BY-LAWS OF THE
MOUNT PLEASANT NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE
AS AMENDED November 27,
2003
ARTICLE 1.
NAME AND LOCATION
Section 1. Name. The name of the organization is the Mt. Pleasant
Neighborhood Alliance.
Section 2. Location. The principal office of the Mt. Pleasant
Neighborhood Alliance will be the address of the President or
Secretary. The mailing address will be, if possible, a post office
box located in the Mt. Pleasant area.
ARTICLE II.
PURPOSE
Section 1. General. The purpose of the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood
Alliance ("MPNA") is to develop a neighborhood organization to
promote the concerns of Mt. Pleasant residents to the District of
Columbia government as a whole, including but not limited to the
Advisory Neighborhood Commission ("ANC"), the Office of the Mayor,
and the Council of the District of Columbia. MPNA members will also
work with all other federal and local governing agencies.
Section 2. Specific. The purposes of MPNA shall be:
a. To create a strong political voice on behalf of the residents of
Mt. Pleasant, to ensure that all laws and regulations of the
District of Columbia are enforced, and to the extent necessary, are
amended or new laws and regulations created to address the concerns
of the neighborhood.
b. To unify the residents to solve problems in Mt. Pleasant.
c. To enhance the general quality of life for all who live and visit
Mt. Pleasant.
d. To promote cooperation between the residents and business
community of Mt. Pleasant.
e. To support commercial development of Mount Pleasant Street within
limits appropriate for the residential community.
f. To work with other community-based organizations.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Qualifications for Membership. Any adult person, 21 years
of age or older, who, on a continuing basis, subscribes to the
purposes and aims of the MPNA and is a resident of the community
within those streets located west of 16th Street NW, north of
Harvard Street, east of Rock Creek Park and South of Piney Branch
Parkway is eligible for membership in MPNA.
Section 2. Membership. There shall be one class of members. Each
member has one vote to be cast in person. Voting authority cannot be
transferred to another member. A simple majority vote of a quorum
controls a decision.
Section 3. Application for Membership. In order to join the MPNA an
individual must complete an application which includes his/her name,
address, and if the member agrees, his/her telephone number(s).
The membership roster shall be maintained by the Secretary and no
member's name or other information regarding a member shall be
disclosed without the written consent of that member.
Section 4. Dues. For the first year of operation, there are
no dues to join the MPNA. After one year, the membership will be
surveyed to determine if the organization should collect dues.
Section 5. Representation. No member shall represent MPNA unless
the Board has expressly authorized, in writing, that member to
represent the views and positions of the organization.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Size. The Board of Directors consists of the officers and
at-large members elected from the membership. The Board shall have
at least six but no more than fifteen total members. When used in
these by-laws, the terms "Board of Directors" and "Board" shall
include the officers.
Section 2. Powers and Duties. The Board has the responsibility for
the administration of MPNA and for performing other duties as the
membership may decide. The Board has the right to establish its own
rules of procedure. The Board has the authority to take actions,
including actions authorized or required by law or regulation, on
behalf of the Alliance with a quorum present and with a majority
vote.
Section 3. Elections. All directors are elected at the annual
meeting for a term of four year. Elections will be held at the
beginning of each calendar year but no later than April 30 of each
year starting in 1993. Voting in connection with the annual meeting
may be by ballot of those members present at the meeting, or by
ballot delivered to the President up to 5 days after the meeting by
mail or by electronic-mail. The President will verify and count the
mailed or emailed ballots and these will be added to the votes cast
at the meeting to determine the election of officers.
Section 4. Resignations and Vacancies. A director may resign by
giving notice in writing. A member of the Board may be removed by
the Board for cause. The Board may fill the vacancy for the balance
of the term at its discretion.
Section 5. Meetings. The Board will meet at least four times a year.
Additional meetings can be called by the President and two other
directors. Notice will be given to all Board members prior to any
meeting. All meetings of the Board of Directors are open to the
membership at large. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a
majority of the officers and other Board members then serving.
Section 6. Attendance. Board members are expected to attend
meetings on a regular basis. A Board member who is absent from three
consecutive meetings will lose his/her right to maintain a seat on
the Board. Reinstatement is at the discretion of the Board. The
Board may fill the vacancy at its discretion.
Section 7. Voting. Each Board member has one vote. No votes
can be recorded for an absent member.
SECTION V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers Designated. The officers of MPNA are: President,
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. All officers are
selected from the general membership.
Section 2. Elections. The membership elects the officers at
the annual meeting. Officers serve at the pleasure of the
membership. Officers may be removed by the Board for cause. The
Board may fill the vacancy for the balance of the term at its
discretion.
Section 3. Term of Office. All officers serve for a term of four
years.
Section 4. Resignations. An officer may resign by giving
notice in writing.
SECTION VI
FISCAL AFFAIRS
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year for MPNA begins on the first
day of January.
Section 2. Signing Financial Documents. Officers designated
by the Board have authority to sign checks individually in amounts
less than $500.00. All checks greater than $500.00 require the
signature of two officers.
SECTION VII.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The membership of the MPNA meets once a
year at the beginning of the new membership year. Every 4 years, the
members elect officers and directors in accordance with these
bylaws. Other business may be considered at this meeting.
Section 2. Other Meetings. A special meeting of MPNA will be held
whenever the President or Board decides. The President will also
call a special meeting at the written request of 25 members of MPNA.
Written notice of the time, place and business to be transacted will
be delivered by hand, electronically or by mail to each member at
least one week before the meeting. No other business may be
transacted at the meeting.
Section 3. A quorum for membership meetings consists of at least 10
members or ten percent (10%) of the members, whichever is less. No
proxies are allowed for any purpose.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Appointments. The membership or Board may establish
committees as needed. The members of committees are appointed by the
President. Each committee will have a chair.
Section 2. Meetings. Committee meetings are held at the discretion
of the Committee Chair.
ARTICLE IX
RULES OF PROCEDURE
Section 1. General. Rules of procedure beyond the scope of these
bylaws will follow the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1. General. The bylaws may be amended by majority vote of
the members of the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board at
which a quorum is present.