Rules and By-Laws

GARDEN RULES — September 2024

GARDEN LOTS shall be assigned and maintained in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the By-Laws. A full lot is approximately 17 x 75 feet. The garden lots are not to exceed beyond the boundary markers. Each gardener must leave one foot between lots to create a two-foot clear access between the gardens. 

APPEARANCE is essential to our existence. All garden lots are to be kept neat and free of weeds, rubbish or any other item which may detract from the overall appearance of the area. The neatness includes the one-foot border surrounding the lot. 

BLACK POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC must be used to cover any or all gardens that are not tended for a period of 30 days or more. Grass clippings, mulch and weed blocker are NOT sufficient to prevent weed problems. Clear plastic may be used for a period of 45 days or less to kill nematodes and other pests.

GARDEN REFUSE, weeds and excess vegetation, boards, sticks, pots, boxes, plastic, etc. are to be put into the garden’s dumpster at the entrance to the garden. All items must fit inside with the lid closed.

GARDEN TOOLS and EQUIPMENT belonging to the Club must be cleaned after each use. All tools are free to use except the tillers which may be used by members for a fee of $5.00 for each usage. All tools must be returned to the garden shed upon completion of your garden work.

DON'T WASTE WATER! Only hand sprinkling with a shut off valve is allowed. No vehicle or boat washing. Report any leaking faucets or water lines to an officer of the Club.

GRASS CLIPPINGS ordered from a lawn service must be coordinated through the President or his/her designated person. Any clippings dumped for an individual lot must be removed from the road area within three days. 

BANANA PLANTS in existence must not exceed 6 feet in diameter as a cluster and should not pose a problem to neighboring gardens. If the banana plants are a problem the board asks that the trees be trimmed and/or contained.

TREES cannot be planted on any of the lots without the consent of the Executive Committee. Existing trees as of January 3rd, 2020 will be grandfathered in.  All garden trees (fruit trees) must be trimmed to a height of 15 feet or less.

The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will enforce any non-compliance of the above rules.  

BY-LAWS — January 2025

ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP

A.    To the extent that garden lots are available, all residents of Sun City Center who are members in good standing of the Sun City Center Community Association are eligible for membership in the Tillers and Toilers Club. (Hereafter referred to as the Club.) Any resident of Sun City Center who is in good standing with the Sun City Center Community Association may apply to be a Lot Assignee Member, a Helper Member or a Friend of the Garden.

1.      A Lot Assignee Member is a voting member who has been assigned a garden lot. All Lot Assignee Memberships are household memberships.

2.      A Helper Member is a non-voting member who is helping a Lot Assignee.

3.      A Friend of the Garden is a not a member but may attend social functions.

4.      Persons desiring membership or requesting to be a Friend of the Garden must fill out an application on the Tillers and Toilers Website (https://sites.google.com/site/scctiller).

B. Each member of the Club is expected to support the Club by participating in the activities sponsored by the Club. 

C. To remain a member, Club dues, deposits and assessments must be paid in a timely manner.  In addition, the Lot Assignee and the Helper (if any) must keep the assigned garden lot under annual cultivation, and weeds or other vegetation must be kept under control.  (Refer to Article 5). 

D. Removal of a Member. Any member may be removed from membership in the Club for cause which a majority of the voting members (Lot Assignees) consider sufficient. 

The following process must be pursued to accomplish the removal of a member: 

1. The Club member who recommends the removal of another member must submit the request in writing to the Executive Committee: 

a)      The letter must clearly state the reason(s) for the proposed action.

b)     The letter must be signed by the member bringing the action.

c)      The letter must be endorsed and signed by at least (2) other members of the Club. 

2. A member of the Club may be removed from membership for cause by majority vote of the members present at a duly constituted meeting of the Club. The member under consideration for removal must be notified of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting; and must be allowed time to present an appeal to the members present prior to the vote. A removed member of the Club may, within 30 days of removal, request an appeal hearing to the Club Executive Committee for reinstatement of membership.

3. After one year from the date of removal, the removed member may apply, by letter, to the Executive Committee for reinstatement. If approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, the reinstatement must also be approved by a majority of the members present at a duly constituted meeting of the Club. Any reinstatement of this nature shall be as a new member. 

ARTICLE 2. MEETINGS 

 A. An annual meeting shall be held the first week of January for the election of officers and members of the Executive Committee and for the transaction of other business. The Executive Committee may fix a different date and/or time within thirty (30) days of the scheduled date. Should circumstances require a change in the date and/or time, the Executive Committee shall publicize the change at least 10 days before the meeting; and, if considered necessary, publicized in such ways as the Executive Committee deems desirable. 

B.  Other meetings may be called by the President, or a majority of the Executive Committee as required. Notice of the time, place and purpose of such meetings shall be posted on the bulletin board at the Pavilion at least ten (10) days before the meeting; and, if considered necessary, publicized in such ways as the Executive Committee deems desirable. 

