Maine Mall Farmers' Market Association
APPROVED BYLAWS

February 8, 2002
Revised January 10, 2003

SECTION 1 - ORGANIZATION

Article 1.1

The association shall be named the Maine Mall Farmers' Market Association. (MMFMA)

SECTION 2 - PURPOSES

Article 2.1

The purpose of the association is

  1. to provide state of Maine small growers, farmers, and business's with an outlet for the sale of fresh picked and related agricultural products.
  2. to foster an appreciation for Maine's rural resources.
  3. to educate consumers about the benefits of buying locally produced foods and agricultural products.

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SECTION 3 - MEMBERSHIP

Article 3.1

A member shall be any farmer, gardener, baker, or producer of Maine products.

Article 3.2

Members shall be allowed to sell only after paying membership fees. Fees will cover all members of the household unit/business/family. Membership fees are not refunded.

Article 3.3

New members will be accepted by a 2/3 vote of the membership. New members, if approved, can be added to the market at any time.

Article 3.4

Members must be in compliance with all bylaws and association regulations.

Article 3.5

and Members must submit evidence of personal injury and product liability insurance, copies of all required licenses (such as nursery, cider, maple syrup, etc.).

Article 3.6

Each membership has one vote, but all contained within a membership may participate in discussions at meetings.

Article 3.7

Membership can be terminated with a written notice of resignation submitted to the market manager.

Article 3.8


There shall be a full membership meeting annually at which time the officers will be elected, the market regulations reviewed and/or adjusted, and the association bylaws reviewed and/or adjusted. The meeting will be held in the fall following the close of the market but being no later than December 31 of that same year. Notice of the meeting with agenda and proposed amendments will be distributed to all members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Article 3.9

Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by order of the Market Manager or by petition/written consent of at least 1/2 of the membership.

Article 3.10

Members shall develop rules governing market operation and attendance; application forms and criteria; quality control of products sold at the market; and other matters concerning the operation of the Maine Mall Farmers Market Association (MMFMA). Members are expected to attend all meetings and unexplained failure to attend two or more meetings a year may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Article 3.11

The annual membership fee is to be determined at the annual meeting.

Article 3.12

Disciplinary procedures of members are as follows: An officer of the Association must receive a formal complaint about a member.
  1. Upon the officer's determination that a violation of the regulations or bylaws may have occurred, the Market Manager shall give written notice to the violating member of the complaint, the date and nature of the violation, and any corrective action to be taken.
  2. Any member receiving such notice of a violation must correct the violation immediately where appropriate or by the next market day after such notice is received.
  3. Failure to correct the violation, or any additional violation of the same or different regulation or bylaws, brought to the attention of an officer of the Association by his/her own observation, or by another formal complaint, shall result in a hearing of the membership to determine if the violating member shall be expelled or some other sanction imposed.
  4. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed to the membership at least 7 days before the date of the meeting stating the name of the member in question, the nature of the violation and purpose of the meeting.
  5. A quorum of the membership must be present to commence the hearing. The member in question shall have an opportunity as the first order of business to explain his/her actions. This member shall then absent himself/herself from the rest of the meeting after his/her explanation. He/she shall be informed verbally of the decision of the membership by the Market Manager within 24 hours, followed by written confirmation.
  6. After discussion of the violation(s), the membership may, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, expel the member in question from the Association or impose such lesser sanction as may be appropriate.

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SECTION 4 - MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE / OFFICERS

Article 4.1

A management committee comprised of the officers shall administer The association: Market Manager, Assistant Market Manager, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers will be elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the members present for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.

Article 4.2

The duties of the officers will include:

Market Manager
  1. Oversee management of the market
  2. Serve as farmers market liaison or delegate that responsibility to the Maine Mall Management
  3. Direct the activities of the other officers
  4. Preside over all meetings
  5. Determine, in consultation of members, the dates on which meetings are to be held.
  6. Enforce the provisions of the bylaws and all other rules set forth by the association.
  7. Attend all meetings of the association.
Assistant Market Manager
  1. Assist the Market Manager in his/her responsibilities
  2. Act as Market Manager during his/her absence
  3. Attend all meetings of the association
Secretary
  1. Record minutes of all meetings of the association
  2. Maintain an up-to-date list of members
  3. Provide notice of all meetings to members
  4. Attend all meetings of the association
Treasurer
  1. Collect all annual fees for membership and any other money and keep a record thereof
  2. Disburse all expenditures for the association and maintain a record of these expenditures
  3. Attend all meetings of the association
  4. Prepare a financial statement for the annual meeting. Keep books open for inspection by any member.

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SECTION 5 - COMMITTEES

Article 5.1

All standing committees shall be elected by the membership by a majority vote of the members present at the meetings. These committees shall have no special authority to take any action other than to report to the membership, unless such authority is specifically granted in the bylaws, regulations, or further action of the membership by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting. Such committee shall include at least a membership / nominating committee, an executive committee (comprised of the officers), marketing committee, and a quality control committee.

Article 5.2

The Maine Mall management has the right to participate at any committee meeting with the exception of the executive committee.

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SECTION 6 - AMENDMENTS

Article 6.1

The articles and bylaws outlined may be amended in whole or in part by a majority vote of members present at any regular or special meeting, providing that the proper advanced notice of such revision or amendments was made. All amendments will be duly recorded in the minutes of the meeting with copies of revisions being mailed to the entire membership and the Maine Mall management following the meeting.

(Revisions are reflected in italics)

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© 2003 Maine Mall Farmers' Market Association