The following is an example of bylaws for a typical neighborhood association. Certain clauses and phrases may or may not be applicable to all associations, e.g., names and numbers of officers should be determined by the needs of the individual organizations.
THIS IS ONLY A SAMPLE!
BYLAWS
BYLAWS OF _________________________ ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP
A. The membership of this association shall be residents, property owners or businesses within the neighborhood.
B. A Voting Member shall be a household or business within the boundaries of the neighborhood. Each household or business within the neighborhood shall be entitled to one vote.
C. Dues will be determined by the voting members. Yearly dues are to be $_____ per voting member.
D. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of views or opinions contrary to the goals and purposes of the association.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS
Two suggested options for the election of officers are: 1. The voting members of the neighborhood association shall nominate and elect the officers of the association, or 2. The voting members of the neighborhood association shall elect a Board of Directors who will then appoint officers of the neighborhood association. The officers of this association shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting. The officers of the association shall be President (or Chairperson), a Vice President (or Vice Chairperson), a Secretary (or Secretary/Treasurer), a Treasurer and an Historian, if deemed appropriate. The officers of the association will comprise the Board of Directors.
A. The President (or Chairperson) shall call and preside at all meetings, shall act for and in behalf of the membership of the association, shall appoint any special committees necessary for the operation of the association business, and shall act as official spokesperson for the association.
B. The Vice President (or Vice Chairperson) shall, in the absence of the President, assume all of the duties of that office and shall be responsible for publicity and notifications of meetings of the association.
C. The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of all formal meetings and all legal documents and legal transactions of the association. The secretary shall transcribe the minutes of each meeting and shall maintain a file copy of same and submit a copy of these minutes to DNR.
D. The Treasurer shall keep all financial receipts and a permanent record of all financial business of the association. An up-to-date financial report shall be submitted at each meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for membership.
E. The Neighborhood Advocates (or Area Representatives) shall be composed of an appropriate number of Voting Members, shall be elected by the voting membership, and shall serve in the capacity of gathering and disseminating information critical to the implementation of the purpose stated in these bylaws. Every effort will be made to insure that neighborhood advocates serve specific blocks or streets within the association boundaries.
F. Any officer can be removed from office by a 2/3rds majority vote of the dues paying membership (if applicable) after a special meeting has been requested at least ten (10) working days in advance. DNR requires that meetings involving the recall of officers be mailed through this office.
ARTICLE III. COMMITTEES
A. The President (or Chairperson) shall have the power to appoint committees as necessary to implement the purposes of the charter.
B. The President (or Chairperson) shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
An annual meeting shall be held during the month of ________ at a time and place designated by the President/Chairperson.
A. Not less than ____ percent of the Voting Members shall have the privilege of petitioning a special meeting at any time.
B. The Voting Members present shall constitute a quorum.
C. At least a - day notice shall be provided in advance of any association meeting. Every effort will be made to notify all interested parties and members of the Association of upcoming meetings either by direct mailing, pamphlets, newsletters, or announcements at regularly scheduled meetings.
D. All meetings shall be public and open to any interested persons.
ARTICLE V. NOMINATION, ELECTIONS, ANNUAL REPORTS AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
A. Nominations of officers shall be made from the floor at the annual meeting or a slate presented from a nominating committee would also be acceptable.
B. Election of officers shall be held on the same day as the nominations.
C. Upon installation of the officers whose terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting, all documents, records, and any materials pertaining to the duties of the office as designated in the bylaws which are in the possession of the outgoing officers shall be submitted to the newly elected counterpart within days of the installation.
D. Any vacancies occurring during the year of any Officer or member of the advocates shall be filled by appointment by the association advocates.
E. Any officer may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the voting members.
ARTICLE VI. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
A. Expenditure of funds of the association may not be made without the signatures of at least two (2) of the six (6) Officers and the Treasurer.
B. Financial records and funds of the association shall be audited at least once a year by a committee of at least two (2) Voting Members of the Neighborhood Advocates appointed by the President/Chairperson prior to a new Treasurer's taking office.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
A. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote.
B. Proposed amendments shall be sent to all members at least working days in advance of the meeting where action is to be taken or shall be read at the presiding meeting.
ARTICLE VIII. GENERAL
A. The rules in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the association, the Board of Directors, and all subcommittees in all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the specific provisions of these Bylaws or any special rules that the association may adopt.
B. If any part of these Bylaws or the application thereof is hereafter held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby, and only the affected portions are declared eliminated.
C. No officer, representative, spokesperson or member shall have any financial liability of the association.
DATE ADOPTED:_______________________________
____________________
SIGNATURE/TITLE
____________________
SIGNATURE/TITLE
| 
