Miller Neighborhood

Miller Neighborhood

Miller Boulevard Addition

Miller Neighborhood is bounded by NW 10th Street and NW 16th Street and N. Villa and N. May Avenues. The 160+ acres was first obtained by Luke Ellison in 1890 for the sum of $200. The land changed hands many times as homesteaders flocked to Oklahoma Territory. In 1893 the first farm house was built on the land. The house, a two-story Queen Anne, is the only home of its style in the neighborhood. Over the years it has become known to the neighborhood as "the old farmhouse" and still stands today along with its original barn.

Times were moving fast for those who found their way to Oklahoma Territory and land ownership changed almost as fast. In 1901, George Miller obtained the land, then four years later in 1905 he platted the area for the first time. It became known as the Miller Addition of Oklahoma City. the streets named Linn, Ross and May are reportedly named for members of the Miller family.

In 1907, six years later and two months before statehood, Mr. Miller replatted the land and it became the Miller Boulevard Addition and remains as such today. The new platt set aside certain strips of land for the exclusive use of the Oklahoma Railway Company. A strip of ground was designated to run through the center of Miller Boulevard for a railway but no actual railway was ever built. However, the well-known Linwood streetcar line did run thru the median of NW 12th Street.

The Miller Mansion - N. Miller Boulevard

Initially the Miller family lived and farmed along the north side of NW 10th Street; however, in 1915 the Millers decided to build a larger home as their family expanded to six children. They chose a prime parcel of land totaling 11 acres, high on a hill, in the southwest corner of the neighborhood. They also chose a very prestigous Neo-Classical design for their home making it one of a kind in the area. Later years, they added tall white columns to a front verandah area. The home is know to the residents of Miller Neighborhood simply as "the Miller Mansion"...the home of one of Oklahoma City's first developers.

The Legacy. . .then and now

Homes in Miller Neighborhood consist mostly of Tudor Revivals and Craftsman Bungalows. The Tudor Revival homes are gabled cottages with steeply pitched roofs, arched entryways and detailed combinations of brick, stone and stucco. These were the quaint but modern homes of the 1920's. They're well built, affordable and by placing the projecting gables in different locations, each house looks different from its neighbor. The Craftsman Bungalows are identified by their wide, overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, wide porches and square columns. Also, scattered throughout the neighborhood are fine examples of Colonial Revivals, Mission styled homes and Neo-Classical homes.

Miller Neighborhood is now an inter-city neighborhood. George and Nellie Miller's legacy is found in the distinctive architecture of our homes, the friendly faces of our neighbors and our strong community spirit. This is the future they planned and dreamed for their Miller Boulevard Addition.

About our association

Miller Neighborhood Association

Meetings are held as follows:

1) First Monday of each month.
2) 7:00 P.M.
3) At the World Organization of China Painters Museum, 2641 NW 10th Street.

Association First Organized - 1983

In the beginning - Miller residents first organized the Miller Neighborhood Association in 1983. Its first officers were: Mark Usry, President; J.L. Hawkins, Vice President; Marie Renfroe, Treasurer; Elna Rodman, Secretary; Scott Christenson/Cathryn Ratliff, Newsletter Editors. These dedicated officers, along with residents, saw the need for joining together to provide a safe neighborhood for all living in Miller. Because of their dedication and those who came after them, we now enjoy a united neighborhood in which to raise our families.

The Mission Statement on the 1983 Association's letterhead was, "Dedicated to improving the quality of life in Oklahoma City." We remain committed to following the same mission even though our wording has changed somewhat.... "To make our Neighborhood a safe and a pleasant place to live."

Our goals are to assist the OKC Police and Fire Departments, educate our residents on crime activity and their security, keep residents informed through our monthly newsletter the Miller Messenger, to beautify our neighborhood and surrounding areas and to make Miller Neighborhood a safe and enjoyable place to live.

Membership is open to all residents (regardless of race, color or nationality) and all businesses in the area. This includes homeowners as well as renters. A small yearly membership due is applicable.

Volunteers, the heart and soul of our neighborhood, make the organization what it is today! All officers (president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary) are elected volunteers. All board members (NE-SE-NW-SE Quadrants) are volunteers appointed by the president. All committee chairpersons are volunteers who donate freely of their time and sometimes much more. We have many committees....all of which can always use more volunteers! A list of our officers, board members and committees can be seen on the Contact page of this website.

NON-PROFIT STATUS RECEIVED!

MNA received approval for its Not-For-Profit Status, Non-Profit as it is sometimes called, in 1998 though the hard work and diligence of the officers at that time.

Any donations given to Miller Neighborhood Association can now be deemed as tax deductible. The Association will provide documentation of their gift to all donors for tax purposes.

Miller Neighborhood Association is making a difference for all residents.....join them and help make a difference in Miller!

BY-LAWS - MNA

Citizens of the Miller Neighborhood Association of Oklahoma City, Inc. - By-Laws.

