Carmel Station Association

Carmel Station Association

CSA By-Laws

B Y L A W S
BYLAW ONE NAME OF ASSOCIATION

1. Carmel Station Association

2. Herein known as “Carmel Station Association,” the “Subdivision,” or the “Association.”

3. Bylaws: Established on October 23rd, 2003.

BYLAW TWO AREA BOUNDARIES

1. In Charlotte, North Carolina, the County of Mecklenburg, Carmel Station Association consists of homeowners and residents of the Carmel Station subdivision and any homeowners or residents on Carmel Hills, Lynn Avenue and Hillbrook.

2. The boundaries may be changed as the Association grows.

BYLAW THREE NEWSLETTER

1. The newsletter, “Carmel Station Association Newsletter,” is delivered quarterly to each household member as listed on the then current membership roll and is financed by donations at semi-annual Association meetings.

2. Paid ads may be placed in the Newsletter, rates determined by the Board of Directors. The adds may not exceed a business card size add per printed, full page.

3. To maintain the integrity of the Association, it is strongly suggested that the Association’s Newsletter be maintained.

BYLAW FOUR WEB SITE

1. It is a goal of the association to establish a web page. The address of the Association’s Web Site is to be determined.

2. Please contact the Secretary by email: if you have any questions, if you have any ideas to add to the Web Site, to change email addresses or phone numbers, or to add or delete items.

BYLAW FIVE NO ENCUMBRANCE

1. Any person(s), corporations, entities, or others holding an interest in real property who may become or in the future become a member of the Carmel Station Association, shall not endure any encumbrance on their real or personal property by method of membership in the Carmel Station Association. Nor shall any amendment, alteration, reorganization, reconstruction, revision, removal, indemnification or changes be made to this Bylaw by the present or future Board of Directors or Officers of the Corporation to encumber property due to membership in Carmel Station Association.

2. This Bylaw can not be amended, altered or deleted.

BYLAW SIX PURPOSE

1. To insure the quality of life of all homeowners and residents residing in the Subdivisions.

2. To protect and defend the Subdivisions from all persons, parties, companies, corporations, entities, or others who would seek to destroy, damage, or alter the beauty or quality of life.

BYLAW SEVEN ASSOCIATION STATUS

1. Carmel Station Association will operate as a 501 3(c) under IRS Code.

BYLAW EIGHT NO POWER TO FINE OR IMPOSE

1. Carmel Station Association shall have no power to fine, penalize, or in any other manner impose restrictions upon the property of others.

2. Carmel Station Association shall work with Police, Fire, and other governmental agencies to improve the Subdivisions and or resolve any issue with the proper governmental authorities.

BYLAW NINE MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be by consent only, on an annual basis and after payment of the annual dues.

2. Members shall be listed on a current membership roll kept by the Secretary.

3. At present, meetings are held at the semi-annually, generally in February and October. If any change occurs in the meeting place, time, or date the membership shall be notified. Currently, the members are reminded of the meetings by Block Captain contact, signs placed in appropriate areas, the Carmel Station Association Newsletter.

4. Dues shall be recommended by the Board to the membership and must be approved by a super majority (67%) of a quorum of then currently listed members on the roll. A quorum of the membership will be considered as 60% of the then listed members.

5. All members, members serving on committees or special projects, Block Captains, or Officers shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

6. A Membership is defined as a household membership and is entitled to one vote in any matter under consideration.

BYLAW TEN AUTHORIZATION

1. The Officers of the Association are authorized to administer the day to day operation of the Association.

2. All members shall seek and receive the approval of the Board of Directors or the President before using or representing the name of the Association.

3. Frequently, there are situations in which an appointed representative does not know what the consensus of the Board of Directors on any issue would be. Therefore, Carmel Station Association approved representative shall have the authorization to either express his/her opinion or to vote on an agenda or non-agenda item at any meeting such as stakeholder meetings; city council meetings, county commission meetings, city or county department meetings, and public or private meetings. At the next Carmel Station Association Board meeting, said representative shall give a report to the board on any meeting to include agenda and non-agenda items, and any votes or opinions he/she expressed at said meeting for the purpose of ratification by the Carmel Station Association Board of Directors. After discussion, if the Board, by majority opinion, reaches a difference of opinion, then the board shall appoint the said representative, or a designated person, or the President of the Association to send a letter or email to the proper person(s) expressing or stating the adopted board’s position.

4. All members, members of any committee, Block Captains, or Officers shall seek and receive prior approval from the President or Board of Directors for any expense or expenses that might be incurred in the administration of any project.

5. All members, committee members, their Block Captains or Officers shall seek and receive the approval of the Board of Directors on any issues prior to any forward move of any action that may effect the operation of the Association or the Subdivisions.

BYLAW ELEVEN NON-AUTHORIZATION

1. Use of the name “Carmel Station Association” is strictly prohibited, either in part or in its entirety by its members, committees, vendors, subcontractors, or any other person(s) or entity without written permission from the Board of Directors. Such use shall only be granted for the benefit of Carmel Station Association.

2. Carmel Station Association reserves the right to seek whatever remedies may be available to the Association, including but shall not be limited to litigation for infringement of the use of its name.

BYLAW TWELVE MEMBER RIGHTS

1. Bylaw Five, NO ENCUMBRANCE, can not be amended, altered, or deleted.

2. The membership roll shall be kept confidential, with the exception of the Association’s day to day operation and the member’s right to a petition, and shall not be sold or given to any person, organization or company without prior approval of the member(s).

3. Members have a right to request issues be discussed before the Board of Directors as discussed in the Dispute – Protest – Petition Section of the Bylaws.

4. Members shall have the right to submit their name, or any other member’s name, for consideration for any elected office—President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. After they have been made aware of the duties and responsibilities associated with a specific position, they have a right to have their name placed on the ballot for election, at the appropriate time, to any position available at any election or special election.

5. Members may volunteer for any committee or to chair committees. The Board of Directors or the President has the right to limit the number of people serving on any committee.

6. A member may ask to be put on the Association’s quarterly meeting agenda and receive permission to speak on issues other than Association issues; with an option by the President, or person presiding over the meeting, to limit the time allowed.

7. Any other rights the Association, by vote, or the Board of Directors shall deem just and proper.

8. These rights are not all-inclusive and can be modified.

BYLAW THIRTEEN ELECTIONS

1. Elections shall be by ballot for President, First Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and shall be held at the October meeting at the completion of each specific term of office. Generally, there will be no election for Second Vice-President, Second Secretary or Second Treasurer. These offices will only be appointed by the Board of Directors when it is found that the work load justifies the appointment.

2. The President and the First Vice-President/Second Vice-President alternate two-year terms and the First Secretary/Second Secretary and the First Treasurer/Second Treasurer alternate two-year terms. To begin the alternating terms, in the Year 2003 the President and Secretary(s) shall hold a three-year term.

