SOUTHWARK/QUEEN VILLAGE COMMUNITY GARDEN
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Effective Date: October 1, 2015

I. Definitions. The defined terms below appear alphabetically.

A. Co-Gardener. A Plot may consist of two (2) Co-Gardeners. Co-Gardeners are also considered Garden Members. Only one Co-Gardener may participate in a vote. Plots may succeed to a Co-Gardener in certain circumstances. Effective October 1, 2015, no one may be designated “Co-Gardener.” The status of current Co-Gardeners will not be effected by this change.
B. Emeritus Gardener. Emeritus Gardeners are former Members who can no longer properly care for their Plot because of time limitations, lack of interest, or physical issues. Gardeners may apply for Emeritus status, which will be granted at the discretion of the Garden Council. Former Members granted Emeritus status may keep their keys but do not have voting rights.
C. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee consists of the following Officers: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.
D. Garden Council. The Garden Council consists of the Executive Committee, Row Captains, and the immediate past Chair.
E. Garden Member. A Garden Member shall be defined as any individual or Co-Gardener assigned to a Plot. Effective October 1, 2015, all new Garden Members must selected from the Waiting List. Helpers are not Garden Members.
F. Helper. Garden Members may use the assistance of Helpers to maintain their assigned Plots. Helpers must execute the Garden By-Laws, Rules and Regulations and the Neighborhood Garden Trust (“NGT”) Agreement. Helpers do not have voting rights and may not inherit a Plot through succession. Helpers may only be awarded a Plot through the Waiting List as Plots become available. Helpers may not attend Meetings or Clean-ups in the place of Garden Members without prior approval from the Garden Council. Garden Council may revoke Helper status at its discretion.
G. Inspection Committee. The Inspection Committee consists of at least three (3) members of the Garden Council, including at least one (1) current Officer of the Executive Committee.
H. Officers. Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.
I. Plot. The parameters of each Plot shall be defined by the Garden Council and be clearly identified on the Plot Map. Each Plot will be issued two (2) keys. Each Plot is entitled to one vote.
J. Plot Map. The Plot Map shall be maintained by the Garden Chair(s). The Plot Map shall be updated on an annual basis to reflect current Plot assignments.
K. Row Captains. Row Captains are appointed by the Executive Committee to serve a term of two (2) years. The duties and obligations of a Row Captain are set forth in the Garden By-laws.
L. Waiting List. The Waiting List is maintained by the Executive Committee. Any individual chosen to become a Garden Member must be chosen in accordance with his or her position on the Waiting List.
M. Warning. A Warning is a notice to a Gardener that he or she is in violation of a Garden rule or regulation. All formal Warnings must be in writing and signed by the Chair. Warnings can be delivered in person, by regular mail, or by email if the Garden Member uses email. If a Warning is not remedied or corrected, a Gardener’s Membership may be terminated.

II. Membership Eligibility

A. Effective October 1, 2015, Garden Members must be Queen Village Residents: Delaware River to 6th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
B. Garden Membership is available on a first-come, first-served basis. New applicants are accepted according to Plot availability and position on the Waiting List.
C. The Executive Committee maintains the Waiting List of applicants for membership.
D. Order on the Waiting List is determined by date of application.

III. Minimum Membership Requirements

A. In addition to the Membership Eligibility rules described in these Garden Rules and Regulations, all Garden Members are required to:
1. Annually, receive, acknowledge by signature and follow these Garden Rules and Regulations and Garden By-laws.
2. Review and acknowledge by signature and follow the Neighborhood Garden Trust (“NGT”) Agreement, upon joining the garden or when otherwise required by NGT.
3. Attend at least five (5) Meetings and five (5) Clean-ups (or complete equivalent task time in separate months) per year. Credit is earned at Clean-ups or Meetings per Plot, not per Gardener in attendance.
4. Register for and perform two (2) weeks of watering duty per year, with at least one week during “warm” weather.
5. Pay annual Membership Fees, described more fully below in Section VI.
6. As part of the Garden, Garden Members are strongly encouraged to participate in Garden activities and preparation for special events, such as: the PHS City Garden Contest, fundraisers, festivals, holiday party, special projects, and Fall BBQ.

IV. Garden Membership Termination

A. If a Garden Member or Co-Gardener decides to leave the Garden and forfeit his or her Plot, notice shall be given to Garden Council within four (4) weeks, or as soon as reasonably possible, after the Garden Member knows he/she will be leaving the Garden.
1. Garden Members who voluntarily terminate Garden Membership may apply for Emeritus Gardener status. Applications for Emeritus Gardener Status will be granted at the discretion of the Garden Council.
B. Any Garden Member who does not satisfy the Minimum Membership Requirements or receives two (2) Warnings in a season may result in Membership Termination. Membership Termination under this provision requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
C. Garden Membership may be terminated, at the discretion of the Garden Council, if the Garden Member or Co-Gardener fails to initiate the clearing and planting of an assigned Plot by May 1.
D. Garden Membership may be terminated for any other reason at the discretion of the Garden Council. Termination under this provision requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.

V. Plot Succession

A. In a shared Plot, if one Co-Gardener terminates membership with the Garden, the remaining Co-Gardener may, upon approval of the Garden Council, continue as the sole Garden Member for the Plot. If this situation arises the Co-Gardeners must notify the Garden Council as soon as possible.
B. Once a Co-Gardener becomes the sole Garden Member of a Plot, that Garden Member may not add a new Co-Gardener.
C. Helpers may not inherit a Plot unless she or he is in the next position on the Waiting List.
D. Current Garden Members have first preference to apply for a vacant Plot.
E. Only the Executive Committee may assign or transfer Plots, and should do so based on the expected commitment of the applicants to the goals of the Garden and ability to meet ongoing membership requirements.

VI. Membership Fees and Expenses

A. The purpose of Membership Fees is to pay for the total annual “basic” expenses which include, but are not limited to, water and electric bills, irrigation system operation and maintenance, trash bags and mosquito control.
B. Membership Fees will be reviewed by the Executive Committee on an annual basis. Any adjustments to Membership Fees must be reported to Garden Membership prior to the March Garden meeting.
C. Each Plot is responsible for the payment of Membership Fees on an annual basis. The Membership Fees are to be paid at the March Garden Meeting or as soon afterwards as possible but no later than the April Garden Meeting or at another date arranged with the Executive Committee.
D. Membership Fees are not intended to be a barrier to Garden Membership, and Membership Fees may be reduced or waived for Garden Members based on need, at the discretion of the Garden Council.
E. A $2,000 “rainy day” fund will be kept in reserve for unexpected expenses.

VII. Meetings

A. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except the months of December, January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
B. Location of Meetings October through March will be at an indoor site. From April through September, Meetings will be held in the Garden unless the Chair(s) moves the meeting because of inclement weather.
C. A representative from each Plot, whether a Garden Member or Co-Gardener, must attend five (5) Meetings per season.
D. Garden Members that do not fulfill the meeting attendance requirement, will receive one (1) Warning.
1. Any Plot unable to attend at least five (5) Meetings must inform the Executive Committee.
E. The Executive Committee is to give notice of all Meetings and to provide an agenda at least two days before any Meeting, noting the matters on which a vote will be taken.

