Bylaws of OGNA


BYLAWS OF THE

OSO GRANDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

As Approved August 18, 2022

 

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this group shall be Oso Grande Neighborhood Association (OGNA).

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND BOUNDARIES

The purpose of the Association shall be to enhance that area of the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, State of New Mexico bounded on the west by Morris Street, bounded on the north by Spain Road, bounded on the east by Edwards Street, bounded on the south by Bear Canyon Arroyo and hereinafter referred to as the Oso Grande area, to promote a better neighborhood and community through group action, so that the quality of life in the area shall be in keeping with the social, environmental, cultural and historic needs and interests of the residents.  To that end, the activities of the Association shall include, but are not limited to, sponsoring cooperative planning, research, fundraising, public education programs and neighborhood watch groups as they are deemed necessary.

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.  There shall be one type of membership in the Association, regular.

 

Section 2.  A membership shall be offered to all adults who reside within the Oso Grande neighborhood boundaries.    Membership shall be certified via a completed and submitted OGNA Membership Application form to affirm membership, and state whether the individual adult member elects to pay dues or not pay dues.

 

Section 3.  The amount of dues shall be determined annually by the OGNA membership. Dues are offered on a strictly voluntary basis. Payment of dues is not a pre-requisite of membership or voting rights in the association. Membership dues are used for neighborhood improvement projects and initiatives that benefit the well-being of the neighborhood.

Section 4.  The Association shall conduct an annual enrollment of members in the month of October, however, new memberships shall be available at any time.  Memberships expire the last day of October each year.  If a new member would prefer to pay his/her dues prior to October, dues should then be prorated in order to come due at the end of the next October.

Section 5.  Each membership of the Association shall receive a receipt for membership dues paid.

 

ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION

Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Association and shall consist of a maximum of nine persons who are adult members of the Association and who are residents within the Oso Grande Neighborhood Association boundaries. The Board of Directors may consist of four (4) Officers — President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer (‘Titled’ Board members); and five (5) ‘Untitled’ or At Large members.  The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the general membership attendees for a term of two years at the Annual meeting.  A Board member may be re-elected to succeeding terms for a maximum of three (3) terms or 6 yrs cumulative.   Board members shall assume office at the end of the Annual meeting or when approved and elected.

Section 2.  Procedures for Submitting Nominations and Filling Vacant/Unexpired Terms for Board Members

The Board shall entertain suggestions and seek out nominees for Board member vacancies or unexpired terms throughout the year.   Any adult OGNA member is eligible to serve on the Board of Directors.   Vacancies for all Board members will be advertised and published via social media.

Applications for vacant positions of Untitled/At Large Board members may be received by the Board throughout the year by submitting an Application, and, participating in a candidate interview with a minimum of three Board of Directors.  Untitled/At Large Board members shall be considered for approval at the next Board meeting by majority vote of the Board of Director members.  The appointment of an At Large Board member will be for a term up to the next General Membership Meeting wherein that position will be advertised and then the person will run for the office and be elected via official vote at the next Annual Meeting.

The President may appoint a replacement of a vacancy of the three (3) Officer positions – Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer — throughout the year.   An applicant must submit an Application,  and participate in a candidate interview with a minimum of three Board of Directors.  The appointment or assumption of an Officer position will be for a term up to the next General Membership Meeting wherein that position will be advertised and then the person will run for the office and be elected via official vote at the next Annual Meeting.

Section 3.   Annual Board Member Elections

Titled/Officer  (i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer) and At Large member positions that are vacant and available will be published via social media 45 days before the OGNA Annual Meeting.   Any OGNA member who wishes to run for a vacant Titled/Officer position or At Large member position may do so by submitting an Application for review by the current Board members no later than 20 days before the scheduled Annual meeting.  The Board members will then review the Application to confirm the Applicant is a member of the association and lives within the boundaries of the neighborhood.   All approved Applicant’s names and the position they are seeking will be published 10 days before the Annual meeting via social media.  No other Applicants for Officer positions will be considered at the General Membership meeting.

Section 4.  Any elected officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of all Board of Directors (Officers/Titled and At Large/Untitled) whenever, in its judgement, the best interests of the Association would be served, however, the person will be eligible to serve on the Board at a future date.  A Board member may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board if they do not attend three (3) consecutive, unexcused Board meetings.