3. Any addition, change or deletion of any Bylaw shall be voted on by hand unless the vote is too close to call then the President shall call for that vote by ballot.

4. In September, a small committee of 3 or 5 members shall be formed by the Board of Directors to receive suggestions and nominations to fill completed terms of Officers for the coming year. Each nominee will be interviewed and made aware of the duties and responsibilities of the office. Upon his or her acceptance, the nominee’s name will be placed on the October ballot. At the October Association meeting, the nominees will be announced. The Newsletter mailed before the October Association meeting will include a complete ballot, which can be used as an absentee ballot as discussed in the Voting and Secretary Sections of the Bylaws.

BYLAW FOURTEEN MEMBER VOTING

1. When a vote is taken at any Association meeting concerning the officers or Association Bylaws each household member of the Association shall have one vote. The Officers' vote shall be by ballot. The Bylaw vote shall be by hand unless the vote is too close to call then the President may call for that vote to be taken by ballot of the members present, signed and turned in to the secretary or a vote may be taken at the next Association Meeting. An absentee ballot may be submitted by a certain date as determined by the Secretary at that time. Absentee ballots shall be totaled by the Secretary before or during the Association meeting, and the results shall be held and added to the results of the ballots handed in at the meeting. The votes shall be counted and announced at the meeting, unless time is a factor. The results shall be announced in the next newsletter and at the next quarterly Association meeting.

2. When a vote is taken at a quarterly Association meeting concerning all other issues: possible affirmation of a Block Captain, any special events, projects, or items concerning the general operation of the Association, each household member has one vote. Only votes taken of members present at these Association meetings shall be counted.

3. Before any vote is taken on any issue the President or an Association member can request a debate or discussion.

BYLAW FIFTEEN OFFICERS

1. The Officers shall or may consist of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, First Secretary, Second Secretary, First Treasurer and Second Treasurer. The President’s position can not be co-chaired. More than one person can serve at any one time in the office of Vice-President(s), Secretary(s) or Treasurer(s); but no matter when elected or appointed shall serve out the remaining current term.

2. All Officers of the Association shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

3. Officers may only hold one term, consecutively, in any specific office. An Officer shall only hold one elected position at any one time: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, First Secretary, Second Secretary, First Treasurer or Second Treasurer. It is necessary to fill the “First” position for each term but it is by the discretion of the Board to fill the “Second” offices. If it becomes necessary, because of the workload, to appoint or elect additional positions to any one of these offices, and will be at the discretion of the Board.

4. An Association member may be elected as an Officer of the Association and also hold a Block Captain’s position as long as the Board of Directors approves it. The Board of Directors shall keep in mind not to overburden any one member with duties and responsibilities.

5. Each Officer is a Director and is on the Association’s Board of Directors. All Officers shall assume it their duty as an Officer or Block Captain to attend all called meetings.

6. The President/Secretary and the Vice-President/Treasurer offices shall be on alternating two-year terms with the exception of the President/Secretary term beginning in the Year 2004, which shall be three years.

7. The Officers of the Association are responsible for the day to day operation of the Association.

8. If at any time the consensus of the Officers is that an Officer is unable to contribute properly to maintain the day to day operation of the Association, it shall be put on the agenda and discussed at the next Board of Directors meeting. Should any Officer become unable to serve due to illness, disability, or any other reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint a member from the membership role to serve out the remaining term. If the replacement is for the office of the President, then after the Board of Directors appoints a member to carry out the current term, the Association, at the next quarterly meeting, shall have the right to affirm the appointment by a show of hands.

9. Officers shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that shall effect the Association. Officers shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward on any issue concerning any expenditure.

10. Any Officer unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, for a short period of time, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the President or the Board of Directors.

11. A leave of absence for a longer period of time requested by an officer can be accepted by the Board of Directors, who will appoint an Association member to handle that officer’s duties and responsibilities during a designated period of time. If another Officer, other than a Co-Officer, fills that position, then that Officer’s position will have to be filled for the same period of time, as an Officer can not hold two different offices.

12. If in a longer period of time, with the approval of the Board of Directors, an Officer chooses to continue the position, and can successfully designate duties and responsibilities to others keeping herself or himself apprised of all issues, he or she will be allowed to continue in that office.

13. When a new Officer takes office all paperwork the previous Officer has should be turned over to the new Officer in a timely manner.

BYLAW SIXTEEN OFFICERS, BLOCK CAPTAINS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Please see individual Officer or Block Captain Bylaw to determine their duties and responsibilities.

BYLAW SEVENTEEN PRESIDENT

1. The President will preside over the quarterly meeting of the Association and will see that members are notified of the place, date, and time of the meeting by phone, newsletter, or email.

2. The President, as a Director, will preside over the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors and will see that each Director, or anyone, who is to be invited to attend, is notified of the place, date and time by phone, or email. The President will prepare or have prepared the agenda for the Board of Directors and Association meetings and provide it to the members of the Board of Directors' before each meeting.

3. The President will only vote at the meeting of the Board when the Directors can not reach a majority.

4. The President will appoint committee chairs to further the advancement of the Association.

5. The President will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities as directed by the Board of Directors

6. The President, when unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the Board of Directors.

7. The President, when unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the Board of Directors. Any member appointed by the President to preside over a meeting of the Board of Directors shall not have the power to table an issue.

8. Duties and responsibilities of the President’s office can be added and assigned to other Officers by the Board of Directors. The President’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW EIGHTEEN VICE-PRESIDENT

1. The Vice-President’s position can be co-chaired – First Vice-President, Second Vice-President.

2. Each Vice-President is a Director and shall have one vote each.

3. In case the President is unable to attend an Association meeting or a Board of Directors meeting and has not assigned the task of presiding over either meeting to another member, then the First Vice-President will assume the duty.

4. The Vice-President(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

5. A Vice-President’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW NINETEEN SECRETARY

1. Secretary’s position can be co-chaired and each Officer shall have one vote-First Secretary, Second Secretary.

2. A Secretary shall prepare all agendas and keep the minutes of the meetings of the Association and Board of Directors. A recording devise can be used.

3. A Secretary shall prepare all documents needed for the operation of the Association.

4. The Secretary or a person assigned shall keep an accurate Association Annual Roster of the current years Officers, Chairpersons, committee members, terms, and their assigned duties for the current year. At the end of each year this Roster will be archived with the Bylaws.

5. A Secretary shall keep an accurate membership role and supervise all elections.

6. Secretary(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

7. A Secretary’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

8. The Secretary will prepare and publish the newsletter.

BYLAW TWENTY TREASURER

1. The Association shall entrust the Treasurer with the accurate record keeping and financial reports of all donations and disbursements.

2. Once each quarter the Treasurer shall give a financial status report to the Board of Directors.

3. Twice each year or immediately after a special event, the Treasurer shall give a financial report at the Association Meeting.

