Riverside Heights Civic Association & Crime Watch

RHCA BY-LAWS

Article I
Name, Purpose and Membership

Section 1. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Riverside Heights Civic Association, a non-profit organization located in Tampa, Florida.  Hereinafter referred to in this document as RHCA.

Section 2. Purpose: To promote and encourage the preservation and restoration of the area known as Riverside Heights while revitalizing a sense of community in a safe and healthy residential neighborhood creating friendship among neighbors.

Section 3. Membership:

Active Membership
Anyone who owns or rents a home, property owners, and Not-for-Profit business owners within the boundaries of RHCA are encouraged to attend general and board meetings. However, only active members have voting privileges.  There are two types of active memberships.

1. Individual Membership: Any permanent resident within the RHCA boundaries that is at least eighteen years old is eligible for membership.  Membership fee is $12.00 per year.

2. Business Membership: Any owner of a for-profit business, commercial rental property, residential rental property, or vacant land within the RHCA boundaries is eligible for membership.  Membership fee is $25.00 per year.

a. Business Membership entitles the business to one vote.
b. Members entitles to individual and business memberships may choose either or both types of memberships, but in no case will any member have any more than one vote.

Associate Membership
Anyone who does not own or rent a home, property, or business within the RHCA boundaries is eligible for an associate membership. Non-profit and Not-for-Profit organizations are also eligible for associate membership.  Associate members may not vote, hold office in the RHCA, or chair any committee. Membership fee is $25.00 per year.

Honorary Membership:
An honorary membership may be conferred by the Executive Board upon members of the community or upon past officers of the RHCA that the organization wishes to recognize for exceptional or outstanding services. Honorary memberships are lifetime.

Rules of Membership
1. Members will abide by the Bylaws of the RHCA
2. Members will abide by the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order at all meetings.
3. No member may conduct business in the name of the RHCA or represent themselves as acting on behalf of the RHCA without the express consent of the Executive Board

Section 4. Neighborhood Boundaries
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to the North
North Boulevard to the East
Columbus Drive to the South
Hillsborough River to the West
 
Article II
Meetings

Section 1: General membership meetings shall be on the second Tuesday of each month, unless it is a holiday, in which case the meeting date and place shall be established at the preceding general membership meeting, or at other times as deemed necessary by the executive board.

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings: The executive board shall meet monthly, and at other times as necessary. Any member may attend the executive board meetings. Only Executive Board Members may make motions, second motions, or vote at Board meetings
 
Section 3. Rules of Order: The following simple rules of order will guide the conduct of all meetings:
[1] The President/Chairperson shall have the authority to establish rules governing discussion and debate.
[2] The President/Chairperson must recognize a member wishing to speak.
[3] When given the floor, members must state their name and address; while speaking, a member must not be interrupted.
[4] A motion is first made, then seconded, and then restated by the President/Chairperson who then opens the motion to discussion.  No one may speak on an issue a second time unless recognized by the President/Chairperson and until all that wish to speak have spoken once.
[5] Secondary motions must be disposed of before the main motion, and then action is taken on the main motion.
[6] All meetings will be governed by the Bylaws of the RHCA and parliamentary procedure according to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. 
  
Article III
Quorum

Section 1. General Membership Meetings: For the general membership to conduct business, a simple majority of the executive board and an additional twenty (20) percent or seventy-five (75) members, whichever is less, must be present. Motions may be passed by a majority vote of members present, except as provided in Article IX, Section 1, regarding by-law amendments.
Section 2. Executive Board Meetings: For the executive board to conduct business, a simple majority of the executive board must be present.  Motions may be passed by a majority vote of members present.
Section 3. Committee Meetings: Those present at any committee meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Article IV
Officers

Section 1. There shall be eighteen [11] officers of the RHCA elected, with the following titles:
[1] President
[2] Vice President
[3] Secretary
[4] Treasurer
[5] Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinator
[6] Six (6) Neighborhood Area Representatives
[7] Seven (7) Standing Committee Chairs (appointed by the Executive Board)

All officers shall have an office term of two years or until a successor has been elected
Boundaries for the Area Representative will be determined by Committee and reviewed when necessary by the Executive Board.

Article V
Elections

Section 1. Time: The election of Officers shall be held at the June membership meeting of the calendar year.

Section 2. Eligibility: Any voting member in good standing of the RHCA is eligible to hold any office. In order to facilitate the widest possible representation on the Executive Board a candidate for office may not be of the same household as another candidate nor may a candidate seek more than one office simultaneously.

