San Gabriel Neighborhood Association Charter & Bylaws

San Gabriel Neighborhood Charter

Article I. Name and Boundaries

The name shall be the San Gabriel Neighborhood Association. It shall encompass the area bounded by the south side of E. Hayne Street from S. Alvernon Way to S. Bryant Avenue, by the west side of S. Bryant Avenue from E. Hayne Street to E. Marion Trail, by the south side of E. Marion Trail from S. Bryant Avenue to S. Columbus Boulevard, by the west side of S. Columbus Boulevard from E. Marion Trail to E. 22nd Street, by the north side of E. 22nd Street from S. Columbus Boulevard to S. Alvernon Way, and by the east side of S. Alvernon Way from E. 22nd Street to E. Hayne Street.

Article II. Organizational Structure

Membership qualifications, officers, and committees of the Association and the selection and duties thereof shall be defined in the bylaws.

Article III. Meetings

There shall be an annual meeting and such other meetings as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Association. Circumstances of these meetings will be determined by the bylaws.

Article IV. Term of Charter

Upon approval, this charter shall remain in effect until revoked or amended by a majority of the voting members present at a meeting called for that purpose.

Article V. Dissolution of Association

This Association may be dissolved by a majority of voting members present at a meeting called for that purpose. Any assets of the Association may be transferred to a successor organization or such other non-profit organization as designated by the voting members at the time of dissolution.

Bylaws of the San Gabriel Neighborhood Association

Article I. Name and Boundaries

Article II. Purposes
2A.	To ensure the preservation of the integrity of the neighborhood and to retain established land use patterns;
2B.	To provide a vehicle for neighborhood planning where open land exists, which shall be in keeping with the character of the neighborhood; to advocate for development compatible with the residential qualities of the area;
2C.	To prevent commercial intrusion throughout the neighborhood;
2D.	To oppose the encroachment of high-rise developments or industrial interests not compatible with the other structures in the neighborhood;
2E.	To maintain the commuter arterial designation of nearby streets and oppose developments which would measurably increase traffic hazards for schools, churches and residents in adjoining neighborhoods;
2F.	To establish a cooperative alliance with other neighborhood associations for the achievement of common goals;
2G.	To advocate for and encourage the enhancement and maintenance of neighborhood common spaces by appropriate governmental bodies; (e.g. parks, schools by TUSD & city);
2H.	To inform residents of common problems such as crime, street maintenance, alley maintenance, etc. and to work to improve the safety, health and welfare of the area and its residents;
2I.	To work with residents to improve the communication between us; to actively find ways to promote the building of community for the San Gabriel area.

Article III. Membership
3A.	Eligibility:
3A1.	Membership is open to any person 18 years of age or older in the San Gabriel Neighborhood AND who is either a resident or a non-resident (such as a property owner or business owner).
3A2.	A Resident:
3A2a.	Owns a home within the Neighborhood which they declare to be their principal residence, or
3A2b.	leases or rents a home within the Neighborhood, or
3A2c.	holds an Arizona driver's license or Arizona identification bearing a current address within the Neighborhood.
3A3	A Non-resident:
3A3a.	owns property in the Neighborhood which they do not declare to be their principal residence, or
3A3b.	owns a business property in the Neighborhood. Lessees of space in commercial/office buildings are not considered eligible for membership, in that they are non-resident renters.
3A4.	Each member shall have one vote. In no case shall a member have more than one vote.
3B.	Evidence of membership: Association membership and all rights and privileges attendant thereto shall be evidenced by possession of a receipt from the Association for the annual dues. The Treasurer shall also maintain a current membership list (Re: 4D. of Bylaws).
3C.	Dues: Association dues are one dollar ($1.00) per year per registered member. The Board of Directors will have the power, through majority vote, to set annual dues. Annual dues established at the annual meeting become due and owing at that time. Failure to pay dues within 90 days of the annual meeting shall result in the loss of all rights and privileges of Association membership; membership in the Association may be reestablished at any time by payment of current annual dues.
3D.	Membership shall not be denied on the basis of views or opinions contrary to the goals and purposes of the Association.

