Bylaws 2023

BYLAWS

Derby Lake Property Owners Association

 Amended and approved on September 3, 2023

Article I.         Name  

     Section 1.  The name of this organization shall be the Derby Lake Property                           Owners Association (Association), a not for profit 501(c)3 organization                                   of Sidney Township, Montcalm County, Michigan.

     Section 2.  The fiscal year of this Association shall be October 1 September 30.

Article II.       Purpose  

      Section 1.  The purpose of the Association is to identify, prioritize, and organize                                  lake water quality management programs which serve the shared interests                      of Derby Lake property owners.  

Article III.      Functions 

      Section 1.   The Association shall promote the education of Derby Lake Property                                  Owners regarding lake water quality issues and practices.

      Section 2.   The Association shall implement programs to address lake quality concerns and other riparian concerns as appropriate. 

      Section 3.    The Association shall organize social venues that foster interest and                                    commitment to Derby Lake water quality and riparian stewardship.
 

Article IV.      Membership 

      Section 1.    Membership in the Association includes property owners on Derby                                     Lake and property owners with deeded access to Derby Lake.

      Section 2.    The term “Member” is defined as one person or one group of persons                                 whose name(s) appear on the property deed and have paid current                              “Association” dues.  “One property, one vote.”

      Section 3.    For purposes of voting and discussion, each Member shall be equally        privileged with one vote and reasonable opportunity to express views            upon any policy, question, or decision at any attended meeting of the          Membership or Board.  Members must be present to vote (no absentee or proxy votes).

      Section 4.    The Membership year is the calendar year with dues payable to the Treasurer on or before January 1 each year.  

      Section 5.     Withdrawal from the Association may occur at any time by a written notice from the withdrawing Member or from the Secretary.

Article V.          Board of Directors  

      Section 1.     The Board of Directors (Board) shall consist of six (6) Directors which are elected by Members and three (3) Officers which are elected by the Board.   To ensure diversity of viewpoint and preserve equal voting privilege, no two owners of any property and no two family members (spouses, children, parents, in-laws) shall serve simultaneous terms.

      Section 2.     The Board is responsible for performing the Functions (Article III) of the Association and conducting the orderly procedures of the Association described in these Bylaws.  In so doing, the Board is responsible for the affairs and funds of the Association.  

      Section 3.     Any Board member becoming ineligible for Association Membership shall automatically forfeit their position. 

      Section 4.     The Board shall serve as the policy making committee of the Association directing the expenditures of the Association through the performance of Functions (Article III).

Article VI.         Officers

      Section 1.     The Officers of this Association shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer.  Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board immediately following the Association Annual Membership Meeting (“Annual Meeting”) each year.  The Annual Meeting will be held within 30 days before or after the end of the fiscal year. Officers shall serve in that capacity for the succeeding year. 

      Section 2.     If for any reason, the President is unable to perform, the Vice President shall immediately assume the position of President.  The vacant position of Vice President shall then be filled by a majority vote of the Board.  Any other position on the Board which is vacated during the year between Annual Meetings can either remain open or be filled by appointment by the Board at the discretion of the Board.

      Section 3.    The President shall preside at all Membership and Board meetings.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at Board Meetings.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Association and shall keep an accurate record of Membership and all monies paid to the Association deposited in the bank account of the Association.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall disburse all monies as approved by the Board.  All expenditures of the Association shall be paid by check from the Association account and be signed by the Secretary/Treasurer.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall make an oral report of the financial status of the Association at each Meeting of the Association Members and of the Board.  A written statement of cash receipts and disbursements shall be prepared annually and made available to the Membership at the Annual Meeting.  The Board will review financial reports for accuracy on an annual basis.   

Article VII.       Directors

      Section 1.     Directors shall serve on the Board for a period of three consecutive years; two Directors being elected from the Membership each year at the Annual Meeting.  A former Director may be re-nominated and re-elected as a director after the conclusion of their prior term of service.

      Section 2.     Directors will be responsible for the fact gathering, recommendations, implementation and communication of work conducted.  

Article VIII.      Meetings  

      Section 1.     The Annual Meeting shall be held within 30 days before or after the end of the fiscal year, the date to be set by the Board.  A quorum of the Association shall be no less than 30% of the entire Membership. 

      Section 2.     Special meetings of the Membership may be called at the discretion of the President or when requested by any three (3) Board Members.  All Members of the Association shall be notified of such a Meeting at least 30 days prior to the meeting date.  Voting Members shall register with the Secretary of the Association immediately prior to any regular or special voting meeting.

      Section 3.     Meetings of the Board to be held three (3) or more times per year or as called by the President.  A quorum of the Board shall be no less than five (5) Board Members.  

      Section 4.     Special meetings of the Board may be called at the discretion of the President or when requested by any three (3) Board Members.  All Members of the Board shall be notified of such a Meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting date.  

Bylaws.

The Bylaws are available to Members.

The Bylaws shall be reviewed periodically by the Association Board. 

Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be approved by the board by a 2/3 vote.  

Amended Bylaws shall be made available to all Members. 

The rules contained in the current edition of “Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.” 

shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they 

are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules or order the Association may 

adopt.

The Bylaws were initially drafted and approved by the Board on 10/20/1985.

Subsequently they were amended and then approved on 5/27/2007,

 and 2/17/2015.

This draft of the Bylaws was amended and then approved by the board of directors on 

9/3/2023.