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Bylaws of the Wedgwood Community Council

August 2006: The WCC Board of Trustees proposed changes to the bylaws in May 2005 in preparation for seeking 501(c)(3) status. The changes were ostensibly adopted May 12, 2005. Because the official notification of proposed changes was inadequate and this fact was brought to our attention by a WCC member, the WCC board has restored the original language for the changed articles, Articles II and VII.

I.	Name	VI.	Boards and Committees
II.	Purpose	VII.	Dissolution
III.	Membership	VIII.	Rules of Order
IV.	Officers	IX.	Amendments
V.	Meetings		Standing Rules

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Wedgwood Community Council.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Sec. 1	To define appropriate action on problems of concern to the community by providing a public forum for the discussion of rights, stability, environment, preservation and other timely needs.
Sec. 2	To maintain communication within the community relating to areas of concern and community action and to .maintain communication with government bodies and agencies (e.g. Seattle Department of Land Use) that have an affect on the community.
Sec. 3	To publicize, support, propose, or oppose any action, governmental or otherwise, that affects the community or its members and inform the appropriate body of the community concern.
Sec. 4	To be the official voice for the community and to join with other community organizations to study and influence issues of mutual concern.
Sec. 5	To participate in elections for public office by providing a non-partisan forum for discussion of issues and presentation of candidates.
Sec. 6	To present the Council's position in public discussions, debate, or interviews only with prior approval bv the Council or Trustees.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1	The Wedgwood Community Council shall consist of its members, meeting and voting in a public forum on issues within the scope of the objects
Sec. 2	Membership shall be open to all residents 18 and older within the Wedgwood Area (as described in the standing rules).
Sec. 3	Membership shall be open to one representative for each business, private or public organization, institution, or agency established within the community council area.
Sec. 4	Membership shall be open to all other persons, regardless of place of residence, who may apply for membership, pay the membership fee and are approved by the Board of Trustees. Only people present and verified by the membership list who have paid their dues, shall have the right to vote.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

The officers of the community council shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

Sec. 1		DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS:
A.	President shall:
	1.	Preside at all Board of Trustees and Community Council meetings and service as chief executive, coordinating all programs and business of the organization.
	2.	Prepare an agenda for each meeting.
	3.	Represent the Community Council before governmental entities as necessary. The President may assign the representation responsibility to a Vice-President or other members as appropriate.
	4.	Arrange for an annual audit of the Treasurer's books.
	5.	Call special meetings.
	6.	Vote only in the case of a tie.
B.	First Vice-President shall:
	1.	Assume the duties of the President during the absence or disability of the President, and shall carry out such other duties as the President or Board of Trustees may direct.
	2.	Maintain general membership lists and shall be Chairman of the Membership committee.
	3.	Convene the nominating committee in January.
C.	Second Vice-President shall:
	1.	Be Chairman of the Communication committee.
	2.	Be in charge of public relations.
	3	Be in charge of research into issues.
D.	Secretary shall:
	1.	Issue notices for al I Board of Trustees meetings (other than phone notices).
	2.	Maintain a permanent file of all minutes, unfinished business, and records utilized in the business of the organization.
	3.	Record the minutes of each meeting.
	4.	Be in charge of correspondence.
	5.	Have available committee membership lists.
D.	Treasurer shall:
	1.	With the President or Vice-President have authority to co-sign checks.
	2.	Maintain accounting records, receive and disburse funds, and provide a full financial report at each meeting.
	3.	Prepare a budget.
Sec. 2		VACANCY: The Board shall have the authority to fill vacancies. The appointee shall service until the next regular election.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Sec. 1	The Wedgwood Community Council shall hold a regular meeting on the second Thursday of each odd numbered month. In an emergency, the President with the advice of the other officers may cancel a meeting.
Sec. 2	Official notice of annual and special meetings shall be by mail or personally delivered to members not less than five days nor more than 20 days prior to the meeting.
Sec. 3	Special meetings may be called by the President, or a majority of the Board of Trustees or not less than 15 members.
Sec. 4	On any issue within the object of the organization, the Community Council may, by majority vote, form a position to support, propose, or oppose any action.
Sec. 5	The Wedgwood Community Council shall have an annual meeting on the second Thursday of May.
	A.	The time, place and agenda shall be determined by the Board of Trustees.
	B.	A quorum shall be at least 25 members present.

