The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation thanks you for visiting our site. If you have any questions about the station or foundation, please contact any of the directors or the station staff.
The NWMHRS brings together a unique blend of MSU research and Extension programming combined with the active participation of the fruit industry and excellent support from MDA. This station puts the University at the focal point for information for both Northwest Michigan's fruit industry and the tart cherry industry throughout Michigan, North America and the world. There is a great sense of pride and support from the fruit industry in the research and extension activities conducted at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station.
Please consider making a donation to the foundation to help further horticultural research in NW Michigan.
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation
6686 S. Center Hwy
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone (231) 946-1510
Fax (231) 946-1404
Email: contact@nwmihort.orgNW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation Annual Meeting - 2010
By Gary Bardenhagen, PresidentThe 2010 Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 20th at 9 a.m. in the Governor's Hall at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme during the NW Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show.
The agenda will include the election of directors (3 for a 3 year term each) as well as a vote to restate the Articles of Incorporation.
The Foundation has been working under the original Articles of Incorporation since its inception in 1978. The Board formed a committee earlier this year to review the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to bring them into conformance with all state and federal laws as well as the practices of the board. The committee worked with the Foundation's legal counsel to make the needed revisions. At the June 4th meeting of the Board, a motion was passed to bring the recommendations to the membership at the 2010 Annual Meeting during the Orchard and Vineyard Show in January.
The first step needed is to file a "Restated Articles of Incorporation" with the State of Michigan. The modifications to the Articles will make them consistent with all of the legal requirements under Michigan and federal law. One additional change to the Articles of Incorporation is a move to a directorship organization from a membership organization. This recommendation will not change the purpose or mission of the Foundation, nor will it change the way in which its responsibility remains to the fruit industry. It will, however, ease and bring into compliance the way the Board is able to operate the Foundation for the industry. Here is a quote from Rachel Brochert Roe of Smith, Haughey, Rice and Roegge regarding this change.
"It should also be noted that when the Articles of Incorporation were filed in 1978, the only option available to nonprofit organizations was to form as a membership organization. The concept of a directorship-based organization was not introduced until the 1980s. Since that concept was introduced, I would estimate that 90% of all nonprofits are established as directorships because it is seen as a much more efficient way of operating an organization."
Here is a link to see the Restated Articles for the Foundation. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 231-271-0072 or the Research Station at 231-946-1510
Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, contact@nwmihort.org
Last Revised: 12-28-09