Parkside Neighborhood Association

Bylaws

Parkside Neighborhood Association – working copy May 2020

  • Name. The name of this organization shall be the Parkside Neighborhood Association, hereinafter referred to as “PNA.”

  • Purpose. The purpose of the PNA is to foster a sense of community and neighborhood among its members and fellow citizens; to work for the safety, cleanliness, and livability of its streets and its homes; and to help promote the use and appreciation of Deering Oaks Park.

  • Boundaries. The Parkside Neighborhood is defined as encompassing all the following areas: Park Avenue up to the north (downhill) side of Congress Street, the west side of Forest Avenue to the east side of Weymouth Street, and a line projected from Weymouth st to I-295 (King Middle School, Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Iris Network, Troubh Ice Arena,) and all of Deering Oaks Park to the fence along the I-295. Areas of interest include the Expo, Deering/Brighton as it travels over the I-295 bridge, and the Forest Ave/I-295 interchange.

  • Membership.
    A. General Membership. Membership in the PNA shall be open to all legal

    residents of the Parkside Neighborhood (as defined in Sec. III), and non-resident Parkside Neighborhood property owners. A General Member shall be entitled to equal say and equal vote at Annual and Special Meetings.

    B. Associate Membership. Associate Membership shall be open to non-Parkside Neighborhood interested parties and guests. Associate Members shall have the right to speak

    but not to vote at Annual and Special Meetings.

    • Power and Authority. The full power and authority of the PNA shall reside in the voting membership of the PNA, and in the Board of Directors of the PNA, as their representative, at such times as the PNA is not gathered in Annual or Special Meetings.

    • Board of Directors. The PNA Board of Directors shall consist of at least four (4) but no more than nine (9) members. No more than two (2) of whom may be non-resident Parkside Neighborhood property owners.

      A. Officers. The Officers of the PNA shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and such other officers as the PNA shall from time to time deem necessary. All officers shall serve without pay except for reimbursement of expenses as approved by the majority of the Board of Directors. All officers shall serve a one (1) year term.

      B. The President or designee shall preside at all special and annual meetings of the PNA and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The President or designee shall serve as spokesperson for the PNA.

      C.The Vice President shall assist the President in all PNA matters deemed necessary, and shall step in when the president is unavailable.

      D. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all special, annual, and PNA Board meetings, which shall be a matter of public record. The Secretary shall keep a file of all correspondence, news items, flyers, and all such materials regarding the PNA.

E. The Treasurer shall keep clear and accurate accounts of all PNA financial transactions including deposits, withdrawals, and expenses of all sorts incurred, and such accounts shall be a matter of public record. Annually a subcommittee of PNA members shall inspect the Treasurer’s records and report their findings to the annual meeting.

• Elections
One third of the BoD shall be elected each year for 2 year terms to allow staggered terms. All

Board members shall serve until their successors are duly elected.

A. Nomination and Election to the Board. Any eligible general member of the PNA may notify the PNA Secretary of their intention to run for Board membership in writing at least seven (7) days before the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting nominations may be made from the floor by any General Member of the PNA with a second by any General Member. Members (up to 9) receiving the majority of the vote shall become Board members. Nominated candidates shall have an opportunity to address the membership before the voting process; the current President may limit the duration. Election shall be by paper ballot.

B. Nomination and Election of Officers. From the members of the Board of Directors, the General Members of the PNA shall elect a President at the Annual meeting, by paper ballot (can e-votes count?) and majority vote. The Board of Directors shall elect from its own number a Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and such other officers as the PNA shall from time to time deem necessary.

C. Vacancies.Vacancies occurring in the BoD shall be filled at the next Special Meeting of the PNA if possible, or appointed to the un-expired remainder of the term by the President, subject to a two-thirds vote of the Board.

D. Attendance. The Board of Directors will discuss the continued service of any member of the Board of Directors missing three (3) or more meetings in a twelve (12) month period. Said member may be asked to vacate their position, and a new member will be appointed by the President, subject to a two-thirds vote by the Board of Directors.

• Removal from Office and Vacancies.
A. Vacancy. Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the Vice President

shall serve as Acting President until the next Special or Annual meeting, whichever the Board shall designate, at which time the vacancy shall be filled by method outlined above (C). Should a vacancy occur in any other officer’s position, the Board shall designate an acting Officer for that position until the position is filled by election at the next Special or Annual meeting, in a manner described above (C).

B. Removal from Office.Any elected Officer or member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office with or without cause as determined by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, or determined by paper ballot (e-ballot?) of two-thirds of the PNA membership present and voting at a Special meeting called for that purpose,. Both sides will be given ample opportunity to present their case.

• Meetings.
A. Annual Meetings. The PNA shall hold an Annual Meeting at a time, place, and date set and well-publicized by the Board of Directors. The annual Meeting shall be open to all PNA Members and to the public. Meeting agendas shall be made publicly available (2 weeks) it’s usually more like one week beforehand.

B. Special Meetings. By a majority vote of the Board of Directors, Special Meetings of the general PNA membership may be called at any time (usually monthly) on whatever topic(s) deemed necessary.

C. Agenda Requests. Prior to a scheduled Board of Directors meeting, any member of the PNA may, by request to the President, add an item to the agenda under “new business.”

D. Executive Session. At any meeting, the Board of Directors may vote to enter executive session at which any General Member may be present, but only Board members may speak and vote.

E. Voting and Quorum. A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of board business, but the Directors present in person at any meeting may adjourn such meeting from time to time until such quorum is present.

• Amendments. Amendments to these by-laws may be made upon a vote of two-thirds of the PNA members present and voting at any Annual or Special meeting called for that purpose. Amendments may be proposed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, a subcommittee empowered by them to do the same, or by petition signed by twenty five (25) members or one- quarter of the General Membership, whichever is greater. Amendments shall be presented on paper (or by electronic method) in full wording with full changes and deletions and additions clearly and completely presented. All Amendments shall be posted and made readily available to PNA members at least ten (10) days before the scheduled vote.