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Wyandotte County Farm Bureau 2026 proposed by-laws changes

Below are the existing WYFB by-laws, with the proposed changes for the 2026 Annual Meeting marked in red for your review

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BY-LAWS OF

THE WYANDOTTE COUNTY FARM BUREAU ASSOCIATION 

ARTICLE I 

NAME AND LOCATION 

Section 1.  The name of this association shall the THE WYANDOTTE COUNTY FARM BUREAU ASSOCIATION and its headquarters shall be in WYANDOTTE County

KANSAS CITY, State of Kansas.

  

ARTICLE II

 

OBJECTS AND PURPOSES

 

It shall be the general object and purpose of this association

 

Section 1.  To promote the development of the most profitable and permanent system of agriculture; the most wholesome and satisfactory living conditions; the highest ideals in home and community life and a general interest in the business of farming and in rural life; and to encourage active citizenship responsibility in local, state, national and international affairs.

 

Section 2.  To affiliate with or become a member of The Kansas Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation.  Subscribe to, become a member of, sponsor or cooperate with any other association, educational institution or any department, bureau, board, division, or agency of the United States government, or state government, or any agency or a political subdivision thereof, whose objects are all together, or in part, similar to those of this association.

 

Section 3.  To conduct research and inquiry into the fields of agriculture, industry, commerce, marketing and transportation, and into economic conditions; to disseminate information in respect thereto; to make public from time to time the results of its investigation and to provide for the publication of its reports.

 

Section 4.  To study proposed and pending matters of Federal and State legislation, particularly those affecting agriculture and the marketing of agricultural products.

 

In addition to all of the foregoing to do any or all of the things and exercise all of the privileges and powers mentioned in the Articles of Incorporation.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.  Qualifications – Voting Members.  Persons or families engaged in the production of agricultural products including the lessees and tenants of lands used for the production of such products and any lessors and landlords who receive as rent part of the crops raised on the leased premises, and other farm landowners having a direct financial interest in the agricultural products produced on such land, shall be eligible for voting membership in this association.  Any such person or family may make application to become a member of this association and if accepted shall, upon the payment of the membership dues, hereinafter specified, be entitled to the rights and privileges of membership.  Voting membership shall be either on an individual basis or on a family basis.   Both husband and wife spouses shall have voting privileges, but each shall cast his or her their vote individually.  The term “family” as used herein shall mean husband and wife spouses, or either or them, and their minor children residing in their household.  A family shall be considered as one member.  Minor children shall not have the right to hold office or vote unless they individually are voting members and pay dues as such.

 

Section 2.  Associates.  Cooperative associations which are organized under The Cooperative Marketing Act, K.S.A. 17-1601 et seq. and bona fide employees thereof or corporations associations which are subsidiaries of or affiliated with this association and particular business and objects of this association and desiring to aid in the furtherance of such business or objects, but not qualified for voting membership, shall upon payment of the annual dues provided in Article IV of these by-laws be eligible for membership as associates.  Such associates shall not be entitled to vote or to hold elective office.

 

Section 3.  Transfer of Membership.  Each member shall be entitled to a Certificate of Membership signed by the Secretary of this association.  Membership shall not be transferable by assignment or sale or by transfer to heirs or assigns.

 

Section 4.  The Board of Directors of this Association may reject any application for membership or may cancel any such membership, provided that two-thirds of the elected members of the Board of Directors shall vote in favor of the rejection of such application or cancellation of such membership.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

DUES

 

Section 1.  The annual dues for voting membership in this association for either a family or single individual, as well as for associates, shall be $45.00 $55.00, beginning with the October 1, 2018 2025 Membership Billings, payable in advance.  Out of the aforesaid membership dues there shall be paid to The Kansas Farm Bureau, the annual dues fixed by its voting delegates for each paid-up membership of this association.  “In the event the Kansas Farm Bureau, Inc. shall increase its membership dues to the Wyandotte County Farm Bureau, whether by amendment to its bylaws or by automatic increase resulting from an increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation dues, such increase shall be automatically passed on to the Wyandotte County Farm Bureau members.”

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

MEETING OF MEMBERS

 

Section 1.  The annual meeting of the members shall be held anytime from July 1 through November 30 of each year with the time and place to be selected by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall have a right to call a special meeting of the members at any time.  Ten percent of the membership having voting rights may file a petition stating the specific business to be brought before the association and demand a special meeting at any time.  Upon the filing of such petition the Board of Directors shall call such special meeting.