4. The bank account statement shall be sent to the President’s home address. It will be given to the Treasurer for reconciliation before or during the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

5. The Treasurer’s position can be co-chaired. First Treasurer, Second Treasurer.

6. Treasurer(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

7. A Treasurer’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-ONE BLOCK CAPTAIN

1. Block Captains are volunteers and serve for two years from date of service commencement. Block Captains may serve multiple terms, but it is encouraged to rotate this responsibility.

2. At the beginning of each year, and especially after any elections, Block Captains should be contacted to determine if they would be able to continue to serve as Chairs of their specific Committees.

3. The President or the Board of Directors decides the duties, responsibilities, and number of Block Captains. Duties and responsibilities may be added or deleted as necessary.

4. All Block Captains shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

5. Block Captains can hold more than one seat. An Officer of the Association may also hold a Block Captain’s position as long as it is approved by the Board of Directors.

6. Block Captains shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that shall effect the Association. Block Captains shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors concerning any expenditure.

7. The Block Captain is a Director of the Association and is on the Board of Directors. All Block Captains shall assume it their duty as a Block Captains to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors. If a Block Captain is unable to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors, he/she can appoint a member to attend in her/his place with any reports pertaining to that block. The Block Captain shall make sure the President is aware of the appointment and shall advise the President if the member shall also have the Block Captain’s vote. The President shall invite that appointed member to the meeting.

8. Any Block Captain unable to carry out any duty or responsibility of his/her office can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the President or the Board of Directors.

9. Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-TWO ADDITIONAL CHAIRPERSONS AND COMMITTEES

1. Committees may be formed and or deleted at any time to benefit the operation of the Association.

2. The Chairperson’s name and the committee members shall be listed on the current annual Roster.

3. The Chairperson’s duties and responsibilities and any additions and or changes of procedures shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

4. In general, the objective of the committee should be included in the Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-THREE COMMITTEES, COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Members of the Association shall be encouraged to join a committee and offer their services as Chairpersons and committee members. These members will continue as committee members from year to year. Any time during the year, new members may be appointed, especially when someone resigns.

2. The Chairman will keep or assign someone to keep an attendance record. If any Chairperson is consistently unable to attend, the Board of Directors may find it prudent to make arrangement to ask for that person’s resignation. At any time, a Chairperson can designate a committee member to attend the meeting and report to the Chairperson.

3. All Association members shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

4. The President or the Board of Directors shall determine the number of members on each committee, the chair person and their duties and responsibilities.

5. Each committee member and each Chairperson shall have one vote.

6. Each Chairperson shall be requested to give a report at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and may be asked for a report at Association meetings.

7. Members of committees, through the Chairperson, shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that will effect the Association. Members of committees, through the Chairperson, shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before incurring any expenditure.

8. Committees can be formed and deleted at any time during the operation of the Association. A Roster kept by the Secretary will reflect the current year’s Officers, Chairpersons, committee members and membership role.

BYLAW TWENTY-FOUR DUTIES OF CHAIRPERSONS

1. The Chairperson’s name and the committee members shall be listed on the current annual Roster.

2. The Chairperson’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

3. In general, the objective of the committee should be included in the Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-FIVE: CONTRACTS

No member or officer of the organization shall be personally liable on any contract entered into by the organization or because of any act done or omitted to be done on behalf of or in the name of the Organization.


BYLAW TWENTY-SIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice-President(s), Secretary(s), Treasurer(s), and all Block Captains. Members given short one-time assignments shall not be included.

2. The Board of Directors shall meet to discuss the business of the Association once per month at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors. It is the President’s responsibility to have the Directors notified of the place, date and time of the monthly meeting. All Officers and Block Captains shall assume it their duty as an Officer or Block Captains to attend.

3. For information purposes and to be prepared, the President might email each Director the agenda as it pertains to that officer or chairperson. Each Director shall inform the President when an item should be included in the agenda.

4. The secretary will keep an attendance record. At any time, an Officer or Block Captain can designate any Association member to attend the meeting in his/her stead to report to the Directors and keep that Block Captain current on issues. If any Director is consistently unable to attend or elects not to have someone attend in their place, the Board of Directors may find it prudent to make arrangement to ask for that person’s resignation.

5. The President of the Association shall preside over the meetings and vote only to break a tie. All Directors, including any Office holders and/or Block Captains, shall have one vote; and that vote shall only be counted when in attendance. Any invited guests, Association members or committee members will not have a vote. If a committee is asked to attend a Board meeting, on any issue concerning that committee, the committee in attendance will vote as a group, if passed, the Board will vote as a group, if applicable.

6. When a committee(s) is invited to attend a Board of Director’s meeting, any items relating to that committee will be discussed first then the committee will be excused. The committee members may be invited to stay for the remainder of the meeting at the discretion of the board, but they will have no say or vote.

7. The previous Officers and Block Captains shall automatically be invited and encouraged to attend the Board of Directors meetings to offer their knowledge and support but shall not have a vote.

8. The Board of Directors shall have the right to invite any Association or non-association member to any meeting of the Board of Directors, if deemed essential to the Association. These persons would not have a vote. It shall be appropriate to conduct business affecting any invited person(s) first, and then those persons not Directors shall be excused.

9. All changes or additions of the Association Bylaws approved by the Board of Directors and the Association by hand or by ballot may be held until the end of each year to be recorded.

10. The President is granted the power to table any issue that may come before the Board of Directors and is limited to the following application of this privilege. When the tabling of an issue is opposed the Board of Directors will nominate a committee to hear the issue. Since the President is a party-opponent, the Vice-President will preside over the meeting. If the Vice-President is a party-opponent, then the Secretary will preside over the meeting. The presiding Director and two nominated Directors will compose the committee. The Committee must review said issue within a time limit of sixty (60) days. Both a majority and minority opinion shall be written and the issue will be placed on the agenda and presented to the Board of Directors within the 60-day period. If the Board of Directors by majority vote, not to include the President’s vote, decides more time is needed to develop additional information in arriving at a solution, an extension of less than but not more than 60 days shall be allowed. At the end of the first 60 days or absolutely no later than the second extension period or a total of 120 days, the issue will be put on the meeting agenda of the Board of Directors and properly debated and a decision made on said issue.


BYLAW TWENTY-SEVEN BINDING STATEMENT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. All decisions of the Board of Directors, their successors or assigns shall be binding on the members as identified on the membership role as recorded by the secretary of the Association, with the exception as noted in Member Rights.

2. See Bylaws Twelve and Twenty-Eight.

BYLAW TWENTY-EIGHT DISPUTE – PROTEST - PETITION

1. A member may disagree strongly with a decision made by a committee, Officer, or the Board of Directors. The member has a right to request that the Board of Directors review the decision. See Bylaw 41, Article 10. Someone on the Board of Directors shall advise the member of their conclusion. If the conclusion is unsatisfactory, the member may have the right to protest as described below.