VIII. Clean-ups

A. Regular Garden Clean-ups are held the Saturday following a Garden Meeting. Rain dates for Clean-ups will be Sunday following a Garden Meeting.
B. Clean-ups require two hours of work, per Plot, in the common areas as directed by the Clean-up leader and excludes any time spent working on the Garden Member’s own Plot.
C. As an alternative to attending a scheduled monthly Clean-up, Garden Members may perform tasks independently using the task list posted in the Garden shed for a total of two hours per month. Garden Members are to record his/her completed tasks and time to be counted towards the regular Clean-up requirement on the sign-up sheet. Two hours of tasks equal one regular clean-up.
D. All Plots must have a representative present at a minimum of five (5) separate Clean-ups annually (or complete equivalent task time in separate months).
E. Any Plot unable to satisfy the Clean-up attendance policy (or complete equivalent task time) may receive one (1) Warning.
F. A Garden Member’s obligation to attend Clean-ups may be satisfied by a Garden Member or a Co-Gardener, but not a Helper unless approved by the Executive Committee in advance.

IX. Garden and Plot Maintenance

A. Each Plot must be cleared and planting initiated no later than May 1. A failure to clear and plant by May 1 may result in the termination of Garden Membership.
B. A Garden Member is responsible for mulching, weeding and clearing his/her Plot, including the surrounding paths and aisles. A Garden Member must chip the paths bordering the Plot.
1. Garden Members will be notified of any violation of this provision by Row Captains.
2. Any and all violations must be corrected within one (1) week of receipt of such notice.
3. Failure to timely comply without an adequate excuse, as determined in the discretion of the Executive Committee, will result in one (1) Warning.
C. Each Garden Member is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of the Plot by removing noxious or invasive plants, sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants.
1. Any Plot receiving notice from a Row Captain, the Inspection Committee or Garden Council of unhealthy conditions in the Plot must clear the unhealthy conditions within one (1) week of receiving the notice.
2. Failure to timely comply will result in one (1) Warning.
3. Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the Garden Council or Inspection Committee.
D. Use of non-organic or synthetic pesticides or herbicides is prohibited.
E. Any Garden Member unable to maintain a Plot due to circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the Executive Committee.
F. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to the perimeters of a Garden Member’s Plot.
G. The Garden Council will determine if any of the common gardens produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold. All proceeds will be turned over to the Treasurer for benefit of the Garden only.
H. Harvesting of Common Areas: The Executive Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting day(s). Each Garden Member, Co-Gardener and/or Helper may pick only enough fruit for a SAMPLING.

X. Grievance Procedure

A. Grievances should be brought to the attention of the appropriate Row Captain.
B. The Row Captain will attempt to resolve grievances and will convey unresolved grievances to the Executive Committee for resolution.

XI. Garden Conduct and Etiquette

A. Removal or harvesting of any beneficial creatures (e.g., worms) from the Garden is prohibited.
B. No one may climb trees except at the direction of the Executive Committee.
C. Garden Members and/or Helpers may not intentionally damage Plots of other Garden Members.
D. Garden Members and/or Helpers may not prune, harvest, pull out weeds or plants or tend to other Garden Member’s Plot unless specifically invited. Failure to comply with this provision may result in the termination of the Garden Membership of the responsible Garden Member.
E. All Garden Members, Co-Gardeners, Helpers and guests are expected to obey all NGT and Garden Rules and Regulations.
F. Pets brought into the Garden must be restrained on a leash and kept out of Plots. The person responsible for the pet must clean up after the pet.
G. A Garden Member who desires to have a private party on Garden premises must seek approval from Garden Council.
H. Illegal activities within the Garden, by a Garden Member, Helper or any guests of a Garden Member or Helper, will result in the responsible Garden Member’s Garden Membership termination.
I. Violation of any of the Garden Rules and Regulations may result in one (1) Warning.

Acknowledgment

I have read the Rules and Regulations governing Southwark Queen Village Community Garden. I will abide by the Garden By-laws, Rules and Regulations and NGT Agreement. I understand failure to do so may lead to termination of my membership. I further understand that if I give up my membership or my membership is terminated, I must return my key within seven (7) days of membership termination.

Signature: _________________________________________________________
(Please print clearly)

Name:_____________________________________________ Date:__________

Plot No.:____________

Address :__________________________________________________________

Telephone: ( )________ – ______________

Email: ____________________________________________________________
□ I do not use email. Please have my Row Captain contact me when necessary.

 
SOUTHWARK/QUEEN VILLAGE COMMUNITY GARDEN BY-LAWS
I. Name and Purpose

A. Name and Address. The organization described here is officially named ” Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (‘Garden’).” The Garden is located at 311-333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. The mailing address of the Garden is:

Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden
c/o Queen Village Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 63763, Philadelphia, PA 19147

B. Purpose. The Garden, created in 1976, is a space for public gardening, creating and connecting communities and nurturing bio-diversity. The Garden is managed as a gardening park by the Neighborhood Gardens Trust (“NGT”)/ A Philadelphia Land Trust and by the Gardeners. The Garden’s secondary purpose is to be of benefit to the community.
II. Election of Executive Committee

A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following Officers: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.
B. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting. Officers are limited to two consecutive terms on the Executive Committee.
C. In the event an Officer is unwilling or unable to complete a two-year term, the Executive Committee may appoint a replacement to fill unexpired term.
A. The Executive Committee shall implement and maintain the Garden Rules and Regulations.
III. Row Captains

A. One or two Gardeners per row will be appointed by the Executive Committee to serve as Row Captain(s) for a term of two years.
B. Row Captains are required to coordinate and lead one Clean-up per term.
C. Row Captain duties include:
1. Notifying Gardeners in his/her row of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities either by email or by phone, as indicated by the Gardener.
2. Notifying each Gardener on his/her row of any failure to:
a. Keep his/her plot free of weeds and debris; or
b. Keep paths clear and weed free.
3. Handling grievances of Gardeners in his/her row as set out in the Grievance Procedure contained in the Garden Rules and Regulations.
4. Providing row and plot updates to the Executive Committee on a regular basis or as requested.
IV. Garden Council

A. The Garden Council shall consist of the Executive Committee, Row Captains, and the immediate past Chair.

V. Garden Rules and Regulations
A. The Garden Rules and Regulations shall be established, implemented and maintained by the Executive Committee.
B. Rules governing Garden Membership shall be set out in the Garden Rules and Regulations.
C. The Garden Rules and Regulations may be amended from time to time and shall be reviewed annually for accuracy and suitability.
D. The Garden Rules and Regulations shall be read and construed in conjunction with the By-laws.
VI. Sub-Committees
A. By-laws Committee
1. The Garden Council will appoint a By-laws Committee to consider proposed changes to the By-laws as needed.
2. The By-laws Committee will present its recommendations on the By-laws to the Garden Council and Members for review and comment.
3. Only Garden Members can approve changes to the By-laws.
B. Inspection Committee
1. The Inspection Committee consists of at least three members of the Garden Council, including at least one current Officer of the Executive Committee.
2. The Inspection Committee will conduct inspections during the months of May through October to ensure that all plots and aisles are clean, healthy, and free of weeds, infestation, and hazards. Additional inspections may be conducted at the Garden Council’s discretion.
3. The Inspection Committee will notify the appropriate Row Captains of plots or aisle areas that violate the Garden’s Rules and Regulations.
C. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to convene sub-committees as necessary.

