East Torresdale Civic Association
Constitution and By-Laws
PREAMBLE
Unity, guided by intelligence, is the bulwark of strength that can withstand all attacks. Without intelligent organization, we cannot acquire the discipline which enables us to act together, concentrate our strength and direct our efforts toward a common purpose.
Therefore, for the purpose of promoting such unity of action, for our mutual protection and to advance the general welfare of our neighborhood, the organization known as the East Torresdale Civic Association has been established. This organization will be non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-profit.
ARTICLE 1
NAME
Section 1. This organization shall be known by the name of the
Amended
AREA
Section 2. The area of this Association is bounded on the south by the Academy Exit of I-95 at Frankford Avenue on a perpendicular line east to the Delaware River, on the north by the Poquessing Creek, on the west by Frankford Avenue, to also include the 3900 blocks of Fitler St,, Eden St., and Grant Avenue, as well as the 9600 blocks of Frankford Avenue and Leon St..
Amended
LOCATION OF HEADQUARTERS
Section 3. For the purpose of a single designated address for mailing or receiving mail, unless or until a permanent location is established, this address will be
Amended
ARTICLE 2
ELIGIBILITY TO BECOME A MEMBER
Section 1. Any person male or female, who resides in or is an owner of record of property or business in the area defined in Article 1, Section 2 and who has reached the age of eighteen (18) years is eligible for membership.
Section 2. Application for membership or reinstatement to membership shall be made in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose. The application must be signed by the applicant.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Section 3. Contributions from persons residing out of the area defined in Article 1, Section 2 will be accepted. A membership card will be issued to read ASSOCIATE MEMBER. The Associate Member cannot run for or hold office, vote in elections and at regular meetings or make motions. Attendance at the meetings by Associate Members is to be encouraged.
Amended 1969
ARTICLE 3
MEETINGS
Section 1. The Association shall meet on the second Monday of each month unless prevented from so doing by an Act of God or unless that day is a Legal Holiday or conflicts with a Religious Holiday, in which case the President shall determine the meeting day. A special meeting may be called by the President and must be called by him upon written request by one-third of the Association
Amended
PRESENTERS
Section 2. The Association shall be notified no less than 30 days for a person or persons wishing to speak with members at a General monthly meeting, which would be approved by the President. This would entitle both the Executive Board and Members adequate advance notice for questions or comments which may arise.
Amended 11/2004
QUORUM
Section 2. Ten (10) members, three of whom must be officers of the Association, including one qualified to act as President, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Amended 1971
AUTHORITY TO MAKE BY-LAWS AND RULES
Section 3. The Association may make, alter, or amend such By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations to supplement these statues as may be deemed expedient. Such By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations must be adopted by a majority vote of the members present after having been read at two (2) consecutive meetings
Amended 1969
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
Section 4. Any new membership or delinquent membership paid at a general or special meeting of the Association shall not entitle the payer to vote on any questions on the floor until next month’s meeting.
Amended
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. The Association shall consist of eight (8) officers as follows : President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative Representative, and Sergeant-At-Arms
New
EXECTUTIVE BOARD
Section 2. (a) There shall be an Executive Board, which shall consist of eight (8) officers named in Section 1, plus ten (10) chair persons of the standing committees as follows: By-Laws, Education, Fund-Raising, Health and Welfare, Membership, Publicity, Recreation, Streets and Traffic and Zoning.
New
(b) The Executive Board shall meet the fourth (4th) Monday of each month, unless prevented from doing so by an Act of God or unless that day is a legal holiday or conflicts with a religious holiday, in which case the President shall determine the meeting day. Special meetings may be called by the President or the First Vice-President in the absence of the President, or an Executive Board Member when so authorized by the President.
New
ELIGIBILTY FOR NOMINATION
Section 3. (a) Candidates for office or committee must actually live in or have a place of business within the area defined in Article 1, Section 2.
(b) No member may be nominated for any office or committee in the Association who is indebted to the Association for the current dues or for assessments.
(c) Candidates for office or committee chairperson shall have had one year or more continuous membership and shall have attended fifty percent (50%) of the meetings from December of the previous year to the November nominating meeting of the current year.
Amended
(d) The nominations and election in 1965 is excepted from the above section.
(e) No member shall hold more than one office, except by membership approval.
Section 4. Executive Board Members shall be determined in November and elected in December of each year and shall be installed in the month of January following. The election shall be by secret ballot, unless determined otherwise by a majority vote of those members present at the December meeting. Not less that fifteen (15) days prior to the date fixed for the nominating meeting and election of officers, notice thereof shall be mailed to each member at his or her last known home address. Those persons must be present in order to be elected. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
VACANCIES
Section 5. Any vacancy in an elective office may be filled for the unexpired term by the President with a majority vote of the membership.
Amended
PAST-PRESIDENT
Section 6. (a) Upon installation of a new President of the Association the retiring President becomes a Past-President.
(b) The Past-President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and Vice-President(s).
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Section 7. The President shall appoint five (5) members to form a nominating committee: two (2) persons from the Executive Board and three (3) persons in good standing will be appointed from the floor of the regular monthly meeting to take place in October.
Amended
VACANT OFFICE
Section 8. Any Executive Board member who is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without valid and justifiable reasons will be considered to have vacated that office.
Amended
AUTHORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 9. The Executive Board shall be granted authority to handle all business matters of the Civic Association, including financial matters between meetings, subject to ratification by the members at the general meeting.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE OFFICER/COMMITTEE
Section 10. If a member of the East Torresdale Civic Association Executive Board is nominated as a candidate for any Political office, he or she must take a leave of absence until after the general election. If successful, he or she must immediately resign his or her Executive position with East Torresdale Civic Association. If a member of the East Torresdale Civic Association Executive Board is appointed to public office by any political party, that person must resign his or her Executive position immediately. He or she remains a regular member in good standing provided he or she pays the yearly membership dues.
ARTICLE 5
DUES
Section 1. The dues in the Association shall be seven dollars ($7.00) for individual annual membership and ten dollars ($10.00) for family membership, payable in the month of January. A member whose dues are not paid by March 1 will be considered delinquent. Family membership shall include all persons eighteen (18) years and over residing at the same address.
Amended
ASSESSMENTS
Section 2. No assessment shall be levied by the Association except by majority vote by secret ballot of the members voting, at a regular or special meeting, after fifteen (15) days notice by mail of intention to vote upon such question.
ARTICLE 6
SUSPENSION
Section 1. A member who fails to pay his or her dues upon request for renewal is automatically suspended.
Section 2. No member shall unilaterally undertake to make decisions for, print and distribute material or information concerning this organization, without the prior approval of the President and Executive Board Members. Violators will be suspended and removed from membership.
Amended
ARTICLE 7
REINSTATEMENT
Section 1. A member suspended for non-payment of dues may apply for reinstatement upon payment of any unpaid dues.
Amended
ARTICLE 8
PARLIMENTARY RULES
Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order shall be the recognized guide of the Association where the approved By-Laws do not govern.