Current Officers

Committees

, Chairman
Past Presidents
 – 
Constitution and Bylaws
Revised May 31, 1991

CONSTITUTION
of the
ASSOCIATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
INSPECTION AND STANDARDIZATION
AGENCIES

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1.    NAME

The name of this organization shall be “The Association of Fruit and Vegetable Inspection and Standardization Agencies”.

SECTION 2.    PURPOSE

The Association is a voluntary organization and serves as a conference body of Agricultural Fruit and Vegetable Inspection and Standardization Agencies for the study and solution of mutual problems involving the industry served. Annual conferences are held for the exchange of information among member agency officials and affected industries, and to develop model laws and regulations to facilitate commerce among the states. It is the purpose of the Association to promote and attain more uniformity between states, member agencies and the federal government.

SECTION 3.    OBJECTIVES

  1. To promote a close understanding between the State Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspection and Standardization Agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service, or related agencies regarding the inspection and standardization of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

  2. To provide a medium and forum where by representative personnel of member agencies may formulate and promote policies with respect to matters that have to do with the maintenance and implementation of effective Fresh Fruit and Vegetable and Standardization Services.

SECTION 4.    BYLAWS

This Constitution shall be implemented by such bylaws as may be found necessary to attain the purpose of the Association.


Revised May 31, 1991

BYLAWS
of the
ASSOCIATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
INSPECTION AND STANDARDIZATION
AGENCIES

ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.    ELIGIBILITY

The membership of this Association shall be limited to state agencies, or other organizations (as determined by the Association) involved in the inspection, certification and standardization of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts as provided by licensed inspectors and under signed cooperative agreements with USDA/AMS.

ARTICLE II
OFFICERS

SECTION 1.    OFFICERS

The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

SECTION 2.    TERM OF OFFICE

All officers of the Association shall be elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the active members present and shall serve without pay from the final adjournment of the annual meeting at which they were elected, until the final adjournment of the next annual meeting or until their successors have been duly appointed. Officers may serve successive terms after proper re-election.

SECTION 3.    NOMINATIONS

Nominations for each office in the Association shall be made by a Nominating Committee appointed by the President. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any active member. Geographical balance in the nomination procedure is strongly encouraged, and the Association may use eastern, central and western regions to determine that balance.

SECTION 4.    PRESIDENT

The president shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and shall in general supervise and control all the business of the Association. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors. He/she shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Association.

SECTION 5.    FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

The First Vice-President shall assume the duties and powers of the President in the absence of the President or in the inability of the President to act. He/she shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct. In addition to other duties, the First Vice President shall act as chairperson of the Resolution Committee.

SECTION 6.    SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT

The Second Vice-President of the Association shall serve as an ex officio member of all Association committees, and will assist in the coordination of these committees. In addition, he/she shall assist in the coordination and planning of this Association’s annual national conference. In addition to other duties, the Second Vice-President shall act as chairperson of the Program Committee.

SECTION 7.    TREASURER

The Treasurer of the Association shall collect and disburse all moneys of the Association, and shall keep all funds and other valuables of the Association in such depositories as shall be authorized by the Association and provide an annual financial report to the Association at the annual meeting.

SECTION 8.    SECRETARY

The Secretary of the Association shall keep the minutes of all Association conferences and meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall provide Association members with copies of minutes of previous meeting.

SECTION 9.    VACANCIES

If the office of the President becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, inability to act or by termination as a member of the Association, the First Vice-President shall serve as President until the office is filled by election at the next annual meeting of the Association. If the office of the Firs Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, inability to act or by termination as an active member of the Association, the President shall appoint from the active membership a person to serve until the office is filled by election at the next annual meeting of the Association.

SECTION 10.    EXPENSES OF OFFICERS

Travel expenses of officers incurred in the conduct of the Association business may be paid by the Association upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and decided by vote of the membership at the annual meeting.


Revised May 31, 1991

ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The shall be a Board of Directors which shall be composed of the President (as Chairperson), the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer, and the most immediate past President who is an active member of the Association.

SECTION 2.    DUTIES

The Board of Directors shall act for and on behalf of the Association in the interim of annual or special meetings and shall carry out such other duties as are herein prescribed or as may be authorized by the Association. Decision of the Board of Directors may be appealed in writing to the membership.

SECTION 3.    MEETINGS

The Board of Directors shall meet immediately prior to and immediately following the annual meeting of the Association. In addition, the Board of Directors may meet as often as the general good of the Association may require, subject to the call of the President or upon an expression of need by three members of the Board.

If a meeting of the Board of Directors is impractical, necessary decisions may be made by means of the majority of a mail vote, a telephone poll, or a conference call.

ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES

SECTION 1.    COMMITTEE

The following committees shall be appointed by the President:

  1. Program Committee

  2. Nomination Committee

  3. Resolution Committee

  4. Membership Committee

  5. Liaison Committee

The President of the Association may appoint such special committees as may be necessary to carry out the purposes, aims, and functions of the Association.

The President of the Association shall appoint members of the Liaison Committee that have depth of knowledge or interest related to the particular issue(s) at hand.


Revised May 31, 1991

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS

SECTION 1.    ANNUAL MEETING

An annual meeting of the Association shall be held for the election of officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before it, at such date and time as the Association may direct at the immediately preceding annual meeting or in the absence of such direction, at such time and place as is chosen by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the annual meeting shall be delivered by the Secretary to each active member of the Association by mail not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. A committee to plan the annual meeting and conference shall be appointed by the President and shall meet at the call of the President.

SECTION 2.    SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President or by a majority request of the Board of Directors. Notice of special meetings must be delivered by the Secretary to each active member of the Association not less than five days prior to the special meeting.

SECTION 3.    PROCEDURES

The proceedings and deliberations of the Association including meetings of the Board of Directors and all Committees shall be governed by the Rules of Parliamentary Practices established by Robert’s Rules of Order as revised.

SECTION 4.    QUORUM

A majority of the active members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Association.

SECTION 5.    VOTING

Each member agency shall be entitled to one vote for the election of officers and directors and on other matters relating to the business and management of the Association.

ARTICLE VI
DUES AND FEES

SECTION 1.    DUES AND FEES

The annual dues for membership in the Association and any registration fees will be recommended by the Board of Directors and shall be decided by vote of the membership at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1.    AMENDMENTS

The Constitution or the Bylaws of the Association may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present at any annual meeting.