VII. Meetings
A. Meetings shall be held once a month, at a time and location to be set by the Executive Committee and described in the Garden Rules and Regulations.
B. The Executive Committee is to give notice and provide an agenda, noting the matters on which a vote will be taken, at least two days before a Meeting.
C. Garden Members must satisfy Meeting attendance requirements in the Rules and Regulations.
VIII. Funding and Expenses

A. Membership fees will be set by the Executive Committee and may be changed from time-to-time depending on the financial needs of the Garden.
B. Each Plot must pay annual Membership Fees for use of the assigned Plot, on a date and time set by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has discretion to reduce the cost of the Membership Fee based on the need of a Member.
C. Membership Fees shall be used to pay for the total annual basic costs, which include, but are not limited to, utilities, irrigation system operation and maintenance, trash bags and mosquito control.
D. Each fall, the Membership Fees for the following year will be determined by taking the current year’s basic costs and dividing it by the number of voting Plots in the Garden. The Membership Fees will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee. Gardeners will be notified prior to the March meeting of the next season.
E. A “rainy day” fund, as described in the Garden Rules and Regulations, will be kept in reserve for unexpected costs.
F. All Garden expenses shall be pre-approved by the Executive Committee.
IX. Voting

A. Each Plot has one vote. If more than one (1) Co-Gardener of a Plot is present at a meeting, the voting Garden Member must be identified upon sign-in of the meeting.
B. Helpers do not have voting rights.
C. All other issues, with the exception of amendments to the By-laws, will be decided by a simple majority of the voting Garden Members present at the Meeting in which the vote takes place (Ex.: If 20 Voting Members are present a simple majority constitutes 11).

X. Amendments

A. A quorum of fifty percent (50%) of Voting Members must be present for any vote to amend the Garden By-laws to take place. A vote of two-thirds of the voting Garden Members present is required to amend the By-laws
B. A Notice of the proposed changes, along with a copy of the changes, shall be provided to Garden Members a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the Meeting at which the vote shall be taken. The amendments shall be read to Garden Members before the close of the meeting.
C. No amendment of the By-laws shall become effective until two weeks after ratification by the Garden Council and communication to all Garden Members.

SOUTHWARK/QUEEN VILLAGE COMMUNITY GARDEN, est. 1976
311 – 333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mailing Address:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden
c/o Queen Village Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 63763, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mission Statement:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (SWQVCG), created in 1976, is a space for public gardening, creating and connecting communities and nurturing bio-diversity. Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden is managed as a gardening park by the Neighborhood Gardens Association / A Philadelphia Land Trust and by the gardeners.

GARDEN BY-LAWS

I. MEMBERSHIP
A. Each plot must have at least one voting member.
1. Plots may be gardened by one (1) or more gardeners. All gardeners must sign the bylaws and must have their names listed on the annual garden plot map. Each plot may have up to two (2) keys. At least one (1) gardener of each plot must be identified as the primary contact for all garden matters.
2. Gardeners’ voting rights and membership responsibilities are defined in terms of their plot’s rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities are as follows:
a. Each plot has one (1) vote on any matter presented to the membership for a vote. If more than one (1) gardener of a plot is present at a meeting, the voting member must be identified upon sign-in of the meeting and
b. Each plot must attend five (5) meetings and five (5) cleanups (or equivalent) per year. Credit is earned at cleanup or meetings per plot, not per gardener in attendance.
c. Each plot must register for and perform two (2) weeks of watering duty per year, with at least one week during “hot” weather.
d. Each plot must renew its membership annually by May 1.
B. Eligibility for Membership
1. First priority will be given to Queen Village Residents: Delaware River to 6th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
2. The Garden Chair(s) maintain the waiting list of applicants for membership. Order on the waiting list is determined first by residency and then by date of application.
3. Applicants are accepted according to plot availability. Current gardeners have first preference to apply for a vacant plot. No household may have more than one plot. The Garden Chair(s) will maintain the plot list of assigned plots. Only the Garden Chair(s), after consultation with the Officers, may assign or transfer plots, and should do so based on the expected commitment of the applicants to the goals of the community garden and ability to meet ongoing membership requirements.
C. Membership Requirements
In addition to the requirements described above, each gardener (in single and in shared plots) is required to:
1. sign the SWQVCG By-laws;
2. meet the Garden Criteria and General Rules described below.
D. Gardener Retirement
If a gardener decides to leave the garden and give up his/her plot, the gardener shall give notice to Garden Council within four (4) weeks, or as soon as reasonably possible, after the gardener knows he/she will be leaving the garden.
E. Plot Secession
In shared plots, if one gardener leaves the remaining gardener may, upon approval of Council, continue as the gardener for the plot. If this situation arises, gardeners must notify Council as soon as possible.
F. Membership Fees
1. The purpose of membership fees is to pay for the total annual “basic” costs which include, but are not limited to, water and electric bills, irrigation system operation and maintenance, trash bags and mosquito control.
2. Each plot is responsible for paying annual membership fees for their plot. The membership fees are to be paid at the March garden meeting or as soon afterwards as possible but no later than April 1 or at another date arranged with the garden officers.
3. Each fall, the membership fees for the following year will be determined by taking the current year’s basic costs and dividing it by the number of voting plots in the garden. The fees will be reviewed and approved by the garden officers and reported at the November garden meeting.
4. It is the intention of the garden membership that dues shall not be a barrier to garden membership.
5. A $2,000 “rainy day” fund will be kept in reserve for unexpected costs.

II. MEETINGS
A. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except the months of December, January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
B. Location of meetings October through March will be at an indoor site; from April through September, meetings will be held in the Garden unless the Chair(s) moves the meeting because of inclement weather.
C. Any plot attending fewer than five (5) meetings per season, March through November, will receive one warning.
1. Any plot unable to attend at least five (5) meetings due to issues outside of gardener control must inform his/her Row Captain.
2. Required meetings are earned per plot, not per gardener.
D. Any Voting Member unable to attend at least five meetings due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.
E. The Officers are to give notice and provide an agenda, noting the matters on which a vote will be taken, at least two days before a Meeting.
F. A quorum of fifty percent (50%) of the plots must be present when an amendment(s) to the By-Laws are presented for a vote. No minimum percent of plots are required when putting non-amendment matters to a vote. As explained in the Membership section above, there is one vote per plot.
G. Except for amending the By-laws, all issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of the Voting Members present at the meeting in which the vote takes place (Ex.: If 20 Voting Members are present a simple majority constitutes 11). The vote of two-thirds of the Voting Members present is required to amend the By-laws, assuming a quorum is present.

