BYLAWS OF CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE NEIGHBORHHOD PLANNING OF

CLINTON HILL/FORT GREENE, INC.

 

 

ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of the organization is Citizens for Responsible Neighborhood Planning of Clinton Hill/Fort Greene, Inc.

ARTICLE II. CORPORATE PURPOSE

Section 1. Nonprofit Purpose

This corporation is organized exclusively for the advocating and promotion of responsible neighborhood planning.

Section 2. Specific Objectives

The specific objective and purpose of this organization shall be to evaluate and assess any and all plans proposed and presented by city, state, and federal governments and/or any other entities impacting Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership

The members of the Corporation shall be its Directors.

Section 2. Dues; Responsibility for Debts, etc.

No dues shall be payable by members of the Corporation, and members shall have no responsibility, as members, for any debts, obligations or liabilities of the Corporation.

Section 3. Term of Membership

Each member’s term of membership in the Corporation shall be for the period that he or she is a Director of the Corporation

When a person ceases to be a Director, and so a member, of the Corporation, all the rights of such member in respect of the Corporation shall terminate.

Section 4. Rights of Members

Unless otherwise required by law, each member present in person, by conference call, or email at meetings of members of the Corporation shall be entitled to cast one vote on any and all matters that come before any such meeting.  At each meeting of the members, all matters shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Corporation entitled to vote and present at such meeting in person, by conference call or by email, except those matters the manner of deciding which is at the time otherwise expressly regulated by statute or by any other section hereof.

ARTICLE IV.  MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Annual Meetings

An annual meeting of the members shall take place in the month of September, the specific date, time and location of which will be designated by the chair. At the annual meeting the members shall elect directors, receive reports on the activities of the association, and determine the direction of the association for the coming year.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President, the Executive Committee, or a simple majority of the Board of Directors. A petition signed by five percent (5%) of voting members may also call a special meeting.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings

Printed notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail or email not less than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Quorum

A quorum for a meeting of the members shall consist of at least fifty-one percent  (51%) percent of the active membership.

Section 5.  Voting

All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.  Voting can only take place if there is a quorum.

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers

The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall have control of and be responsible for the management of the affairs and property of the Corporation.

Section 2. Number, Tenure, Requirements, and Qualifications

The number of Directors shall be fixed from time-to-time by the Directors but shall consist of no less than four (5) nor more than twenty-one (21) including the following officers: the President, the  Vice-President,  the Secretary, and the Treasurer. The number of Directors may be increased to any number not in excess of twenty-one(21) by the vote of a majority of the directors entitled to vote, tabulated as if there were no vacancies on the Board.

The initial Board shall consist of eight (8) persons.

There shall be no term limits for Directors.

The members of the Board of Directors shall, upon election, immediately enter upon the performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.  All members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board must be approved by a majority vote of the members  voting.  No vote on new members of the Board of Directors, or Advisory Board shall be held unless a quorum of the Board of Directors is present as provided in Section 6 of this Article.

Section 3. Regular and Annual Meetings

An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and day in the month of September of each calendar year and at a location designated by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place, for the holding of regular meetings of the Board.  Notice of these meetings shall be sent or emailed to all members of the Board of Directors no less than ten (10) days, prior to the meeting date.

Section 4. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two members of the Board of Directors.  The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any location, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them.

Section 5. Notice

Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days in advance of the meeting by telephone, facsimile or electronic methods or by written notice.    The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular  or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these by-laws.

Section 6. Quorum

The presence, in person of a majority of current members of the Board of Directors shall be necessary at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business, but a lesser number shall have power to adjourn to a specified later date without notice.  The act of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws.

Section 7. Vacancies

Whenever any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors it may be filled without undue delay by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors at a regular meeting.  Vacancies may be created and filled according to specific methods approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Compensation

Members of the Board of Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as Directors.

Section 9. Informal Action by Directors

Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing or by email or facsimile, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by two-thirds (2/3) of all of the Directors following notice of the intended action to all members of the Board of Directors.

Section 10. Confidentiality

Each Director shall execute a confidentiality agreement consistent herewith upon being voted onto and accepting appointment to the Board of Directors.