 

Section 2.  Electronic Meetings. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the annual meeting of the members shall be held partially or solely by electronic means; provided, however, that on such conference telephone or video call, all voting members participating in the meeting can hear each other and communicate simultaneously. Participation in a meeting held by electronic means shall constitute presence of the voting members at the meeting.

 

Section 3.  Notice.  Notice of all meetings, together with a statement of the purposes thereof, shall be mailed to each voting member at least ten days prior to the meeting.

 

Section 4.  Quorum.  Those present holding voting membership in this association shall constitute a quorum at all regular and special meetings.

 

Section 5.  No person shall be allowed to vote by proxy or by mail.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.  Number and Authority.  The business and property of this association shall be managed and controlled by a Board of Directors consisting of 10 voting members, including the County Woman Chairman.   At the annual meeting of the members, one-half or approximation thereof said directors shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and the remaining one-half or approximation thereof shall be elected for a term of three (3) years.  And thereafter at each annual meeting one-half or the approximation thereof of said directors shall be elected for terms of three (3) years each and until their successors are elected and qualified.  The Board of Directors may serve up to six (6) terms of three (3) years each or a total of 18 years.  The position of County Woman Chairman by her authority as “Voting Delegate” shall assume the duties and responsibilities as a voting member of the Board of Directors.  No director shall be permitted to succeed himself more than once without the lapse of an interval of at least one year between terms, provided, however, that neither the election nor the appointment of a director to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall disqualify the said director from being elected to serve two full terms thereafter.  

 

Section 1. Number and Authority - The business and property of this association shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors consisting of 10 voting members, including the County Woman Chairperson. Each director will be elected for a three (3) year term and can serve two (2) consecutive terms (6 years continuous). In addition, a one (1) year lapse will be required after the second term before an individual may be re-elected to the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  Qualifications.  The members of the Board of Directors must be voting members of this association in good standing.  No director or officer may be a regularly paid or salaried employee of this association, other than its Secretary, or a paid or salaried employee of agent in regular and continuing employment of or working on a commission basis for an associated or subsidiary company of this association or The Kansas Farm Bureau or the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, Inc., or The Kansas Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Inc.  When a member of the Board of Directors shall cease to be eligible for such office a vacancy shall immediately occur.

 

Section 3.  Eligibility of Officers and Board of Directors.   A person holding a partisan elective or appointive or salaried office in the County, State or Federal Government shall not become an officer or member of the Board of Directors of this association while holding such office.  Any officer or member of the Board of Directors of this association who shall become a candidate for a partisan elective office in the County, State or Federal Government shall be considered as having resigned from said position in this association and shall be automatically dropped form his position.

 

Section 4.  Meetings.  The Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable after the annual meeting of the County Farm Bureau Association for election of officers of the association and for the transaction of any other business.  Such boards shall meet in regular session as often as may be necessary to conduct the business of this association.  The regular meetings of such board shall be held on such dates and such time and place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.  Electronic Meetings. Any meeting may be held partially or solely by electronic means; provided, however, that on such conference telephone or video call, all Board members participating in the meeting can hear each other and communicate simultaneously.

 

Section 6.  Special Meetings.  Special Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President at any time or shall be called by him or her the President upon request in writing signed by not less than one-third of the entire number of members of the Board of Directors.  Notice of meeting shall be given in such manner as the board may from time to time determine.

 

Section 7.  Quorum.  A majority of the members of the Board of Directors Directors, participating in person or via remote, electronic, or virtual means, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business of this association.  A minority of the members of the board present at any meeting may, in the absence of a quorum, adjourn to a later date.  

 

Section 8.  Failure to Attend Meetings.  Continued failure on the part of a member of the Board of Directors to attend either regular or special meetings of the board may, at the discretion of the board, be determined sufficient cause to remove any such member from office and declare a vacancy, but such action shall be by the vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire number of the duly elected members of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 9.  Vacancy.  In case of any vacancy in the Board of Directors or officers through death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise, the remaining members of the Board of Directors, though less than a quorum, may elect by majority vote a successor, having the qualifications herein prescribed for directors, to hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office of the director or officer whose place shall be vacant.

 

Section 10.  Duties of the Board of Directors.  

