Organic Growers of Ithaca College Constitution
Article I – Name
Organic Growers of Ithaca College
Article II – Purpose/Mission Statement
The purpose of this organization shall be to educate the Ithaca College community on our
connection to food by directly participating in this relationship. Members will maintain the oncampus organic garden by planning, planting, tending to, and harvesting crops.
Article III – Membership
Section 1 – Ithaca College students must comprise at least 51% of the student organization’s
membership.
Section 2 – There are no eligibility requirements for this organization.
Section 3 – Membership in this organization is open to all meeting the above criteria, irrespective of
race, creed, color, sex, class, age, nation of origin, nationality, gender identity or expression,
disability, marital status, religion, military status, or sexual orientation.
Article IV – Officers or Executive Board
Section 1 – The officers of this organization shall be:
 Garden Manager: Organize events, maintain listserv, communicate with club members,
regulate garden activities, keep track of seed bank
 Garden Apprentices: Similar duties to those of President and other unforeseen duties
 Community Coordinator: Works with community leaders in the community on healthy
food initiatives and partnerships with the Organic Growers of Ithaca College
 Educational Coordinator: Maintain documents (including planting and harvest dates,
crop rotation plans, mapping, etc), assist with operation of listserv
 Treasurer: Maintain financial documents including but not limited to grant applications,
receipts, donations, etc
Section 2 – Members must have participated in one season of on-campus garden work in order to
be eligible to run for election as Garden Manager or Garden Apprentice. Additionally, Garden
Managers should remain in Ithaca for the upcoming growing season (summer) and be able to
maintain duties of other officers if they are present.
Section 3 – Each officer position will last one year from the first of May to the last of April.
Elections will be held before the close of the spring semester and prior to most necessary outdoor
work for that year’s growing season. Current officers are eligible for re-election.
Section 4 – If a current officer need be removed, the other officers have the right to do so by
unanimous decision only.
Section 5 – Officers may give informal reports to members at any meeting, but no written reports
will be required.
Article V – Elections
Section 1 – Election of officers shall be held in the month of March and voted upon by all members
of the organization. Elections will be announced by current officers and candidates can be self-
nominated or nominated by current members of the organization. Each nomination must be
seconded in order to be considered viable. Previous officers will announce results. Election
meetings will be announced in or around April.
Section 2 – If a vacancy in a position should arise, either a current officer or a newly elected, eligible
member may fill said position.
Section 3 – Elections will be determined through voting with a secret ballot to be counted by at
least 2 current officers. While an elected official will ideally be chosen unanimously, a majority of
2/3 will suffice. If no nominee receives a 2/3 majority vote, current officers have the right to
determine the winner.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1 – Meeting times and frequencies will vary with the season. Active members from MayOctober will attend workdays at the garden on Saturdays or Sundays, typically beginning at 10 am
and ending around 2 pm, depending on the amount of work required. At the beginning of the
spring semester, members will attend monthly or bi-monthly meetings during the week to plan for
the growing season. Fall and winter monthly or bi-monthly meetings may resume for planning
purposes as well.
Section 2 – Quorum shall consist of at least all officers, and any number of other members.
Article VII – Advisers
Section 1 – There shall be at least one Ithaca College faculty or staff adviser who shall serve as an
adviser to the organization.
Section 2 – The adviser shall be selected by founders or officers of the garden. This adviser should
be a faculty member who has played or currently plays a prominent or minor role in garden
production, facilitation, or planning.
Section 3 – The adviser will follow responsibilities as laid out in the official Student Organization
Guidebook.
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1 – Committees will be determined if deemed necessary by officers.
Article IX – Dues and Fees
Section 1 – Members need not pay dues.
Section 2 – Outside funds, such as grant money, will be maintained by current officers
(predominantly the treasurer).
Article X – Constitutional Amendments
Section 1 – This constitution may be amended by a unanimous vote, or a 2/3 majority decision if
deemed necessary by current officers. Revisions to the constitution may be proposed by any
member but can only be voted on with approval of Garden Manager. Members will determine date
of effectiveness of changes, as certain alterations will depend on the time of year. Proposed changes
may be addressed at any monthly, bi-monthly, or weekend workday meeting, in the presence of all
officers.
Article XI – Bylaws
Section 1 – Bylaws should relate directly to garden activities.

All members should participate in more than one aspect of the food production process,
which includes planning, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and more.
 Until further notice, the harvest will be shared among members or as determined by officers.
Harvest should occur as a group, with exceptions also determined by officers.
 Types of crops grown shall be determined by officers and discussed with members, but 2/3
of crops should be grown from seeds, and all shall be organic and, whenever possible,
heirloom varieties to be saved. The majority should be comprised of vegetables and native
medicinal plants, but additional crops may include other herbs and flowers.
Section 2 – Additional bylaws shall be adopted through the same process as constitutional
amendments and may be revised by officers. Officers may also add bylaws (if all officers agree), but
the removal of a bylaw must be discussed with all members.