ARTICLE VI: BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Sec. 1		BOARD OF TRUSTEES: shall consist of twelve trustees, herein after known as the BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Each year one-third (four) of the trustees shall be elected at the May annual meeting, one from each quadrant, to serve the Council with duties and powers as follows:
A.	THE BOARD SHALL:
	1.	Elect annually, form among its membership, the President, First Vice-President. Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
	2.	Make recommendations to the Community Council.
	3.	Serve no more than two consecutive three year terms.
	4.	Meet monthly, a majority constituting a quorum.
	5.	Manage all of the affairs of the Community Council.
	6.	Recruit, interview, and appoint an Editor possessing the necessary qualifications and commitment.
B.	THE BOARD MAY:
	1.	Establish special committees to study and report on issues of concern for public discussion and action by the Council.
	2.	Require the Editor to prepare a position paper and mail ballots in lieu of holding a special meeting.
	3.	Authorize various surveys and questionnaires for the community to determine needs and issues.
	4.	Recommend for Community Council action boundary changes by amendment of the Standing Rules.
	5.	Remove any Trustee missing three successive Board of Trustee meetings after written notification five days before proposed action.
Sec. 2		COMMITTEES: The organization shall have the following standing committees: Membership, Finance, Communications and Nominating.
A.	MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: shall maintain the membership list and recruit new members.
B.	FINANCE COMMITTEE: shall be responsible for the budget and other fiscal matters as becomes necessary. The fiscal year shall be January 1st until December 31st.
C.	COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE: Editor shall:
	1.	Be responsible for the preparation, publication and distribution of an official newsletter to be published at least once every two months.
	2.	Work with all committees to enhance communication with the whole community on the various issues under study.
	3.	Be responsible for issuing all the notices for the Community Council meetings.
D.	NOMINATING COMMITTEE: A Nominating Committee of five members shall be selected in January of each year from nominated and voluntary candidates. Members of the Nominating Committee must be members of the Wedgwood Community Council. They shall:
	1.	Elect their own chairman.
	2.	Prepare a slate for May election of trustees.
	3.	Have at least two names for each vacant position.
	4.	Shall obtain permission from each candidate.
	5.	Prepare a short description of each candidate.
	6.	Shall infom candidates of trustee duties.
	7.	Shall provide candidates list for March meeting.
E.	SPECIAL COMMITTEES: There is an occasional need for special committees as they are authorized.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION

In the event the Community Council can no longer operate due to lack of interest or active participation of the community, or that it can no longer fulfill its objectives, the Board of Trustees shall have the authority, by two-thirds majority vote, to dissolve. Any remaining assets shall be donated to the charity or non-profit organization selected by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees with the exception of special funds. Special funds are those given for specific purposes and the restriction must be passed to the recipient.

ARTICLE VIII: RULES OF ORDER

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1	These By-Laws may be amended after proposed amendments have been distributed to voting members of the Council twenty (20) days before the scheduled meeting when such amendments are to be read. The By-Laws may be amended at the next meeting of the Council by two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Sec. 2	Standing Rules may be amended by majority vote of the members present after the above advance notification.

STANDING RULES

Sec. 1		GEOGRAPHICAL AREA:
A.	The Wedgwood Community Council shall serve the following area of Seattle: 25th Avenue NE on the West, NE 95th on the North. 45th Avenue NE on the East, and NE 75th on the South.
B.	Four quadrants will be formed by drawing a line following NE 85th and 35th NE and will be numbered as follows:
	1.	SW QUADRANT IS #1.
	2.	NW QUADRANT IS #2.
	3.	SE QUADRANT IS #3.
	4.	NE QUADRANT IS #4.
C.	The boundary may be adjust by advance notice and a majority vote at a community council meeting, as described in Article IX.

Sec. 2		DUES
A.	Effective June 1, 2005, the annual membership suggested donation shall be $20 per family, business organization, institution or agency.
B.	Sources of income in addition to membership donations may be accepted upon approval of the Board of Trustees.

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