By-Laws

May Valley Neighborhood Council Bylaws

Modified January 2016

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this neighborhood council shall be “May Valley Neighborhood Council.”

ARTICLE II – BOUNDARIES

SECTION 1.  Original Boundaries: The geographic boundaries of May Valley Neighborhood Council (MVNC) shall be the land southeast from the intersection of Valley View Road and Sunset Drive southerly along the east side of Valley View Road to the intersection of Valley View Drive and May Road; westerly along the south side of May Road to the intersection of Santa Rita Road then south along the east side of Santa Rita Road to the northwest boundaries of the West Contra Costa Unified School District property known as De Anza High School, which shall be included, back to Valley View Road at the school’s easterly property boundary and Valley View Road south; along the east side of Valley View Road to the intersection of Via Giarmita to include all the properties within subdivision 5772 (except those properties that front on Mitey Mite Lane), all of the properties that lie within the boundaries of tract 2585, subdivision 5039, and tract 2619 picking up the west side of Butera Place north to Sunset Drive then west and south to Valley View Road.  (Refer to City of Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council Boundaries — Exhibit A.)

SECTION 2.  Amended Boundaries: Starting at Sunset Drive and Valley View Road traveling south to the northeast corner of Marie Murphy School, which will be included, then traveling in a southwesterly line along the northeast boundary of (but not including Joan Vista) to Appian Way to the intersection of Fran Way; then, traveling in a southeasterly direction along Deseret and Nelson to a point where Sheldon Drive stops; then, going in a northwesterly direction toward Renee Court to the northwest corner of Sheldon School (which is included); then, in a southerly direction along the northwest boundary of Sheldon School toward Laurel Lane then traveling in a southeasterly direction to the north of Laurel Lane (but not including Laurel Lane) to May Road; then, traveling north along May Road but not including the property west of May Road to the intersection of May Road and De Anza; Continuing in a northerly direction to the intersection of May Road and Santa Rita Road; then traveling southerly along Santa Rita Road to the intersection of Mirante Court; then, going westerly along Mirante Court to the southwest corner of De Anza High School property (to be included); then in a northeasterly direction along the De Anza boundary line to Valley View Road; then, south along Valley View to the intersection of Via Giarmita to include all the properties within subdivision 5772 (except those properties that front on Mitey Mite Lane).  All the properties that lie within the boundaries of tract 2585, subdivision 5039, and tract 2619 picking up the west side of Butera Place.  Thence north to Sunset Drive and then westerly and south to Valley View Road.  (MVNC boundaries amended to include Vista View Neighborhood Council area, as approved 1/5/94 by the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council.)

ARTICLE III – PURPOSES

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Council shall be to serve the people in the neighborhood and community in a fair, impartial way without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.  We will:

  1. Help residents determine the important needs and problems of the neighborhood and community by providing a place where ideas and information can be exchanged, problems studied, and action planned.
  2. Promote a spirit of neighborliness, mutual respect, and goodwill among all the residents of the neighborhood.
  3. Provide citizens with an understanding of the whole community and develop a willingness to participate as leaders or to share responsibilities.
  4. Provide the mechanism through which people of the area can speak out on its behalf, and be heard beyond its boundaries in calling attention to neighborhood problems.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Membership shall be open to all residents who have reached the age of 18.  Non-residents who own property in the area, or who have established a business interest in the area, may be nonvoting members.  Each adult resident of the household is eligible for one vote upon payment of household dues.  Household/Business dues are $10 annually.

SECTION 2. An application for membership shall consist of a form giving name, address, telephone number, and name of organization represented, if any.  The signing of the form shall constitute acceptance of the stated purpose of the Council.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of this Council and chairperson of each Standing Committee, if any.  The immediate past president shall be a member for one year.

SECTION 2. Term of Office.  Each Board Member shall serve for a term of one year or until a successor has been elected and qualified.  No Board Member may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same capacity.

SECTION 3. Qualifications.  No person elected as an officer or Member of the Board of the Council unless he/she is a voting member of the Council.

SECTION 4. Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring on the Board by reason of resignation, death, or disqualification of any officer or elected member may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.  Vacancy replacements will serve until the next annual meeting. Four consecutive absences from regular Board meetings of any member shall be deemed a resignation, unless excused by the Board.

