NOTICE: Vote on MHNA Bylaw Amendment Proposals
Where: Membership Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 6:30 pm
Location: Online, via Zoom. To receive login, REGISTER HERE.
MHNA has two bylaw amendment proposals to be put to a vote at our next Membership meeting. These proposals will come to a vote on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place online, via Zoom.
This is your official notification of that meeting.
MHNA members are eligible to vote. Members must be present to vote.
All MHNA General Membership meetings are open to the public and attendees are allowed to participate in debates. The Board of Directors reviewed these proposed amendments at its November 17, 2020 meeting to ensure it complies with legal and organizational mission requirements.
PROPOSAL ONE
Current:
ARTICLE II — PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation, shall be to engage in projects that improve and enhance the quality of residential life in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.
Proposed:
ARTICLE II — PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation, shall be to engage in projects that improve and enhance the quality of residential life in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood.
Rationale:
When MHNA last amended its bylaws, it opened up Membership to all business owners and property owners within the neighborhood. Removing the term “residential” in Article II helps better reflect the current, and ongoing mission of the organization.
This proposal was brought forward by MHNA Executive Director Chris Lautenschlager.
PROPOSAL TWO
Current:
ARTICLE VIII — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The voting members of the Board of Directors shall consist of
(a) the Officers, all of whom must be Resident Members;
(b) fifteen (15) Directors-at large elected by the General Membership at the October annual election, of whom at least eleven (11) must be Resident Members.; all Resident Members and Non-Resident Members must have been members for at least 20 days.
Proposed:
ARTICLE VIII — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The voting members of the Board of Directors shall consist of
(a) the Officers, all of whom must be Resident Members;
(b) fifteen (15) Directors-at large elected by the General Membership at the October annual election, of whom at least eleven (11) must be Resident Members.; all Resident Members and Non-Resident Members must have been members for at least 20 days.
Rationale:
“This amendment would remove the requirement that residents of Marcy-Holmes must have signed up as a member 20 days before a board election in order to run for a director seat. This 20-day requirement is arbitrary and discriminates against students (a huge part of our population) who potentially move in on September 1st and may not have heard of MHNA in time to register and meet the 20-day requirement before the October general membership meeting. If somebody lives in the neighborhood, they should be able to sign up for membership on the day of the election and run.”
This proposal was brought forward by MHNA Director Sam Penders.