2. A member may protest any decision by a committee, Officer, or the Board of Directors upon presenting to the Board of Directors a petition which includes signatures of a sixty percent majority of the members of the Association, as verified by the secretary of the Association, and shall act as a bar until such time as a special vote of the Association may be taken in order to resolve the matter in dispute.

3. A member may initiate this protest in writing by sending the exact wording of the petition to the President, or any Officer of the Association, requesting a copy of the membership roll in the form of mailing labels. To guard our membership roll, the Association has no obligation to send the member a copy of the membership roll without this information. A letter shall be given to the member for his signature stating that the membership roll shall only be used in preparation of this specific petition.

4. Members may have any issue addressed by the Board of Directors. If a member believes an issue is one that could affect the real property of the member, a member may have an issue addressed by the Board of Directors by contacting any board member and requesting the issue be placed on the agenda of the next board meeting. If said issue or complaint is valid, the Board of Directors shall submit the issue or complaint to the appropriate Block Captain and/or have a board member investigate the issue; or action may be taken by the Board of Directors to address the issue. The member shall be notified as to the disposition and when the issue is resolved or rejected.

5. Refer to the Board of Directors section for a discussion on the President’s privilege to table as issue.

BYLAW TWENTY-NINE TERMINATION OF OFFICE

1. Should any Officer, Block Captain or committee member be convicted of a felony, that member shall be removed and replaced as described in these Bylaws.



BYLAW THIRTY REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

1. Any Officer, Block Captain or Committee Member who does not attend at least seventy (70) percent of all regular or special meetings shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Illnesses and emergencies shall not be counted in the above percentage.

2. Upon the refusal of any Officer, Block Captain or Committee Member to carry out their duties as described in the Bylaws, the President may temporarily remove said member until such time as a majority vote can be obtained by the Board of Directors to determine if removal shall be permanent. Additionally, a majority vote of the Board of Directors shall subject said member to removal, unless member can defend his/her refusal to the satisfactory of the President and the majority of the Board of Directors.

3. Said removal shall act as a bar upon that person from serving the Association in any capacity for a period of two years.

4. Failure to perform duties as described in Association Bylaws within a reasonable time period, to be determined by the Board of Directors, shall constitute refusal for the purpose of this prevision.

BYLAW THITRY-ONE BYLAWS

1. Any Bylaw may be added, amended, altered, changed or deleted with the exception of Bylaw Five of the document.

2. Bylaws may be added, amended, altered, changed or deleted, except as described in Bylaw (5) Five by applying the following procedure. All recommendations shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. The President will present the Bylaw at the next Association Meeting for a vote by hand or by ballot.

4. With approval by the Board of Directors, any time the Association Bylaws are recorded, any changes or modifications such as spelling, word usage or clarification of procedures may be made without association approval.

5. The Association shall remain focused on the responsibilities as set forth in the bylaws and articles of incorporation and those rights and privileges of the Association members. Carmel Station Association, its Officers and Block Captains are hereby prohibited from taking a position on social issues of whatever kind unless said issue(s) would adversely affect the security, beauty, safety, quality of life of the Association, or in some other fashion damage the Subdivisions as identified by the boundaries set forth herein. The Association is interested in and welcomes opinions of members and speakers and would welcome planned speakers or scheduled debates on any subject that would be of interest to the Association. Any member has the right to request that his/her name be placed on the agenda of an Association meeting and be granted a short period of time, at the discretion of the presiding officer, to present his petition. If an association member would like to speak in opposition of the petition, he/she shall be granted a short period of time at the discretion of the presiding officer.

6. Neither the Association or Board of Directors as a whole shall give any person running for any elected public office their endorsement. Time will be granted at Association meetings for scheduled speakers or debates.

7. To curtail constant Bylaw modifications, the Bylaws shall permit the Association the use of an Annual Roster to record the names of the officers and Block Captains, their term of office, their duties and responsibilities and any procedures that will be and are to be used by any member, officer, chairperson or director during the day to day operation of the Association as administered by the Officers or Directors in addition to governing or controlling factors as listed in the Association Bylaws.

BYLAW THIRTY-TWO ROSTER

1. The Roster will be kept to maintain annual records of the Association. The Secretary will keep a Roster each year that will include the name, term of office, duties, and responsibilities of each Officer, Block Captain, and any one-time committee member project. The Officers and Block Captains at the end of each year will compare their lists with the Secretary and add any additional duties and responsibilities not listed before the Roster is archived. These items are only to be listed in general, as it is not necessary to list in complete detail. The list will reflect any and all additions, deletions, and changes during the year.

2. This Roster may include any additional detailed procedures of the day to day operation of the Association, as adopted by the Board of Directors. These procedures can be amended, altered, added or deleted in the Roster as each year’s Board of Directors dictates other than procedures as discussed in the Bylaws. Therefore, it will not be necessary to make any changes to the Bylaws concerning elected and appointed Officers, Block captains, their duties and responsibilities.

3. The Board of Directors will be responsible for an opinion or interpretation of any procedure(s) added to the Annual Rooster. At any time the Officers or the Board of Directors may put into operation any procedure that will benefit the day to day operation of the Association adding this procedure to the Annual Rooster. At the beginning of each calendar year, the then current Board of Directors will review the previous year’s Annual Rooster and decide which procedures will be continued and which will be deleted. These actions will be recorded and archived.

4. A copy of each year’s membership roll shall also be archived with a copy of that year’s current Bylaws and all previous year’s annual rosters.

BYLAW THIRTY-THREE DISSOLUTION

1. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, and after all outstanding obligation are paid, the remaining sum, if any, shall be given by the remaining Officers and or Directors of the Association to an Charlotte non-profit Association to benefit the communities.

About our association

By-laws

B Y L A W S
BYLAW ONE NAME OF ASSOCIATION

1. Carmel Station Association

2. Herein known as “Carmel Station Association,” the “Subdivision,” or the “Association.”

3. Bylaws: Established on October 23rd, 2003.

BYLAW TWO AREA BOUNDARIES

1. In Charlotte, North Carolina, the County of Mecklenburg, Carmel Station Association consists of homeowners and residents of the Carmel Station subdivision and any homeowners or residents on Carmel Hills, Lynn Avenue and Hillbrook.

2. The boundaries may be changed as the Association grows.

BYLAW THREE NEWSLETTER

1. The newsletter, “Carmel Station Association Newsletter,” is delivered quarterly to each household member as listed on the then current membership roll and is financed by donations at semi-annual Association meetings.

2. Paid ads may be placed in the Newsletter, rates determined by the Board of Directors. The adds may not exceed a business card size add per printed, full page.

3. To maintain the integrity of the Association, it is strongly suggested that the Association’s Newsletter be maintained.

