Agua Dulce Civic Association, Inc.

... Serving Agua Dulce since 1956

 

 

 

AGUA DULCE CIVIC ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

Approved 4/19/07

 

The Agua Dulce Civic Association was organized July 13, 1956, and incorporated on April 29, 1957 as a Non-Profit Corporation. The BY-LAWS will not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation.

 

Article I – Name

 

This organization shall be know from this day, July 13, 1956 and each year henceforth, as the Agua Dulce Civic Association (hereafter “Association”).

 

Article II Mission

 

The Mission of this Association of civic minded persons shall be: to identify, research and report to the community of Agua Dulce on issues of membership interest, and as deemed necessary by the general membership, to participate in and take a position on those issues; to protect and preserve the historic rural environment of Agua Dulce by supporting community compatible growth and to support enforcement of the Agua Dulce Community Standards District Ordinance.

 

Article III – Policies

 

This Association shall be nonsectarian, a nonpartisan and a nonprofit corporation.

 

Article IV – Membership

 

Section 1: Membership

A.     Membership shall be open to all residents and property owners of Agua Dulce who

support the Association Mission as defined under Article II.

B.     Non-property owner members shall be known as Associate Members.  Associate

Members have no voting privileges with the exception of Section 2: Voting

Privileges.

C.     Member information shall remain confidential and available only to the Civic

Association Officers.

 

Section 2:  Voting Privileges

A.     Each real property/parcel owner shall have one vote, but no real property/parcel owner shall have more than one vote regardless of the number of separate parcels owned in Agua Dulce.

B.     An owner may assign voting privileges provided the assignee resides on the property and both the owner and assignee have read and have signed the acknowledgement supporting the Mission of the Civic Association, and dues are current.  Assignees shall be identified at the time of application and can not be changed until the next membership period.  

C.   To be eligible to vote, one must be a member in good standing/dues current for at

      least thirty (30) days prior to the vote.

D.  Voting procedures shall be determined by the Board of Directors. 

     

Section 3: Alternative Forms of Property Ownership/Voting Privileges

Property held in trust and other forms of ownership are eligible for Membership and have voting privileges provided the person with legal authority over the property and/or their assignee have both read and signed the application for membership.

 

Section 4: Dues payable

Membership dues are due and payable on July 1st of each fiscal period ending June 30th of each year.   The amount shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the general membership at the Annual Meeting in June. There will be no pro-rating of dues

      

Section 5: Nonpayment of Dues

Dues become delinquent on August 31st of each year.  Non-payment of dues shall result in the forfeiture of voting rights.  There shall be a 30-day waiting period after receipt of payment, before voting rights are reinstated.

 

Section 6: Discipline

Acts of a member which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, are determined to be detrimental to the Association, may lead to censure and/or expulsion from membership. That member shall have the right, within 30 days, to a hearing before a duly notified general membership. A two-thirds (2/3) vote, by secret ballot of the members present, shall be required for expulsion from the membership. Membership standing shall be checked and certified by the membership chair before issuing ballots. Expelled members may be reinstated as a member in good standing by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, by secret ballot, of the members present at a duly notified general meeting, after six (6) months. The costs of duly notifying the general membership and any other costs for reinstatement shall be at the expelled member’s expense.

 

A. Acts “ detrimental to the Association” are defined as follows:

 

1. Members shall not make statements that distort the position of the Association or other members or which undermines the effectiveness of the Association.

2. Members shall not engage in conversations or activities that discredit or create disrespect for the Association.

3. Members shall not engage in unlawful practices, misappropriation of funds, or actions that create the appearance of impropriety.

4. Members shall not vote on items where they have a conflict–of-interest, which is defined for this purpose as something which could bring personal benefit or loss to the member. Possible conflict-of-interest issues shall be decided by the majority of members present.

5. Members shall not imply either in verbal or written communications that they speak for the Association unless they are expressing a previously established Association position, or they are Committee Chairs where the position of the committee has been endorsed by the Association.

 

Section 7: Liability

No member of the Association shall be personally or otherwise responsible or liable for any debts, liabilities and/or obligations of the Association.

 

Article V – Officers

Section 1: Officers

The officers shall consist of a President, First Vice President (Program), Second Vice President (Membership), a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Treasurer, elected by secret ballot to serve a period of one year.

 

Section 2: Eligibility

A term of office for each officer shall be one (1) fiscal year July 1st to June 30th.

 

Section 3:

No member shall hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive years with the exception of the office of the Treasurer.

 

Article VI – Nominations and Election

 

Section 1: Nominations

A nominating committee of at least three (3) members shall be appointed by the President in April (with the exception of 2007). The consent of each candidate must be obtained before his or her name is placed in nomination. The committee shall submit a slate of qualified candidates at the general meeting in May at which time further nominations may be made from the floor.

 

Section 2. Election

A.        The election of officers shall be held at June general meeting, with officers being installed at the July general meeting. 