SECTION 5. Powers and Duties.  The Executive Board shall have full charge of the property and business of the Council, with full power and authority to manage and conduct same, subject to instructions of the general membership.  It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the purposes of the Council. The Board shall require regular reports from the committees appointed.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Officers.  The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and may include Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-Arms.  The officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term, or until their successors are elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2. Duties of Officers

  1. President.  The President shall preside at all Executive Board and Membership Meetings; appoint committees with approval of the Executive Board, and call special meetings of the membership and Executive Board as required.
  2. Vice-President.  The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the event of absence, resignation or inability to perform his/her duties.  The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-Arms until those offices are filled.
  3. Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep minutes of all membership and Executive Board meetings and have custody of the records and minutes of the organization, shall give notice of all meetings of the membership and Executive Board, and perform duties appointed by the Executive Board.  The Secretary shall carry on the official correspondence of the organization.
  4. Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have the responsibility for the custody of all the funds of the organization, and shall expend same upon the direction of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall give monthly reports and shall prepare an annual report for the membership at the Annual Meeting.
  5. Parliamentarian.  The Parliamentarian may serve as the President’s advisor and consultant on procedural matters and be a source of information on parliamentary procedures.  The Parliamentarian does not give advice to the assembly, but to the presiding officer.
  6. Sergeant-at-Arms.  The Sergeant-at-Arms, under the direction of the presiding officer, shall maintain order and decorum among the members and all persons present at a meeting, and may even expel persons from the meeting.
  7. Each officer may assist another officer in their duties.

SECTION 3. Creation and Termination of Committees.  Either the Executive Board or the General Membership may create or terminate any committee. A newly created committee must be specified as either a standing committee or an Ad Hoc Committee when formed.

SECTION 4. Instructions to Committees. The Executive Board may provide written instructions to each committee chairperson within three weeks after appointment.  Instruction shall define the committee’s area of responsibility and outline all specific programs to be carried out.  The committee may amend its instructions by submitting a written amendment to the Executive Board for approval. The Secretary shall have all committee instructions available for each general meeting.

ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall be established at the October meeting.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of:

  1. A Chairperson appointed by the President
  2. A member elected from the floor
  3. A member of the Executive Board

The nominees shall be selected and the election shall take place at the November/December meeting which is usually held the first week of December.  This meeting is the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor.  The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for officers shall be presented at the Annual Meeting immediately following the presentation of this report. Nominations may be made from the floor by any voting member provided the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.

SECTION 3. Elections.  The election shall be secret ballot, provided that when there is but one (1) nominee for each office, the secretary may be instructed to cast the ballot for every nominee.  The majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election.  Only those members who have paid their annual dues are qualified to vote.  Proxy voting shall not be permitted.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS AND QUORUMS

SECTION 1. General Meetings

  1. There shall be a minimum of 4 meetings per year, to be held on a regular day of the month as determined by a majority of the Executive Board.
  2. There shall be seven (7) days notice for all General Meetings.
  3. A quorum of members at meetings shall consist of the lesser of 5% of the membership or 10 members, including at least 2 elected members.
  4. Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon the request of 10% of the membership in writing to the President.

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting

  1. The Annual Meeting shall be held on the regular meeting date in the month of December.  The membership shall receive thirty (30) days notice of the Annual Meeting date.
  2. The main order of business of the Annual Meeting shall be:

1. Election of Officers

2. Reports of activities of the past year

3. Transact other business as may properly come up

  1. A quorum for the Annual Meeting shall be the lesser of 5% of the membership or 10 members including at least 2 elected officers.

ARTICLE IX – FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Council shall commence on January 1.

SECTION 2. Dues. Dues shall be paid annually.  The cost shall be $10 per household/business.

SECTION 3. Financial Reports.  The Treasurer shall make monthly reports and prepare an annual financial report.

ARTICLE X – ACCEPTANCE OF BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. These By-Laws shall be effective upon acceptance by two-thirds (⅔) vote of the first general membership meeting, following thirty (30) days after formal presentation to the general body.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. Amendments.  These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the voting members present and voting, at any general meeting, provided the amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one (1) month in advance of the meeting.

ARTICLE XII – RULES OF ORDER

SECTION 1. The rules of parliamentary procedure comprised in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization in the transaction of all business not otherwise herein provided.  A Parliamentarian may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XIII – LIMITATION OF SPEAKERS

SECTION 1. City Speakers.  City Speakers shall be allotted twenty minutes for their presentations.  The Question and Answer period for the membership shall not exceed ten minutes.

SECTION 2. Neighborhood Speakers.  Neighborhood Speakers shall be allotted twenty minutes for their presentations.  The Question and Answer period for the membership shall not exceed ten minutes.

EXHIBIT A – MAP