Section 11. Advisory Council

An Advisory Council may be created whose members shall be elected by the members of the Board of Directors annually but who shall have no duties, voting privileges, nor obligations for attendance at regular meetings of the Board.  Advisory Council members may attend said meetings at the invitation of a member of the Board of Directors.  Members of the Advisory Council shall possess the desire to serve the community and support the work of the Corporation by providing expertise and professional knowledge.  Members of the Advisory Council shall comply with the confidentiality policy set forth herein and shall sign a confidentiality agreement consistent therewith upon being voted onto and accepting appointment to the Advisory Council.

Section 12. Parliamentary Procedure

Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings shall be determined by the President by reference to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 13. Removal.

Any member of the Board of Directors or members of the Advisory Council may be removed with or without cause, at any time, by vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the members of the Board of Directors if in their judgment the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby.    An officer who has been removed as a member of the Board of Directors shall automatically be removed from office.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

The officers of this Board shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers must have the status of active members of the Board.

Section 1. President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership. The President shall have the following duties:

a.) He/She shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee.
b.)  He/She shall have general and active management of the business of this Advisory Board.
c.)  He/She shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Advisory Board are brought to the Advisory Board.
d.)  He/She shall have general superintendence and direction of all other officers of this corporation and see that their duties are properly performed.
e.)  He/She shall submit a report of the operations of the corporation for the fiscal year to the Board and members at their annual meetings, and from time to time, shall report to the Board all matters that may affect the corporation.
f.)  He/She shall be Ex-officio member of all standing committees and shall have the power and duties usually vested in the office of the President.

Section 2. Vice-President

The Vice-President shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President during the absence of the latter. The Vice-Presidents duties are:

a.) He/She shall have the duty of chairing their perspective committee and such other duties as may, from time to time, be determined by the Advisory Board.

Section 3. Secretary

The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Advisory Board and of the Executive Committee, and all meetings of members, and assisted by a staff member, will act as a clerk thereof. The Secretary’s duties shall consist of:

a.) He/She shall record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. He/She in concert with the President shall make the arrangements for all meetings of the Board, including the annual meeting of the organization.
b.)Assisted by a staff member, he/she shall send notices of all meetings to the members of the Advisory Board and shall take reservations for the meetings.
c.) He/She shall perform all official correspondence from the Board as may be prescribed by the Board or the President.

Section 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer’s duties shall be:

a.)  He/She shall submit for the Finance and Fund Development Committee approval of all expenditures of funds raised by the Board, proposed capital expenditures (equipment and furniture) , by the staff of the corporation.
b.)  He/She shall present a complete and accurate report of the corporation funds raised by the Board or committees thereof.
c.)  It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to assist in direct audits of the funds of the program according to funding source guidelines and generally accepted accounting principles.
d.)  He/She shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President under whose supervision he/she shall be.

Section 5. Election of Officers

The Nominating Committee shall submit at the meeting prior to the annual meeting the names of those persons for the respective offices of the Board.  Nominations shall also be received from the floor after the report of the Nominating Committee. The election shall be held at the annual meeting of the Board. Those officers elected shall serve a term of one (1) year, commencing at the next meeting following the annual meeting.

Section 6. Removal of Officer

The Board with the concurrence of 3/4 of the members voting at the meeting may remove any officer of the Board of Directors and elect a successor for the unexpired term. No officer of the Board of Directors shall be expelled without an opportunity to be heard and notice of such motion of expulsion shall be given to the member in writing twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which motion shall be presented, setting forth the reasons of the Board for such expulsion.

Section 7. Vacancies

The Nominating Committee shall also be responsible for nominating persons to fill officer vacancies which occur between annual meetings and calling special meetings to vote on said nominations, including those of officers.  Nominations shall be sent in writing to members of the Advisory Board at least two (2) weeks prior to the next meeting at which the election will be held. The persons so elected shall hold membership or office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES.

Section 1. Committee Formation

The Board  may establish the following committees: Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations, Community Affairs, Budget and Finance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Legal, and Research.  The Board may establish any other committees it may deem necessary for the furtherance of its corporate purpose.  The Executive Committee shall appoint all committee chairs.