BYLAW FOUR WEB SITE

1. It is a goal of the association to establish a web page. The address of the Association’s Web Site is to be determined.

2. Please contact the Secretary by email: if you have any questions, if you have any ideas to add to the Web Site, to change email addresses or phone numbers, or to add or delete items.

BYLAW FIVE NO ENCUMBRANCE

1. Any person(s), corporations, entities, or others holding an interest in real property who may become or in the future become a member of the Carmel Station Association, shall not endure any encumbrance on their real or personal property by method of membership in the Carmel Station Association. Nor shall any amendment, alteration, reorganization, reconstruction, revision, removal, indemnification or changes be made to this Bylaw by the present or future Board of Directors or Officers of the Corporation to encumber property due to membership in Carmel Station Association.

2. This Bylaw can not be amended, altered or deleted.

BYLAW SIX PURPOSE

1. To insure the quality of life of all homeowners and residents residing in the Subdivisions.

2. To protect and defend the Subdivisions from all persons, parties, companies, corporations, entities, or others who would seek to destroy, damage, or alter the beauty or quality of life.

BYLAW SEVEN ASSOCIATION STATUS

1. Carmel Station Association will operate as a 501 3(c) under IRS Code.

BYLAW EIGHT NO POWER TO FINE OR IMPOSE

1. Carmel Station Association shall have no power to fine, penalize, or in any other manner impose restrictions upon the property of others.

2. Carmel Station Association shall work with Police, Fire, and other governmental agencies to improve the Subdivisions and or resolve any issue with the proper governmental authorities.

BYLAW NINE MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be by consent only, on an annual basis and after payment of the annual dues.

2. Members shall be listed on a current membership roll kept by the Secretary.

3. At present, meetings are held at the semi-annually, generally in February and October. If any change occurs in the meeting place, time, or date the membership shall be notified. Currently, the members are reminded of the meetings by Block Captain contact, signs placed in appropriate areas, the Carmel Station Association Newsletter.

4. Dues shall be recommended by the Board to the membership and must be approved by a super majority (67%) of a quorum of then currently listed members on the roll. A quorum of the membership will be considered as 60% of the then listed members.

5. All members, members serving on committees or special projects, Block Captains, or Officers shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

6. A Membership is defined as a household membership and is entitled to one vote in any matter under consideration.

BYLAW TEN AUTHORIZATION

1. The Officers of the Association are authorized to administer the day to day operation of the Association.

2. All members shall seek and receive the approval of the Board of Directors or the President before using or representing the name of the Association.

3. Frequently, there are situations in which an appointed representative does not know what the consensus of the Board of Directors on any issue would be. Therefore, Carmel Station Association approved representative shall have the authorization to either express his/her opinion or to vote on an agenda or non-agenda item at any meeting such as stakeholder meetings; city council meetings, county commission meetings, city or county department meetings, and public or private meetings. At the next Carmel Station Association Board meeting, said representative shall give a report to the board on any meeting to include agenda and non-agenda items, and any votes or opinions he/she expressed at said meeting for the purpose of ratification by the Carmel Station Association Board of Directors. After discussion, if the Board, by majority opinion, reaches a difference of opinion, then the board shall appoint the said representative, or a designated person, or the President of the Association to send a letter or email to the proper person(s) expressing or stating the adopted board’s position.

4. All members, members of any committee, Block Captains, or Officers shall seek and receive prior approval from the President or Board of Directors for any expense or expenses that might be incurred in the administration of any project.

5. All members, committee members, their Block Captains or Officers shall seek and receive the approval of the Board of Directors on any issues prior to any forward move of any action that may effect the operation of the Association or the Subdivisions.

BYLAW ELEVEN NON-AUTHORIZATION

1. Use of the name “Carmel Station Association” is strictly prohibited, either in part or in its entirety by its members, committees, vendors, subcontractors, or any other person(s) or entity without written permission from the Board of Directors. Such use shall only be granted for the benefit of Carmel Station Association.

2. Carmel Station Association reserves the right to seek whatever remedies may be available to the Association, including but shall not be limited to litigation for infringement of the use of its name.

BYLAW TWELVE MEMBER RIGHTS

1. Bylaw Five, NO ENCUMBRANCE, can not be amended, altered, or deleted.

2. The membership roll shall be kept confidential, with the exception of the Association’s day to day operation and the member’s right to a petition, and shall not be sold or given to any person, organization or company without prior approval of the member(s).

3. Members have a right to request issues be discussed before the Board of Directors as discussed in the Dispute – Protest – Petition Section of the Bylaws.

4. Members shall have the right to submit their name, or any other member’s name, for consideration for any elected office—President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. After they have been made aware of the duties and responsibilities associated with a specific position, they have a right to have their name placed on the ballot for election, at the appropriate time, to any position available at any election or special election.

5. Members may volunteer for any committee or to chair committees. The Board of Directors or the President has the right to limit the number of people serving on any committee.

6. A member may ask to be put on the Association’s quarterly meeting agenda and receive permission to speak on issues other than Association issues; with an option by the President, or person presiding over the meeting, to limit the time allowed.

7. Any other rights the Association, by vote, or the Board of Directors shall deem just and proper.

8. These rights are not all-inclusive and can be modified.

BYLAW THIRTEEN ELECTIONS

1. Elections shall be by ballot for President, First Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and shall be held at the October meeting at the completion of each specific term of office. Generally, there will be no election for Second Vice-President, Second Secretary or Second Treasurer. These offices will only be appointed by the Board of Directors when it is found that the work load justifies the appointment.

2. The President and the First Vice-President/Second Vice-President alternate two-year terms and the First Secretary/Second Secretary and the First Treasurer/Second Treasurer alternate two-year terms. To begin the alternating terms, in the Year 2003 the President and Secretary(s) shall hold a three-year term.

3. Any addition, change or deletion of any Bylaw shall be voted on by hand unless the vote is too close to call then the President shall call for that vote by ballot.

4. In September, a small committee of 3 or 5 members shall be formed by the Board of Directors to receive suggestions and nominations to fill completed terms of Officers for the coming year. Each nominee will be interviewed and made aware of the duties and responsibilities of the office. Upon his or her acceptance, the nominee’s name will be placed on the October ballot. At the October Association meeting, the nominees will be announced. The Newsletter mailed before the October Association meeting will include a complete ballot, which can be used as an absentee ballot as discussed in the Voting and Secretary Sections of the Bylaws.

BYLAW FOURTEEN MEMBER VOTING

1. When a vote is taken at any Association meeting concerning the officers or Association Bylaws each household member of the Association shall have one vote. The Officers' vote shall be by ballot. The Bylaw vote shall be by hand unless the vote is too close to call then the President may call for that vote to be taken by ballot of the members present, signed and turned in to the secretary or a vote may be taken at the next Association Meeting. An absentee ballot may be submitted by a certain date as determined by the Secretary at that time. Absentee ballots shall be totaled by the Secretary before or during the Association meeting, and the results shall be held and added to the results of the ballots handed in at the meeting. The votes shall be counted and announced at the meeting, unless time is a factor. The results shall be announced in the next newsletter and at the next quarterly Association meeting.