Section 3. Voting: Voting shall be by written ballot or absentee ballot as provided for by the elections committee.

Section 4
[1] Conduct of the Election: At the April membership meeting, the president shall appoint a chairperson of an elections committee.  The chairperson cannot be a candidate in the forthcoming elections
[2] Nominations for Office: The elections committee shall accept nominations for a period of thirty (30) days following the April membership meeting.
[3] Notice to Members: No later than fifteen (15) days prior to the June membership meeting, the elections committee shall prepare and mail to all members a sample ballot containing the names of all candidates for office, with a space for write-in votes for each office being voted on.
[4] The Election of Officers: The election of officers shall be held at the June general membership meeting. The elections committee shall oversee the election by insuring that only members in good standing cast ballots.  The election committee shall be responsible for counting the ballots and reporting the results to the chairperson.
[5] Confirmation of Election: Any member can request a recounting of ballots when the results are reported. If no request is received the results shall be determined to be final.  If a recount confirms the results the outcome shall be determined to be final.

Article VI
Executive Board

Section 1: Composition: The executive board shall be composed of the [11] eleven elected officers. Which will include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Crime Watch Coordinator and six [6] Neighborhood Representatives. No person shall hold more than one office simultaneously.
Section 2. Chairperson: The president shall be the chairperson of the executive board. In the absence of the president a chairperson pro-tem may be elected by a majority vote of the executive board members present at any executive board meeting at which there is sufficient quorum to conduct business.
Section 3. Powers and Duties: The executive board is entrusted with conducting the financial and administrative business of the RHCA.  In the discharge of its duties, the executive board is responsible for ensuring the perpetual existence of the RHCA; preserving the good name and reputation of the RHCA; and in maintaining a sound financial standing.
Section 4. Executive Board: Notwithstanding other provisions of these by-laws, the executive board shall have specific powers and duties as follows:
[1] Approve/Disapprove any and all expenditures of the RHCA funds.
[2] Approve/Disapprove all contracts, agreements, and understanding which require, or may require, the expenditure of funds.  Any and all such contracts, agreements, any understandings shall be in writing.
[3] Approve/Disapprove the use of the RHCA name and/or logo by other parties including, but not limited to, endorsements of products or businesses.
[4] Approve/Disapprove appointments to Chair Committees.
[5] Appoints members to fill vacancies on the Executive Board.
[6] Adopt policy statements and guidelines on the routine conduct of RHCA business by officers, committees, and members.
[7] The Executive Board may revoke RHCA membership status for one year, under the following conditions and terms: Member repeatedly refuses to follow these Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order, Member knowingly claims to represent the RHCA without consent of the Executive Board. Member knowingly misrepresents the goals, policies, or decisions of the RHCA.

ARITCLE VII
Duties of Officers

President
1. Chairs General and Executive Board Meetings, maintaining order and enforcing RHCA Bylaws.
2. Brings any matter requiring the Board’s approval before the Board
3. The President is the Official representative of RHCA
4. With the approval of the Board, may appoint others to represent RHCA for specific reasons.
5. Restates all motions: Call to vote, states results.
6. Ensures the decision of a majority vote is implemented.
7. Casts the decisive vote in the event of a tie.

Vice President
1. Assists the President with the duties of office.
2. In the absence of the President, or in the event of the President’s inability to serve for any reason, the Vice President takes the Chair and assumes the duties of that office
 
Secretary
1. Outlines all motions/resolutions passed/failed at all meetings.
2. Keeps a list of all Executive Board Members and Committee Members with addresses and phone numbers.
3. Is responsible for providing to the Executive Board the original minutes any correspondence and any distributed materials by a guest or the RHCA.

Treasurer
1. Keeps a current list of all RHCA Members in good standing.
2. Receives and deposits funds into the RHCA account(s) in a timely manner.  Failure to make deposits within ten (10) days of receipt will constitute revocation of duties with Executive Board approval.
3. Makes Board authorized payments.
4. Keeps detailed records of all RHCA financial transactions and presents condensed monthly report at all General Meetings.
5. Presents a written annual report, detailing income, expenditure, and account balances to the General Membership during the June General Meeting.
6. Ensures financial records are available to any member in good standing.

Section 1. In general: All officers shall attend General Membership meetings and the Executive Board Meetings.  Failure to attend, without prior notice, seven consecutive meetings shall constitute resignation. Notice of anticipated absences should be given to the presiding officer of the meeting to be missed. 
 