Article I - General

Section I.1 NAME: The name of the Corporation shall be the Citizens of the Miller Neighborhood Association of Oklahoma City, Inc., aka Miller Neighborhood Association, herein after referred to as the "Association".

Section I.2 PURPOSE: The general purposes of the Association are educational, cultural, economic, and the general welfare of the public. More particularly, its purposes are:
A. To safeguard the heritage of the neighborhood and city from both the architectural perspective and persons of historical significance.
B. To preserve and strengthen the environmental quality of the neighborhood.
C. To help strengthen the neighborhood and the city's economic base.
D. To foster economic development within the community.
E. To provide instruction to public on subjects useful to individuals and are beneficial to the community.
F. To operate so that the Association is beneficial to the public interest, providing information that is utilized by the city, state, and national givernments.
G. To prevent crime and vandalism, thus deferring the cost of the government.

Section I.3 BOUNDARIES: The boundaries of this Association shall be 16th Street on the North, 10th Street on the South, May Avenue on the West, and Villa Street on the East. The Association shall be divided into four (4) quads. The quads will be determined by Miller Boulevard (East and West) and Northwest 12th Street (North and South).

Section I.4 OFFICES: The principal office of this Association shall be located at the residence of the President of this Association. The Secretary of the Association will maintain all of the Minutes and notes from the Association Meetings. The Treasurer will maintain all of the financial records of the Association. All other books and records of the Association will be kept at the principal office.

Section I.5 NON-PROFIT CHARACTER: The Association is a non-profit association. It shall be organized and operated exclusively for non-profit, tax exempt purposes.

Section I.6 PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES: No substantial part of the funds of the Association shall be used to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation. It shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. No funds shall be spent for repairs or maintenance of any private property.

Section I.7 REMUNERATION: No Officer, Director, Committee, or member, shall receive remuneration for services, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the Association's affairs.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section II.1 CLASSES: The Association shall have three (3) classes of membership.

A. Regular: Regular members are individuals who subscribe to the purposes of the Association and pay the individual membership dues.
B. Family: Family members are all adult members of the family who subscribe to the purposes of the Association and pay the family membership dues.
C. Commercial: Commercial or Industrial Companies who subscribe to the purposes of the Association and pay the commercial membership dues.

Section II.2 DUES: All members shall pay annual dues as set forth by the Board of Directors. New members joining in the last four months of the membership year shall receive the balance of the current membership year plus the succeeding year.

Section II.3 TERM: The term of membership shall be one year in duration.

SectionII.4 YEAR: The membership year is January 1 through December 31.

Section II.5 VOTING:
A. Each regular member shall have one (1) vote on all matters which require or are submitted to a vote of the membership.
B. Each adult member of a family shall have one (1) vote on all matters which require or are submitted to a vote of the membership. No family shall have more than a total of two (2) votes which are restricted to the adult members.
C. Each Commercial or Industrial Company shall have one (1) vote. The voting representative will be named when the membership dues are paid.
D. Cumulative voting or voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
E. The membership of the Association shall be entitled to vote for:
(1) The election of Association Officers.
(2) Matters submitted to the membership by mail ballot or at a business meeting.
(3) All matters expressly required by law to be submitted to a vote of the membership.
F. All other voting rights are vested in the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III - MEETINGS

Section III.1 ANNUAL: The Association shall have an annual business meeting of all members which shall be in the last month of the calendar year on such a day and at such times as may be selected by the President.

Section III.2 SPECIAL: A special meeting of the members may be called either by the President or by two (2) or more Directors or by not less than ten (10) percent of the paid members of the Association. A call by Directors or members shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the President. The President shall send written notice of such a meeting to all voting members of the Association not less than five (5) days prior to the date of such meeting.

Section III.3 MONTHLY: A monthly meeting of interested individuals will be held on the first Monday of each month unless it is a holiday, and in that event, the President will determine an alternate meeting time. This is an opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and learn what is going on within the community. The President will present any business that needs to be considered by the full membership. Only paid members may vote on any of the motions presented.

Section III.4 LOCATION: Annual, special and monthly meetings shall be within the neighborhood. Should no adequate facility be available, it shall be within a reasonable traveling distance of the neighborhood.

Section III.5 NOTICE: Notice of all meetings shall be written, stating the place, day, hour, and subject of the meeting. This notice may be delivered in person or by mail.

Section III.6 QUORUM: Not less than ten (10) percent of the voting members in attendance at the annual meeting or any special meeting shall constitute a quorum. Once a quorum is constituted for a meeting, no further quorum call shall be entertained for the remainder of that meeting.

Section III.7 MAJORITY VOTE: The vote of majority of the Regular Members present at an annual or special meeting, shall be the act of the members of the Association.

ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section IV.1 GENERAL: The property and business of this Association shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting shall be the act of the Board of Directors. However, approval of any expenditures over five hundred ($500.00) dollars shall require the approval of the majority of members at a monthly, special or annual meeting. In addition to the express power and authority designated to them by these By-Laws, the Directors shall exercise all such powers generally conferred upon directors of a non-profit association and not forbidden by the statues of this state of Oklahoma.