III. CLEAN UPS
A.Regular garden clean-ups are held the Saturday following a garden meeting. Rain dates for clean-ups will be Sunday following a garden meeting. Clean-ups require two hours of work in the common areas as directed by the clean-up leader and excludes any time spent working on the gardener’s own plot.
B. For those who cannot complete the required regular clean-ups, a task list and sign up sheet is posted in the garden shed. Members are to record his/her completed tasks and time to be counted towards the regular clean-up requirement on the sign up sheet. Two hours of tasks equal one regular clean-up.
C. A plot which attends less than five (5) clean-ups annually and without performing equivalent task time will receive one (1) warning.
1. Any plot unable to attend five (5) regular clean-ups (or complete equivalent task time due to issues outside of his/her control) must inform the Row Captain.
2. Required clean-ups are attended per plot, not per gardener.

IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting. The holding of an office is limited to two consecutive terms.
B. The officers are: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.

V. ROW CAPTAINS
A. One or two gardeners per row will be appointed by the Chairs to serve as Row Captain(s) for a term of two-years.
B. Row Captain duties include:
1. Making sure each gardener on his/her row keeps his/her garden plot free of weeds and debris and paths are clear and weed free.
2. Making sure no items are stored in any path (except watering cans).
3. Notifying gardeners in your row of special clean-ups and other events.
4. Notifying gardeners in your row without email service of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
5. Resolving gardeners concerns and grievances or bringing them to the attention of the officers if unable to resolve.
6. Coordinating and leading one clean-up per season.
7. Reporting the general health of the row to the Chair(s) on a regular basis.

VI. GARDEN COUNCIL
A. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past Garden Chair(s) will constitute the Garden Council.
B. The Garden Council will serve as the By-laws Committee to consider proposed changes to the by-laws. The Committee will present its recommendations on the By-laws to the Members. Only the Members can approve changes to the By-laws.

VII. GARDEN CRITERIA
A. Each garden plot must be cleared and planting begun no later than May 1 or the plot will be forfeited.
B. Each plot is responsible for mulching, weeding and clearing the plot and the paths surrounding it. Each plot must chip the paths bordering the plot.
C. Each gardener is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of the plot by removing noxious or invasive plants, sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants. Any plot receiving notice from a row captain, the Inspection Committee or Garden Council of unhealthy conditions in the plot must clear the unhealthy conditions within five days of receiving the notice. Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the Garden Council or Inspection Committee.
D. Absence: Any gardener unable to maintain the plot due to circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the Garden Chair(s).
E. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to each individual’s plot.
F.The Garden Council will determine if any of the common gardens produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold. All proceeds will be turned over to the treasury for benefit of the garden only.
G. Harvesting of Common Areas: The Chair of the Orchard Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting day(s). Each gardener may pick only enough fruit for a sampling. Please don’t be greedy.

VIII. INSPECTION COMMITTEE
A. Consists of at least three members of the Garden Council, including a minimum of one current officer.
B. The Committee will conduct inspections in May, June, July and August to ensure that all plots and aisles are clean, healthy, and free of weeds, infestation, and hazards. Additional inspections may be conducted at the Garden Council’s discretion.
C. The Committee will notify the appropriate Row Captains of plots or aisle areas that do not meet criteria and the Row Captains will notify the members whose plots and aisle areas require remediation. Members are expected to reply immediately to such a notice and make arrangements to have the plot and aisle area back to standards within five days of the notice. Failure to comply within five days without adequate excuse, as determined in the discretion of the Chair(s), will result in a warning.

IX. GENERAL RULES
A. As part of the community, gardeners are expected to participate in garden activities and preparation for special events, such as: the PHS City Garden Contest, Fundraisers, Festivals, Holiday Party, Special Projects, and Fall BBQ.
B. Grievances should be brought to the attention of the Row Captain. The Row Captain will attempt to resolve grievances and will convey unresolved grievances to the officers for resolution.
C. Removal or harvesting of any beneficial creatures from the garden is prohibited. No digging of worms.
D. Use of non-organic or synthetic pesticides or herbicides by individual gardeners is not permitted. The Garden Council encourages and prefers gardeners to utilize organic and natural gardening methods.
E. No one may climb trees except at the direction of the Orchard Committee.
F. Gardeners may not damage, prune, harvest, pull out weeds or plants or tend to other gardener’s plot unless specifically invited. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in loss of membership in the Garden. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
G. Guests and children, must be accompanied by a Voting Member or assisting gardener and obey all garden by-laws.
H. Pets brought into the garden must be restrained on a leash, kept out of plots and the person responsible must clean up after the pet.
I. Illegal activities within the garden, by a Member or his/her guests, will result in the Member’s immediate expulsion.
J. Violation of any of the garden by-laws will result in a warning.
K. Any gardener who does not satisfy the Membership Requirements or receives two warnings in a season is eligible for dismissal. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
——————————————————
Southwark Queen Village Community Garden
I have read the by-laws governing Southwark Queen Village Community Garden.
I will abide by the by-laws, rules and regulations of the garden. I understand failure to do so may lead to termination of my membership. I understand that if I give up my membership or my membership is terminated, I must return my key in a timely manner.
Signature: _________________________________________________________
Please print clearly
Name:_____________________________________________ Date:__________
Plot No.:____________
Address :__________________________________________________________
Telephone: ( )____ – ______
Email: ____________________________________________________________
□ I do not use email. Please have my row captain contact me when necessary.
T o be filled out by a representative of the Garden Council
Amount of Dues Paid: __________ Date: __________
Representative’s Initials:________

Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden, EST. 1976
311 – 333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mailing Address:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden
c/o Queen Village Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 63763, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mission Statement:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (SWQVCG), created in 1976, is a space for public gardening, creating and connecting communities and nurturing bio-diversity. Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden is managed as a gardening park by the Neighborhood Gardens Association / A Philadelphia Land Trust and by the gardeners.

GARDEN BY-LAWS

I. MEMBERSHIP
A. Each plot must have at least one Voting Member, who:
1. has one vote on any matter coming before the membership for a vote; and
2. must attend 5 meetings and 5 cleanups (or equivalent).
B. Each plot may have one assisting gardener. If the assisting gardener wishes to be a Voting Member, he or she must fulfill all the obligations of a Voting Member.
C. Eligibility for Membership
1. First priority will be given to Queen Village Residents: Delaware River to 6th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
2. The Garden Chair(s) maintain the waiting list of applicants for membership. Order on the waiting list is determined first by residency and then by date of application.
3. Applicants are accepted according to plot availability. Current gardeners have first preference to apply for a vacant plot. No household may have more than one plot. The Garden Chair(s) will maintain the plot list of assigned plots. Only the Garden Chair(s), after consultation with the Officers, may assign or transfer plots, and should do so based on the expected commitment of the applicants to the goals of the community garden and ability to meet ongoing membership requirements.
D. Membership Requirements
1. In addition to the requirements described above, each Voting Member is required to:
a. sign the SWQVCG By-laws
b. if required, sign the Neighborhood Gardening Association (NGA) Agreement,
c. register for and perform two weeks of watering duty,
d. join and actively participate in a Committee, and
e. meet the Garden Criteria and General Rules described below.
2. Each Member is to renew his/her membership annually at the March meeting.
E. Membership Fees
1. The purpose of membership fees is to pay for the total annual “basic” costs which include, but are not limited to, water and electric bills, irrigation system operation and maintenance, trash bags and mosquito control.
2. The garden members assigned to each voting plot are responsible for paying membership fees for their plot. The membership fees are to be paid at the March garden meeting or as soon afterwards as possible but no later than April 1 or at another date arranged with the garden officers.
3. Each fall, the membership fees for the following year will be determined by taking the current year’s basic costs less the year’s fundraising proceeds designated for “general funds” and divided by the number of voting plots in the garden. The fees will be reviewed and approved by the garden officers and reported at the November garden meeting.
4. It is the intention of the garden membership that dues shall not be a barrier to garden membership.
5. A $2,000 “rainy day” fund will be kept in reserve for unexpected costs.

