SOUTH COUNTY ASSEMBLY
OF NEIGHBORHOODS
******* Bylaws *******
ARTICLE I: Name
Section 1. The name of this organization is “South County Assembly of Neighborhoods” and shall be herein referred to as SCAN
Section 2. The principal office of the Scan shall be within South Sarasota County, Florida.
ARTICLE II: Mission Statement
SCAN is a civic group committed to provide neighborhoods the opportunity to connect, share information and participate in shaping their future.
Specifically to:
a. To disseminate and share information of interest to neighborhoods.
b. To provide educational opportunities for the betterment of citizens
and neighborhoods.
c. To cooperate and communicate in the best possible manner with all
departments of local government to obtain what is in the best interest
of our neighborhoods and the residents of South County and to maintain
and enhance the quality of life.
d. To provide opportunities for involvement and encourage participation
in the future of one's community.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1. Membership in the Assembly shall be open to Neighborhood Groups, Homeowners Associations, Property Owners Associations, Cooperative and Condominium Associations, Civic Associations and Community Based Associations within the following boundaries: The unincorporated area of Sarasota County extending southward from Preymore Street in Osprey to the Sarasota County Line, west to the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Myakka River, and including the Cities of Venice and North port. Applications to the Assembly shall be in writing and accompanied with payment of the annual dues. Acceptance of a new member shall be acted upon by the Board of Directors at any meeting thereof on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis. Association membership shall allow for active participation in all Assembly general membership meetings and shall allow for an unlimited number of delegates at such meetings. However each Assembly Member Association shall have only one (1) vote on all Assembly issues.
Section 2. Termination: Membership in the Assembly may be terminated by resignation, expulsion, or failure to pay the annual dues within ninety (90) days from the date due, unless extended for good cause. Any Member may be expelled for conduct unbecoming a Member or conduct prejudicial to the purpose or repute of the Alliance by a majority vote of the Board of Directors excluding the party involved in the expulsion or termination. The payment of dues will not be prorated.
Section 3. Associate Membership: Individuals who do not have access to membership in a Homeowners Association may qualify for an Associate Membership in the Assembly. Such membership shall be subject to all the requirements of a Homeowners Association except that the dues shall be $10.00 per year or, as determined from time to time, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Associate Members shall have no vote and shall not be members of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV: Dues
Section 1. Association Dues: The Annual dues shall be twenty five dollars ($25.00) per Association, or, as determined from time to time, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors
Section 2. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year for the Assembly shall be a calendar year, beginning January l and ending December 31.
Section 3. Membership Dues: Membership dues shall be payable in advance on or before January 10th of each calendar year and thereafter be considered in arrears.
Section 4. Notice Of Dues In Arrears: On January 15th of each year, the Treasurer shall give due notice to each Member Association in arrears. If dues are not paid by March 10th, such Members shall thereupon be dropped from the membership roll, unless such action is waived by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V: Directors
Section 1. Number: The affairs of the Assembly shall be managed by the Board of Directors consisting of not less than three members of the Assembly. Control of the affairs of the Assembly shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Qualifications: Each Director shall be a Member of SCAN.
Section 3. Term: Each Director shall serve for a term directed by the Member Association, but not less than one calendar year.
Section 4. Alternates: All Board Members should have an alternate authorized to act in his or her absence. Board Members and Alternates shall be full time, not seasonal Florida residents..
Section 5. Proxy: Voting by proxy or power of attorney is prohibited.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section 1. Directors: Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Assembly shall be at the call of the President, giving five (5) days prior notice or less in the case of an emergency. A quorum shall consist of one (1) more than half of the Board Members. The President or in his/her absence, the Vice President shall preside at all board meetings.
Section 2. Special or General Membership Meetings: A special or General Membership Meeting may be called by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Representation: The Assembly is empowered to represent the Member Associations on any issue brought before it.
a. A Member Association may decline such representation by the Assembly on any issue by providing timely notice, in writing, of its decision to withhold its consent to be joined in any publicity, presentation, or otherwise. Its lack of concurrence shall be included in any public notice of action by the Assembly.
b. This shall not restrict, in any manner, any Member Association from taking action alone on any issue which it feels is in its best interests. However, if such action is taken it shall not be publicized as action by the Assembly.
ARTICLE VII: Officers and Duties
Section 1. Officers: The Officers of the Assembly shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other Officers as are required to carry out the business of the Alliance.
Section 2. Term: The term of office shall be for one fiscal year and Officers shall be eligible for re-election. All elected Officers shall serve until their successors are duly elected or appointed.
Section 3. Presiding Officer and/or Spokesperson: The President or the Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall have, with prior approval of the Board, sole power to authorize press releases or to report proceedings in the name of the Assembly. Any public representation, verbal or written, of the Assembly by any person must be authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all Assembly funds and shall keep an accurate and complete record of all Assembly revenues and expenditures and render a report thereof at each Board and General Membership Meeting.
The Treasurer is authorized to pay all incurred obligations as approved by the Board of Directors. All payment shall be by Assembly check countersigned by the President or Vice President.
Funds received from dues, gifts, grants and all other sources shall be used only for the normal administrative expenses of the Assembly. Any other expenditure must be approved by the Board and be used to implement the mission of the Assembly as stated in Article II herein.
Section 5. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a complete and accurate record of Minutes of all proceedings of meetings. Minutes of the previous meeting shall be distributed to all Board Members as soon as possible, prior to the next Board meeting.
Section 6. Election of Officers: Officers of the Assembly shall be elected by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Removal from Office: Any Officer may be removed from office for just cause by majority vote of the Board of Directors present and voting, excluding the Officer being considered, at a special meeting of the Alliance called for that purpose. Ten (10) days notice shall be given to all Directors when such a meeting is called.
Section 8. On Leaving Office: Upon leaving office, each Officer shall forthwith turn over to his/her successor in office, all books, records, keys and other property of the Assembly in his/her custody or control.
ARTICLE VIII: Committees
The Board of Directors shall annually elect by two-third (2/3) vote, Chairpersons of Standing Committees. The Chairperson shall appoint the other members of the committee. Ad hoc committees may be formed to research specific issues and assist in the development of position papers, as required. Committees shall have no vote and shall be advisory to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX: Amendments
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Directors attending and in good standing, present and voting, providing that such amendments have been distributed by mail to all Directors at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which such amendment is to be considered.
Section 2. Voting by proxy or power of attorney is prohibited.
ARTICLE X: Rules of Order
The proceedings of all Assembly Board, Committee and Membership meetings shall be governed by and conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE XI: Dissolved Assembly
In the event that the Assembly is dissolved or ceases operation, the assets shall be distributed to another organization which qualifies as an organization described in Section 502 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
Adopted this _27th_____ day of March, 2006
_________________________ _________________________
President Secretary