BYLAWS of the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association

 

Article I.                Mission Statement

The mission of the Association is to maintain and improve the unique residential characteristics of the North Rose Hill Neighborhood, to include:

1.                    Promotion of safe and adequate pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic, and traffic calming measures.

2.                    Protection of wetlands, streams, wildlife habitat, and other sensitive areas.

3.                    Minimization of noise, water and air pollution.

4.                    Supporting and enhancing Mark Twain Elementary School and Lake Washington Technical College.

5.                    Promotion of markers at appropriate gateways to identify North Rose Hill as a residential entity and not simply a traffic corridor between NE 85^th and NE 116^th.

6.                    Promotion and support of parks and open spaces.

7.                    Monitoring and informing residents of changes proposed by the City of Kirkland that could affect residents, such as opening or widening streets, expanding the sewer system, and changing zoning.

8.                    Consideration and study of other neighborhood concerns identified by residents.

9.                    Provision of lines of communication between residents and the City of Kirkland and assistance in obtaining a cooperative response by the City to residents concerns.

 

Section 1:

The name of this organization shall be the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association (the Association).

 

Section 2:

Purpose:

a)                   To enhance the livability of the area by establishing and maintaining an open line of communication and liaison between the neighborhood, government agencies and other neighborhoods.

b)                   To provide an open process by which all residents of the neighborhood may involve themselves in the affairs of the neighborhood.

c)                   To perform activities related to said purposes, to have and enjoy in any lawful activity for which corporations may be organized under State law.

d)                   To be organized exclusively for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes.  Notwithstanding any statement of purposes or powers aforesaid, this association shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in activities or exercise powers that are not in furtherance of its specific and primary purpose.

 

Article II:              Membership Qualifications

Membership in the Association shall be open to all residents.  A resident shall be defined as anyone who lives within the boundaries of North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association as defined in Article X of these bylaws.

 

Section 1:

Membership Voting:

All residents, located within the Association boundaries, 16 years of age or older, shall have one vote each to be cast during attendance at any general or special meeting.

 

Article III:             Dues

No dues or membership fees shall be charged.  Voluntary contributions will be accepted.  Activities to raise funds may be held if appropriate.

 

Article IV:            Membership Meetings

Section  1:

General Membership Meetings:

There shall be at least one general membership meeting yearly.  The meetings shall be convened in the fall or spring and upon any day decided upon by the majority vote of the board of directors.  Notification for general meetings shall require seven (7) days advance written or telephone notice to active members of the Association.  An active member is defined as one who has attended at least one of the last two general or special meetings of the membership.

 

Section 2:             

Special Membership Meetings:

Special meetings of the membership may be called by the chair or the board of directors as deemed necessary.  Notification and purpose(s) of the special meeting shall require written or telephone notice to active members of the Association.

 

Section 3:

Agenda:

Subject to the approval of the board of directors, the chair shall prepare the agenda for general and special meetings of the membership.  Any member may make a motion to add an item to the board, general or special agenda at those respective meetings. Adoption of that motion requires a second and majority vote.

 

Section 4:

Quorum:

A quorum for any general or special meeting shall be the number of members in attendance.  Unless otherwise specified in these bylaws, decisions shall be made by a 2/3 majority vote of those members present at any meeting.

 

Section 5:

Participation:

Any general, special, board or committee meeting is open to any person and all who may wish to be heard.  However, only those eligible for membership are entitled to vote..  All actions or recommendations of the general or special meetings, including minority reports, shall be communicated to all affected parties.

 

Section 6:

Procedures:

a)                   Letters or statements on behalf of the Association will requiire board approval before dispatch.

b)                   The Association shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order (Revised) in all areas not covered by the bylaws.

 

Article V:              Board of Directors

Section 1:

Number of board members:

The board of directors shall determine the exact number of board positions annually.  There shall be at least 6 and no more than 12 members.

 

Section 2:

Terms of Office:

Each director shall hold office for a term of one (1) year for which he/she is elected or appointed and until his/her successor shall have been elected or appointed to take office.

 

Section 3:

Eligibility for board service:

Only persons eligible for Association membership shall be qualified to hold an elected or appointed position.

 

Section 4:

Duties of board members:

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the board in the interim period between general meetings.  The board shall be accountable to the membership, shall seek the views of those affected by proposed policies, actions before adopting recommendations on behalf of the Association, and shall strictly comply with these bylaws.

 

Section 5:

Election of board members:

Board members shall be elected annually by a vote of the membership at its annual meetings.  The names of all candidates for the board shall be placed in nomination.  In the event two or more names are proposed for a position, secret written ballots shall be issued for voting for board members.  Election requires a majority vote of the members present.

 

Section 6:

Board vacancies:

The board may fill any vacancy on the board by a majority vote of the board in cases involving absences by a board member from two(2) consecutive meetings.  A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and until his/her successor is elected or appointed.