II. MEETINGS
1. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except the months of December, January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
2. Location of meetings October through March will be at an indoor site; from April through September, meetings will be held in the Garden unless the Chair(s) moves the meeting because of inclement weather.
3. A Voting Member who attends fewer than five meetings per season, March through November, will receive one warning.
4. Any Voting Member unable to attend at least five meetings due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.
5. The Officers are to give notice and provide an agenda, noting the matters on which a vote will be taken, at least two days before a Meeting.
6. The members who have a right to vote who are present at any regularly scheduled meeting will constitute a quorum, except for amending the By-laws, when 50% of the Voting members must be present to form a quorum.
7. Except for amending the By-laws, all issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of the Voting Members present at the meeting in which the vote takes place (Ex.: If 20 Voting Members are present a simple majority constitutes 11). The vote of two-thirds of the Voting Members present is required to amend the By-laws, assuming a quorum is present.

III.CLEAN-UPS
1. Regular garden clean-ups are held the Saturday following a garden meeting. Rain dates for clean-ups will be Sunday following a garden meeting. Clean-ups require two hours of work in the common areas as directed by the clean-up leader and excludes any time spent working on the gardener’s own plot.
2. For those who cannot complete the required regular clean-ups, a task list and sign up sheet is posted in the garden shed. Members are to record his/her completed tasks and time to be counted towards the regular clean-up requirement on the sign up sheet. Two hours of tasks equal one regular clean-up.
a. A member who attends fewer than the required regular clean-ups and does not complete equivalent task time will receive one warning.
b. Any Member unable to attend the required number of regular clean-ups or complete equivalent task time due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.

IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting. The holding of an office is limited to two consecutive terms.
2. The officers are: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.

V. ROW CAPTAINS
1. One or two gardeners per row will be appointed by the Chairs to serve as Row Captain(s) for a term of two-years.
2. Row Captain duties include:
a. Making sure each gardener on his/her row keeps his/her garden plot free of weeds and debris and paths are clear and weed free.
b. Making sure no items are stored in any path (except watering cans).
c. Notifying gardeners in your row of special clean-ups and other events.
d. Notifying gardeners in your row without email service of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
e. Resolving gardeners concerns and grievances or bringing them to the attention of the officers if unable to resolve.
f. Coordinating and leading one clean-up per season.
g. Reporting the general health of the row to the Chair(s) on a regular basis.

VI. GARDEN COUNCIL
1. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past Garden Chair(s) will constitute the Garden Council.
2. The Garden Council will serve as the By-laws Committee to consider proposed changes to the by-laws. The Committee will present its recommendations on the By-laws to the Members. Only the Members can approve changes to the By-laws.

VII. GARDEN CRITERIA
1. Each garden plot must be cleared and planting begun no later than May 1 or the plot will be forfeited.
2. Each Voting Member is responsible for mulching, weeding and clearing his/her plot and the paths surrounding it. Each Voting Member must chip the paths bordering his/her plot.
3. Each Member is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of his/her plot by removing noxious or invasive plants, sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants. Any Voting Member receiving notice from his/her row captain, the Inspection Committee or Garden Council of unhealthy conditions in his/her plot must clear the unhealthy conditions within five days of receiving the notice. Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the Garden Council or Inspection Committee.
4. Absence: Any Voting Member unable to maintain his/her plot due to circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the Garden Chair(s). A Voting Member who requires a temporary substitute gardener who is not a garden member must request permission from the Garden Chair(s). Temporary gardeners must abide by the garden By-laws and the NGA agreement.
5. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to each individual’s plot.
6. The Garden Council will determine if any of the common gardens produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold. All proceeds will be turned over to the treasury for benefit of the garden only.
7. Harvesting of Common Areas: The Chair of the Orchard Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting day(s). Each gardener may pick only enough fruit for a sampling. Please don’t be greedy.

VIII. INSPECTION COMMITTEE
1. Consists of at least three members of the Garden Council, including a minimum of one current officer.
2. The Committee will conduct inspections in May, June, July and August to ensure that all plots and aisles are clean, healthy, and free of weeds, infestation, and hazards. Additional inspections may be conducted at the Garden Council’s discretion.
3. The Committee will notify the appropriate Row Captains of plots or aisle areas that do not meet criteria and the Row Captains will notify the members whose plots and aisle areas require remediation. Members are expected to reply immediately to such a notice and make arrangements to have the plot and aisle area back to standards within five days of the notice. Failure to comply within five days without adequate excuse, as determined in the discretion of the Chair(s), will result in a warning.

IX. GENERAL RULES
1. As part of the community, gardeners are expected to participate in garden activities and preparation for special events, such as: the PHS City Garden Contest, Fundraisers, Festivals, Holiday Party, Special Projects, and Fall BBQ.
2. Grievances should be brought to the attention of the Row Captain. The Row Captain will attempt to resolve grievances and will convey unresolved grievances to the officers for resolution.
3. Removal or harvesting of any beneficial creatures from the garden is prohibited. No digging of worms.
4. Use of non-organic or synthetic pesticides or herbicides by individual gardeners is not permitted. The Garden Council encourages and prefers gardeners to utilize organic and natural gardening methods.
5. No one may climb trees except at the direction of the Orchard Committee.
6. Gardeners may not damage, prune, harvest, pull out weeds or plants or tend to other gardener’s plot unless specifically invited. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in loss of membership in the Garden. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
7. Guests and children, must be accompanied by a Voting Member or assisting gardener and obey all garden by-laws.
8. Pets brought into the garden must be restrained on a leash, kept out of plots and the person responsible must clean up after the pet.
9. Illegal activities within the garden, by a Member or his/her guests, will result in the Member’s immediate expulsion.
10. Violation of any of the garden by-laws will result in a warning.
11. Any gardener who does not satisfy the Membership Requirements or receives two warnings in a season is eligible for dismissal. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
——————————————————
Southwark Queen Village Community Garden
I have read the by-laws governing Southwark Queen Village Community Garden.
I will abide by the by-laws, rules and regulations of the garden. I understand failure to do so may lead to termination of my membership. I understand that if I give up my membership or my membership is terminated, I must return my key in a timely manner.
Signature: _________________________________________________________
Please print clearly
Name:_____________________________________________ Date:__________
Plot No.:____________
Address :__________________________________________________________
Telephone: ( )____ – ______
Email: ____________________________________________________________
□ I do not use email. Please have my row captain contact me when necessary.
T o be filled out by a representative of the Garden Council
Amount of Dues Paid: __________ Date: __________
Representative’s Initials:________

Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden, EST. 1976
311 – 333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mailing Address:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden
c/o Queen Village Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 63763, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mission Statement:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (SWQVCG), created in 1976, is a space for public gardening, creating and connecting communities and nurturing bio-diversity.  Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden is managed as a gardening park by the Neighborhood Gardens Association / A Philadelphia Land Trust and by the gardeners.

