Ratified by membership
at General Meeting, 10/5/2005, through Sec. 3.01
[includes all recommended changes]

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote cooperation and communication among residents of Lefferts Place in the interests of better access to information, political influence, and other resources, and to work with other community groups, with the understanding that working together increases our strength and enhances the quality of life, health, security, education, and economic stability for us all.

ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1.01 Members of association must be residents of Lefferts Place and its bordering territories.

Sec. 1.02 In order to vote at a meeting, a member must: (a) have submitted a completed membership application and (b) be fully paid up in dues or have obtained a dues waiver from the Executive Committee prior to the meeting. A dues waiver may be granted by two designated Executive Committee members at their discretion and in accordance with the mission of the Association.

Sec. 1.03 The Executive Committee shall set dues for annual membership from time to time. Membership dues changes shall be submitted to the general membership for approval at meetings. Senior members, age 62 and above, shall pay one half the regular dues amount.

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS

Sec. 2.01 LPCA will hold 7 general meetings a year, scheduled as follows: April, May, June, July, August, September. An annual evaluation meeting will be held by the Executive Committee in October. Additional meetings to address Association activities and issues will be scheduled as needed. Residents will be notified of meetings by flyers posted on the block, and through the LPCA Newsletter and web site.

Sec. 2.02 Special/emergency meetings will be called by the Executive Committee when deemed necessary and notice given by telephone calls at least one day prior to said meeting.

Sec. 2.03 Quorum: Adjournment of Meetings. At all meetings, at least 3 Executive Committee members and at least 5 general members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the officers present may, without giving notice other than by announcement at the meeting, adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained. At any such subsequent meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Sec. 2.05 The previous meeting’s minutes will be distributed at the start of each meeting. These minutes will read and accepted by membership vote.

Sec. 2.06 The President, or a designated executive committee member, shall set meeting agendas. Suggested agenda items should be brought to the attention of the President or a designated executive committee member at least five days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sec. 3.01 The Executive Committee, consisting of the officers listed below and chairpersons of standing committees, shall have general power to manage the affairs and property of the Association. The President may appoint a committee chair from those serving on standing committees, until such time a chair is elected by each committee.

Sec. 3.02 Members eligible to vote who have attended at least 3 meetings during the previous 12-month period (including the nomination meeting) may be nominated for and hold office.

Sec. 3.03 The officers of the association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer and each shall serve a term of two years and/or until their successor has been elected and taken office. At the conclusion of their service, each officer shall communicate and deliver all information related to the office to the officer replacing them, or a designated member of the Executive Committee.

Sec. 3.04 Elections shall be held every two years, usually at the general meeting in September. Voting members may nominate eligible candidates from the floor at the August meeting, or the meeting prior to the election. Newly elected officers will take office as of the October meeting, or the meeting following the election.

Sec. 3.05 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make the same effective.

Sec. 3.06 Removal. Any officer may be removed with cause, upon recommendation to the members of the Executive Committee (excluding the proposed removed officer). The Executive Committee will decide whether valid cause exists for removal, in which case the question will be determined by a vote of the general membership.

Sec. 3.07 Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Executive Committee arising at any time and from any cause may be filled for the unexpired term at any meeting of the membership by a majority of the members in attendance.

ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 4.01 (a) The President shall: (i) supervise the affairs of the association, (ii) oversee, along with the Executive Committee, all committees, (iii) keep the Executive Committee fully informed and freely consult with them concerning the activities of the association, (iv) sign in the name of the association on all contracts authorized by resolution of a majority of members, (v) sign checks drawn in the association’s name, and (vi) perform all duties incident to the office of President not inconsistent with these by-laws.

(b) The President shall preside over general membership and Executive Committee meetings or may appoint a (i) facilitator or (ii) Parliamentarian to preside over meetings who will be responsible for pace and timing and making sure the by-laws, policies and procedures are understood and adhered to by the membership.

(c) The President shall (i) represent the association at public events or designate a representative, (ii) attend meetings that impact services on the block (i.e. precinct council or Community Planning Board meetings) or designate a representative, (iii) ensure that leadership skills training is made available as needed (iv) act as liaison between and among block residents and powers that be, (v) secure information on services, and (vi) serve on at least one committee.