B.         Voting to be by secret ballot if there is more than one candidate for an office. In the event of a tie between nominees for an office, it shall be decided by re-balloting.

A.     When there is but one candidate for an office, the ballot may be dispensed, and an oral vote taken. A majority of members present shall elect.

 

Section 3: Officer Standing

Any member elected to office of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary or Treasurer must have been a member in good standing for at least six (6) months prior to the election.

Section 4: Member Standing

All members in good standing for thirty (30) days prior to the election are eligible to vote for officers.

 

Section 5: Vacancies

Vacancies in office shall be handled as follows:

A.     In the event of the death, resignation, or incapacity of the President, the First Vice

President shall become President for the unexpired term. The next in succession is the

Second Vice President.

B.     Vacancies in offices, other than the President, shall be filled for the unexpired term by

the Board of Directors.  Section 4 of this Article (Officer standing) shall apply.

C.     The Recording Secretary shall become President in the absence of the President or

First Vice President or the Second Vice President.

 

Section 6: Absence

Absence from three (3) consecutive regular Board of Directors and general meetings, without an excuse acceptable to the Board of Directors, shall be considered as an officer’s or chairperson’s resignation and the Board of Directors may, with discretion, appoint a member in good standing to complete the unexpired term. Section 4 of this Article (Officer Standing) shall apply.

 

Article VII – Installation of Officers

Section 1:

Officers shall be installed following the election in June, and at the first general meeting in July, at a time designated by the Board of Directors. A public installation ceremony may be desired.

 

Section 2:

The first Vice President shall chair the Installation Ceremony.

 

Article VIII – Duties of Officers

Section 1: President

The President shall preside at all general, regular, and special meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint special and standing chairpersons, and shall be a member ex-officio of all committees, except Nominating Committee.  The President shall, with the Recording Secretary, sign all legal documents, and with either the Secretary or Treasurer or First Vice President, sign all checks. Two out of three signatures are required on all checks – namely – the President, Recording Secretary or Treasurer or First Vice President.

 

Section II – Vice Presidents

The First President shall substitute for the President in case of absence.  The Recording Secretary shall assume the duties of President in the absence of the President and First Vice President.

 

A.      The First Vice president shall, in the absence of the President, assume the

President’s duties and assist in the work of the President.  The First Vice President

may also be the Program Chair.  The First Vice President shall be responsible for

developing a yearly calendar to be presented to the Board of Directors for approval

by the September general meeting.  The First Vice President shall chair the

Installation Ceremony and arrange for necessary awards.

B.       The Second Vice president shall be Membership Chairman. The Second Vice President shall appoint his or her own committee and shall provide a membership roster by the end of October. The Second Vice President shall be in charge of refreshments.

 

Section III – Secretaries

A.     The Recording Secretary shall keep the general club records, including minutes of

general and Board of Directors meetings, committee appointments, list of officers, list

of members showing their addresses and telephone numbers, a copy of the

Association’s By-laws and the club seal. The Recording Secretary shall sign, with the

President, all legal documents and keep a copy thereof. The Recording Secretary shall

provide the President with a copy of the minutes of the previous general and Board of

Directors of Director meetings and be prepared to present recommendations of the

previous Board of Directors meeting to the members present. 

B.     The Corresponding Secretary shall prepare all written correspondence for the

President’s signature, attend to the correspondence of the club, file letters pertaining

to the business of the club, notify the membership of regular and special meetings an

 keep a copy of all letters written. The Corresponding Secretary shall keep a copy of

the Association’s By-laws with Association’s records, prepare and mail Association

notices for special activities, and notify the membership of pending issues of

paramount concern. The Corresponding Secretary shall sit on the Civic Improvement

and Publicity committees.

 

Section IV – Treasurer

A.     The Treasurer shall receive all monies and deposit the same, in the name of the

Association, in a bank approved by the Association, and keep an itemized accounting

of receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall make a written report to be read at

each monthly Board of Directors meeting and present a copy to the President and

Recording Secretary. Checks shall be signed by the Treasurer and President, with an

alternate assignee in the person of the Recording Secretary or First Vice President,

two signatures being required. The Treasurer shall serve as a member of the Finance

Committee. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit an annual financial report to be

read at the September general meeting. The books are to be closed and audited prior

to this meeting.

B.     In order that the books may be closed and audited, the Treasurer shall call for all bills

owed and monies due to be given to the proper person or persons at the general

meeting in June.

 

Section V:

Each Officer and Chairperson, on the expiration of the office, or in case of resignation, shall turn over to his or her successor without delay, all records, books, funds, or any other material pertaining to the office.

 

Article IX – Board of Directors

Section 1:

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, First Vice President (Program), Second Vice President (membership), Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and appointed chairpersons of the standing committees.

 

Section 2: Duties

A.     The Board of Directors shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the

Association. The Board of Directors shall make recommendations to the general

membership, transact any business between meetings, and report thereupon at the

next general meeting. It shall be subject to the orders of the Association and none of

its acts shall be in conflict with action taken by the Association. Minutes shall be

taken of these meetings.