Section IV.2 COMPOSITION: The Board of Directors will consist of ten (10) Directors. Each Director must be a paid member of the Association and live within the boundaries of the Association, Section I.3. The Directors shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President, Chair of Membership Committee, and one Director appointed by the President, with the approval of the elected officials, from each of the four (4) quads. The names of the Officers will be submitted by the Nomination Chair for approval no later than the month before the Annual meeting. The approved slate will be submitted by the Nominations Chair for election at the Annual meeting.

Section IV.3 TERMS: Each member of the Board of Directors will serve a one year term. The President may not serve more than two (2) one (1) year terms. All others may serve as many terms as they are willing to serve or the Nomination Committee approves.

Section IV.4 QUORUM: Five (5) Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.

Section IV.5 MEETINGS: The Board of Directors may meet monthly prior to the regular Monthly meeting of residents. The President will determine the time, place and date for these meetings. If there is not enough business to warrant a special meeting, telephone coordination may be made. Any issue presented at the Monthly meeting by a Director must have been presented to the Board of Directors prior to this meeting.

Section IV.6 VACANCIES: Any vacancy in the Board of Directors, except the position of President, shall be filled by appointment by the President for the unexpired term, with the approval of the Board of Directors. If the position of the President becomes vacant, the Nomination Committee will present a name to the Board of Directors. Any Director may be removed for cause with the majority approval of the Board.

Section IV.7 ABSENCE: A Director shall notify the President or the Secretary if they will be absent from a meeting. A Director shall be replaced upon three (3) consecutive un-notified absences.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section V.1 DESIGNATION: The Officers of the Association shall the the President, Vice President, Secretary and the Treasurer.

Section V.2 PRESIDENT: The President shall be the principal Executive Officer of the Association. The President shall in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of a non-profit association. The President will preside at all meetings of Membership and the Board of Directors. The President shall execute any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors or Membership may have authorized to be executed.

Section V.3 VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. Shall perform such other duties that the President or the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section V.4 SECRETARY: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Membership to record the votes, attendance of members of Board of Directors, and take the minutes of all such proceedings. These will be kept in books provided for this purpose and shall always be available for inspection by directors or members. The Secretary is the Custodian of the Association records and in general performs all duties incident to this office. May be asked to perform other duties from time to time by the President or Board of Directors.

Section V.5 TREASURER: The Treasurer shall have custody of the association funds, securities, and property, whether real, personal or mixed, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of recipts and disbursements in books belonging to the association and deposit all moneys and valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the association in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the association as may be ordered by the President or Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers therefore; shall render an account for all these transactions and of the financial condition of the association to the President, Board of Directors, and annual meetings of the association. If so required, shall furnish to the association a bond with sureties satisfactory to the Board of the faithful performance of duties. Shall perform the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section VI.1 The President and/or Board of Directors shall establish Standing and Ad Hoc committees for the implementation of the Association's purposes as set forth in these by-laws.

Section VI.2 The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall name the Chairs of the Standing Committees at the time the new term of officers is to begin.

Section VI.3 The President is an ex-officio member of any committee except the Nomination Committee.

ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS

Section VII.1 CONTRACTS: The Board of Directors may authorize any officer(s), agent(s) of the Association, or any Board of Director so authorized by these By-laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section VII.2 CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC: All checks, drafts, other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association, shall be sigtned by such officer or officers agent, or agents of the Association and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section VII.3 DEPOSITS: All funds of the Association shall be timely deposited to the credit of the Association in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

Section VII.4 GIFTS: The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift or bequest for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the Association.

Section VII.5 BOOKS AND RECORDS: The Association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Board of Directors, and shall keep at its registered or principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the Directors. The Directors shall determine from time to time under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the association (except as may be specifically open to inspection by statute) shall be open to the inspection of the members of the association. In addition thereto, said accounts and books shall be open to the membership at each annual meeting of the association.

Section VII.6 LOANS: No funded indebtedness shall be contracted on behalf of the Association and no evidence of such indebtedness issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be revised, amended or new by-laws be adopted by a majority vote of the members present at the Monthly or Annual meeting as long as the meeting notice contained an explanation of the proposed change.

ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION

On dissolution of the Association, whether voluntary or involuntary, the net assets shall be distributed as determined by the Association, but only to one (1) or more religious, charitable or educational organizations exempt from the Federal Income Tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any such future law, whose activities are similar to those of the Association.

Adopted by the members of the Corporation on July 14, 1983.

Revised by the members of the Corporation on July 7, 1998.

Revised by the members of the Corporation on November 1, 1999.

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AMENDMENTS - Questions or comments on these By-Laws or any Amendments thereafter should be directed to any officer or Board Member listed on the Contact link of this website.
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This online transcription of the MNA By-Laws was completed on October 26, 2001. Hardcopy of the By-Laws reflected minor grammar/spelling errors which will also be reflected in this transcription.

Transcriptionist - Shirley Bray