NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods

NorthEast Coalition By-Laws

Proposed By-Laws for the NEC

(12-20-11 Revised Edition)

BY-LAWS
Of  the
NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods


ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE & JURISDICTION

Section A: Name - This organization shall be The NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NEC) of Mecklenburg County.

Section B: Purpose - The purpose of this organization shall be to become fully integrated into the regional community as a representative of area homeowners and to achieve the goals of homeowners in the jurisdiction under Section D.

Section C: Mission - The NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NEC) will work to insure the best development of the area for the homeowners in its jurisdiction. The NEC will represent the homeowners in the planning and development of the area. This will include interacting with the City, County and State governmental organizations and other local organizations as well as the stakeholders.

Section D: Jurisdiction - The present jurisdiction of NEC shall be the area which includes homes in the Northeast Mecklenburg County area. (Hereinafter called the "Jurisdiction").


ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP & DUES

Section A: Eligibility - Membership shall be open to homeowners living within the jurisdiction mentioned above. Membership is established upon payment of annual dues outlined in Section C. Membership in good standing shall be defined as a homeowner that has paid their annual dues, will adhere to the mission and purpose of the organization, and is an area homeowner living within the jurisdiction.

Section B: Voting: At annual meeting, each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote of the members present and voting. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. Decisions on any question shall be by majority vote of members present and voting in accordance with Article V: Section C: Quorum.

Section C: Restrictions - The membership shall be area homeowners. No person will be restricted because of age, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, national origin, ancestry, or marital status.

Section D: Dues - Annual dues shall be $40.00 per year for Homeowner Associations (HOA) and $10 per year for individual homeowners. Annual dues are paid in January. These dues permit each individual participating member to one (1) vote on business and policy issues at monthly meetings. Also, theses dues will be used for expenses related to, but not limited to, newsletter, website, and mailings.

Section E: Termination of Membership - The Executive Board, by a 2/3 vote, may terminate an individual's membership for conduct deemed detrimental to the organization. The individual has a right to appeal this decision in writing to the Executive Board within 21 days after receiving written notification from the Executive Board.


ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

Section A: Officers - The officers shall be a President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section B: Eligibility - All officers must be members in good standing of the NEC for at least 6 months.

Section C: Election - The officers shall be elected by ballot at the November meeting by a majority of the votes cast for that office.

Section D: Term - The officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year with a maximum term limit of three (3) consecutive term years. Term: January through December.

Section E: Vacancy - If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the 1st Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election with a majority vote by the Executive Board.


ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section A: President - It shall be the duty of the President to:
1. Preside at meetings.
2. Represent the organization.
3. Appoint committee chairpersons subject to the approval of the Executive Board.
4. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
5. Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office.
6. Provide the NEC with updated organization contact information.
7. Service as Past President on the Executive Board as an ex-officio member.

Section B: 1st Vice-President - It shall be the duty of the 1st Vice-President to preside in the absence of the President.

Section C: 2nd Vice President - It shall be the duty of the 2nd Vice President to assume duties assigned by the President and by 1st Vice President in the absence of the President.

Section D: Secretary - It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
1. Record the minutes of all meetings.
2. Keep a file of the organization's records.
3. Maintain a current roster of membership.
4. Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the organization.

Section E: Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
1. Receive all funds and pay same on orders of the Executive Board and co-signed by the President.
2. Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports as directed.
3. Make a yearly audit to the membership at the end of each year and give a copy to all Executive Board members.


ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section A: Meetings - Regular meetings shall be held minimun of quarterly at a previously announced location, unless otherwise noted.

Section B: Special Meetings - Special meetings may be called by the President with the approval of the Executive Board, time and place to be announced.

Section C: Quorum - A quorum shall consist of a two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board, but in the absence of a quorum, a lesser number may adjourn the meeting.

Section D: Parliamentary Authority / Robert's Rule of Orders - shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.


ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section A: Responsibility - Management of this organization shall be vested in an Executive Board responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws.

Section B: Membership - This board shall consist of officers listed in Article III, Past President as Ex-Officio member and the following non-voting members: Committee Chairpersons and Community Liaison(s).

Section C: Meetings - This board shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the organization to organize and plan future activities.

Section D: Elections of the Executive Officers - A nomination committee chair will be appointed by the outgoing Executive Board during the September monthly meeting to conduct the nominations and election of new officers. The slate of candidates shall be members of the NEC in good standing and shall be elected at the annual meeting of the general membership at the November meeting. Transition will be made during the month of December and the newly elected Executive Board shall officially assume their positions at the January meeting.


ARTICLE VII: COMMUNITY LIAISON(S)

Section A: Selection - There shall be a community liaison(s) who shall be selected each year by the Executive Board.

Section B: Duties - The responsibilities of the community liaison(s) shall be to:
1. Maintain an awareness of the activities and programs sponsored by other community entities that are not members of the NEC.
2. Attend NEC monthly meetings on a regular basis to update group on activities of other organizations in the NEC membership area.


ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

Section A: Program Committee - A program committee composed of the 2nd Vice-President as chairperson and four other members shall be appointed by the President before the end of the year, whose duty shall be to plan the overall program of the organization for the next year.

Section B: Standing committees- The following standing committees will be established
Zoning and development
Membership
Communications
Additional standing committee(s) may be established by the Executive Board if needed. Standing Committee(s) members shall consist of Committee Chairperson and NEC members in good standing. Chairperson shall attend monthly Executive Board meeting.

Section C: Special Committees - The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committee(s), with the approval of the Executive Board as needed.


ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

Section A: Amendments - These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership in attendance. All amended by-laws must be forwarded to Secretary and are subject to approval by the membership present of the NEC.

Section B: Notice - All members shall receive advance notice of any proposed amendment at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting.