HISTORY
The Parent Organization: The International Walnut Council was
founded in 1970 as a trade association to represent woodland
owners, researchers and the wood-using industry who make and use
walnut veneer, lumber, gunstocks, and other fine products.
In 1983, the Wisconsin Chapter was organized and chartered through
the efforts of David Ladd, owner and President of Walnut Hollow,
a wood products company based in Dodgeville , Wi, and James Widder
, DNR forester, now retired, and owner/manager of his Tree Farm
NW of Dodgeville. In addition, other DNR Foresters , such as Rudy
Nigl, and woodland owners, such as Rachael Jordan, were instrumental
in the organizational activities. The Wisconsin Chapter was THE
FIRST CHAPTER TO BE CHARTERED in the United States!
Then in 1988, Dave Ladd and Jim Widder were the lead coordinators
for the 1st National Walnut Council meeting to be held in Wisconsin.
The events, meetings, conferences, and reviews of field sites took
place in Iowa County with tours starting in Mount Horeb, and moved
West.
The membership has grown since that time to
a current level of 145 (as of December, 2006).
MISSION
In support of
the Walnut Council's goal of increasing the production of
the highest quality American Black Walnut Trees and other fine hardwoods
for the greatest mutual benefits……….the MISSION OF THE WISCONSIN
CHAPTER is to provide the " ways and means " of supporting and inspiring
our members in the best possible management of their black
walnut and other fine hardwood trees.
OBJECTIVES
- To encourage
and stimulate good forest management and sustainability of existing
timber stands.
- To support
new plantings of black walnuts and other fine hardwoods.
- To sponsor
and coordinate various events and seminars for the interests
and benefit of the membership, such field days for reviewing practices
of other tree growers, educational conferences, and meetings for
the sharing of information, examples of successes, and exchange
of information.
- To provide
an interacting network between woodland owners, foresters,
forestry consultants, equipment/tools/material suppliers, and
the wood-using industry.
- To assist
in keeping the membership current with the latest research
and industry information, in conjunction with the foresters,
in helping transfer science and technology from the laboratory
to actual field practice.
By-Laws of
the WISCONSIN CHAPTER
ARTICLE I Name, etc. The name of the chapter
is Wisconsin Chapter of the Walnut Council ( hereafter called "
Chapter " ). The Chapter shall hold a Charter as an affiliate of
the Walnut Council upon such terms, conditions and requirements
as the Council shall determine. The Chapter shall promote growth
and use of black walnut ( Juglans nigra ) in the State.
Article II Fiscal year. The fiscal year of
the Chapter shall be the calendar year.
Article III Membership. Membership in the Chapter
shall be upon qualifications approved by the Board of Directors,
and all members must be members in good standing of the Walnut Council.
Membership may be evidenced by a certificate or card.
Article IV Dues. Dues, if any, shall be determined
from time to time by the Board of Directors and paid annually.
Article V Officers. The officers of the Chapter
shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer,
and such number of other Vice Presidents as may be determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. The officers shall serve
for annual terms and until their successors are elected and qualified.
Directors shall be elected by the membership. The Board of Directors
shall elect its officers from the Board membership.
Article VI Nominations and Voting for Directors.
On or before October 1 st of each year, the President will select
a nominating committee to choose candidates for directors for the
following year. On or before November 1, ballots will be mailed
to the membership which shall be returned before December 1. On
or before December 1, the nominating committee shall count the ballots
and determine the new directors. The new directors shall be instated
on January 1, or as soon thereafter as is practical, and shall serve
for a period of three (3) years.
Article VII Meeting. The membership will meet
annually at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.
A quorum shall be ten (10) members in person or by proxy. Each member
shall have one vote.
Article VIII Officers and duties. The President
shall be the executive officer and appoint committees as needed,
including the Chairman for the Annual Meeting Committee. The Vice-President
shall assist the President and assume presidential duties if necessary.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meeting and have custody
of the records of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall receive Chapter
dues and general funds and make disbursements as authorized by the
Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to
the Board of Directors. Officers shall receive no salary but may
be reimbursed for authorized expenses. An officer shall be selected
annually to represent the Chapter at all meetings of the National
Walnut Council.
Article IX Termination. If the Chapter would
terminate for any reason, its funds and assets shall be surrendered
to the Walnut Council.
Article X Amendments. The power to amend these
By-Laws shall be in the membership at any meeting called for such
purpose upon ten (10) days' notice, of which notice shall also be
given to the National Walnut Council, or by balloting via mail.
Any amendment must be approved by the National Walnut Council.
Article XI Limitations. The Chapter shall have
no authority or power to make commitments for or on behalf of the
National Walnut Council.
Article XII Review and Change of Board Decisions.
All substantial decisions and activities will be reported to the
membership and to the National Council. Any decision by the Board
may be voted upon by the membership upon receipt of petition from
ten or more active members. Changing a Board decision will require
a 2/3 majority vote of the membership in any regular meeting, or
at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided the membership
is given a 15-day notice of the proposed change and provided a 50%
quorum attends the meeting. Changing of Board decisions may also
be voted upon by mail, provided at least 50% of the members vote
and the 2/3 majority is obtained. The Executive Board of the National
Council retains the right to change or reverse any Board decision
or membership vote.
The foregoing
amended By-Laws were adopted 06 October 1990 by the membership at
a meeting duly convened.
James
E. Kuntz,
Secretary
of Chapter
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