Bylaws

Amended bylaws were approved by the RBCA on April 18, 2017.

Preamble

Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA) activities are guided by a common vision for the future: Ravenna-Bryant is a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood.

Article 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA).

Article II: Purpose of the Association

To represent the interests of the Ravenna-Bryant community RBCA:

1. Defines and advocates for proposed action on issues of concern to the community.

2. Proposes and/or endorses legislative or governmental action when it relates to the concerns or needs of the community.

3. Supports or opposes any action, governmental or otherwise, that affects the community or its members.

4. Informs appropriate governmental bodies, agencies or other entities of the community concern.

5. Establishes and maintains communication with the community, governmental bodies, agencies, and other entities that relate to the community’s interests.

Article III: Purpose of the Board

To create a stronger community, RBCA elects a Board whose members guide association activities. The RBCA board:

1. Establishes and maintains communication channels with the community that may include but are not limited to a website, social media sites, posters in the community, email lists, mailings, flyers, and/or newsletters.

2. Initiates and coordinates activities within the community.

3. Actively seeks input and involvement from Ravenna-Bryant neighbors and community organizations.

Article IV: Geographical Area

RBCA shall serve the area of the city of Seattle within the following boundaries:

• 15th NE on the west.

• Southward to NE 62nd

• Southeastward along the northern and eastern edges of Ravenna Park to NE 55 St. & 25th Ave NE

• Southward along 25th NE to NE Blakeley St.

• Eastward along NE Blakeley St. to 37th NE

• Northeastward along Sand Point Way NE to 45th NE

• Northward to NE 65th St.

• Westward to 40th NE

• Northward to NE 75th

• Westward to 25th NE

• Northward to NE 85th

• Westward to Lake City Way NE

• Southward to 15th NE

Article V: Membership and Dues

1. Membership of the organization shall be comprised of all persons living in or owning a business within the geographical area.

2. Dues are voluntary. Suggested dues will be set by the board.

3. Every member shall be entitled to one vote at general membership meetings.

Article VI: Board, Board Meetings, and Board Duties

1. The Board will have up to 15 members including officers and at-large members.

2. Any Board member may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board for failure to carry out the duties of the board member or open disregard for the by-laws of the organization.

3. Meetings of the Board:

a. The Board shall meet monthly at a regularly scheduled time and place designated by the President. The President may call additional meetings when needed.

b. All meetings of the Board are open to everyone.

c. A quorum for board meeting votes shall be six members of the Board.

d. Decisions of the Board are approved by a simple majority of members present, unless noted elsewhere in the by-laws.

e. When decisions must be made prior to a board meeting, they may be made via email. Any motion for an email vote must be sent to all board members’ email on file, include a deadline of no less than five (5) days and be seconded before discussion commences and voting occurs. When a decision is needed in less than five days, the email will include a motion requesting immediate action. Board members must reply to all to discuss and vote on a motion. The vote will be recorded in the next meeting’s minutes. E-mail voting should only occur when necessary and due to time constraints.

4. Duties of the Board. The Board shall, within its discretion:

a. Actively seek members that represent the diversity of the community including but not limited to race, ethnicity, age, gender, income, and residence type to sit on the board and/or committees.

b. Perform duties on behalf of the community as defined in the Article III: Purpose of the Board.

c. Attend a majority of the RBCA board meetings. Any Board member with three (3) unexcused absences in a row or four (4) unexcused absences within a year will no longer be considered a member of the Board.

d. Appoint representatives to committees and recommend individuals to various governmental/agency bodies for appointment to committees.

e. Review all work of the committees and of community liaisons.

f. Approve the disbursement of funds.

g. Propose statements of position and/or endorse policies relating to issues of interest to the community. Such statements shall be presented for approval at monthly Board meetings or through email when decisions must be made before the next Board meeting (see Article VI: e. email voting). Position statements and policy endorsements require a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. Individual Board member’s votes on endorsements and policy statements will be recorded upon request.

Article VII: Officers and Their Duties

1. The officers of the organization shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

2. Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board for failure to carry out the responsibilities of the office or open disregard for the by-laws of the organization.

3. Duties of the officers:

a. The President shall preside at meetings and serve as chief executive coordinating all activities and programs of the organization.

b. The Vice-President shall serve in the absence of the President and shall plan and organize or oversee general membership meetings serving as program chairman.

c. The Secretary shall maintain a permanent file of all minutes including individual votes on conflicts of interest, and the outcome of electronic votes, unfinished business, and records utilized in the business of the organization. The secretary shall organize clerical services for the organization including keeping a roster of attendance at all meetings.

d. The Treasurer shall maintain accounting records, receive and disburse funds, prepare financial statements as required by the Board or President, and shall propose criteria for expenditure limits to the Board.

 Article VIII: Elections

1. An election of board members shall be held at the general membership meeting in the spring of each year. People eligible to serve as new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting. Officers will be voted on by the board subsequently.

2. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President in spring of each year to seek out and nominate potential board members.

3. Nominations will be made at the general membership meeting by the nominating committee and may also be made by the general membership from the floor with the consent of the person nominated. Eligible new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting.

4. All terms of office are for two years.

Article IX: General Membership/Community Meetings 

1. General membership meetings shall be held in spring to elect the board and at such times as the Board determines to inform the community on issues of concerns.

2. A quorum at a general membership meeting shall consist of 20 members.

3. All members shall sign-in before voting on any issue or candidate.

Article X: Committees

1. The Board may establish standing and/or ad hoc committees deemed necessary to carry out the purpose of the Association or of the Board.

2. Committees are chaired by board members and any community member may serve on a committee.

3. Committees report their activities at the monthly board meetings.

4. A standing Membership Committee shall be responsible for membership development and community involvement; maintaining the association membership list; and maintaining a map showing the association boundaries.

Article XI: Amendment of By-Laws

1. Amendments to the by-laws shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board present at a board meeting after reading at one previous board meeting followed by a simple majority of a quorum at a general membership meeting.