 

Section 7:

Duties of board officers:

a)                   Chair:                      The chair shall prepare the agenda and preside at meetings of the board and membership, shall appoint members of committees not elected, with a majority approval of the board, except for members of the Grievance Committee.

b)                   Vice-Chair:             The first alternate shall assist the Chair; in the Chair’s absence shall function as Chair; shall serve as a member of the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN).

c)                   Secretary:              The secretary shall keep the minutes and written records of majority and minority opinions expressed at all meetings; shall assist with correspondence of the Association; shall make records of the Association available for inspection for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

d)                   Treasurer:              The treasurer shall be held accountable for all funds and shall give an accounting at each general meeting; shall receive, safe keep and disburse Association funds, but such disbursement shall require the signature of one other board member for expenditures of $100.00 or more..

e)                   Board Members:   At-large members shall inform the board and the Association of activities of their areas of responsibility.

 

Section 8:

Board Meetings:

The board shall meet prior to any general meeting and at other times the chair may designate.  These meetings shall be open session; however, only board members shall be entitled to vote.  A quorum for board meetings shall be the number of board members in attendance; decisions shall be made by a 2/3 majority vote.  Directors shall be notified of board meetings in writing or by telephone in advance.  A majority of board members, by signed petition, may call a board, general or special meeting.

 

Article VI:            Committees

The board shall establish both standing and ad hoc committees as it deems necessary.  Committees shall make recommendations to the board for board actions.  Committees shall not have the power to act on behalf of the Association without specific authorization from the board.

 

Article VII:           Conflict of Interest

Section 1:

Definition:

A conflict of interest exists for a member or board member whenever the member or board member holds a personal financial interest which will be impacted by the action or inaction by the Association on a proposal before the membership or board.  A personal financial interest shall include a financial interest held by the member or board member and/or by members of their immediate family.  A personal financial interest includes an ownership interest above 5% of a business which will be impacted by the decision.  Examples of personal financial interests would include:  Employment by the Association; ownership of property the use or control of which is being considered by the Association; plans to purchase property the use or control of which is under discussion by the Association, etc.

 

Section 2:

Declaring the conflict of interest:

Whenever a board member determines that they have a conflict of interest relating to an item under discussion, they must inform the body (membership or board) hearing the proposal that the conflict of interest exists.

 

Section 3:

Abstention from voting:

Members or board members shall not vote on matters in which they have a conflict of interest.

 

Article VIII:          Grievance Procedures

Section 1:

Eligibility to grieve:

A person or group adversely affected by a decision or policy of the Association may submit in writing a complaint to any member of the Grievance Committee.

 

Section 2:

Complaint Receipt:

Within seven(7) days of receipt of the complaint, the committee shall arrange with the petitioner a mutually acceptable place, day and hour for a review of the complaint and will in writing, within thirty (30) days recommend a resolution of the grievance to the board.

 

Section 3:

Final Resolution:

The committee shall attempt to resolve the complaint and shall submit a report of their recommendations and/or action to the complainant, board and membership.  If the committee, board and petitioner cannot reach agreement, final resolution of the complaint shall be by a vote of a 2/3 majority of the membership at a general or special meeting.

 

Article IX:            Procedure for Consideration of Proposals

Section 1:

Submission of proposals:

Any person, group, or city agency, inside or outside the boundaries of the Association may propose in writing items for consideration and/or recommendation to the board.  The board shall decide whether proposed items will appear on the agenda of either the board, standing or special committees or general or special meetings.

 

Section 2:

Notification:

The proponent and members directly affected by such proposals shall be notified in writing or by telephone of the place, day and hour the proposal shall be reviewed not less than seven (7) days in advance. 

 

Section 3:

Attendance:

The proponent may attend this meeting to make a presentation and answer questions concerning the proposal.

 

Section 4:

Dissemination:

The Association shall submit recommendations and dissenting views as recorded from the meeting to the proponent and other appropriate parties within thirty(30) days.

 

Article X:              Boundaries

Section 1:

Boundaries:

Boundaries of the Association shall be defined as in the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan.

 

Article XI:            Public Meetings/Public Records Requirement

The Association shall abide by all Washington State statutes relative to public meetings and public records.  Official action(s) taken must be on record or part of the minutes of each meeting.  The minutes shall include a record of attendance and the results of any vote(s) taken.

 

Article XII:           Non-Discrimination

The Association will not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, sex,  sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, income or political affiliation in any of its policies, recommendations or actions.

 

Article XIII:          Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws

All amendments to these bylaws must be proposed in writing and submitted to members at a regular meeting of the Association.  Adoption of and amendments to these bylaws shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the members present at a general meeting.

 

04/12/2003

 

 

SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO BYLAWS :

ARTICLE 1:           Grammatical changes from Promote to Promotion of, from Protect to Protection of, from Minimize to Minimization of, from Support and enhance to Supporting and enhancing.

 

ARTICLE 5:           SECTION 5

From “shall be sued” to “shall be issued”

                                SECTION 6

From  “three(3) consecutive meetings” to “two(2) consecutive meetings”

 

ARTICLE VIII:      SECTION 1

From “complain” to “complaint”

                                SECTION 2

From “complain” to “complaint”

 

ARTICLE X:          SECTION   1                                                                                       

From detailed description of boundaries that was no longer accurate, restated as “Boundaries of the Association shall be defined as in the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan.”