SMA/UCFS Members present at the Annual Member Meeting being held on November 19th at 5:00pm in Chicago, IL will be asked to vote on the Amendment below.
The vote is needed in order to clarify the Society of Municipal Arborists (d.b.a. the Urban and Community Forestry Society) Articles of Incorporation, which is filed in the State of Ohio. A clerical update is needed in order to clarify the tax-exempt status of SMA/UCFS. In the current Articles of Incorporation, the organization is listed as a 501(c)3. However, the organization is actually filed as a 501(c)6 with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is filing error from the early days of the Society, which needs to be addressed now. The Amendment proposed will clarify this tax-exempt status and will be filed with the State of Ohio.
SMA’s bylaws and articles are silent on the issue of amendments to the articles, so Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1702.38 controls the process for amendment to SMA’s Articles of Incorporation, which statute provides in subsection (C)(2): “The voting members present in person, by use of authorized communications equipment, by mail, or, if permitted, by proxy at a meeting held for that purpose, may adopt an amendment by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present if a quorum is present or, if the articles or the regulations provide or permit, by the affirmative vote of a greater or lesser proportion or number of the voting members, and by the affirmative vote of the voting members of any particular class that is required by the articles or the regulations.”
Please review the information provided below.
Click below to review the current Articles of Incorporation for the Society of Municipal Arborists (d.b.a. The Urban and Community Forestry Society).
Click the button below to review the proposed Amendment to SMA/UCFS’s Articles of Incorporation.
This Amendment will be voted on by the members present at the Annual Meeting being held November 19, 2024 at 5:00pm central time.
Monday, November 17 from 1:00-4:00pm
To join us, add the tour with your registration!
Join the Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) and the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation for a half-day bus tour exploring how urban forestry practices are evolving to meet the challenges of a hotter, drier climate. This tour is designed for practitioners, planners, and policymakers interested in practical, replicable strategies for building climate-resilient urban landscapes with limited water resources.
Throughout the tour, we’ll explore how cities can proactively adapt to aridification by redesigning public spaces, rethinking irrigation systems, and collaborating across departments and with community partners. Expect a balance of big-picture strategy and actionable detail.
Featured Tour Stops and Highlights:
🌿 Turf Removal & Tree Replacement at Community Parks
See how traditional grass lawns are being replaced with water-smart landscapes by the City of Henderson. At one park site, learn how a communication challenge over tree removals evolved into a model of public engagement, resulting in more—and better—trees planted with long-term resilience in mind.
🦉 Bird Preserve and Partnership with Audubon Society
Explore a vibrant bird preserve developed through a partnership between the City of Henderson and the local Audubon Society. Discover how external collaborations can unlock funding (including grants) and expand habitat while boosting urban canopy goals.
🚧 Street Diet and Green Infrastructure
Visit a transformed urban street where pavement removal made way for tree planting pits and green infrastructure. This site demonstrates how every tree in Henderson is planted with a sustainable irrigation plan—and how all cities can innovate in the right-of-way.
💧 Irrigation Systems & Incentive Programs
Get practical insights on installing and maintaining efficient irrigation systems in challenging settings. Learn how internal and external partnerships (including with the Southern Nevada Water Authority) are creating incentives that drive real change toward water-wise tree planting and landscaping.
What You’ll Take Home:
Special Guests:
We’ll be joined on the tour by guest speakers from the, local Audubon Society, City of Henderson Sustainability Office and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, who will share insider perspectives on interagency collaboration and the mechanics of water incentive programs.
