FRYEBURG FARMER’S MARKET
– MARKET BYLAWS –
ARTICLE 1. NAME
This organization shall be known as the Fryeburg Farmers’ Market (FFM).
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
The mission of the Fryeburg Farmers’ Market is to create, promote, and operate a farmer’s market in Fryeburg Maine that will provide residents access to locally grown fresh food, encourage positive community interaction, and stimulate public interest and awareness in local farm products, thereby supporting and preserving local producers and improving rural life in this area.
The FFM is responsible for setting market rules and guidelines for participating vendors.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
A “member” of the Fryeburg Farmers’ Market shall be any vendor who has been accepted into the organization by vote of the steering committee, has paid the annual membership fee, and has agreed to abide by the established market rules and by-laws.
The right to vote on any matter shall be restricted to members in good standing with the association.
Membership is open to any home gardener, farmer, or other producer qualifying with homegrown or homemade products.
ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS AND STEERING COMMITTEE
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is responsible for overseeing the operation of the market and setting policy for the association.
The Steering Committee shall meet as necessary on call of the Chairperson, or in their absence, the Market Manager. The Steering Committee shall arrange for all meetings, and have general charge of the FFM activities, including power to authorize the Treasurer to pay bills approved by the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee may appoint members to a vacancy on the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is responsible for advertising and promotion of the market.
At request of the Marker Manager or other market member, the Steering Committee shall investigate any suspicion of questionable practices or violation of market rules by any seller. If verified, they are authorized to immediately enforce corrective action, or cancel the offender’s membership.
The Steering Committee may appoint committees as needed.
Officers
Chairperson
The chairperson shall set the agenda and preside at all meetings of the Association and Steering Committee and shall have general supervision of the business of the association.
Market Manager
The Market Manager shall be in charge of collecting daily market fees and maintaining records of attendance. They shall handle immediate situations concerning the market, including resolving conflicts among members/vendors, and resolving consumer complaints.
The Market Manager will ensure the market area stays clean and vendors abide by the market rules; assist vendors in compliance with State and Federal regulations, be authorized to make deposits and write checks in the absence of the treasurer; and at Steering Committee meetings shall attend to the duties of the Chairperson in their absence.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings and send out notices, minutes, and other information to the general membership as directed by the Steering Committee.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have custody of all Association funds; receive and give receipts for monies payable or due; keep a record of all dues and other money received from the market, sign checks only upon authorization of the Steering Committee; and to deposit checks in a timely manner to a bank account authorized by the Steering Committee. The Treasurer shall report on the FFM finances upon request of the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE 5. RECORDS
Each member shall have the right to examine, for any reasonable purpose, the books, records, roster of membership, and other records of the association.
ARTICLE 6. DUES AND LIQUIDATION
The annual dues and daily market fees for the next market year shall be proposed by the steering committee annually. In no case shall the market members be allowed to attend the market without having first paid their annual dues. Daily market fees shall be paid by the end of each market day.
The fiscal year of the association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
In the event of liquidation or dissolution, all remaining funds in the Association’s treasury shall be distributed to current members regardless of chronology of such patronage, on basis of respective patronage contributions as shown on books and in the records of the association, insofar as practicable, and after satisfying all depts and other obligations of the Association.
ARTICLE 7. AMENDMENTS TO THESE BY-LAWS
The articles and by-laws outlined may be amended in whole or in part by a simple majority vote of the steering committee.
Email us at Fryeburgfarmersmarket@gmail.com