Article VIII
Committees

Section 1. Types of Committees: There shall be two types of committee.  Standing committees are those named in the by-laws, are permanent, and represent continuing needs in the promotion of the purposes of the RHCA. Special committees are those, which are not listed in the by-laws and may be formed either by a majority vote of the general membership or by the President with the approval of the executive board.  Any member of the Executive Board may attend committee meetings.
Section 2. The President, with the approval of the executive board, shall appoint chairpersons of standing committees no later than the first month following the election of officers. Section 3. Standing Committees: Standing committees of the RHCA shall be as follows:
Code Enforcement Committee: A committee whose purpose is to encourage the proper care and maintenance of commercial and residential properties in the Riverside Heights area through the enforcement of applicable building, zoning and minimum housing codes; to institute programs involving public agencies to ensure said enforcement.  This committee will serve as the contact and body for zoning related issues.

Neighborhood Membership Committee: A committee whose purpose is to increase awareness of and membership in RHCA.

Communications Committee: A committee whose purpose is to compile and publish the RHCA newsletter; to have oversight of the editing, publishing, and distribution of the newsletter; to manage the sales, content, and placement of advertising; to notify and communicate with the general membership about events of general concern; and to utilize other methods of communication including web-site web-pages as may be directed by the Executive Board.  The Executive Board prior to being sent at large will approve all correspondence/communication to General members.

Special Events/Community Service Committee: A committee whose purpose is to organize and coordinate community service or special events activities undertaken by the RHCA; to enlist volunteers, donations and involvement by public/private and neighborhood sources to accomplish such activities; to publicize such efforts.

Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee: A committee whose purpose is to protect Riverside Heights as an area of historic significance; to work with homeowners wishing to seek recognition from federal, state, and local authorities for historical designation to individual parcels.  To keep the Neighbors of Riverside Heights informed on any planned zoning changes that will need approval from the City of Tampa.  To identify and promote the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of the historic neighborhood properties, sites, and environment within Riverside Heights.

Trees and Beautification Committee: A committee whose purpose is to identify the beautification needs and problems of the Riverside Heights area, to promote the maintenance and improvement of existing Parks.  To encourage the proper care and maintenance of all trees in the Riverside Heights area and through the enforcement of the Tree Ordinance, institute programs involving public agencies to ensure said enforcement.

Neighborhood Crime Watch Committee: A committee whose purpose is to facilitate awareness of crime prevention activities; to facilitate communication between existing crime prevention groups; to support the expansion of crime prevention groups throughout the Riverside Heights area and work with Special Events Committee on crime prevention social functions such as National Night Out.  The Chair of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Committee is an elected position and is an official officer of the Executive Board of the RHCA
 
Article IX
Amendments to By-laws

Section 1. Proposals for by-law amendments: By-law amendments may be proposed by a majority vote of either the executive board or the general membership.  Once proposed, the amendment must be presented at the next general membership meeting. The proposed amendments, as presented, shall then be put to a vote at the following general membership meeting.
Section 2. General Membership vote: Amendments to these by-laws must be passed in a vote by the general membership by a two-thirds majority of those voting.
 
Article X
Non-Discrimination

Section 1. No person shall be denied membership in the RHCA or participation in RHCA activities because of race, religion, sex, creed, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, or age, except as stated in Article I, Section 3.

Article XI
Non-Profit Provisions

Section 1. RHCA funds are not to be spent, committed or distributed in any manner which would or may invalidate the eligibility of the RHCA to meet Internal Revenue Service requirements for non-profit charitable organizations.

Article XII
Control and Disbursement of Funds

Section 1. Bank Accounts: Checks, drafts and/or withdrawals of funds from RHCA accounts shall require the signature of any two of the following officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer
Section 2. Audits: The executive board may audit, or cause to be audited, any and all financial and inventory records and property of the RHCA, including those in the custody of secretary, treasurer, or any committee or member.  If the audit is to be conducted by a committee, the executive board shall appoint the chairman and members of the committee. The audit committee shall be disbanded upon acceptance of its final report. An annual audit of the September financial reports will be conducted by the appointed audit committee.
 
These By-laws, as amended, are subscribed to by the members and officers of the Riverside Heights Neighborhood Association on this 12th day of September, 2006.
Desiree T. Valdes, President 
Patricia Schweers, Vice President 
Traci Turbeville, Secretary 
Michael Suarez, Treasurer