mount pleasant neighborhood alliance

ARTICLE 1.

NAME AND LOCATION

Section 1. Name. The name of the organization is the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance.

Section 2. Location. The principal office of the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance will be the address of the President or Secretary. The mailing address will be, if possible, a post office box located in the Mt. Pleasant area.

ARTICLE II.

PURPOSE

Section 1. General. The purpose of the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance ("MPNA") is to develop a neighborhood organization to promote the concerns of Mt. Pleasant residents to the District of Columbia government as a whole, including but not limited to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission ("ANC"), the Office of the Mayor, and the Council of the District of Columbia. MPNA members will also work with all other federal and local governing agencies.

Section 2. Specific. The purposes of MPNA shall be:

a. To create a strong political voice on behalf of the residents of Mt. Pleasant, to ensure that all laws and regulations of the District of Columbia are enforced, and to the extent necessary, are amended or new laws and regulations created to address the concerns of the neighborhood.

b. To unify the residents to solve problems in Mt. Pleasant.

c. To enhance the general quality of life for all who live and visit Mt. Pleasant.

d. To promote cooperation between the residents and business community of Mt. Pleasant.

e. To support commercial development of Mount Pleasant Street within limits appropriate for the residential community.

f. To work with other community-based organizations.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualifications for Membership. Any adult person, 21 years of age or older, who, on a continuing basis, subscribes to the purposes and aims of the MPNA and is a resident of the community within those streets located west of 16th Street NW, north of Harvard Street, east of Rock Creek Park and South of Piney Branch Parkway is eligible for membership in MPNA. 

Section 2. Membership. There shall be one class of members. Each member has one vote to be cast in person. Voting authority cannot be transferred to another member. A simple majority vote of a quorum controls a decision. 

Section 3. Application for Membership. In order to join the MPNA an individual must complete an application which includes his/her name, address, and if the member agrees, his/her telephone number(s).  The membership roster shall be maintained by the Secretary and no member's name or other information regarding a member shall be disclosed without the written consent of that member.

Section 4. Dues. For the first year of operation, there are no dues to join the MPNA. After one year, the membership will be surveyed to determine if the organization should collect dues.

Section 5. Representation.  No member shall represent MPNA unless the Board has expressly authorized, in writing, that member to represent the views and positions of the organization.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Size. The Board of Directors consists of the officers and at-large members elected from the membership. The Board shall have at least six but no more than fifteen total members. When used in these by-laws, the terms "Board of Directors" and "Board" shall include the officers.

Section 2. Powers and Duties. The Board has the responsibility for the administration of MPNA and for performing other duties as the membership may decide. The Board has the right to establish its own rules of procedure. The Board has the authority to take actions, including actions authorized or required by law or regulation, on behalf of the Alliance with a quorum present and with a majority vote.

Section 3. Elections. All directors are elected at the annual meeting for a term of four year. Elections will be held at the beginning of each calendar year but no later than April 30 of each year starting in 1993.  Voting in connection with the annual meeting may be by ballot of those members present at the meeting, or by ballot delivered to the President up to 5 days after the meeting by mail or by electronic-mail.  The President will verify and count the mailed or emailed ballots and these will be added to the votes cast at the meeting to determine the election of officers. 

Section 4. Resignations and Vacancies. A director may resign by giving notice in writing. A member of the Board may be removed by the Board for cause. The Board may fill the vacancy for the balance of the term at its discretion.

Section 5. Meetings. The Board will meet at least four times a year. Additional meetings can be called by the President and two other directors. Notice will be given to all Board members prior to any meeting. All meetings of the Board of Directors are open to the membership at large. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the officers and other Board members then serving.

Section 6. Attendance. Board members are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis. A Board member who is absent from three consecutive meetings will lose his/her right to maintain a seat on the Board. Reinstatement is at the discretion of the Board. The Board may fill the vacancy at its discretion.

Section 7. Voting. Each Board member has one vote. No votes can be recorded for an absent member. 

SECTION V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers Designated. The officers of MPNA are: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. All officers are selected from the general membership.

Section 2. Elections. The membership elects the officers at the annual meeting. Officers serve at the pleasure of the membership. Officers may be removed by the Board for cause. The Board may fill the vacancy for the balance of the term at its discretion.

Section 3. Term of Office. All officers serve for a term of four years.

Section 4. Resignations. An officer may resign by giving notice in writing.

SECTION VI

FISCAL AFFAIRS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year for MPNA begins on the first day of January.

Section 2. Signing Financial Documents. Officers designated by the Board have authority to sign checks individually in amounts less than $500.00. All checks greater than $500.00 require the signature of two officers.

SECTION VII.

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The membership of the MPNA meets once a year at the beginning of the new membership year. Every 4 years, the members elect officers and directors in accordance with these bylaws. Other business may be considered at this meeting.

Section 2. Other Meetings. A special meeting of MPNA will be held whenever the President or Board decides. The President will also call a special meeting at the written request of 25 members of MPNA. Written notice of the time, place and business to be transacted will be delivered by hand, electronically or by mail to each member at least one week before the meeting. No other business may be transacted at the meeting.

Section 3. A quorum for membership meetings consists of at least 10 members or ten percent (10%) of the members, whichever is less. No proxies are allowed for any purpose.

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Appointments. The membership or Board may establish committees as needed. The members of committees are appointed by the President. Each committee will have a chair.

Section 2. Meetings. Committee meetings are held at the discretion of the Committee Chair.

ARTICLE IX

RULES OF PROCEDURE

Section 1. General. Rules of procedure beyond the scope of these bylaws will follow the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1. General. The bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present.