Vernedale Neighborhood Association Bylaws
Article I: Name
The name of this Organization shall be “Vernedale Neighborhood Association.” The Organization may be referred to as “VNA” hereafter.
Article II: Mission
1. The purpose of this organization shall be to actively seek membership from everyone residing or operating businesses within the neighborhood boundaries. It aims to promote:
2. An active and safe forum for discussion of any and all neighborhood concerns;
Community pride through neighborhood social activities, workshops, and other programs which help serve the needs and interests of residents;
3. A broad understanding of factors that influence neighborhood quality of life, and to improve upon by encouraging and facilitating informed citizen participation in issues affecting our neighborhood; including but not limited to zoning issues, neighborhood crime, code enforcement regulations, traffic patterns, and street modifications;
4. A collective voice for our common neighborhood interests by acting as a liaison with governmental bodies and with institutions, schools, and businesses in and around our neighborhood;
5. Community welfare generally and to conduct other lawful business not inconsistent with these bylaws.
Article III: Definitions
Section 1: Boundaries
The VNA shall contain all single-family homes along the following streets:
•Craigwood Drive to the intersection with Springhurst at Hickory Grove
•Biederbick Dr. (excluding homes in Springhurst)
•Prestwick Ln.
•Butterwick Ln.
•Bayswater Ln. (excluding Bay Village)
•Cricklewood Ln.
•Vernedale Rd.
•Hanna Ct.
•Eastland Ct.
•Pepper Bush Ln.
•Barcliff Dr.
•Lakefill Rd.
•Thelo Dr.
•Dale Ave.
•Louglen Cir.
•Misty Lake Dr.
•Crownfield Ln.
•Carnbrook Pl.
•Trossack Ct.
•Bannock Glen Dr.
•Sunlea Ln.
•Dunart Ct.
Section 2: Residential Membership
The membership of this organization shall consist of every adult 18 years of age or older who resides (homeowners and renters) in a single-family home within the boundaries set by the VNA.
Article IV: Meetings of Members
Section 1: Regular Membership Meeting Times, Location and Notice
The VNA will meet a minimum of six times per calendar year.
No meeting shall begin before 6:00 p.m. on a weekday.
Regular meeting times and locations will be disclosed at least one week in advance via the neighborhood listserv and related social media accounts.
Section 2: Special Meetings of the Membership
Any member of the Board may call a special meeting for urgent problems or issues that might arise between regular meetings.
A majority of the Board must vote to approve special meetings.
Special meetings will not count toward the 10 meetings described in Article V Section 1.
Special meetings shall not be subject to the notice rules for regular meetings.
Section 3: Meeting Quorum
A minimum of 10 people must attend to meet a membership meeting quorum.
Section 4: Meeting Procedures
Meetings of the membership are held for the purpose of sharing information of interest to the community, inviting guest speakers, receiving updates from the Board on work performed between meetings, voting on measures that impact the community as a whole outside of Board operations, and gathering community input on issues of widespread neighborhood concern such as, but not limited to environmental and infrastructural concerns, local development issues, transit impacts, volunteerism, social and educational programming, local community policing, and crime.
Meeting minutes shall be recorded by the secretary and distributed prior to the next meeting via the neighborhood listserv.
In external circumstances, the board has the power to hold meetings virtually.
Section 5: Voting in Membership Meetings
Voting is restricted to members who are physically present during VNA meetings or via other communication device in the event of an electronic or hybrid meeting.
Each household is allocated no more than two votes on any duly proposed measure.
Voting shall be conducted by show of hands or by voice during regular meetings. Voting may also be conducted electronically or by other means as deemed acceptable by a majority of the Board during meetings of the VNA.
Any member of the neighborhood association may introduce a motion at the membership meeting by contacting the Secretary of the neighborhood association prior to the agenda being sent to the neighborhood listserv. The motion must be included in writing on the agenda to give members time to read it before a vote is taken. If the motion is urgent and notice is not possible, a member may introduce a motion at the membership meeting with the consent of ⅔ of the members present.
