BY-LAWS
OF THE LAFAYETTE – WINONA CIVIC LEAGUE
Formerly known as the Winona – Lafayette Civic League
Preamble
To establish an organization consisting of residents, that will better define the area neighborhoods of Lafayette Residence Park, Winona, Gowrie Park and Lafayette Shores. To define the needs and to obtain consistent municipal services available for said neighborhoods. To maintain the neighborhoods in good order, to address residential blight, and to maintain quality, safe residential neighborhoods. The organization shall be named Lafayette-Winona Civic League.
Article I
Area Defined and Represented
The residential areas and street boundaries that will define Lafayette-Winona are: The west side of Tidewater Dr. From Tanners Creek Bridge, the Southern most point of Gowrie Park and Northward along Tidewater Dr. to Willowwood Dr., the Northern most Point of Lafayette Shore Homes. West of Tidewater Dr. to the natural border provided by the Lafayette River which encompasses, Lafayette Shores, Winona, Lafayette Residence Park and Gowrie Park. Lafayette Blvd. From Tidewater Dr. west to the 26th Street bridge. Willowwood Dr. from Tidewater Dr. west to Lakewood Rd. Not to include Lakewood Park or Lakewood properties.
Article II
The Objectives
The Lafayette-Winona Civic League will use all means available to maintain a safe and desirable community for all residents. Residents shall be defined as individuals residing in or located within the boundaries defined in Article I and will be comprised of property owners and other legal adults residing within the property, renters, proprietors, or a representative of a religious, or government establishment. The Lafayette-Winona Civic League will address issues and concerns of the residents as they arise, will promote good citizenship, and foster a sense of community. The Lafayette-Winona Civic League will conduct regular community meetings/gatherings open to the public as a forum.
Article III
Membership and Dues
Lafayette-Winona Civic League Membership is open to all residents as defined in Article II. The term of each member is one year, with no limit on the number of terms to be served. Membership is granted upon the payment of annual dues. Membership entitles one vote on all Civic League matters brought before its members. Annual dues, the amount to acquire membership, shall be established by the Civic League Executive Board.
Article IV
Defining a League Calendar Business Year
The Lafayette-Winona Civic League Business Calendar Year shall be June through May. The months of July and August will be reserved for the Civic League Executive Board to organize and plan the up-coming Calendar Year. The Board reserves the right to call a community League meeting, during the months of July and August, as it deems necessary.
Article V
League Executive Board Members, their Duties and Election of the Executive Board
The Lafayette-Winona Civic League Executive Board Members shall be registered voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia and must reside within the boundaries of Lafayette-Winona as set forth in Article I. Each must be a member of the League with a minimum of one year residence in the community and with an interest in the community. The elected executive Board Members of the League are: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Each executive board member is elected for a term of one year following the league calendar business year established in Article IV. Term limits are established at four consecutive terms for each office. League members may elect not to elect standing Executive Board Members. Executive Board members may elect not to continue serving and must provide their decision in writing, to the Executive Board and the Nominating committee, at least thirty days prior to League elections.
A League Board member nominating committee, of not less than three and no more than five members shall be elected by the League general members at the regular meeting three months, (presently March), prior to scheduled election, (presently May). League Secretary will provide guidance to the nominating committee and shall be responsible for introduction of the committee at each meeting leading up to and including the election. The nominating committee will ensure that all members desiring to serve meet League requirements and are listed on the slate of nominees at each meeting prior to and including the election meeting. Installation of Elected League Officers shall be conducted one month following election, (presently June).
The League shall be apolitical. Any executive board member seeking and publicly announcing intent to pursue an elected political office; city, state or national, shall resign their position immediately. Any executive board member who wishes to resign their position for any reason, to include pursuing an elected political office, shall provide their decision in writing, to the Executive Board. The remaining Board Members shall appoint a replacement member who shall serve until an official League election can be called.
Each Executive Board Member will represent the Civic League of Lafayette-Winona in a responsible and professional manner at all times. Irresponsible and unprofessional behavior shall be addressed at and during general membership meetings. Expulsion of a Board Member will be the ultimate corrective measure and as determined by League members.
All responsibilites of the executive civic league board shall be shared by the executive board members except where noted below:
President – Presides at all League meetings, Executive Board meetings, and civic league functions. Represents the League or appoints an agent to attend functions where the league requires representation.
Vice President – Shall perform the duties of the president upon the president’s absence or incapacity.
Secretary – Shall record and maintain minutes of all Board and General membership meetings. Secretary will maintain the files of all written correspondence from the League.
Treasurer – Shall collect and record all dues and civic league funds. Treasurer will monitor and maintain League Membership roster. Treasurer shall provide Treasury report at all league meetings and be responsible for disbursement of funds as directed by executive board and league expenses. The audit of the civic league funds must be voted on by at least two-thirds of the attending civic league members or be requested at any time by the civic league executive board.
Article VI
Ad Hoc Committees
An ad hoc committee must be comprised of a chairperson and committee members, and have no less than a total of three members. The membership will approve the creation of all ad hoc committees through a vote of two-thirds majority of the attending membership at a meeting. The Executive Board shall appoint ad hoc committee chairpersons. In cases of determined necessity by the Executive Board committees may be created prior to their confirmation by the membership with the unanimous vote of the Executive Board. Committees created by the Executive Board must be voted on by the membership at the next civic league meeting. Dissolution of an ad hoc committee can be called by the membership or Executive Board, but must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the attending membership at a civic league meeting or by an unanimous vote by the Executive Board.
Article VII
Parliamentary Authority
The established ‘Roberts Rules of Order’ shall be adhered to at each and every league meeting to establish good organization and order.
Article VIII
By-law Amendments
By-laws may always be amended by the general membership to continue to address the ever-changing needs and directions of all public organizations. Proposed amendments must be presented to the Executive Board prior to a general membership meeting for discussion. The issue of the proposed amendment shall be placed on the forthcoming agenda with the remarks of the Executive Board. Amendments must be voted on by at least two-thirds of the attending Civic League members.
The Lafayette-Winona Civic League By-laws are presented to introduce revisions to Article II (clarification of objectives and new definition of resident), Article III (clarification of membership), Article IV (establishes Civic League Calendar Year begins in June), Article V (revised roles for Executive Board), Article VII (previously named Article VI), Article VIII (previously named Article VIII), and to introduce Article VI.
Introduced January 2003
Karen Newbern President
Patricia Battle Vice President
John Deuel Secretary
Mary Blackwood. Treasurer
Adopted January 2004