(a)   The Board of Directors shall have all of the powers and duties regular and customary to Board of Directors of corporations, including the supervision and direction of the financial and business affairs of this association and the preparation of an annual budget for provision for adequate reserves to insure financial stability of the organization.

            (b)  Recognizing that membership is fundamental to the success of this association, the board shall strive constantly to secure and maintain a membership which shall include all agricultural producers in the county.

 

            (c)   They shall annually review the activities of the past year and outline a general program of the County Farm Bureau to be carried out during the ensuing year.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

VOTING DELEGATES

 

Section 1.  The voting members of this association shall, at the annual meeting, elect from the voting membership as many voting delegates as the association shall be entitled, by virtue of the bylaws, rules and regulations of The Kansas Farm Bureau, to have represent it at any annual or special meeting of the members of The Kansas Farm Bureau.  The voting members shall elect as one of the official voting delegates a woman who shall also serve as the County Farm Bureau Woman Chairman.  She may be either one of the delegates allotted to this association by The Kansas Farm Bureau based on total membership, or as an added delegate depending upon the bylaws of said Kansas Farm Bureau, Inc.   Those nominees receiving the highest number of votes for the remaining number of positions to be filled, together with the County Farm Bureau Woman Chairman, shall be considered the official delegates of this association in all official meetings of The Kansas Farm Bureau.   The voting members shall likewise elect an alternate for each official voting delegate.  The Board of Directors shall have the right to fill any vacancy in the position of official voting delegate or alternate.  The official delegates so elected, including the County Farm Bureau Woman, shall serve for a term of one (1) year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES

 

Section 1.  Officers.  The officers of this association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary and a Treasurer, which offices may be combined and designated as Secretary-Treasurer.

 

Section 2.  Election of President and Vice President.  At the annual meeting of the members and after the election of the directors for the ensuing year, the voting members shall nominate and recommend to the Board of Directors a President and a Vice President from among those persons who have been duly elected as directors for the ensuing year.  Following the meeting in which the President and Vice President have been nominated by the voting members, the Board of Directors of this association shall meet, organize and elect from among their number a President and Vice President of the association, both of whom shall hold their respective offices for a term of one (1) year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

Section 3.  Election of Secretary and Treasurer.  The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined and one person may hold said office and shall be designated as Secretary-Treasurer.  Such Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected by the Board of Directors from its own membership.   Such Secretary-Treasurer shall hold office for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

Section 4.  The President.  Shall:

 

Section 5.  The Vice President.  It shall be the duty of the Vice President that if at any time the President shall be unable to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of President as listed under duties of President.  Should the Vice President also be unable to perform these duties, the board shall appoint a director to do so.

 

Section 6.  The Secretary-Treasurer.  It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer:

 

 

ARTICLE IX

COMMITTES

 

Section 1.  Executive Committee.  The Board of Directors shall appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the President, the Vice President and one other member of the Board.

 

The Executive committee shall exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the board, such duties and powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors, and subject to the general direction, approval and control of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  The President shall appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the standing committees including a Policy Development Committee, Policy Execution Committee, a Commodity Committee, and a Membership Committee, and any special committees necessary for the routing routine transaction of business.

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

BYLAWS

 

Section 1.  The voting memberships shall have authority by a majority vote to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the association whenever determined necessary or expedient in any manner consistent with the statutory authority under which this association was established provided, notice in writing of the proposed changes have been given to all voting memberships at least 10 days previous to the time of meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1.  Members not liable for debts.  The private property of any member, officer and/or director of this association shall not be liable for the debts of the association.

 

Section 2.  Rights of Membership in Property Equal.  All memberships of this association shall have equal rights in the property of the association.

 

Section 3.  Annual Review. There shall be an annual review of the financial affairs of the association by a qualified individual.

 

Section 4.  Seal.  This association shall have a seal bearing thereon the words: “The Wyandotte County Farm Bureau Association.”

 

Section 5.  Checks, etc.  All checks, drafts and orders for payment of money must be approved by the County Board and shall be signed in the name of the association and shall be countersigned by two members of the Board of Directors or one member of the Board of Directors and the County Coordinator as designated for that purpose.

 

Section 6.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of this association shall commence on the 1^st day of July and end on the 30th day of June of each year.

 

Section 7.  Order of Business at Meetings of Members.   The order of business at meetings of members shall be as follows: