South Lamar Neighborhood Association Bylaws

 

 

I.  NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the South Lamar Neighborhood Association, a non-profit organization, hereinafter referred to as the Association.

 

II.  PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Association is to seek to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood in matters such as land use, traffic control, social functions, environmental protection, public services, and other matters of neighborhood concern.

 

III  OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

A.   Represent and advance the interest of residents in the neighborhood.

 

B.   Keep all residents informed of issues vital to the neighborhood by appropriate communications and meetings.

 

C.   Establish Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees to investigate and make recommendations to the Association on all matters of neighborhood concern.

 

IV.  MEMBERSHIP

 

A.   Eligibility

1.    Membership in the Association shall be open to all residents or residential property owners between these boundaries; North: Oltorf, South: Ben White, west: south Lamar and east:  Union Pacific Railroad.

2.    Membership in the Association shall be issued on the basis of residency and payment of annual dues.

 

B.   Dues

1.    Dues in the amount of $10.00 per residence per year shall be payable at the beginning of each calendar year.  A $20 “Big Bubba” membership is also available.

2.    This fee shall remain applicable to those seeking membership throughout the year.

3.    Persons meeting the above criteria but who are unable to pay membership dues may request a reduction in dues or a waiver by the Executive Committee.  Exemption or reduction of dues may be granted by the Executive Committee by a 2/3 vote.

 

C.   Honorary Membership

1.    Honorary membership may be awarded to persons who have performed services that tend to further the purposes of the Association. 

2.    The election of honorary members shall be by majority vote of the quorum.

3.    Honorary members shall have no vote.

 

V.  VOTING

 

A.   Members of the Association 18 years of age and older present at any meeting shall be entitled to vote.

 

B.   A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of Association business.  In no event, however, shall a quorum be constituted with less than 10% of the members represented.

 

C.   An affirmative vote of more than fifty (50) percent of the quorum shall be binding on the association.

 

D.   The privilege of introducing motions and voting shall be limited to those who have joined the Association by paying dues at least ten days prior to any regularly scheduled or special called meeting.

 

VI.              OFFICERS

 

A.   Positions and Terms of Election

1.    The officers of the Association shall be elected from the active membership and shall be: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Delegate to the Austin Neighborhood Council and South Central Coalition.

2.    These five or six elected officers shall comprise the Executive Committee.

3.    Officers shall be elected for one-year terms at the October quarterly meeting and shall assume office at the January meeting.  The officers shall not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same elected office.

4.    Nomination of officers shall be the responsibility of a five-member Nominating Committee appointed by the President from the active membership prior to the October quarterly meeting.  Nominations may also be made from the floor at the meeting.

 

B.   Duties of Officers:

1.    President and Vice-President

a)    At least one of the President or Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee.

b)     and shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing and Special Committees.

c)    And one of these officers, either the President or Vice-President, shall also cosign all checks drawn on the account of the Association.

d)    and the President shall chair the Membership Committee,

e)     and the Vice-President will serve as Parliamentarian of the Association.

 

2.    Recording Secretary

a.     The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all business of the Association, including regularly scheduled and special called meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. 

b.    This officer shall also be responsible for the accumulation and maintenance of the central permanent file of such records.

 

3.    Treasurer

1.    The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of Association Monies,

2.    shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures, and shall (along with the President) sign all checks drawn on the account of the Association. 

3.    This officer shall also prepare a year-end report delineating such receipts and expenditures, to be published at the first meeting of the ensuing year.

4.    Delegate to Austin Neighborhood Council/South Central Coalition

a.     The Delegate to the Austin Neighborhood Council / South Central Coalition shall attend all meetings thereof or arrange for a substitute representative,

b.    and shall on a regular basis, either through the quarterly newsletter, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Association, or both, report any significant activities or action taken by the Council.

 

C.   Removal from Office

 

Any officer may be removed from office for cause at any meeting by majority vote of the quorum providing that notice has been furnished to the membership at least two weeks prior to said meeting.

 

D.   Replacement of Officers

 

When necessary vacant offices may be filled by appointment from the Executive Committee for the remainder of the original term or as directed in Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

E.   Resignation by Officers

 

Elected officers are requested to give timely written notice of resignation to the President.

 

VI.            MEETING AND ORGANIZATION

 

A.   Meetings of the general membership of the Association shall be held six times per year. The Executive Committee shall set the specific time, place, and agenda of each meeting.

 

B.   Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee upon determination that they are justified as a means of disseminating information and discussion of issues of neighborhood concern before the next regularly scheduled meeting.  Notice may be given by a Telephone Committee, email, hand bill, or yard signs, if time allows.

 

C.   The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 - December 31.

 

VII.  COMMITTEES

 

A.   The Executive Committee shall transact all business necessary to further the purpose and objectives of the Association, as specified in Articles II and III, in the intervals between regular quarterly meetings, as well as such other business which may be proposed by the membership.  A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.

 

B.   Standing and Special Committee shall be appointed by the President, with their reports and recommendations to be submitted to the Executive Committee for review and approval prior to publication in the newsletter or presentation at any meetings.

 

IX.            PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

A.   When inconsistent with these Bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure. 

 

B.   These rules may be suspended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the quorum present.

 

X.  PROHIBITIONS

 

A.   The Association shall not endorse any candidates for political office nor shall discussions extend to matters outside the purpose of the Association as set out in Article II.

 

B.   The Membership roster shall be confidential and may not be released to nonmembers without permission of the Executive Committee after careful review of requests made thereof.

 

C.   No member may act as spokesperson or represent the Association without the permission of the Executive Committee or a majority of the quorum at a duly called regular or special meeting.

 

XI.  AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by a two-thirds vote of the quorum provided that the amendment(s) have been submitted in writing to the membership prior to the vote.

 

XII.         DISSOLUTION

 

A.   Upon the dissolution of the South Lamar Neighborhood Association, no class of member shall have any right nor shall receive any assets of the Association.  The assets of the Association are permanently dedicated to a tax-exempt purpose. 

 

B.   In the event of dissolution, the Association’s assets, after payment of debts, will be distributed to an organization which itself is tax-exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.