2. When a vote is taken at a quarterly Association meeting concerning all other issues: possible affirmation of a Block Captain, any special events, projects, or items concerning the general operation of the Association, each household member has one vote. Only votes taken of members present at these Association meetings shall be counted.

3. Before any vote is taken on any issue the President or an Association member can request a debate or discussion.

BYLAW FIFTEEN OFFICERS

1. The Officers shall or may consist of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, First Secretary, Second Secretary, First Treasurer and Second Treasurer. The President’s position can not be co-chaired. More than one person can serve at any one time in the office of Vice-President(s), Secretary(s) or Treasurer(s); but no matter when elected or appointed shall serve out the remaining current term.

2. All Officers of the Association shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

3. Officers may only hold one term, consecutively, in any specific office. An Officer shall only hold one elected position at any one time: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, First Secretary, Second Secretary, First Treasurer or Second Treasurer. It is necessary to fill the “First” position for each term but it is by the discretion of the Board to fill the “Second” offices. If it becomes necessary, because of the workload, to appoint or elect additional positions to any one of these offices, and will be at the discretion of the Board.

4. An Association member may be elected as an Officer of the Association and also hold a Block Captain’s position as long as the Board of Directors approves it. The Board of Directors shall keep in mind not to overburden any one member with duties and responsibilities.

5. Each Officer is a Director and is on the Association’s Board of Directors. All Officers shall assume it their duty as an Officer or Block Captain to attend all called meetings.

6. The President/Secretary and the Vice-President/Treasurer offices shall be on alternating two-year terms with the exception of the President/Secretary term beginning in the Year 2004, which shall be three years.

7. The Officers of the Association are responsible for the day to day operation of the Association.

8. If at any time the consensus of the Officers is that an Officer is unable to contribute properly to maintain the day to day operation of the Association, it shall be put on the agenda and discussed at the next Board of Directors meeting. Should any Officer become unable to serve due to illness, disability, or any other reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint a member from the membership role to serve out the remaining term. If the replacement is for the office of the President, then after the Board of Directors appoints a member to carry out the current term, the Association, at the next quarterly meeting, shall have the right to affirm the appointment by a show of hands.

9. Officers shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that shall effect the Association. Officers shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward on any issue concerning any expenditure.

10. Any Officer unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, for a short period of time, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the President or the Board of Directors.

11. A leave of absence for a longer period of time requested by an officer can be accepted by the Board of Directors, who will appoint an Association member to handle that officer’s duties and responsibilities during a designated period of time. If another Officer, other than a Co-Officer, fills that position, then that Officer’s position will have to be filled for the same period of time, as an Officer can not hold two different offices.

12. If in a longer period of time, with the approval of the Board of Directors, an Officer chooses to continue the position, and can successfully designate duties and responsibilities to others keeping herself or himself apprised of all issues, he or she will be allowed to continue in that office.

13. When a new Officer takes office all paperwork the previous Officer has should be turned over to the new Officer in a timely manner.

BYLAW SIXTEEN OFFICERS, BLOCK CAPTAINS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Please see individual Officer or Block Captain Bylaw to determine their duties and responsibilities.

BYLAW SEVENTEEN PRESIDENT

1. The President will preside over the quarterly meeting of the Association and will see that members are notified of the place, date, and time of the meeting by phone, newsletter, or email.

2. The President, as a Director, will preside over the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors and will see that each Director, or anyone, who is to be invited to attend, is notified of the place, date and time by phone, or email. The President will prepare or have prepared the agenda for the Board of Directors and Association meetings and provide it to the members of the Board of Directors' before each meeting.

3. The President will only vote at the meeting of the Board when the Directors can not reach a majority.

4. The President will appoint committee chairs to further the advancement of the Association.

5. The President will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities as directed by the Board of Directors

6. The President, when unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the Board of Directors.

7. The President, when unable to carry out a duty or responsibility of his/her office, can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the Board of Directors. Any member appointed by the President to preside over a meeting of the Board of Directors shall not have the power to table an issue.

8. Duties and responsibilities of the President’s office can be added and assigned to other Officers by the Board of Directors. The President’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW EIGHTEEN VICE-PRESIDENT

1. The Vice-President’s position can be co-chaired – First Vice-President, Second Vice-President.

2. Each Vice-President is a Director and shall have one vote each.

3. In case the President is unable to attend an Association meeting or a Board of Directors meeting and has not assigned the task of presiding over either meeting to another member, then the First Vice-President will assume the duty.

4. The Vice-President(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

5. A Vice-President’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW NINETEEN SECRETARY

1. Secretary’s position can be co-chaired and each Officer shall have one vote-First Secretary, Second Secretary.

2. A Secretary shall prepare all agendas and keep the minutes of the meetings of the Association and Board of Directors. A recording devise can be used.

3. A Secretary shall prepare all documents needed for the operation of the Association.

4. The Secretary or a person assigned shall keep an accurate Association Annual Roster of the current years Officers, Chairpersons, committee members, terms, and their assigned duties for the current year. At the end of each year this Roster will be archived with the Bylaws.

5. A Secretary shall keep an accurate membership role and supervise all elections.

6. Secretary(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

7. A Secretary’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

8. The Secretary will prepare and publish the newsletter.

BYLAW TWENTY TREASURER

1. The Association shall entrust the Treasurer with the accurate record keeping and financial reports of all donations and disbursements.

2. Once each quarter the Treasurer shall give a financial status report to the Board of Directors.

3. Twice each year or immediately after a special event, the Treasurer shall give a financial report at the Association Meeting.

4. The bank account statement shall be sent to the President’s home address. It will be given to the Treasurer for reconciliation before or during the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

5. The Treasurer’s position can be co-chaired. First Treasurer, Second Treasurer.

6. Treasurer(s) will carry out any and all duties and responsibilities given to her/him by the President or the Board of Directors.

7. A Treasurer’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-ONE BLOCK CAPTAIN

1. Block Captains are volunteers and serve for two years from date of service commencement. Block Captains may serve multiple terms, but it is encouraged to rotate this responsibility.

2. At the beginning of each year, and especially after any elections, Block Captains should be contacted to determine if they would be able to continue to serve as Chairs of their specific Committees.

3. The President or the Board of Directors decides the duties, responsibilities, and number of Block Captains. Duties and responsibilities may be added or deleted as necessary.

4. All Block Captains shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

5. Block Captains can hold more than one seat. An Officer of the Association may also hold a Block Captain’s position as long as it is approved by the Board of Directors.

6. Block Captains shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that shall effect the Association. Block Captains shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors concerning any expenditure.

