Capitol Park Neighborhood Association

CPNA By-Laws

 

 

 

BY-LAWS OF THE CAPITOL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of our organization is Capitol Park Neighborhood Association (Capitol Park Neighbors)

 

ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association is to:

SHAPE A POSITIVE AND COMFORTABLE COMMUNITY

Our goals are:

a. Be a voice for our community

b. Strengthen a positive image.

c. Establish and maintain neighborhood networking

d. Promote safety and security

e. Utilize available resources

f. Improve infrastructure

g. Promote area beautification

 

ARTICLE 3. BOUNDARIES

Boundaries of the area represented by the Capitol Park Neighborhood Association are:

South boundary is the north side of the MacVicar Freeway/I-235

East boundary is the west side of East 14th Street

North boundary is the south side of Washington Avenue

West boundary continues south along the Des Moines River to I-235.

 

ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the association is obtained by registration and payment of annual dues to be established by the general membership of the Association.

Section 2. All general meetings are open to anyone wishing to attend. Only persons who reside in, are an owner of property or business (or their representative) in Capitol Park boundaries are entitled to full membership benefits, including voting. All interested persons may join to support Capitol Park Neighbors upon payment of the current membership fee. A supporting member may not vote or hold office.

Section 3. On request to the board, persons otherwise eligible for membership may hold membership rights by indicating the fee constitutes a hardship.

Section 4. Two adult partners holding a family membership shall each be entitled to one vote. A business or non-profit membership shall be entitled to one vote. A member who owns property in, but who does not live in Capitol Park boundaries shall be entitled to one vote.

 

ARTICLE 5. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1 to December 31.

 

ARTICLE 6. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. General membership shall meet a minimum of four times a year. January will be the annual meeting. Additional meetings are encouraged. Members shall be notified at least five days in advance of the meeting.

Section 2. At each meeting, new members shall be welcomed and the Chairperson, or his/her designee, shall devise methods of encouraging those in attendance to get acquainted.

Section 3. On request, minutes of previous meetings shall be available at general membership meetings.

Section 4. At each meeting there shall be a time when members may request the Board to take action.

Section 5. There shall be a full activity report from the Chairperson to the membership at each general meeting.

Section 6. The general membership shall have the final voice in approving policy established by the Board.

Section 7. Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail at all meetings.

 

ARTICLE 7. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of a five-member board including Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and one board member-at-large.

Section 2. Term of office shall be one year. Election shall be by vote of the general membership. Term limit shall be four years. A minimum of one year of absence from the Board is required before becoming eligible for re-election.

Section 3. The Board shall be responsible for the business of the Association. Such business shall be reported to the membership at the next general meeting. Any member has the option to call for a vote on any action taken by the Association or its Board.

Section 4. Three members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum, and an affirmative vote of the majority of all Board members shall be required for approval of any action. All Board members must be informed at least five days prior to any meeting.

Section 5. Meetings of the Board shall be at least monthly. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by written request of three members of the Board. Purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the notice at least five days in advance of the meeting.

Capitol Park Neighbors members are encouraged to attend Board meetings.

Contact a Board member to confirm time and place, or to request time on the agenda.

Section 6. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend Board meetings. Members missing three consecutive Board meetings may be replaced, unless the Board votes to permit the member to remain.

Section 7. Board members are expected to attend general membership meetings.

Section 8. In case of emergency, if the Chairperson determines a meeting is not necessary, action may be taken by phone or mail by a majority of members. Notice of action must be provided to all Board members and the general membership.

Section 9. Supporting members are ineligible to serve on the Board. The Board may not include more than one member of each household.

Section 10. The Chairperson shall always reside in Capitol Park boundaries. No more than two members who do not live in the neighborhood may serve on the Board each year. This would include business, owners of property and representatives of non-profits who live outside Capitol Park boundaries.

Section 11. Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the Board, with approval of the membership. Directors filling a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall complete the unexpired term of their predecessor in office.

Section 12. The Board shall provide a report of disbursement of all funds received from the membership. Expenditures exceeding $25 shall be approved by the general membership; or in emergency situations, by a quorum of the Board. Emergency expenditures shall be reported by the Treasurer at the next general membership meeting.

 

ARTICLE 8. NOMINATION COMMITTEE AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. The nominating committee shall be composed of three persons from the membership appointed by the Chairperson, with the approval of the Board. The nominating committee may not include more than one Board member.

Section 2. The nominating committee shall secure consent of its nominees to serve if elected.

Section 3. The committee shall report progress to the Board.

Section 4. Election of Officers and Board members shall take place during the January general meeting.

Section 5. Election of officers at the general meeting shall be conducted by the nomination committee. Nominations, including written nominations, shall be permitted from the floor. The nominee must be willing to serve if elected.

Section 6. Members of the Board shall assume their duties at the first general meeting in February.

 

ARTICLE 9. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and the Board of Directors, and shall not vote except in case of a tie. The Chairperson shall present a progress report to the general membership during the annual meeting. The Chairperson is responsible for oversight of committee work. The Chairperson shall immediately provide to each Board member a copy of the By-laws and the necessary materials to complete their duties. The Chairperson shall also be responsible for the exchange of such materials to new Board members after each election.

Section 2. The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chairperson during his/her absence, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chairperson. The Vice Chair shall be an ex-officio member without vote on all committees, excepting nominating committee, and shall coordinate such activities with the Chairperson.

Section 3. The Secretary shall keep minutes of proceedings of the Board meetings. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the general membership meetings and annual meeting; shall be custodian of all records of the Association and shall be responsible for making copies of minutes available to the general membership. The Secretary shall keep a record of participants at all meetings. All records shall be available to any member of the Association, upon request.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall oversee and keep an itemized report of all monies received and spent. As funds accumulate, he/she shall pay all obligations as presented to the Board and verified; and shall make a monthly report to the membership. Receipts shall be kept with all expenditures. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual report to be received at annual meetings.

Section 5. The At-Large Board member shall assist the Chairperson with public relations and communications as defined by the Board.

 

ARTICLE 10. COMMITTEES

The Association shall have a number of standing committees whose titles and membership and duties shall be determined by the Board, with approval of the general membership.

 

ARTICLE 11. DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution, financial assets currently held by the Association shall be distributed to Des Moines Neighbors.

 

ARTICLE 12. AMENDING BY-LAWS

Subsequent amendment of the By-laws requires a three-fifths majority vote of those present at a general membership meeting, and must be announced in writing 30 days in advance of such meeting.

 

APPROVED: (Amended ) General Membership Meeting

Capitol Park Neighborhood Association

(date) May 8, 2003

(board signatures)

Marylyn Bruce, Chair

Ellie Philips, Vice Chair

Lia Miller, Secretary

David Hunsley, Treasurer

Michael Bennett, At-Large Board Member

 

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This is a copy of the original for use on the website. For a copy of the Original, it's given to all members of the Capitol Park Neighborhood Assocation.

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