Commons North Neighbourhood Association

Constitution and Bylaws

1.	abName/organization/purpose: 
1.1   The name of the association shall be Commons North Neighbourhood Association (CNNA or Association) . 

1.2  CNNA shall function as a not for profit voluntary association serving the interests of people living and working in and around the area bounded by Cunard, North, Maynard and Windsor streets in Halifax (Neighbourhood). 

1.3  CNNA’s purpose is to preserve the integrity of the Neighbourhood as a vibrant, safe, clean and historic area of Halifax.  CNNA may associate with other not for profit associations or organizations with objects or purposes that are similar to those of the CNNA.  CNNA shall not be affiliated with any political party, government or private business interest.

2.	abMembership: 
2.1  Any person who lives, works or otherwise has an interest in the Neighbourhood may become a member of CNNA (Member) upon expressing a desire to become a member of the Association.  All Members shall be entitled to vote on and be heard in respect of any matter of the Association’s business.
 
2.2   A Member shall cease to be a member of the Association by making a request to an  Executive Officer or member of the Membership committee to have their name removed from the Association’s record of current members.  

3.	abMembership fees: 
3.1  Members shall be invited to pay to CNNA, a voluntary membership fee of $5.00 or such other amount as may be adopted by the Association at a General or Special Meeting, upon becoming a Member of the Association and annually thereafter.

4.	abMeetings: 
4.1  CNNA shall hold regular meetings which shall be open to all Members and guests (General Meetings).  The time and date of each General Meeting shall be determined by the Members in attendance at a preceding General Meeting or by the Executive Committee.  Notice of the time, date and place for each General Meeting shall be given, on a best efforts basis, to each Member in advance of the meeting date.

4.2 Extraordinary meetings may be called by the President to deal with any urgent matter(s).

5.	abElection of Executive Officers: 
5.1  CNNA shall have a President, Secretary and Treasurer, each of which shall be elected for a one year term at a General Meeting held in January.

5.2  If an Officer’s position becomes vacant before the time for the next Regular Election, the vacancy shall be filled by an election to be held at a general meeting of CNNA within 2 months of the vacancy first occurring.  Officers elected in this manner shall be elected for a term ending at the time of the next Regular Election. 

6.	abDuties and Powers of Officers:
	6.1  The President shall:

		•	be authorized to act as the spokesperson for CNNA
•	ensure that a program is in place for each scheduled meeting of CNNA
•	abappoint sub-committee or task force chairpersons as required

•	abco-ordinate liaising activities with officials of the Halifax Regional Municipality and other levels of Government as required

•	abact as Chairperson, or arrange for a suitable chairperson for all meetings
	6.2  The Secretary shall:

•	abmaintain a record of all meetings, documents and correspondence of the CNNA

•	abmaintain an up to date membership list 
	6.3  The Treasurer shall:
	•	maintain the account of the CNNA at a chartered bank or Trust Company
•	pay all bills of the CNNA from the CNNA bank account
•	abprovide an annual financial statement for CNNA
	
7.	Committees: CNNA shall have committees as outlined below. 

7.1  Executive Committee which shall consist of the Officers and past-president (if there is one).  The powers and duties of the Executive Committee are

•	absubject to Section 9 below, to authorize payment of CNNA expenses from the CNNA bank account.
•	abto act on behalf of the CNNA on matters requiring an urgent response. Such actions shall be reported to the membership at the next scheduled meeting.

7.2  Other Committees or task forces may be formed from time to time to advance the purposes of the Association.

8.	abVoting on business of CNNA:  Election of Officers, changes to the Constitution and Bylaws, and any other matter consistent with CNNA’s purposes and which a Member or Committee wishes to put before the Membership for a vote shall be presented for consideration at a General or Extraordinary meeting of the Association.  A matter shall be regarded as passed and adopted on behalf of the Association if a) a simple majority of the Members present at the meeting signify they are in agreement with the business or matter being decided upon, and b) i) at least 10 Members are present at the meeting at the time the business or matter is decided, OR ii) at least seven days prior to the time of the meeting, on a best efforts basis, attempts have been made to advise all then current Members of the time and place of the meeting and particulars of the business or matter to be presented and decided upon.

9.	abCNNA Funds: 
9.1 All money received by or belonging to the Association shall be deposited to a bank account to be maintained in the name of the Association.  Cheques and withdrawals on the bank account must be signed by two Officers.  
9.2  All expenditures must be consistent with the purposes of the Association and any individual expenditure in excess of $50. or the projects/initiatives to which such expenditures relate must be authorized on behalf of the membership in the manner outlined at section 8.
   
9.3  CNNA shall not incur financial obligations in excess of funds available in the CNNA bank account to pay such obligations except where the Executive Committee is confident that funds will be available from revenues to be received by CNNA before such financial obligations are due to be paid.   
 
10	Dissolution of CNNA: 
10.1  The Association may be dissolved in the following manner; 
a) any Member, with the support of at least two other Members  may advance a proposal or resolution calling for the dissolulion of the Association, 
b) not more than 14 days and not less than 7 days before the time for the General or Extraordinary meeting, on a best efforts basis, attempts will be made to advise all then current Members of the time and place of a meeting to consider dissolution of the Association, and 
d) the Association shall be dissolved if the majority of the Members attending the said meeting signify they are in favor of the dissolution.

10.2  If it is decided to dissolve CNNA any money or other assets in the name of the Association at that time and which remain after the discharge of all debts or liabilities of the Association shall be donated to a charitable organization that serves the residents of the Neighbourhood.  If the majority of the Members in attendance at the meeting where it is decided to dissolve the Association do not designate another such charitable organization, the remaining money or other property in the name of the Association shall be donated to All Nations Christian Church.