Interim Bylaws of the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association

 

 

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association is to represent the needs and concerns of the Edgemoor Neighborhood in the City of Bellingham, to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood, to monitor all civic issues in order to promote the best possible solutions for our neighborhood and the community at large, and to encourage the residents of Edgemoor to actively participate in achieving this purpose.

 

2. Boundaries of the Edgemoor Neighborhood. The Edgemoor Neighborhood includes all properties within the area bounded by Cowgill Road on the north, Chuckanut Road on the east and Briza Court and Sea Pines Lane on the south, and Bellingham Bay on the west.

 

3. Membership. Any person who is at least 18 years old, and either a property owner or a legal resident living within the boundaries of the Edgemoor Neighborhood, and has paid their annual dues is a member of the Association.

 

4. Annual Dues. Annual dues are $15 per member.

 

5. Voting Rights. Only members can vote at the Annual Membership Meeting.

 

6. Speaking Rights. Any property owner or resident may speak during the designated times of meetings. The time allotted for speaking is determined by the Interim Board.

 

7. Interim Board. There will be 9 members on the Interim Board. They will consist of a President, Vice President, 2 Co-Secretaries, Treasurer, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, Chair of the Membership Committee, Chair of the Communications Committee, and Liaison to the Action Committees. If a Board position is vacant, the Interim Board has the authority to appoint a Board member to serve until the next election.

 

8. Election of the Interim Board. The Interim Board will be elected by voice vote of the membership at the August General Membership Meeting. The Interim Board will not officially assemble until Directors and Officers Insurance is obtained.

 

9. Term of the Interim Board. The Interim Board will serve until the formal bylaws of the association are created and passed. The bylaws will be completed before the Annual Membership Meeting to be held in April 2005.

 

10. Interim Board Meetings. The Interim Board shall meet monthly on the 3rd Tuesday. There must be 5 board members present for a quorum. The Interim Board Meetings are open to all who wish to attend. Only Board members may vote at the Interim Board Meetings.

 

11. Duties of the Board Members. All members of the Interim Board are expected to attend the Interim Board Meetings.

 The Interim President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Board and shall direct and coordinate the work of the officers, committees and functions of the Association. The president or his/her designee is authorized to make official statements on behalf of the Association.

The Interim Vice President shall assist the President and serve in the absence of the President and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board.

The Interim Secretaries shall record and maintain minutes of the Annual  Membership and Board meetings and provide copies of said minutes to the Board. The Secretary shall serve and publish all necessary notices, maintain all records and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board.

The Interim Treasurer shall maintain all accounting records, receive and disburse funds and prepare financial statements as required by the Board. The Treasurer shall maintain a list of all members in good standing in the Association. The Treasurer shall present an annual financial report at the Annual Membership Meeting.

The Chair of the Bylaw Committee heads a group that is responsible for drawing up a permanent set of bylaws.

The Chair of the Membership Committee heads a group that is responsible for recruiting residents of the neighborhood to become members and actively participate in the activities of the Association.

The Chair of the Communication Committee heads a group that is responsible for publicizing the Annual Meeting to the property owners and residents. The Committee is also responsible  for publicizing  the Board Meetings to the membership. The Committee will meet these responsibilities primarily through the use of the website, emails and press releases and secondarily through flyers, signs and mailings. Other Committees may enlist the help of the Communications Committee in getting their meetings, issues and positions disseminated to the membership. The Committee may also put in place systems to serve as a clearing house for residents comments, concerns and proposals and then present this information at the Interim Board meetings .This Committee is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the website.

The Action Committee Liaison is responsible for facilitating the formation of the various action committees. There are 4 Action Committees addressing each of the following areas: Neighborhood Plan Update; Neighborhood Safety; Growth, Development and Land Use; and View Preservation.

 

12. Committee Recommendations. Each committee will formulate its recommendations and present them at the Interim Board Meetings. The recommendations will be considered accepted when approved by a  majority vote at an Interim Board Meeting. 

 

13. Public Declarations of Positions Officially Supported by the Association. There are a number of public meetings and forums where the Association will want to advance a position as being supported by the Association. Such positions must have been approved by a majority vote at an Interim Board Meeting.

 

14. Liaisons to Other Groups. The board will appoint representatives to serve as liaisons to other groups. This will be done by a majority vote at an Interim Board Meeting.

 

15. Adoption of These Interim Bylaws. These bylaws shall go into effect when accepted by a majority vote at the first official Interim Board Meeting.

 

16. Revisions and Additions to Interim Bylaws. Other interim bylaws will be written and passed as needed by a majority vote at an Interim Board Meeting.