigns or in any effort to pass a specific law. The Club will primarily operate for educational purposes. The above limitations are explained in more detail in the following paragraph. No part of the net earnings of the Club shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II. above. No substantial part of the activities of the Club shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Club shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution the Club shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation or unincorporated association exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, or unincorporated association contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article XIII. Dissolution Upon dissolution of the Club, any assets shall be distributed to a recognized 4-H club/4-H affiliate or distributed to the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Foundation with the approval of the county 4-H Youth Development Professional as long as such organization is an exempt organization within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose if such organization is not exempt. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.