Section 2. Executive Committee

The officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee and may appoint three (3) additional ex-officio members. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.

Section 3. Finance Committee

The Treasurer is the Chair of the Finance Committee, which may include other Board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, and the annual budget with staff and other Board members. The Board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the board or the Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the Board showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to the membership, board members, and the public.

ARTICLE VIII. CORPORATE STAFF

The Board of Directors may hire an Executive Director who may serve at the will of the Board.  The Executive Director shall have immediate and overall supervision of the operations of the Corporation, and shall direct the day-to-day business of the Corporation, maintain the properties of the Corporation, hire, discharge, and determine the salaries and other compensation of all staff members under the Executive Director’s supervision, and perform such additional duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.  No officer, Executive Committee member or member of the Board of Directors may individually instruct the Executive Director or any other employee.  The Executive Director shall make such reports at the Board and Executive Committee meetings as shall be required by the President or the Board.  The Executive Director shall be an ad-hoc member of all committees.

The Executive Director may not be related by blood or marriage/domestic partnership within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the Board of Directors or Advisory Council.  The Executive Director may be hired at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote and shall serve until removed by the Board of Directors upon an affirmative vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the members present at any meeting of the Board Directors.  Such removal may be with or without cause.  Nothing herein shall confer any compensation or other rights on any Executive Director, who shall remain an employee terminable at will, as provided in this Section.

ARTICLE IX. – Conflict of Interest and Compensation

Section 1: Purpose

The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this organization’s (Organization) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit organizations.

Section 2: Definitions

a.) Interested Person
Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.

b.) Financial Interest
A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

1.)  An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement,
2.)  A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, or
3.)  A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.

A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. A person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

Section 3.  Procedures

a.)  Duty to Disclose. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

b.)  Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

c.)  Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest

1. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
2. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

3. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Corporation can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

4. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Organization’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

d.) Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy

1. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

2. If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

 

Section 4.  Records of Proceedings

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

a.)  The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing Board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
b.)  The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

Section 5.   Compensation

a.)  A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
b.)  A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
c.) No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

Section 6.  Annual Statements

Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:

1. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy,
2. Has read and understands the policy, and
3. Has agreed to comply with the policy.

Section 7.   Periodic Reviews

To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with its corporate purpose does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its mission, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:

a.)  Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm’s length bargaining.
b.) Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.

Section 8.  Use of Outside Experts

When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Section 7, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.

ARTICLE X. IDEMNIFICATION

 Section 1. General

To the full extent authorized under the laws of the state of New York, the corporation shall indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent, or former member, director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or any person who may have served at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation (each of the foregoing members, directors, officers, employees, agents, and persons is referred to in this Article individually as an “indemnitee”), against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding in which that indemnitee is made a party by reason of being or having been such member, director, officer, employee, or agent, except in relation to matters as to which that indemnitee shall have been adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of a duty. The foregoing indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an indemnitee may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, resolution of the Board of Directors, or otherwise.

Section 2. Expenses

Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, if authorized by the Board of Directors, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder.

Section 3. Insurance

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a member, director, officer, employee, or agent against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power or obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article.

ARTICLE XI.  BOOKS AND RECORDS

The corporation shall keep complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Articles of Incorporation

The Articles may be amended in any manner at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that specific written notice of the proposed amendment of the Articles setting forth the proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected thereby shall be given to each director at least three days in advance of such a meeting if delivered personally, by facsimile, or by e-mail or at least five days if delivered by mail. As required by the Articles, any amendment to Article III or Article VI of the Articles shall require the affirmative vote of all directors then in office. All other amendments of the Articles shall require the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of directors then in office.

Section 2.  Amendment of Bylaws

The Board of Directors may amend these Bylaws by majority vote at any regular or special meeting. Written notice setting forth the proposed amendment or summary of the changes to be effected thereby shall be given to each director within the time and the manner provided for the giving of notice of meetings of directors.

ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

We, the undersigned, are all of the initial directors or incorporators of this corporation, and we consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing Bylaws, consisting of the  thirteen (13) preceding pages, as the Bylaws of this Corporation.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Board of Directors on this ____ day of _________, 20__.

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Initial Director

 

 

 

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Initial Director

 

 

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Initial Director