BYLAWS
Hibiscus Park Crime Watch and Neighborhood Association
(As amended April 16, 2013)
The following shall be known as the bylaws of the Hibiscus Park Crime Watch and Neighborhood Association. These bylaws are the set of rules by which the neighborhood operates on a daily basis, votes on issues affecting the association and settles disputes that may arise from time to time, and they are binding on all members in this Neighborhood Association. If the Bylaws are found to be inconsistent with State and/or Local Law, then State and/or Local Law will override.
ARTICLE ONE
NAME
The name of this organization shall be Hibiscus Park Crime Watch and Neighborhood Association, a non-profit organization, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE TWO
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association is to promote the beauty, safety, and stability of the area and the surrounding community; to promote neighborliness and pride among residents and to form a base for representation in matters affecting community.
ARTICLE THREE
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this association are to:
1. Represent and advance the interests of residents in the neighborhood.
2. Keep all residents informed of issues vital to the neighborhood by appropriate communications and meetings.
3. Establish standing and ad-hoc committees to investigate and make recommendations to the association on all matters of neighborhood concern.
4. Seek the improvement of dwellings by residents and absentee owners.
5. Establish mutual protection and safety.
6. Improve safety of the streets through better traffic control.
7. Facilitate the education of residents regarding available options relating to home ownership, zoning, and other issues of concern to residents.
8. Work toward development and preservation of natural green spaces, parks, trees, landscaping and general land – use management.
9. Develop, adopt, and monitor a neighborhood plan, including an inventory of land uses and facilities.
ARTICLE FOUR
BOUNDARIES
The boundaries of this neighborhood shall include the south side of Georgia Avenue south to the south side of Mississippi Avenue and the east side of 13th Street east to the east side of Beach Court.
ARTICLE FIVE
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Eligibility
A. Each resident age 18 and older within the boundaries of the Association shall be eligible for membership in the Association.
B. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of views or opinions contrary to the goals and purposes of the association.
C. Membership in the Association is voluntary.
D. Membership shall be issued to ELIGIBLE individuals upon payment of annual dues (see also Article V, Section 2b regarding eligibility to vote).
Section 2 - Dues
A. Dues shall be paid at the beginning of each fiscal year according to the following schedule: Minimum of $10.00 per member. (or as set by a vote of the membership).
B. All memberships expire on January 31st. Dues are required to be paid by January 31 (due date). If dues are not paid by the due date, MEMBERSHIP IS TERMINATED, BUT MAY BE REINSTATED UPON PAYMENT OF DUES.
ARTICLE SIX
VOTING
Section 1
A. EACH MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE 30 DAYS AFTER EITHER BECOMING A MEMBER OR BEING REINSTATED TO MEMBERSHIP.
B. A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of Association business. A quorum consists of eleven (11) or more voting members present at a regular monthly meeting.
Section 2
An affirmative vote of more than fifty per cent of the members present and voting shall be binding on the Association, EXCEPT WHEN A LARGER MAJORITY VOTE IS SPECIFIED BY THESE BY-LAWS.
Section 3
A. All major voting issues will be announced at regular monthly meetings at least two months prior to voting.
B. Issues requiring immediate attention before next scheduled meeting may be approved by no less than a minimum of three (3) members of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE SEVEN
OFFICERS
Section 1 - Executive Officers
The officers of the Association shall be elected from the eligible voting membership and shall be a president, president elect, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2 – Nominations
Nominations for officers may come from the general membership, and will be received up until the time of election.
Section 3 - Term
A. The President will be in office for a one (1) year term.
B. President-elect shall become President after serving a one (1) year term as President-elect.
C. Treasurer and Secretary shall serve a two (2) year term.
Section 4 – Election Rules
A. Elections shall be by written ballot as the first order of business at the January meeting. Ballots shall be opened and counted before the February meeting. The results of the voting shall be published as the first order of business at the February meeting.
B. The officers shall appoint one member to act as Supervisor of Elections.
C. Officers elected shall be installed at the February monthly meeting.
D. Absentee ballots may be requested from the Supervisor of Elections. It will be member’s responsibility to request and submit said ballot prior to the final vote at the regular meeting.
Section 5 - Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The president shall be empowered to speak on behalf of the Association consistent with the objectives and prior resolutions of the Association. Such statements shall be submitted to the members at the next regular meeting. No commitment on behalf of the Association may be made prior to submission to the general membership as stated above.
The President Elect shall fulfill the duties of the President in the President's absence and will assume the office of President the following fiscal year.
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a concise and permanent record of all business, outside correspondence, legal documents, and legal transactions of the Association. Furthermore, the secretary shall transcribe the minutes of every meeting and shall maintain a file copy of same and submit copies of these minutes to the members.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the Association monies, shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and shall co-sign all checks drawn on the account of the Association, and shall report each meeting on the balance in the account and the number of active members. (Note: On February 21, 2017, the membership voted that the officers be the authorized signers of checks.)
Section 6 - Removal from Office
Any officer may be removed from office for cause, at any meeting by two - thirds of the eligible membership present and voting upon petition by a minimum of 5 members of the Association providing that notice has been furnished to the membership at least two weeks prior to said meeting.
Section 7 – Replacement of Officers
When necessary, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY, UPON AGREEMENT OF THREE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, FILL VACANT OFFICES WITH AN ACTING OFFICER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE OFFICER TERM. HOWEVER, SHOULD THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM BE FOUR MONTHS OR MORE, a general membership vote must be taken TO REPLACE THE ACTING OFFICER after the appropriate nominations and voting process is followed as outlined in Section 4, Election Rules.
ARTICLE EIGHT
MEETINGS AND ORGANIZATION
Section 1 – Regular Meetings
Meetings of the general membership of the Association shall be held once a month as determined by the vote of the membership.
Section 2 – Special Meetings
Special meetings shall be called by the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by five (5) or more members of the Association. Said petition shall be presented to a minimum of three (3) members of the Executive Committee and proper notice shall be given to the general membership as outlined in Article 6, Section 3A.
Section 3 – Fiscal year
The fiscal year of the Association shall run from January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members constituting a quorum provided that the amendment(s) has been submitted in writing to the membership at the previous two meetings.
Revised 11.20.07 for General Membership 1
Amended April 20, 2010
Amended April 16, 2013