7. The Block Captain is a Director of the Association and is on the Board of Directors. All Block Captains shall assume it their duty as a Block Captains to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors. If a Block Captain is unable to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors, he/she can appoint a member to attend in her/his place with any reports pertaining to that block. The Block Captain shall make sure the President is aware of the appointment and shall advise the President if the member shall also have the Block Captain’s vote. The President shall invite that appointed member to the meeting.

8. Any Block Captain unable to carry out any duty or responsibility of his/her office can designate the authority to handle a particular task to any Association member upon notification and approval of the President or the Board of Directors.

9. Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-TWO ADDITIONAL CHAIRPERSONS AND COMMITTEES

1. Committees may be formed and or deleted at any time to benefit the operation of the Association.

2. The Chairperson’s name and the committee members shall be listed on the current annual Roster.

3. The Chairperson’s duties and responsibilities and any additions and or changes of procedures shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

4. In general, the objective of the committee should be included in the Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-THREE COMMITTEES, COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Members of the Association shall be encouraged to join a committee and offer their services as Chairpersons and committee members. These members will continue as committee members from year to year. Any time during the year, new members may be appointed, especially when someone resigns.

2. The Chairman will keep or assign someone to keep an attendance record. If any Chairperson is consistently unable to attend, the Board of Directors may find it prudent to make arrangement to ask for that person’s resignation. At any time, a Chairperson can designate a committee member to attend the meeting and report to the Chairperson.

3. All Association members shall serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

4. The President or the Board of Directors shall determine the number of members on each committee, the chair person and their duties and responsibilities.

5. Each committee member and each Chairperson shall have one vote.

6. Each Chairperson shall be requested to give a report at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and may be asked for a report at Association meetings.

7. Members of committees, through the Chairperson, shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before moving forward with any issue that will effect the Association. Members of committees, through the Chairperson, shall seek and receive approval of the President or the Board of Directors before incurring any expenditure.

8. Committees can be formed and deleted at any time during the operation of the Association. A Roster kept by the Secretary will reflect the current year’s Officers, Chairpersons, committee members and membership role.

BYLAW TWENTY-FOUR DUTIES OF CHAIRPERSONS

1. The Chairperson’s name and the committee members shall be listed on the current annual Roster.

2. The Chairperson’s duties and responsibilities for each current year and any additions and or changes shall be listed on the Association Annual Roster.

3. In general, the objective of the committee should be included in the Roster.

BYLAW TWENTY-FIVE: CONTRACTS

No member or officer of the organization shall be personally liable on any contract entered into by the organization or because of any act done or omitted to be done on behalf of or in the name of the Organization.


BYLAW TWENTY-SIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice-President(s), Secretary(s), Treasurer(s), and all Block Captains. Members given short one-time assignments shall not be included.

2. The Board of Directors shall meet to discuss the business of the Association once per month at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors. It is the President’s responsibility to have the Directors notified of the place, date and time of the monthly meeting. All Officers and Block Captains shall assume it their duty as an Officer or Block Captains to attend.

3. For information purposes and to be prepared, the President might email each Director the agenda as it pertains to that officer or chairperson. Each Director shall inform the President when an item should be included in the agenda.

4. The secretary will keep an attendance record. At any time, an Officer or Block Captain can designate any Association member to attend the meeting in his/her stead to report to the Directors and keep that Block Captain current on issues. If any Director is consistently unable to attend or elects not to have someone attend in their place, the Board of Directors may find it prudent to make arrangement to ask for that person’s resignation.

5. The President of the Association shall preside over the meetings and vote only to break a tie. All Directors, including any Office holders and/or Block Captains, shall have one vote; and that vote shall only be counted when in attendance. Any invited guests, Association members or committee members will not have a vote. If a committee is asked to attend a Board meeting, on any issue concerning that committee, the committee in attendance will vote as a group, if passed, the Board will vote as a group, if applicable.

6. When a committee(s) is invited to attend a Board of Director’s meeting, any items relating to that committee will be discussed first then the committee will be excused. The committee members may be invited to stay for the remainder of the meeting at the discretion of the board, but they will have no say or vote.

7. The previous Officers and Block Captains shall automatically be invited and encouraged to attend the Board of Directors meetings to offer their knowledge and support but shall not have a vote.

8. The Board of Directors shall have the right to invite any Association or non-association member to any meeting of the Board of Directors, if deemed essential to the Association. These persons would not have a vote. It shall be appropriate to conduct business affecting any invited person(s) first, and then those persons not Directors shall be excused.

9. All changes or additions of the Association Bylaws approved by the Board of Directors and the Association by hand or by ballot may be held until the end of each year to be recorded.

10. The President is granted the power to table any issue that may come before the Board of Directors and is limited to the following application of this privilege. When the tabling of an issue is opposed the Board of Directors will nominate a committee to hear the issue. Since the President is a party-opponent, the Vice-President will preside over the meeting. If the Vice-President is a party-opponent, then the Secretary will preside over the meeting. The presiding Director and two nominated Directors will compose the committee. The Committee must review said issue within a time limit of sixty (60) days. Both a majority and minority opinion shall be written and the issue will be placed on the agenda and presented to the Board of Directors within the 60-day period. If the Board of Directors by majority vote, not to include the President’s vote, decides more time is needed to develop additional information in arriving at a solution, an extension of less than but not more than 60 days shall be allowed. At the end of the first 60 days or absolutely no later than the second extension period or a total of 120 days, the issue will be put on the meeting agenda of the Board of Directors and properly debated and a decision made on said issue.


BYLAW TWENTY-SEVEN BINDING STATEMENT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. All decisions of the Board of Directors, their successors or assigns shall be binding on the members as identified on the membership role as recorded by the secretary of the Association, with the exception as noted in Member Rights.

2. See Bylaws Twelve and Twenty-Eight.

BYLAW TWENTY-EIGHT DISPUTE – PROTEST - PETITION

1. A member may disagree strongly with a decision made by a committee, Officer, or the Board of Directors. The member has a right to request that the Board of Directors review the decision. See Bylaw 41, Article 10. Someone on the Board of Directors shall advise the member of their conclusion. If the conclusion is unsatisfactory, the member may have the right to protest as described below.

2. A member may protest any decision by a committee, Officer, or the Board of Directors upon presenting to the Board of Directors a petition which includes signatures of a sixty percent majority of the members of the Association, as verified by the secretary of the Association, and shall act as a bar until such time as a special vote of the Association may be taken in order to resolve the matter in dispute.

3. A member may initiate this protest in writing by sending the exact wording of the petition to the President, or any Officer of the Association, requesting a copy of the membership roll in the form of mailing labels. To guard our membership roll, the Association has no obligation to send the member a copy of the membership roll without this information. A letter shall be given to the member for his signature stating that the membership roll shall only be used in preparation of this specific petition.