Section 6: Board Elections
Board elections occur in November each year.
The officers’ terms shall begin on January 1st following the previous election.
Interested candidates must come forward by the October meeting.
Board elections will be conducted by secret ballot, delivered electronically.
Section 7: Board Meetings
The Board meets twice a year; once in January for the purpose of transition planning and once in the summer for the purpose of strategic planning and goal setting for the year.
The purpose of the Board meetings is to set the priorities for the membership meetings, plan annual goals, strategize community engagement and activities, organize financials and determine the internal operations for the neighborhood association.
Members of the general body are not included in meeting notices unless invited by the Board.
A majority of the Board present meets requirements for a quorum.
Special meetings of the Board may be called with 24 hours’ notice to handle urgent issues that may arise.
Decisions impacting the broader neighborhood association made by the Board during special and regular meetings must be reported to the membership at the next regular membership meeting.
Article V: Government
Section 1: Officer Duties
•President shall be the chief executive officer of the VNA, will supervise the management of the association in accordance within these bylaws.
•Vice President shall perform all duties as may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors and may serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the President.
•Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings. The Secretary is also responsible for updating the association website, assisting with preparing agendas, distributing minutes and announcements to the neighborhood listserv.
•Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial handlings and financial record keeping of the association. All funds should be deposited in an account in the name of Vernedale Neighborhood Association and shall be withdrawn only by the Treasurer or President. The Treasurer shall provide written monthly income statements of all transactions.
Section 2: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of standing officers and one at-large member.
Section 3: Resignations
If an officer or at-large Board member resigns their seat in office, or dies during his or her term of office, the Board of Directors shall by majority vote select a member of the Association to serve out that person’s term. If an officer or at-large Board member moves his or her residence to a location outside of the boundaries of the Association, the move shall be considered a resignation.
Section 4: Removal/Disqualification
Any member of the Board of Directors who is convicted of a felony offense.
Any member of the Board of Directors found to be neglectful, unwilling to work cooperatively and productively with the majority of the Board in a way that prevents the association from pursuing its strategic goals, or incompetent to perform their assigned duties shall be removed by a majority vote of three out of five members of the Board.
Any member of the Board of Directors who misses three meetings per year without cause may be barred from running in subsequent elections.
Section 5: Qualifying for Office
To qualify to run for office, a member must live within the boundaries of the association for a minimum of two years.
Article VI: General Provisions
Section 1: Fiscal Year
Fiscal year will begin February 1 of each year
Section 2: Dissolution
In the event that the Vernedale Neighborhood Association becomes inactive or dissolves, No part of the net earnings or assets of the Vernedale Neighborhood Association shall inure to the benefit of any officer or member of the Association.
Upon the dissolution of the Association, all monies in the general fund shall be distributed to any Eastside non-profit, community-oriented institution, or organization approved by the majority of the members of the Association at the time of dissolution to benefit the East Charlotte community.
Article VII: Amending Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended, replaced or repealed by a two-thirds majority of the Association membership present at a regular meeting of the Association.
Article VIII: Code of Conduct
The purpose of the Vernedale Neighborhood Association is to encourage positive community relations and interactions between neighbors. As a voluntary association, members and Board members are expected to treat each other with respect and civility. Board members and those who attend membership meetings are expected to observe the following:
Exhibit a respectful attitude and tone toward members of the Board and guest speakers.
Observe the time constraints outlined in the agenda circulated before the meetings.
Read the communications circulated in advance of the agenda so members can come with informed questions.
Accept responsibility for creating a positive and constructive environment for working toward the mutual strategic goals of the association.
Failure to observe the Code of Conduct may result in the following with the majority consent of the Board:
Ejection from Board or membership meetings,
Future exclusion from Board or membership meetings,
xclusion from running for future Board positions, committee leadership positions or other positions of responsibility within the Association.