1.01   Definition of Civic Association Title. The title of this non-profit organization shall be West Laurel Civic Association, Inc., hereafter referred to in these bylaws as "the Association".

1.02   Use of Title. This title shall appear on all official papers and communications of the Association.

1.03 Area Boundaries. The boundaries of the Association are:

• North: Patuxent River
• East: Laurel City limits
• South: Route 198 including properties abutting on  the south side
• West: Prince George's County line and Riding Stable Road including properties on any roads abutting Riding Stable Road, and including properties on Birmingham drive.

1.04    Business Calendar.  September 1 shall be the first day of the fiscal year for the Association.

1.05    Community Newsletter. The HOTLINE shall be the official publication of the Association.

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  ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

2.01 Protect the Quality of Life.  To protect and improve the community.

2.02 Participate in Civic and Community Activities. To take an active part in the civic activities and affairs affecting the West Laurel area.

2.03   Non-endorsement Policy.  To encourage participation in government while not endorsing any candidate for political office nor any political party.

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3.01 Types of Membership.  There shall be two classes of membership: voting members and non-voting members. Every resident of the area defined in ARTICLE I, Section 1.03, who is at least 18 years old shall be a non-voting member. Every non-voting member who pays the annual dues shall be a voting member.

3.02   Annual Dues.  The Board of Directors shall recommend the annual dues to the membership for consideration at the spring meeting. The membership shall approve the annual dues for the fiscal year beginning September 1.

3.03   Membership Authority.  All authority not specifically delegated to the Directors or Officers of the Association by these By-laws shall remain in the membership.

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4.01 Election of Officers and Board Members. The Association Officers shall consist of a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer who shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the spring meeting. There shall be two area directors elected from each area defined in Section 6.01 by vote of the voting members residing in such area. The Second Vice President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of at least three voting members. The nominating committee shall solicit candidates for each office.

4.02   Non-committee Nominations.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor prior to the close of nominations at the spring meeting.

4.03 Term Limits. The term of office for Officers shall be two years. The term of office for Directors shall be two years with one Director from each Area elected each year. The term of office for Officers and Directors shall coincide with the fiscal year/years of the Association.

4.04 Replacing a Vacant Office. In the event that any vacancy occurs during the term of an officer or director, the Board of Directors shall fill such vacancy at the next regular meeting of the Board.

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ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

5.01 Officer Term Limits. The normal term of office shall be for two years, coinciding with the fiscal year of the Association.

5.02 The President's Duties and Authority.  The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association. He shall:

• Preside at all Board and general meetings or specifically designate a presiding officer if the Vice President is unavailable;
• Call special meetings after consulting with the Board of Directors;
• Call meetings of the Board of Directors at least every other month;
• With approval of the Board of Directors, appoint chairmen, members of standing and special committees (except for the nominating and audit committees), and delegates to civic associations;
• Call for regular committee reports and refer matters of business to the appropriate committee;
• Insure that elections are held in accordance with these by-laws; and
• Appoint a parliamentarian to rule on points of order at membership meetings.

5.03 Incidental Expenditures. The President may authorize incidental expenditures not greater than $300 without prior approval of the Board of Directors or the Association but he shall detail these expenditures to the Board of Directors at the next Board meeting and the Treasurer shall report such expenditures at the next general meeting.

5.04 The Vice President's Duties and Authority.

 (A) The First Vice President shall:

(1) Have the powers of the President in his absence;
(2) Serve as chair of the zoning committee and be responsible for the Association’s zoning matters; and
(3) Such other responsibilities as specifically set set forth herein.

(B) The Second Vice President shall:

(1) Functions as corresponding secretary;
 (2) Insure that the records of the Association are properly maintained, and upon completion of term of office shall turn over all permanent records of the Association; and
(3) Shall maintain copies of all correspondence of the Association.

5.05 The Secretary's Duties and Authority.  The Secretary shall:

• Insure that minutes of regular, special and Board meetings are recorded;
• Shall insure that all official notifications to the membership are made as prescribed in these By-laws; and
• Notify Board Members of all Board meetings.

5.06 The Treasurer's Duties and Authority.  The Treasurer shall:

• Receive and deposit in the Association's bank accounts all monies paid to the Association;
• Reconcile all bank accounts;
• Care for and keep an account of the funds of the Association;
• Disburse such funds when properly authorized by the President, the Board of Directors or the Association;
• Make a report to the membership at each general meeting;
• Maintain the official list of paid members of the Association;
• Turn over to his successor all monies, property and records of this Association;
• Maintain an inventory of Association property;
• File with the Vice President a receipt for all money, property of the Association; and
• File a financial statement for the fiscal year.

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  ARTICLE VII - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

7.01   General Meetings (Full Membership) and Associated Business Agendas. There shall be at least three general meetings each calendar year: A spring meeting, prior to school closing; a fall meeting; and a winter meeting.

• At the spring meeting the membership will elect the President, Board of Directors, and other officers, receive the Treasurer's report, receive committee reports, and dispose of other old and new business as required;
• At the fall meeting, the membership will approve the proposed goals for the year, approve the proposed budget and committees, and dispose of other old and new business as required; and
• At the winter meeting the membership will receive committee reports and will dispose of old and new business as required.

7.02   Special Meetings.  Special meetings may be called by the President. On written request to the President by at least ten percent of the membership the President shall call a special meeting.

7.03   Community Notification of Meetings.  Notice of general and special meetings shall be published in the HOTLINE at least five days prior to the date of the meeting.

 7.04   Quorum Definition for General Meetings. A quorum for all general meetings shall be 30 members.

 7.05   Meeting Rules.  Meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rule of Order insofar as they do not conflict with these bylaws.

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ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETINGS

8.01   Authorized Attendance.  All Board and committee meetings shall be open to the membership.

8.02   Reporting Board Meeting Activities to the Membership. A summary of the Board meetings shall be published in the HOTLINE.

8.03   Quorum Definition for Board Meetings.  A quorum for Board meetings shall consist of a majority of the existing members of the Board or their designated alternates.

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  ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

 9.01   Rules for Amending the By-laws. These By-laws may be amended, repealed or modified in whole or in part at any regular meeting of the Association upon an affirmative vote of two thirds of the members present provided that:

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