4. Members may have any issue addressed by the Board of Directors. If a member believes an issue is one that could affect the real property of the member, a member may have an issue addressed by the Board of Directors by contacting any board member and requesting the issue be placed on the agenda of the next board meeting. If said issue or complaint is valid, the Board of Directors shall submit the issue or complaint to the appropriate Block Captain and/or have a board member investigate the issue; or action may be taken by the Board of Directors to address the issue. The member shall be notified as to the disposition and when the issue is resolved or rejected.

5. Refer to the Board of Directors section for a discussion on the President’s privilege to table as issue.

BYLAW TWENTY-NINE TERMINATION OF OFFICE

1. Should any Officer, Block Captain or committee member be convicted of a felony, that member shall be removed and replaced as described in these Bylaws.



BYLAW THIRTY REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

1. Any Officer, Block Captain or Committee Member who does not attend at least seventy (70) percent of all regular or special meetings shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Illnesses and emergencies shall not be counted in the above percentage.

2. Upon the refusal of any Officer, Block Captain or Committee Member to carry out their duties as described in the Bylaws, the President may temporarily remove said member until such time as a majority vote can be obtained by the Board of Directors to determine if removal shall be permanent. Additionally, a majority vote of the Board of Directors shall subject said member to removal, unless member can defend his/her refusal to the satisfactory of the President and the majority of the Board of Directors.

3. Said removal shall act as a bar upon that person from serving the Association in any capacity for a period of two years.

4. Failure to perform duties as described in Association Bylaws within a reasonable time period, to be determined by the Board of Directors, shall constitute refusal for the purpose of this prevision.

BYLAW THITRY-ONE BYLAWS

1. Any Bylaw may be added, amended, altered, changed or deleted with the exception of Bylaw Five of the document.

2. Bylaws may be added, amended, altered, changed or deleted, except as described in Bylaw (5) Five by applying the following procedure. All recommendations shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. The President will present the Bylaw at the next Association Meeting for a vote by hand or by ballot.

4. With approval by the Board of Directors, any time the Association Bylaws are recorded, any changes or modifications such as spelling, word usage or clarification of procedures may be made without association approval.

5. The Association shall remain focused on the responsibilities as set forth in the bylaws and articles of incorporation and those rights and privileges of the Association members. Carmel Station Association, its Officers and Block Captains are hereby prohibited from taking a position on social issues of whatever kind unless said issue(s) would adversely affect the security, beauty, safety, quality of life of the Association, or in some other fashion damage the Subdivisions as identified by the boundaries set forth herein. The Association is interested in and welcomes opinions of members and speakers and would welcome planned speakers or scheduled debates on any subject that would be of interest to the Association. Any member has the right to request that his/her name be placed on the agenda of an Association meeting and be granted a short period of time, at the discretion of the presiding officer, to present his petition. If an association member would like to speak in opposition of the petition, he/she shall be granted a short period of time at the discretion of the presiding officer.

6. Neither the Association or Board of Directors as a whole shall give any person running for any elected public office their endorsement. Time will be granted at Association meetings for scheduled speakers or debates.

7. To curtail constant Bylaw modifications, the Bylaws shall permit the Association the use of an Annual Roster to record the names of the officers and Block Captains, their term of office, their duties and responsibilities and any procedures that will be and are to be used by any member, officer, chairperson or director during the day to day operation of the Association as administered by the Officers or Directors in addition to governing or controlling factors as listed in the Association Bylaws.

BYLAW THIRTY-TWO ROSTER

1. The Roster will be kept to maintain annual records of the Association. The Secretary will keep a Roster each year that will include the name, term of office, duties, and responsibilities of each Officer, Block Captain, and any one-time committee member project. The Officers and Block Captains at the end of each year will compare their lists with the Secretary and add any additional duties and responsibilities not listed before the Roster is archived. These items are only to be listed in general, as it is not necessary to list in complete detail. The list will reflect any and all additions, deletions, and changes during the year.

2. This Roster may include any additional detailed procedures of the day to day operation of the Association, as adopted by the Board of Directors. These procedures can be amended, altered, added or deleted in the Roster as each year’s Board of Directors dictates other than procedures as discussed in the Bylaws. Therefore, it will not be necessary to make any changes to the Bylaws concerning elected and appointed Officers, Block captains, their duties and responsibilities.

3. The Board of Directors will be responsible for an opinion or interpretation of any procedure(s) added to the Annual Rooster. At any time the Officers or the Board of Directors may put into operation any procedure that will benefit the day to day operation of the Association adding this procedure to the Annual Rooster. At the beginning of each calendar year, the then current Board of Directors will review the previous year’s Annual Rooster and decide which procedures will be continued and which will be deleted. These actions will be recorded and archived.

4. A copy of each year’s membership roll shall also be archived with a copy of that year’s current Bylaws and all previous year’s annual rosters.

BYLAW THIRTY-THREE DISSOLUTION

1. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, and after all outstanding obligation are paid, the remaining sum, if any, shall be given by the remaining Officers and or Directors of the Association to an Charlotte non-profit Association to benefit the communities.

Steps To Success

Carmel Station Entrance: Steps to Success:

All of us in Carmel Station would like to see our front entrance upgraded and possibly relocated to front Carmel Road. Accomplishing this would enhance our overall community, provide a renewed sense of pride and strengthen all our homes values. However, this will not be quick, easy or inexpensive but it can be done with your support. To be successful it will require several steps and they are as follows:

By Third Quarter 2004 we will need to identify and seek design bids from several land design firms that have residential entrances as a specialty. We will ask them to propose several solutions for our entrance using a variety of materials and configurations.
By Fourth Quarter 2004 we will need to meet with our neighbors at the intersections of Carmel Hills and Carmel Station as well as Carmel Hills and Carmel Road. We need their input and cooperation to establish easements but also to make sure what we are planning meets their needs.
Throughout 2004 we need your suggestions and ideas for what we need to include or be careful of as we plan for success.
By First Quarter 2005 we should be able to have several scenarios available to share with the community for consideration. This will be communicated both on our web site, news letters and meetings. We should also have cost estimates for all aspects of the plans proposed.
By Second Quarter 2005 we will need to meet as a community and select the entrance we wish to pursue.
By the end of the Second Quarter 2005 we will need to begin raising funds in earnest for our new planned entrances. Wesley Reas, your president, has already met with the City and established that a matching grant program does exist. However, they are not guaranteed. Qualifying for these funds would make attaining our goal significantly easier.
By the Third Quarter of 2005, assuming that fund raising is going well, we could begin contacting and selecting contractors to actually commence work once our fund raising is complete.
By the end of First Quarter 2006, if all goes well, we could have new entrances!

As we said, this will not be quick or easy. And many compromises will be needed to ultimately be successful. We hope this gives you a clear idea of what your officers of CSA are planning. If you have any expertise that you could volunteer during this process, please raise your hand and pitch in!