B.     The Board of Directors may ask the Agua Dulce Senior Citizens Club to select the

annual Pioneer of the Year Award.

C.     The Board of Directors may nominate a family candidate for the Family of the Year

Award.  Nominations for the Family of the Year Award may also be made by the

general membership.  The Association shall conduct the community election for the

Family of the Year at the July general meeting.

 

Section 3: Meetings

A.      The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a month.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by one-third (1/3) Board of Directors Members, provided two are elected officers.

B.     A quorum shall consist of three (3) Board of Directors.   Each member shall have one vote: no voting by proxy shall be allowed.

C.     The date and place of the meetings is to be selected at the discretion of the majority of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4: New Business

All new Association business shall be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration prior to presentation to the general membership.

 

Article X – Standing Committees

Section I:

Standing committees of this Association shall be:

A.     Finance

B.     Ways and Means

C.     Civic Improvement

D.     Education

E.      Publicity

F.      Sergeant-at-Arms

G.     Health & Welfare

H.     Newsletter

I.        Picnic on the Porch

 

Section II: Duties of Standing Committee

A.      The Finance Committee shall prepare and present an annual budget to the Board of Directors for recommendation to the general membership; for adoption, conduct an audit of the Association’s financial books to be in August, the Treasurer shall serve on this committee but may not chair it.

B.     The Ways and Means Committee shall plan and oversee activities to raise funds. 

C.  The Civic Improvement Committee shall keep informed and present to the

membership, plans for the development of the community. Same committee shall

receive and present public notices from governmental agencies that pertain to the

community. The Corresponding Secretary shall serve on this committee.

D.     The Education Committee shall keep informed on the activities and needs of the

schools and shall form a Scholarship subcommittee.

E.      The Publicity Committee shall publicize all meetings and events. The Corresponding

Secretary shall serve on this committee. The Publicity Chairman shall contact all

local newspapers and publications with information on all activities. All written

publicity shall be approved by the President.

F.      The Sergeant-at-Arms Committee shall maintain order at all meetings, be responsible

for all Association equipment and assets, set up and take down seating and tables,

etc., at each meeting.

G.     The Health & Welfare Committee shall assist in the common welfare of the

community, i.e., creating an interest in disaster preparedness, community safety, and

the general well-being of the community.

H.     The Newsletter Committee shall gather and disseminate information of interest to the

membership through various media avenues.

I.   The Picnic on the Porch Committee shall organize and conduct this event.

 

Article XI – Special Committees

 

Special Committees may be established at the request of the President or the Board of Directors as the need arises. Upon completion of the Special Committee’s objective or purpose and a report has been presented, thereupon, the committee shall cease to exist.

 

Article XII – Meetings

 

Section 1:

A general meeting of the Association shall be held on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise ordered by the general membership. Meetings are open to all members.

 

Section 2:

Special meetings may be called by the President, by a majority of the Board of Directors, or by the written request of ten (10) members in good standing, provided all members are duly notified.

 

Section 3:

The general meeting in June shall be known as the annual meeting. It shall be for the purpose of receiving annual report of officers and committees and for other business that may arise.

 

Article XIII – Amendments

 

Amendments to the By-law’s may be proposed by the Board of Directors, or by a By-law’s special committee.  The proposed By-law changes must have a two-thirds (2/3) approval vote of the Board of Directors members present.  Written notice of change(s) in the by-laws must be given to the general membership two (2) weeks prior to a general membership vote on the change(s).

 

Article XIV - Dissolution

Section 1:

In case of a dissolution of the Association, the President or next ranking Officer shall call a special meeting to consider the matter. This might occur when the general membership should drop below the number of elected officers and standing committee chairpersons.

 

 

Section 2:

A three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of active members in attendance at the special meeting shall be needed to dissolve the Association.

 

Section 3:

In case of a dissolution, all monies, assets and other properties still in possession of the Association shall be turned over to some agreed upon local charity, local institution or other local Association.

 

Article XV - Parliamentary Authority

Section 1:

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this Association in all cases, i.e., anything not covered by these by-laws – refer to Robert’s Rules.

 

Section 2:

Subjects of a civic or property nature are to be allowed for discussion during a “public forum” on the general meeting agenda. The President may set a speaking time limit.

 

Section 3:

Only persons authorized by the Association may speak on behalf of the Association to or before local, county, state or federal government authorities.

 

Section 4:

Prior to the Association taking a vote/stand, on issues of paramount concern to the residents and property owners of Agua Dulce, the general membership shall be notified two (2) weeks prior as to the time and place of the meeting to present the issue(s), discuss the issue(s), and vote.

 

Revisions – 04/18/1996, 07/16/1998, 05/20/2004, 04/19/2007

 

DATED: April 19, 2007 (Approval date by General membership) (Tenth Revision)

 

________________________                                    _________________________

President                                                                      Recording Secretary