C. Upon a request in writing signed by ten (10) or more Lot Assignee Members of the Club, the President must call a meeting of the membership within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request. 

D. A quorum of at least 20% of the voting membership (Lot Assignees) in good standing is required for the transaction of business at any annual meeting.  

ARTICLE 3. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

A. The officers of the Club must be voting members (Lot Assignees) and shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Manager of the Greenhouse. These five plus two voting members-at-large shall constitute the Executive Committee. The officers and other Executive Committee members shall be elected and installed at the annual meeting in January and shall serve until the election and installation of a new Executive Committee at the next annual meeting. The past President shall serve in an advisory position to the Executive Committee.

B. The President shall preside at all Membership and Executive Committee meetings of the Club. The President shall be ex-officio of all Club committees and will appoint members to such committees. The President shall serve as liaison with all outside organizations including but not limited to the Community Association. The President may appoint a member to represent the Club. 

C. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or inability to serve. 

D. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all membership meetings in a permanent record. A copy of the minutes will be posted in such a place that all members may read them. The Secretary maintains machine readable membership lists, emails, and lot assignment records and must be computer proficient. The secretary shall also submit the required membership list annually to the CA.

E. The Treasurer is charged with receiving and disbursing finds of the Club to ensure the safekeeping of all monies and assets in accordance with sound financial practice. A checking account will be maintained for the operating funds of the Club. All funds will be deposited in a timely manner and support for reimbursements will require a receipt.  The Treasurer shall also be responsible for maintaining fiscal records for the Club in accordance with General Accounting Principles. Financial reports reflecting accurate record of all assets and liabilities shall be prepared quarterly by the Treasurer for the Executive Board and a final year-to-date report for the annual meeting and must be in machine readable format. 

F. Each year in November the President shall appoint-a nominating committee of three (3) lot assignee members to select candidates for each office and Executive Committee membership for presentation at the annual meeting. The names of the committee members shall be posted on the bulletin board by the President prior to the end of November and the nominating committee shall post the names of the nominees on the bulletin board at least (10) days prior to the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. All nominees must have previously agreed to serve if elected. 

G.  The Executive Committee shall appoint a successor to serve out the term of any Executive Committee position that becomes vacant. 

H.  The Executive Committee is responsible for the operation of the Club and is authorized to incur obligations up to a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for any one transaction. A transaction which will require more than one thousand dollars ($1,001) must be approved by the membership at a regular or called meeting. A startup fund of $1000.00 to be granted for the Club’s annual Fun Fest Activity is the exception.

 I. If the Club is dissolved, distribution of cash is to go to another 501, (C) organization, such as the CA. 

J. The Club will adhere to all CA rules and procedures. 

ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP YEAR 

The membership year is January 1 through the following December 31. The fiscal year shall be the same as the calendar year. 

ARTICLE 5. GARDEN LOTS 

A. All lots shall be assigned under the direction of the President. The date of application shall determine the order of assignment of lots when lots are not immediately available at the time of application. Anyone on the waiting list is obligated to inform the President in writing when they will be out-of-town and when they return. If a lot becomes available while they are away, the next person on the list who is in town shall be assigned the available lot and the person out-of-town will keep his/her place on the waiting list and become eligible for the next available lot upon their return to Sun City Center. No second lots, full or half will be assigned to a Lot Assignee Member who already has a full lot unless there is no waiting list. A full lot is approximately 17 feet by 75 feet. Each gardener must leave one foot between lots to create a two-foot clear access between the gardens. Lot Assignee Members who are already assigned a half lot and wish to have a full lot shall apply to the President in writing for the next available full lot. Current Lot Assignee Members will be given priority for full lots even if there is a waiting list. At the time of assignment of a full lot the Lot Assignee Member shall relinquish their half lot or Mini Plot. 

B. Half lots are acceptable and must be one half of the full lot. The lot must be staked off. There shall be a water line extended to the middle of the full lot and shall be installed by a qualified person who is acceptable to at least two members of the Executive Board. Each gardener must leave one foot between lots to create a two-foot clear access between the gardens. Half lot holders are Lot Assignee Members, pay full dues and have a full vote at Club meetings. Helper Members who are assigned to help a Lot Assignee Member on their lot have the right of first refusal on that lot should something happen to the Lot Assignee. The Helper Member must have been assigned to help on that lot for a period of six months or more to have first refusal. Referencing adjoining half lots, should one person give up his half, the adjoining Lot Assignee Member has the right of first refusal for acquiring that half thereby establishing a full lot. 

C. A Mini Plot is defined as a one-half lot divided into smaller portions by the Club. Mini-Plot Assignee Members who have applied in writing will have first refusal of a half lot but must give up their Mini-Plot.

D. With the acceptance of the assigned lot each Lot Assignee Member is responsible for the neat appearance of the lot and one-foot access. Black polyethylene plastic must be used to cover any or all gardens that are not tended for a period of 30 days or more. Clear plastic may be used for a period of 60 days or less prior to planting to kill nematodes and other pests.