 

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND AT LARGE MEMBERS

Section 1.  President:  The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall, in general, supervise and oversee all the business and affairs of the Association act as main contact for association between the meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as set and finalize meeting agenda with input from the Board.   The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Membership.  The President shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint all standing and special committees except the Nominating Committee, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.  The President shall make an annual report to the general membership at the annual meeting and file such a report with the Secretary.  The President shall work with the Secretary make all necessary reports to the City of Albuquerque in compliance with the Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance after the review and approval of such reports by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.  Vice President:  The Vice President shall serve as an alternate to and when necessary perform the duties of the President; assist with planning and conducting meetings; help maintain accurate records;  respond to inquiries and attend other meetings as needed.   The Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency in the event of the death, disability, removal from office, or resignation until such time as a successor to the President shall be elected.

Section 3.  Secretary:   The Secretary shall maintain clear and accurate meeting documentation such as meeting minutes, attendance sheets, sign-in forms, and other relevant documentation. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the General Membership and keep all records of the Association and give notice of all meetings as directed.  Minutes of Association meetings shall be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors within 45 days of the date of the meeting.   The Secretary shall perform all other duties incident to the office of the Secretary or as may be required by the President of the Board of Directors.   The Secretary at the direction of the President shall make all necessary reports to the City of Albuquerque in compliance with the Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance after the review and approval of such reports by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall manage and track association finances; prepare budget reports; balance bank statements and report on any Association financial issues.  The Treasurer shall present a financial statement at each Board of Directors and General Membership meeting.  The Treasurer shall collect all monies due to the Association and shall have custody of all funds of the Association, pay all bills approved by the Board of Directors, and keep account of all receipts and expenditures.  The Treasurer is responsible for keeping an updated OGNA membership list with all adult members with names, street address, email address and phone number(s).

Section 5:  At Large Members:  All members of the Board of Directors (Officers/Titled and At Large Members/Untitled), see Article IV, Section 1) shall have equal voting privileges.

 

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1.  The General Membership may establish necessary committees at any meeting. The President may also establish such committees.  Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President.

Section 2.   No report or document shall be developed or finalized; or, other action taken by any a Committee, Officer or Individual on behalf of the Association until it is first approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3:   A Bylaws Committee shall be created on an as needed basis to make recommendations for changes to the Association Bylaws for action by the Board of Directors.  Bylaws shall be reviewed regularly, but no less frequently than at least once every ten (10) years per the City Neighborhood Recognition Ordinance.  Any changes made to the Bylaws will be posted on the OGNA website, electronic media, and, conveyed at the Annual meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE VII — MEETINGS 

 

Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall meet as necessary, but at least three times per year to conduct the business of the Association at such time and place as determined by its members.

 

Section 2.  General Membership meetings shall be held at least once a year and as decided by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.  The General Membership meeting held in October shall be known as the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting shall be for the purpose of electing Board Members, receiving Annual Reports of Officers and Committees, and other business as determined by the Board.   Notifications for upcoming General Membership meetings shall be no later than 14 days before the date of the meeting and shall be by neighborhood posted signs, email, Association websites, etc.   No election of Officers shall be held at a meeting of the Association unless the meeting is advertised and notifications are posted no later than 14 days before the meeting.

 

Section 4.  Special Meetings of the General Membership may be called by a majority of the Board of Directors, the President or a majority of the general membership.  The President shall set the meeting date within 14 days of a request and appropriate notice of any such meeting shall be given per Section 3.

 

Section 5.  Voting Processes and Decision Making.   Oso Grande Neighborhood Association decisions are made via a majority vote of the total votes cast by an association’s Officers, Board of Directors, or membership.   Voting shall be in person during the Annual meeting or any General Meeting regarding elections or on neighborhood issues but exceptions can be requested for extenuating circumstances.  No member of the Association may vote by proxy.  All voting shall take place in accordance with the City of Albuquerque Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance [0-22-15].

 

Section 6:  If a question should arise that is not addressed by the Association’s Bylaws, the procedure shall be to present the question or issue to the OGNA Board members for discussion and a final decision.

 

Approved by Oso Grande Neighborhood Association Board of Directors

August 18, 2022