THE EVERGREEN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION WAS ORGANIZED IN 1904. ITS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONTINUES TO MANAGE THE CARE AND USE OF THE CEMETERY. THEY ALSO ASSIST TO ENSURE OUR HISTORIC CEMETERY RETAINS ITS NATURAL BEAUTY. THE BYLAWS WERE UPDATED IN 2024.
Board of Trustees
Gary Cowles, President | Alan Vasey, Vice President | Benjamin Krall, Treasurer | Rebecca Tomasek, Secretary | Peggy Rogers Kraemer | David Micek | Shari Johnson | Lucas Krall | Michael Tomasek
Bylaws
ARTICLE I Nature of the Association
NON-PROFIT. The Evergreen Cemetery Association is a 501(c)13, non-stock, non-profit organization. Its activities shall be limited to (1) owning and selling lots for burial purposes and (2) maintaining the sold and unsold lots and the roads in a suitable state of upkeep and repair. The earnings of the Evergreen Cemetery Association shall be used only (1) to pay the ordinary expenses of operating, maintaining, and improving the cemetery and (2) to provide a reasonable reserve for ordinary and necessary purposes directly related to the operation of the cemetery. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall be to the benefit of any individual.
ARTICLE II Membership
MEMBERS. Every person owning a lot or burial space, or any direct descendent of a person owning a lot or burial space in Evergreen Cemetery, is a member of Evergreen Cemetery Association and shall be entitled to one vote at meetings of members of the Association.
ARTICLE III Governing Body
ELECTION. The property, business, and affairs of Evergreen Cemetery Association shall be governed by a Board of Trustees elected at the annual meeting of the members of the Association or appointed to fill vacancies as needed. They will conduct the regular business of the association at meetings called by the President and are required to review charges annually. The Board of Trustees shall be elected from the membership. BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Board of the Association shall consist of eight members divided into three classes: two classes of three members and one class of two members. One class of trustees shall be elected at each annual meeting of the members of the Association. The term of office of each trustee shall be three years and until a successor is chosen. The Board will have no less than 6 and no more than 12 trustees. FILLING VACANCIES. Any vacancy in the Board of Trustees may be filled for the unexpired term by the vote of a majority of the trustees in attendance at a board meeting called for that purpose. The President votes to break a tie.
ARTICLE IV Meetings
ANNUAL MEETING. The Association members’ annual meeting shall be held on or about the last Monday in April at such time and place as the Board of Trustees shall determine. At this meeting, trustees shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING. Notice of the time and place of the annual meeting of members shall be given by letter, social media, or publishing meeting information in a newspaper with circulation in Menomonie. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President of the Board of Trustees or by a majority of the members of that Board. COMMITTEES. The Board of Trustees may delegate its powers to one or more committees. To the extent provided in the resolution creating a committee, such a committee may exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees when the Board is not in session.
ARTICLE V Officers
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS. The principal officers of Evergreen Cemetery Association shall be a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The same person, in which event the title of such office shall be Secretary-Treasurer, may hold the offices of Secretary and Treasurer. A majority vote of the Board of Trustees shall elect the principal officers. OTHER OFFICERS. The Board of Trustees may elect or appoint other officers and assistant officers as necessary. BONDING. The trustees shall require of the treasurer an adequate bond, the premium for which shall be paid out of the assets of the association. ELECTION. Officers of the Association shall be elected annually by the Board of Trustees and shall hold office until their successors have been elected or until death, resignation, or removal. POWERS AND DUTIES. All Officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of specific directives by the Board, officers shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices. ABSENCES. In the absence of an officer or when any cause shall affect an officer’s ability to serve, the Board of Trustees may delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or a member of the Board.
ARTICLE VI Superintendent
APPOINTMENT. The Board of Trustees shall appoint a cemetery Superintendent with such powers and duties as the Board may from time to time determine. The Superintendent is an employee; however, the Superintendent shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees. AUTHORITY. The Superintendent shall have charge of the cemetery grounds and buildings and shall at all times have complete control of all persons in the cemetery, including employees, lot owners, and visitors. He is empowered to enforce the rules and regulations of the Association and to exclude from the cemetery any person who is in violation thereof.
ARTICLE VII Amendments
BYLAW AMENDMENTS. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members in attendance at any annual meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.