Garden Lots not cultivated or have an excess growth of weeds, (including the one-foot access on each side of the lot) and reviewed by the Garden Executive Committee and deemed unacceptable will be notified by the following protocol. It is the responsibility of the Lot Assignee to communicate with any helper assigned to help on the lot that is considered unacceptable.

1.      First Notification – An email will be directed stating that within five (5) calendar days cleanup of the Lot Assignee is expected to be completed.

2.      Second Notification – A phone call (follow up with email if not reached) to the Lot Assignee and five (5) additional calendar days will be allowed for cleanup to be completed.

3.      Third Notification – A certified letter will be mailed to the Lot Assignee and will be given five (5) final days to clean up the lot. If this is not accomplished in accordance with the notice, the lot becomes available for reassignment and the deposit on the lot is forfeited. An email will be sent to the Lot Assignee Member stating that he/she has forfeited the lot.

 E. When a lot is given up or taken back by the Club it becomes immediately available for reassignment by the President. ONLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB or his/her Appointee MAY ASSIGN LOTS. 

F. The Lot Assignee Member of any lot may not reassign it himself nor share it with another person unless that person is an official Helper Member for that lot. Only the President can accept a resignation from a Lot Assignee Member.

G. Each lot shall have a sign in front showing the lot number. The front of the lot is the end with the water line access. 

H. Grass and compost piles, toolboxes and other structures shall be within the lot boundaries. No structure or building of any kind except toolboxes, and no fences shall be erected unless approved by the President or his/her designated Appointee.

I. Trees cannot be planted on any of the lots without the consent of the Executive Committee. Existing trees as of January 3rd, 2020 will be grandfathered in.  All trees must be trimmed to a height of 15 feet or less. 

 ARTICLE 6. DUES, DEPOSITS AND ASSESSMENTS

 A. The annual membership dues for a full lot or a portion of a lot can be changed by the Membership at a regular or called meeting

B. Dues for Lot Assignee Members are twenty dollars ($20) per year due on January 1st. Dues for Helper Members are five dollars ($5) due on January 1st. Anyone whose dues are not paid by January 31st can lose their garden, garden rights, deposit and Club Membership as determined by the Executive Committee. Final loss of garden will be determined by the Executive Committee.

C. Initial dues, deposits and assessments are to be paid upon assignment of a lot. Initial dues shall be $20.00. 

D. ln addition to the annual dues and assessments all Lot Assignee Members joining the Club after January 1, 2025 shall make a deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00). This Deposit will be returned when the Lot Assignee gives up the lot provided the lot is in a condition acceptable to the Executive Committee and the Lot Assignee Member requests the refund deposit. 

E. Should it become necessary for any reason to obtain additional funds to finance the Club activities during the membership year the Executive Committee must call a meeting of the Club members to consider the need. This type of assessment requires approval by favorable vote of a least two thirds (2/3) of the voting (Lot Assignee) members. 

ARTICLE 7. DISTRIBUTION OF BY-LAWS 

A. Current By-Laws and the Garden Rules are available on the Tillers and Toilers website and copies will be available on request.

B. Each member of the Club is to be notified as soon as possible whenever the By-Laws and Garden Rules changes are approved as provided in Article 8. The full By-Laws and Garden Rules will be available on the Tillers website (https://sites.google.com/site/scctiller).  Printed copies will be available on request.

 ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENTS 

A. Amendments may be considered at any general or special meeting provided the amendments have been endorsed by twenty of the voting members (Lot Assignee Members) of Tillers and Toilers and submitted in writing to the Executive Board or have been endorsed by a majority vote of the Executive Board at least (30) days in advance of such meeting. The Executive Board shall notify all voting members in writing of the proposed changes thirty (30) days before the general or special meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of voting members attending the meeting is required at a duly called meeting with a quorum present in order to amend or repeal these By-Laws. Each household shall have one (1) vote and only voting members in good

After changes have been adopted by the membership, a copy of the updated By-Laws is available for each member on the SCCTillers and Toilers website by entering “SCCTillers By-Laws” in a search engine. Printed copies will be available on request.

These By-Laws were adopted at a duly convened meeting of the Club on January 29,1985 and amended at a duly convened meeting of the Club on November 04,2002, January 06, 2004, May 18, 2004, February 22, 2007, January 06, 2009, January 05, 2013,January 04, 2020, April 30, 2022 and January 6, 2024. In the time of Covid-19 restrictions, these By-Laws were amended by an email vote on December 01, 2020,these By-Laws were amended by an email vote on December 01, 2020. These By-Laws were amended by a duly convened meeting of the members on April 30, 2022. These By-Laws were amended by a duly convened meeting of the members on January 6, 2024. These By-Laws were amended by a duly convened meeting of the members on January 4, 2025.