Constitution and Bylaws
of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods
(as amended March 15, 2000)

NAME

1. The name of the organization shall be the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods.

MEMBERSHIP

2.1 The membership of LAN shall consist of:

a. One (1) representative chosen by each affiliated neighborhood association.
b. One (1) representative chosen by each affiliated interested organization.
c. Any individual associate member who has paid individual dues for the current year.

2.2.

a. An affiliated neighborhood association is any valid, organized, extant, and active Lawrence neighborhood association that has paid organizational dues for either the current or the previous year. An affiliated interested organization is any extant organization that has been accepted for membership by the Board of Directors and has paid organizational dues for either the current or the previous year. The Board of Directors shall determine from time to time which organizations are viewed as valid, extant, and/or active.

b. In cases of dispute, the Board of Directors shall determine who is the legitimate representative of a member organization (with the disputed representatives not voting).

c. In general, neighborhood associations may determine their own physical boundaries, but in cases of a disputed geographic overlap, the Board of Directors shall determine which neighborhood association is viewed by LAN as the sole legitimate representative of the contested area.

3. No person may be excluded from membership on account of race, color, sexual orientation, or creed.

4. A minimum of four membership meetings a year shall be held, including meetings in the months of September, December, March, and June.

5. Officers shall be elected for the ensuing year at the December meeting of members in the immediately preceding year.

6. Special meetings of the membership for any purpose or purposes may be called by any member of the Board of Directors. The business transacted at any special meeting shall be confined to the object stated in the call.

7. Written notice, stating time and place for all regular and special meetings of the members, and the general nature of the business to be considered, shall be given by the Secretary or other person designated by the Board of Directors, to each member, by communication or letter delivered to his/her last known residence as shown on the organization's records, at least 5 days before the meeting.

8. The Chair shall call the meetings of the members to order and shall act as their chair unless the members present shall designate another chair. The Secretary of the organization shall act as secretary of all meetings of the members, but in the event of his/her absence or failure to act, the Chair shall appoint another person to act as secretary pro tempore.

VOTING AND QUORUM

9. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the membership. The Board of Directors shall not meet separately from the membership.

10. At each meeting of the members, any member whose dues have been paid shall be entitled to speak on any issue. The vote for officers and the vote for any issue before the meeting shall be by the Board of Directors. Upon demand of any member, a vote shall be by hand count, unless a majority call for a written ballot.

11. If a quorum isn't present, those present shall have the power to adjourn the meeting and a new meeting shall be called within one month.

DUES

12. Dues of the organization shall be $25.00 per neighborhood association or interested organization, payable and due at the first quarterly meeting. Individual associate memberships shall be $5.00 per person, accepted throughout the membership year.

13. Dues shall be effective until December 31 of the membership year. Members joining near the conclusion of a calendar year should indicate whether the dues are for the current or future membership year.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

14. The property and business of the organization shall be managed under the general supervision of the Board of Directors.

15. The Board of Directors shall consist of all representatives from affiliated neighborhood associations, together with all elected officers of LAN. Each representative from an affiliated neighborhood association shall be viewed as fully empowered to speak and vote for that representative's neighborhood association on all issues. Each elected officer shall be empowered to speak and vote based on that officer's conception of the best interests of LAN and Lawrence. Other members may join in discussion but not vote.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

16. Associate members may discuss all issues, advise the Board of Directors and serve as officers.

OFFICERS

17. The officers of the organization shall be: Chair; Vice-Chair; Secretary; and Treasurer, together with such other officers, and co-officers, as the Board of Directors may create from time to time. All officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Any member of LAN is eligible to be elected and to serve as an officer.

18. The officers of the organization shall serve for one (1) year terms, or until the election and qualification of their successor(s) by the members of the organization at the December meeting of the membership.

19. In the event of any vacancy in any office the Board of Directors shall elect the successor officer and such successor officer shall hold office for the remainder of the term or until the annual election of his/her successor.

CHAIR

20. The Chair shall have the usual power and authority vested in the office of the spokesperson of an unincorporated organization; shall execute the plans and policies of the organization; and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

VICE-CHAIR

21. The power and authority of the Vice-Chair shall be co-extensive with that of the Chair, and in the absence or disability of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chair, and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

SECRETARY

22. The Secretary shall attend all organization meetings and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in records kept for that purpose.

23. S/he shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all such meetings; shall exercise the powers of the Chair in the absence or disability of the Chair and Vice-Chair; and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

TREASURER

24. The Treasurer shall have general custody of the funds of the organization and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the organization; and shall deposit all monies in the name of the organization and to the credit of the organization in such manner and in such depositories as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. S/he shall cause the funds of the organization to be disbursed in such manner as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and shall ensure that proper vouchers cover all disbursements. The Treasurer shall be charged with keeping accurate and current membership records for purposes of voting.

INSPECTION OF BOOKS

25. Any member of the organization shall have the right to examine, in person, or by agent or attorney, at any time, for any purpose, the bylaws, books, accounts, and records of the organization, or of the proceedings of the meetings of the membership, or Board of Directors, or extracts from the same.

CHECKS

26. All checks or demands for money from the organization shall be signed and/or countersigned by a person or persons designated by the Board of Directors.

AMENDMENTS

27. These bylaws may not be altered, amended or repealed except by two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

28. All members should be notified at least two weeks prior to any meeting called, which notice shall set forth the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal to be considered at the meeting.

(Approved: June 15, 1988; Revised: March 15, 2000)