Sec. 4.02 (a) The Vice President shall (i) have such powers and perform such duties, not inconsistent with these By-Laws as are incident to the office of Vice President or as may be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee or upon the recommendation of the President, (ii) sign checks drawn in the association’s name, and (iii) carry out the duties of the President when absent.

(b) The Vice President shall (i) represent the association at public events, (ii) attend meetings that impact services on the block (i.e. precinct council or Community Planning Board meetings), and (iii) serve on at least one committee.

Sec. 4.03 The Secretary shall (i) keep the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee and general meetings (ii) distribute copies of the previous meeting’s minutes and read them aloud at each meeting for acceptance by membership vote, (iii) be responsible for incoming and outgoing correspondence, (iv) have charge of such books, records and papers of the Association as the Executive Committee may direct, and (v) perform all other duties incident to the office or as may be determined by the Executive Committee or President.

Sec. 4.04 The Assistant Secretary shall (i) maintain the membership roll of the association (names, addresses, telephone numbers, email, date joined, attendance and voting status), (ii) act as secretary in their absence, and (iii) perform such duties as are incident to the office of Assistant Secretary or as may be determined by the Executive Committee or the President.

Sec. 4.05 The Financial Secretary shall (i) maintain accurate records of income and expenditures, and receipts and disbursements separate from those of treasurer, (ii) provide monthly written financial activity reports to membership, (iii) collect dues at general membership meetings, (iv) handle petty cash vouchers, (v) meet with treasurer when required, and (vi) sign checks drawn in the association’s name.

Sec. 4.06 The Treasurer shall (i) have custody of all funds and securities of the association and shall deposit same in the name of the association in such bank or trust company as the membership may select, (ii) maintain accurate records of income and expenditures, and receipts and disbursements separate from those of the financial secretary, (iii) render a statement of accounts and the financial condition of the association at monthly membership meetings, separate from the report of the Financial Secretary, and (iv) sign checks drawn in the association’s name.

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES

Sec. 5.01 Committees will be formed by the Executive Committee or the membership at a general meeting, as needed. Such committees may include, but are not limited to, Budget, Fund-Raising, Youth Activities, Voter Education/Participation, Good-Will, Beautification, Block Security, Newsletter, and Special Events.

ARTICLE VI
FISCAL

Sec. 6.01 The fiscal year of the Association shall be September 1 to August 31.

Sec. 6.02 Checks drawn in the name of the Association shall be signed by the President, and one of the following authorized officers: the Treasurer, Vice President or Financial Secretary.

Sec. 6.03 Financial expenditures require approval by the Executive Committee. Expenditures made by a member on behalf of the Association will be paid for by that member and reimbursed on presentation of a receipt. If the expenditure was not previously approved, reimbursement of the funds will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Sec. 6.04 A Treasurer’s report, including all fiscal information such as bank fees, interest, etc. shall be delivered at each meeting and will become part of the Association’s records.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS

Sec. 7.01 These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the membership by a vote of the majority of the voting membership.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Fund Raising
• Enroll committee members
• Identify and present possible fund-raising events that block residents may attend to
• membership
• With aid of committee members, organize and implement events after agreed upon by membership
• Submit receipts for all expenditures to financial secretary
• Report on event to membership at 1st meeting following event

Block Beautification and Sanitation
• Enroll committee members
• Identify plan and implement block beautification projects
• Report problems to Sanitation Department
• Provide necessary information to residents to ensure a clean block

Good & Welfare
• Acknowledge sick and families of deceased as provided for in guidelines
• Keep records of all acknowledgements and cost
• Acknowledge birthdays of the elders
• Report to general membership meeting

Publicity and Information
• Enroll committee members
• Plan and implement publicity strategies
• Publicize meetings and every block association event
• Publish a periodic newsletter using information from the working committees
• Maintain the LPCA web site

Youth
• Enroll members
• Plan activities for younger children and adolescents

Political Action
• Attend public events of a political nature
• Establish contact with elected officials
• Register voters and gather and distribute election information
• Coordinate volunteer assistance for seniors and others in need of transportation to polls

Special Events
• Organize and plan annual special events, such as African and Lefferts Place History
• Month Celebration
• Submit budget for such events to Executive Committee