{{PROPOSED}} By-laws for NORTHWEST FARMERS’ MARKET, Inc.

February 2024

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

The name of the organization is: Northwest Farmers’ Market, Inc.

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE AND GOALS

1.     To promote locally grown agricultural products, original crafts and art, specialty foods and wild foraged items.

2.     To create a direct produce-to-consumer marketplace.

3.     To provide the consumer with assurance of quality that we expect of Vermont products.

4.     To provide a festive marketplace, adding diversity to the community, benefitting local businesses in the region.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

1.     Individuals seeking membership must pay the yearly membership fee prior to any market participation.

2.     Approved vendors are entitled to voting privileges.

3.     All participants must be properly insured, licensed and follow all laws and regulations under Federal, State and City requirements regarding all products that they offer. Proof of licensing and state sales tax certificate number are required and must be provided upon request.

4.     A member who has violated any by-law will be given three strikes. First; the vendor will receive a verbal documented warning; second vendors will receive a written, documented warning; third the vendor’s infraction will be referred to the Board of Directors and Market Manager after which permanent ejection from the market will be a possibility. In the event of membership revocation, no fees will be refunded.

5.     In the event that a vendor poses a threat to the safety of themselves, others, the integrity of the market, or the ability for the market to function, the board maintains the ability to eject that vendor from the market without any prior warning. In the event of membership revocation, no fees will be refunded.

VENDOR EXPECTATIONS:

1.     Vendors will conduct themselves in a positive, professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times and with all persons at the market.

2.     Vendors are expected to attend all scheduled market dates.  Unscheduled absences require 24 hours notice.  The preferred method of notification is via email: nwfminc@gmail.com

3.     Vendors will supply their own tables, canopies, and weights. 

4.     Vendors are prohibited from parking on Main st and Church st, and may only use the area forl oad in and load out.

5.     Vendors must be completely set up by 9:00 am and remain set up until 2:00 pm.

6.     Vendors must break down their booth prior to retrieving their vehicle for load-out. Holding a spot for load out is prohibited.

7.     Vendors may not block traffic, or double park at any point during the market.

8.     Vendors must move their vehicles to approved parking locations after load-in (BFA lot or Churches).

9.     Vendors shall not have pets at their booths. We are ADA compliant, service animals that have been trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability are allowed.

10.  Smoking in Taylor Park in prohibited. 

11.  Vendors are responsible for carrying out all trash and are not permitted to use park trash receptacles.

12.  Vendor booths must have responsible attendant at all times.

13.  Vendors will keep their booths neat and free of all hazards.

14.  Vendors are required to attend market meetings.

15.  Vendor spaces and memberships are non transferable.

16.  Vendors must provide accurate sales totals, including alternative currencies (tokens, crop cash & farm to family coupons), to the Market Manager (or acting manager) by the end of each market.

17.  Vendors will report any suspicious activity to the manager.

ARTICLE 4 – APPROVED PRODUCTS

1.     All products offered for sale are subject to board approval.

2.     All products sold must be made/baked/grown or wild foraged and produced by the member and no one else. RESALE ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED.

3.     All items for sale must be prepared, processed, packaged, and labeled in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws and regulations.

4.     Plants and produce must be grown on the members property or property that is leased or rented by the member. Proof of lease or rental agreement must be provided upon request.

5.     Home baked goods must be made from scratch. Packaged mixes and relabeling are not permitted.

6.     Preserved goods and prepared food must be processed in accordance with all state and/or federal laws, regulations, and procedures.  

7.     Craft and arts must be of original design and execution by the member only. No kits will be allowed in any craft or art. Up-cycled and repurchased items must transcend the original components.

8.     No political or religious organizations or individuals are allowed to participate in the market.

ARTICLE 5 – TIME AND LOCATION OF MARKET

1.     Time and location of the market will be determined annually by the Board.

2.     Laws and rules of specific location must be adhered to by all members.

ARTICLE 6 – FEES

1.     Membership fees will be determined annually by The Board.

2.     Board members are exempt from paying membership fees.

ARTICLE 7 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

1.     Plans for all meetings.

2.     Calls all meetings to order and presides over them.

3.     Serves as ex officio on all committees.

4.     Become Secretary of State Registered Agent.

5.     Community Outreach.

6.     Assist market manager and vendors during market, as needed.

7.     Communicates and meets with St. Albans City officials to discuss yearly contract as needed.

8.     Oversees Treasurer duties, reports, and NWFM bank accounts.

9.     Oversees Market Manager.

Vice President

1.     Presides over meetings when the president is absent.

2.     Acts as assistant to the president.

3.     Assists in the planning of meetings.

4.     Knows president roles and takes on duties as needed.

Treasurer

1.     Deposits all checks and monitors direct deposit transactions into bank account.

2.     Pays yearly bills.

3.     Writes checks for vendor compensations, manager payment, musicians, and kids activities.

4.     Balances bank account.

5.     Completes treasurer report for all vendor meeting.

6.     Compiles finance information for yearly tax preparation.

7.     Assists in planning of meetings.

Secretary

1.     Take and record minutes for all meetings.

2.     Assists in the planning of meetings.

ARTICLE 8 – MARKET MANAGER

Market Manager stipend is paid out in lump sums May, July, September, and December.  A bonus will be offered in December if funds are available.  Stipend amount decided by board yearly.

ARTICLE 9 – ELECTIONS

Elections will be held at annual meetings in accordance with state laws.

ARTICLE 10 – BOARD VACANCIES

In the event of a board vacancy, the remaining board members may appoint an individual to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE 11 – MEETINGS

Membership meetings will be conducted in accordance with Vermont statutes.

ARTICLE 12 – BY-LAWS

By-laws will be reviewed every five years. Proposed by-laws changes will be presented to members with the appropriate notice and warning. All members will be given the opportunity to vote.

ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENTS

These by-laws can be amended at the annual meeting by two thirds vote by the membership. No amendment shall be adopted at the meeting at which it is proposed, unless the substance of the amendment has been submitted in writing to the NWFM, INC. members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.

ARTICLE 14 - DISBANDING

Should the Market disband, the money in the Treasury shall go to a local food shelf, Recreation Department or other non-profit organization.

ARTICLE 15 - ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER

1. Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern Northwest Farmers’ Market, Inc. except in those instances in which Roberts Rules of Order is in conflict with the provisions of these Articles.

2. Binding motions of membership require a quorum, which is defined by Article 3 – membership.

3. These BYLAWS are to be reviewed every five years.

Northwest Farmers Market Board

President - Christine Kubacz        

Vice President -  Melissa Dion         

Treasurer - Romy Theisen        

Secretary - April Gilbert        

Manager - Allison Marino