Article IV. Officers
The officers of this Association shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until their successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting. The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, the Neighborhood Advocate, (a member of the Neighborhood Captains), and an Historian. The officers of the Association will comprise the Board of Directors.
4A.	The President shall call and preside at all meetings, shall act for and in behalf of the membership of the Association, and shall act as official spokesperson for the Association.
4B.	The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President assume all of the duties of that office. The Vice President shall be responsible for publicity and notification of meetings of the Association.
4C.	The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of all formal meetings and all legal documents and legal transactions of the Association. The Secretary shall transcribe the minutes of each meeting and shall maintain a file copy of same and submit a copy of the Annual minutes to the Citizen Neighborhood Services (CNS). The Secretary shall, in the absence of both the President and the Vice President assume all the duties of the Presidential office.
4D.	The Treasurer shall keep all financial receipts and a permanent record of all financial business of the Association. An up-to-date financial report shall be submitted at each Association-wide meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for membership, which includes keeping up-to-date files of membersí Žames, addresses, last payment, etc. and by submitting a current membership report at each Association-wide meeting.
4E.	The Neighborhood Captains shall be composed of a minimum of five (5) and no more than fifteen (15) Voting Members, shall be elected by the voting membership and shall serve in the capacity of gathering and disseminating information critical to the implementation of the purposes of the Association. Every effort will be made to insure that Neighborhood Captains serve specific blocks or streets within the Association boundaries. The number of Neighborhood Captains shall remain fixed until the next annual meeting.
4F.	The Neighborhood Captains will elect from themselves a member to sit on the Board of Directors (the Neighborhood Advocate). This election will take place at their first meeting to be held within 30 days of the annual meeting. Every effort will be made to insure that the board of directors is made up of a cross section of the areas that form the San Gabriel Neighborhood.
4G.	The Historian shall be responsible for tracking actions taken by the city or others that have or will effect the San Gabriel area; shall be responsible for gathering historical information about the neighborhood, and shall submit a report of the findings at the Annual Meeting. The Historian may request a committee be appointed to help in this work. The Historian would chair such a committee.

Article V. Committees
5A.	The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint committees as necessary to implement the purposes of the bylaws.
5B.	The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
5C.	The Voting membership at an Association-wide meeting with a majority vote of those present may form committees as deemed necessary.
5D.	A special committee shall be formed upon election of the first officers to explore issues of expanding boundaries for the Neighborhood Association. The special committeeíł appointment will expire after a period of one (1) year from the date of its formation.
5E.	A standing Committee for Membership will be formed whose responsibilities will be encouraging participation in the Association, and proposing rules for Mail-in, absentee or proxy balloting as necessary. Such rules would be approved as standing rules by majority vote of the members present at an Association meeting. The Membership Committee will report to the Treasurer.

Article VI. Meetings
An annual meeting shall be held during the month of February at a time and place designated by the President.
6A.	Special Meetings of the membership may be called by the President, a majority of the Board of Directors, or by the President upon receipt of a petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the Association members, and it shall thereupon be the duty of the Vice President to cause notice of such meeting, including the purposes for which it is to be held, in the manner provided herein. The President shall fix the time and place for holding the meeting.
6B.	The Members present shall constitute a quorum.
6C.	At least 15 calendar-days notice shall be provided in advance of any Association meeting. Every effort will be made to notify all interested parties and members of the Association of upcoming meetings either by direct mail, pamphlets, newsletters, e-mail, or announcements at regularly scheduled meetings.
6D.	All meetings shall be open to any interested persons.

Article VII. Nomination, Elections, Annual Reports and Installation of Officers
7A.	Nominations of Officers/Neighborhood Captains shall be made from the floor at the meeting of the adoption of the bylaws. Thereafter nominations shall be made from the floor at the annual meeting and/or a slate presented from a nomination committee at the annual meeting.
7B.	The general election of Officers/Neighborhood Captains shall be held on the same day as nominations.
7C.	Upon installation of the Officers whose terms begin at the close of the Annual meeting, all documents, records, and any materials pertaining to the duties of the office as designated in the bylaws which are in the possession of the outgoing Officers shall be submitted to the newly-elected counterparts within 20 days of the installation.
7D.	Any vacancy of office of a Board Member or of a member of the Neighborhood Captains shall be filled by appointment by the remaining Officers and Neighborhood Captains.
7E.	Any Officer may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the voting members.

Article VIII. Fiscal Responsibility
8A.	Expenditure of funds of the Association may not be made without the signature of at least two (2) of the six (6) Officers, one of them being the Treasurer.
8B.	Financial records and funds of the Association shall be audited at least once a year by a committee of at least two (2) members of the Neighborhood Captains appointed by the President prior to a new Treasurer taking office.

Article IX. Amendment of Bylaws
9A.	These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of Voting Members present at an Association meeting.
9B.	Proposed amendments shall be sent to all members at least 20 calendar-days in advance of the meeting where action is to be taken.

Article X. General
10A.	The rules in the current edition of Robertíł Rules of Order shall govern the Association, the Board of Directors and all subcommittees in all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with specific provisions of this Charter and Bylaws or any special rules that the Association may adopt.
10B.	If any part of the Charter and Bylaws or the application thereof is hereafter held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby, and only the affected portions are declared eliminated.
10C.	No officer, representative, spokesperson or member shall have any financial liability for the Association. The private property of the Directors shall be exempt from execution or other liability for any debts of the Association and no Director shall be liable or responsible for any debts or liabilities of the Association.