BY-LAWS:

I. MEMBERSHIP

A. Each plot must have at least one Voting Member, who:
1. pays an annual membership fee of $15 or $10 for seniors age 60 or older;
2. has one vote on any matter coming before the membership for a vote; and
3. must attend 5 meetings and 5 cleanups (or equivalent).
B. Each plot may have one assisting gardener. If the assisting gardener wishes to be a Voting Member, he or she must fulfill all the obligations of a Voting Member.
C.  Eligibility for Membership
1. First priority will be given to Queen Village Residents:  Delaware River to 6^th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
2. The Garden Chair(s) maintain the waiting list of applicants for membership. Order on the waiting list is determined first by residency and then by date of application.
3. Gardeners have first preference to apply for a vacant plot.  No household may have more than one plot. The Garden Chair(s) will maintain the plot list of assigned plots. Only the Garden Chair(s), after consultation with the Officers, may assign or transfer plots, and should do so based on the expected commitment of the applicants to the goals of the community garden and ability to meet ongoing membership requirements.
D. Membership Requirements
1. In addition to the requirements described above, each Voting Member is required to:
a. sign the SWQVCG By-laws
b. if required, sign the Neighborhood Gardening Association (NGA) Agreement,
c. register for and perform two weeks of watering duty,
d. join and actively participate in a Committee, and
e. meet the Garden Criteria and General Rules described below.
2. Each Member is to renew his/her membership annually at the March meeting.

II. MEETINGS
1. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except the months of December, January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
2. Location of meetings October through March will be at an indoor site; from April through September, meetings will be held in the Garden unless the Chair(s) moves the meeting because of inclement weather.
3. A Voting Member who attends fewer than five meetings per season, March through November, will receive one warning.
4. Any Voting Member unable to attend at least five meetings due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.
5. The Officers are to give notice and provide an agenda, noting the matters on which a vote will be taken, at least two days before a Meeting.
6. The members who have a right to vote who are present at any regularly scheduled meeting will constitute a quorum, except for amending the By-laws, when 50% of the Voting members must be present to form a quorum.
7. Except for amending the By-laws, all issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of the Voting Members present at the meeting in which the vote takes place (Ex.: If 20 Voting Members are present a simple majority constitutes 11). The vote of two-thirds of the Voting Members present is required to amend the By-laws, assuming a quorum is present.

III. CLEAN-UPS
1. Regular garden clean-ups are held the Saturday following a garden meeting. Rain dates for clean-ups will be Sunday following a garden meeting. Clean-ups require two hours of work in the common areas as directed by the clean-up leader and excludes any time spent working on the gardener’s own plot.
2. For those who cannot complete the required regular clean-ups, a task list and sign up sheet is posted in the garden shed.  Members are to record his/her completed tasks and time to be counted towards the regular clean-up requirement on the sign up sheet.  Two hours of tasks equal one regular clean-up.
a. A member who attends fewer than the required regular clean-ups and doesnot complete equivalent task time will receive one warning.
b. Any Member unable to attend the required number of regular clean-ups or complete equivalent task time due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.

IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting.  The holding of an office is limited to two consecutive terms.
2. The officers are:  Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.

V. ROW CAPTAINS
1. One or two gardeners per row will be appointed by the Chairs to serve as Row Captain(s) for a term of two-years.
2. Row Captain duties include:
a. Making sure each gardener on his/her row keeps his/her garden plot free of weeds and debris and paths are clear and weed free.
b. Making sure no items are stored in any path (except watering cans).
c. Notifying gardeners in your row of special clean-ups and other events.
d. Notifying gardeners in your row without email service of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
e. Resolving gardeners concerns and grievances or bringing them to the attention of the officers if unable to resolve.
f. Coordinating and leading one clean-up per season.
g. Reporting the general health of the row to the Chair(s) on a regular basis.

VI. GARDEN COUNCIL
1. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past Garden Chair(s) will constitute the Garden Council.
2. The Garden Council will serve as the By-laws Committee to consider proposed changes to the by-laws.  The Committee will present its recommendations on the By-laws to the Members.  Only the Members can approve changes to the By-laws.

VII. GARDEN CRITERIA
1. Each garden plot must be cleared and planting begun no later than May 1 or the plot will be forfeited.
2. Each Voting Member is responsible for mulching, weeding and clearing his/her plot and the paths surrounding it. Each Voting Member must chip the paths bordering his/her plot.
3. Each Member is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of his/her plot by removing noxious or invasive plants, sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants. Any Voting Member receiving notice from his/her row captain, the Inspection Committee or Garden Council of unhealthy conditions in his/her plot must clear the unhealthy conditions within five days of receiving the notice.  Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the Garden Council or Inspection Committee.
4. Absence:  Any Voting Member unable to maintain his/her plot due to circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the Garden Chair(s).  A Voting Member who requires a temporary substitute gardener who is not a garden member must request permission from the Garden Chair(s).  Temporary gardeners must abide by the garden By-laws and the NGA agreement.
5. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to each individual’s plot.
6. The Garden Council will determine if any of the common gardens produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold.  All proceeds will be turned over to the treasury for benefit of the garden only.
7. Harvesting of Common Areas:  The Chair of the Orchard Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting day(s). Each gardener may pick only enough fruit for a sampling.   Please don’t be greedy.

VIII. INSPECTION COMMITTEE
1. Consists of at least three members of the Garden Council, including a minimum of one current officer.
2. The Committee will conduct inspections in May, June, July and August to ensure that all plots and aisles are clean, healthy, and free of weeds, infestation, and hazards.  Additional inspections may be conducted at the Garden Council’s discretion.
3. The Committee will notify the appropriate Row Captains of plots or aisle areas that do not meet criteria and the Row Captains will notify the members whose plots and aisle areas require remediation. Members are expected to reply immediately to such a notice and make arrangements to have the plot and aisle area back to standards within five days of the notice. Failure to comply within five days without adequate excuse, as determined in the discretion of the Chair(s), will result in a warning.

IX. GENERAL RULES
1. As part of the community, gardeners are expected to participate in garden activities and preparation for special events, such as:  the PHS City Garden Contest, Fundraisers, Festivals, Holiday Party, Special Projects, and Fall BBQ.
2. Grievances should be brought to the attention of the Row Captain.  The Row Captain will attempt to resolve grievances and will convey unresolved grievances to the officers for resolution.
3. Removal or harvesting of any beneficial creatures from the garden is prohibited.  No digging of worms.
4. Use of non-organic or synthetic pesticides or herbicides by individual gardeners is not permitted.  The Garden Council encourages and prefers gardeners to utilize organic and natural gardening methods.
5. No one may climb trees except at the direction of the Orchard Committee.
6. Gardeners may not damage, prune, harvest, pull out weeds or plants or tend to other gardener’s plot unless specifically invited. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in loss of membership in the Garden. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.
7. Guests and children, must be accompanied by a Voting Member or assisting gardener and obey all garden by-laws.
8. Pets brought into the garden must be restrained on a leash, kept out of plots and the person responsible must clean up after the pet.
9. Illegal activities within the garden, by a Member or his/her guests, will result in the Member’s immediate expulsion.
10. Violation of any of the garden by-laws will result in a warning.
11. Any gardener who does not satisfy the Membership Requirements or receives two warnings in a season is eligible for dismissal.  A dismissal requires a majority vote of the Garden Council.

——————————————————

Southwark Queen Village Community Garden

I have read the by-laws governing Southwark Queen Village Community Garden.

I will abide by the by-laws, rules and regulations of the garden. I understand failure to do so may lead to termination of my membership.  I understand that if I give up my membership or my membership is terminated, I must return my key in a timely manner.

Signature: _________________________________________________________

Please print clearly

Name:_____________________________________________  Date:__________

Plot No.:____________

Address :__________________________________________________________

Telephone: (      )____ – ______

Email: ____________________________________________________________

□ I do not use email.  Please have my row captain contact me when necessary.

T o be filled out by a representative of the Garden Council

Amount of Dues Paid: __________            Date: __________

Representative’s Initials:________

Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden, Est. 1976
311-333 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Mailing Address:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden
℅ Queen Village Neighbors Association
P.O. Box 63763, Philadelphia PA 19147

Mission Statement:
Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (SWQVCG), created in 1976, is a space for public gardening, creating and connecting communities and nurturing bio-diversity. Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden is managed as a garden park by the Neighborhood Gardens Association / A Philadelphia Land Trust and by the gardeners.

BY-LAWS

I. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
1. First priority will be given to Queen Village Residents: Delaware River to 6th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
2. Applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis. Order of the waiting list is determined first by residency and then by date of application. The Garden Chair(s) maintains the waiting list. The waiting list will be maintained through March of the following year.
3. Applicants are accepted according to plot availability. Current gardeners have first preference to apply for a vacant plot. Unless approved by the membership, no household may have more than one plot. The Garden Chair(s) will maintain the plot list. Only the Garden Chair(s) may assign or transfer plots.
4. Registration fee per plot is set by the membership of the garden. The membership fee is $15 and $10 for seniors of age sixty or older.
5. Each gardeners is required to pay a registration fee, sign the SWQV by-laws and, if required, the Neighborhood Gardening Association (NGA) agreement and register for two weeks of watering duty. Each gardeners is to renew his/her membership annually by completing the above requirements at the March meeting and in any event no later than the close of the April meeting. A gardener will be bound by these by-laws until the gardeners renews his/her membership or his/her membership ends.

II. MEETINGS
1. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month frp, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except the months of January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
2. Location of meetings October through March will be at an indoor site; from April through September, meetings will be held in the Garden.
3. Each gardener must attend at least five meetings per season, March through November of the same year, to retain membership.
a. Attending less than five results in one warning.
b. Absence: any gardeners unable to attend at least five meetings due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.

III. CLEANUPS
1. Regular garden clean-ups are held the Saturday following a garden meeting.
2. Each gardener must attend at least five regular clean-ups each season to retain membership. Gardeners are expected to attend special clean-ups as part of his/her membership.
3. For those who cannot complete five regular cleanups a task list and sign up sheet is posted in the garden shed. Gardeners are to record his/her completed tasks and time to be counted towards the regular clean-up requirement on the sign up sheet. Two hours of tasks equal one regular clean-up.
a. Attending less than five regular clean-ups or equivalent task time results in one warning.
b. Absence: any gardener unable to attend at least five regular clean-ups due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.

IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting. The holding of an office is limited to two consecutive terms.
2. Each gardener gets one vote.
3. The officers are: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.

V. ROW CAPTAINS
1. One or two gardeners per row will be appointed by the Chairs to serve as Row Captain(s) for a term of two years.
2. Row captain duties include:
a. Making sure each gardeners on his/her row keeps his/her garden plot free of weeds and debris and paths are clear and weed free.
b. Making sure no items are stored in any path (except watering cans).
c. Notifying gardeners in your row without email service of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
e. Resolving gardeners concerns and grievances of bringing them to the attention of the officers if unable to resolve.
f. Coordinating and leading one clean-up per season.
g. Reporting the general health of the row to the Chair(s) on a regular basis.

VI. GARDEN COUNCIL
1. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past Garden Chair(s) will constitute the Garden Council.
2. The Garden Council responsibilities are set forth throughtout the by-laws.
3. The Garden Council will serve as the by-laws committee.
a. A quorum of five committee members is required to pass any by-law recommendation or revision.
b. By-loaw amendments may be proposed by any gardener at any membership meeting or given to any officer for consideration by the committee.

VII. GARDEN CRITERIA
1. Each garden plot must be cleared and planting begun no later than May 2 or the plot will be forfeited.
2. Each gardener is responsible for mulching, weeding and clearing his/her plot and the paths surrounding it. Each gardener must chip the paths bordering hi/her plot.
3. Each gardener is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of his/her plot by removing noxious or invasive plants, sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants. Any gardener receiving notice from his/her row captain, the inspection committee or Garden Council of unhealthy conditions in his/her plot must clear the unhealthy conditions within five days of receiving the notice. Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the Garden Council or inspection committee.
4. Absence: Any gardener unable to maintain his/her plot due to circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the Garden Chairs. If you require temporary substitute gardener that is not a garden member, you must request permission from the garden Chairs. Temporary gardeners must abide by the garden by-laws and the NGA agreement.
5. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to each individual’s plot.
6. The Garden Council will determine if any of the common gardens produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold. All proceeds will be turned over to the treasury for benefit of the garden only.
7. Harvesting of Common Areas: The Chair of the Orchard Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting days. Each gardener may pick only enough fruit for a sampling. Please don’t be greedy.

VIII. INSPECTION COMMITTEE
1. Consists of at least three members of the Garden Council, including a minimum of one current officer.
2. The committee will conduct inspections in May, June, July, August, and November to ensure that all plots and aisles are clean, healthy, and free of weeds, infestation, and hazards. Additional inspections may be conducted at the Garden Council’s discretion.
3. The committee will issue a warning to a gardener whose plot or aisle area does not meet criteria and will also notify the appropriate Row Captain. Gardeners are expected to reply immediately to such a warning and make arrangements to have the garden back to standards within five days of the warning.

IX. GENERAL RULES
1. As part of the community, gardeners are invited to participate in garden activities and preparation for special events, such as: Garden Judging, Fundraisers, Festivals, Holiday Party, Special Projects, and Fall BBQ
2. Grievances should be brought to the attention fo the Row Captain. The Row Captain will attempt to resolve grievances and will convey unresolved grievances to the officers for resolution.
3. Removal of harvesting of any beneficial creatures from the garden is prohibited. No digging of worms.
4. Use of non-organic or synthetic pesticides or herbicides by individual gardeners is not permitted. The Garden Council encourages and prefers gardeners to utilize organic and natural gardening methods.
5. Gardeners may not climb trees except at the direction of the Orchard Committee.
6. Gardeners may not disturb, damage or tend to other gardener’s plots unless specifically invited.
7. Guests and children must be accompanied by a gardener and obey the garden by-laws.
8. Pets brought into the garden must be restrained on a leash, kept out of plots and the person responsible must clean up after the pet.
9. Illegal activities within the garden, by a gardener or his/her guests, will result in the gardener’s immediate expulsion.
10. Violation of any of the garden by-laws will result in a warning.
11. Any gardener who does not satisfy the Membership Requirements or receives two warnings is eligible for dismissal. A dismissal requires a majority vote of the current Officers.

Southwark / Queen Village Community Garden (SW/QVCG) By-Laws (Revised March 2007 by the By-laws committee)
Non-compliance with the By-Laws constitutes a warning. Two warnings will lead to expulsion from the garden.

I. MEMBERSHIP
a. First priority will be given to Queen Village Residents: Delaware River to 6th Street; south side Lombard St. to the north side Washington Avenue.
b.Applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis. Order on the list is determined by date of application. The Garden Chair (or Co-Chairs) maintains the list.
c. Applicants are accepted according to plot availability. A waiting list will be maintained through March of the following year.
d. Each gardener must sign a copy of the Neighborhood Gardening Association (NGA) gardening agreement every five years AND a copy of SW/QVCG By-Laws each year at the March meeting.
e.Current gardeners have first preference to choose either their same plot or apply for a vacant plot.
f.Registration fee per plot is $15.00, $10.00 for senior citizens (60+) payable in person at the March meeting.
Every effort to complete all garden administrative requirements: the signing of garden By-Laws, the signing of the NGA agreement )as appropriate), the payment of your plot fee, and the signing-up for two weeks of watering duty should occur at the March meeting and must be completed not later than the April meeting.
g. Unless approved by membership, no household may have more than one plot.

II. MEETINGS/CLEANUPS
a. Each gardener must attend at least five meetings per season to retain membership.
i. Attending less that five constitutes one warning.
ii. Absence: any gardener unable to attend at least five meetings due to health, or work requirements must inform his/her Row Captain.
b. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8. Except the months of : January and February. If the second Monday needs to be cancelled, the meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
c. Location of each meeting October through March will be at an indoor site; from April through September, each meeting will be held in the Garden.
d. Each gardener must attend at least five regular garden clean-ups per season to retain membership.
i. Attending less than five results in one warning.
ii. Absence: any gardeners unable to attend at least five meetings due to issues outside of his/her control must inform his/her Row Captain.
e. Regular garden clean-ups are held the Saturday following a garden meeting. Rain dates for clean-ups will be Sunday following a garden meeting.
f. For those who cannot make regular Saturday cleanups, a task list/sign up sheet is posted in the garden shed. Completed tasks that you record on this list are counted as a clean-up requirement.
g. Attendance for special clean-ups if needed during the season count towards your five cleanup requirements.

III.ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a. Officers are elected to a two-year term at the March meeting. The holding of an office is limited to two consecutive terms.
b. Each gardener gets one vote.
c. The officers are: Chair(s), Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Sargent –at-Arms.
d. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past garden chair (or Co-Chairs) will constitute the Garden Council.

IV. ROW CAPTAINS
a. One or two gardeners per row will be appointed Row Captain (or Row-Co Captains) and will server a two year term.
b. Row captain duties include:
i. Making sure each gardeners on his/her row keeps his/her garden plot free of weeds and debris and paths are clear and weed free.
ii. Making sure no items are stored in any path (except watering cans).
iii. Notifying gardeners in your row of special cleanups and other events.all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
iv. Reminding gardeners in your row without Email service of all meetings, clean-ups, and other activities by phone.
v. Bringing concerns or grievances of a fellow gardener in your row to the attention of the officers.
vi. Will coordinate in person no less than one clean-up per season.
vii. Will regularly report on the general health of the row to the Chair and Vice-Chair (or Co-Chairs).

V. BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
a. The Vice-Chair (or Co-Chairs) will Chair the By-Laws committee.
b. The officers, Row Captains, and the immediate past garde Chair (or Co-Chairs) will constitute the By-Laws Committee.
c. A quorum of five committee members is required to pass any By-Law recommendations or revisions.
d. By-Law suggestions may be presented by any gardener at any membership meeting or given to any officer for consideration by the committee.

VI. GARDEN CRITERIA
a. Each garden plot must be cleared and planting begun no later than May 1, or the plot will be forfeited.
b. Each gardener is responsible for weeding and clearing his/her plot and the paths surrounding it.
c. Each gardener is responsible for maintaining the ‘health’ of his/her plot by removing sickly plant material, rotting plant materials and/or pest infested plants. Plots with serious infestation may be cleared at the discretion of the inspection committee.
d. Absence: Any gardener unable to maintain his/her plot due to health or work requirements must inform his/her Row Captain.. If you have a substitute gardener you must inform your Row Captain. If you require assistance, you must inform your Row Captain. Substitute gardeners must follow all of the garden by-laws and the NGA agreement.
e. Recycling should be placed in blue containers and put out after 6:00 pm the night before or before 7:00 am the morning of collection.
f. Each gardener is encouraged to mulch all soil in plot. Each gardener must chip paths surrounding his/her plot.
g. Gardening activity and plant growth must be restricted to each individual’s plot.
h. Growing or using illegal substance in the garden will lead to immediate expulsion.
i. Noxious or invasive plants (as identified and posted by the Garden Council in our large shed) must be cleared by the gardener in five days, or thereafter by persons designated by the Garden Council.
j. Pesticide use is not allowed.
k. Only produce/materials grown in a gardener’s own plot may be sold for personal profit.
l. Garden Council will determine if any of the common garden’s produce, materials, or supplies may be donated or sold. All proceeds will be turned over to the treasury for benefit of the garden only.
m. Tree climbing, except by the Orchard Committee, is forbidden.
n. Harvesting: The Chair of the Orchard Committee will determine the harvest dates of all common area fruiting plants and will notify the membership of harvesting day(s).
o. Individual gardeners may pick only enough fruit for a sampling from the arbor and orchards. Please don’t be greedy.

VII. INSPECTION COMMITTEE
a. Consists of at least three members of the Garden Council (see III. d.)
b. The committee will conduct an inspection prior to the June, July and August meeting to see that all gardens and aisles are clean and weed, infestation, and hazard free.
c. The committee may issue a warning(s) to a gardener whose plot does not meet criteria and will also notify the appropriate Row Captain.

VIII. GENERAL RULES
a. As Community Gardeners you are invited to participate in garden activities and preparation for special events, such as: Garden Judging, Fundraisers, Festivals, Holiday Party, Special Projects, and Fall BBQ
b. Grievances should be brought to the attention of the Row Captain. The Row Captain will convey grievances to the Garden Council for resolution.
c. No digging of worms anywhere in the garden.
d. Gardeners must stay out of others’ plots unless specifically invited.
e. Children must be accompanied by and supervised by an adult.
f. Pets brought into the garden must be restrained on a leash (including off-season) and the person responsible must clean-up any droppings, food, etc.
g. Garden plots are not transferable by a garden member.