BYLAWS OF COUSINS/LITTLEJOHN
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AUGUST 2007
Sec. 1 - NAME: The name of the Association is Cousins/Littlejohn Islands Improvement Association.
Sec. 2 - LOCATION: The principal office of the
Association shall be located at
Sec. 3 - YEAR: The fiscal year of the Association, unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each calendar year.
Sec. 1 - PURPOSES:
1) to foster a spirit of community;
2) to advance the best interests of the residents and property owners of Cousins and Littlejohn Islands;
3)
to sponsor and develop social and community
activities among the inhabitants of said
4) to encourage the provision of needed services and civic improvements, and
5)
to keep the residents
and landowners of the Islands informed of events, proposals, or situations
which have or may have a beneficial or adverse effect on the use, enjoyment of,
or value of
Sec. 2 - POWERS AND DUTIES: the Association shall have and exercise the following powers and duties:
1) The Association may raise money by establishing dues, soliciting voluntary contributions, making special assessments, holding fund raising events, or other means available under the laws of the State of Maine in order to carry out the purposes of the Association;
2) The Association may expend the monies raised to carry out the purposes of the organization including, but not limited to information dissemination; providing services; making physical improvements on Cousins and Littlejohn Islands; owning, maintaining or renting real property; employing persons; sponsoring social events; and any other lawful activities for the benefit of its members which are not contrary to the laws governing non-profit organizations.
3) The Association shall administer functions and
maintenance of the Community House in cooperation with the Town of
Sec. 1 - MEMBERSHIP: The members of the Association shall be those persons who enroll on the official list of members who have paid current dues and assessments, and who hold title to real property on either Cousins or Littlejohn Islands; or are the spouses of said property owners; or are residents of said Islands and are legal residents of the Town of Yarmouth.
Sec. 1 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President and Secretary and seven (7) members, all of whom shall be elected from the membership by the members.
The President and Secretary shall be elected annually at the annual meeting and need not be a member of the Board of Directors prior to election.
The term of office of director will be for three year staggered terms. Any director or officer may be removed from the Board, with or without cause, by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Association present at a meeting duly called.
Sec. 2 - DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The business of the Association shall be managed by the Board of Directors which shall have all the powers and duties of the Association except those powers specifically reserved to the members by law or these by-laws. The Board shall elect the officers following the annual meeting except the President and Secretary, who are elected by the membership. The Vice-president shall be elected from the members of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and need not be a member of the Board. The Board of Directors shall formulate policy, fill vacancies on the Board, hire, fire and supervise employees, agents, contractors, consultants, attorneys or other person as needed; prepare a proposed annual budget, make special assessments, form committees, represent the Association in Town meetings and other events. No director shall receive compensation for any service he or she may render to the Association. However, reimbursements for actual expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties may be given. Committees may be established as deemed to be beneficial to the membership. Directors shall serve as chairpersons of committees established by the Board.
Sec. 3 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-president and Secretary, all of whom shall be members of the Association. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, shall have general supervision and control of the business of the Association, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and shall have all other powers and duties as the Board of Directors may decide. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and the Board of Directors. The President shall present an annual report at the annual meeting. The Vice-president shall act as President in the absence of the President and fulfill other duties as directed by the Board. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of all meetings of the members and of the board of Directors in books kept for such purpose. The Secretary shall serve proper notice of all meetings and maintain and keep current the official list of members. The Treasurer shall have, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, general charge of the financial affairs of the corporation and shall keep full and accurate records thereof, which shall always be open to the inspection of the President, any Director, or any member. He or she shall render at the meetings of the Board and at the annual meeting of the members a statement of account of transactions and of the financial condition of the Association.
Sec. 1 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors shall meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month or as otherwise set by the Board. Special meetings may be called by any of the Directors. A quorum shall consist of five Directors. The Directors may take any action in the absence of a meeting where they could take at a meeting by obtaining the approval in writing of a majority of the Directors.
Sec. 2 - MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION: There shall be at least one (1) meeting of the membership. The Annual Meeting shall be held in early September. The date of the Annual Meeting may be changed by the Board of Directors provided the membership is given not less than two (2) weeks notice. A special meeting may be called by the Board of Directors or by a written request signed by ten percent (10%) of the members submitted to the President.
A three person nominating committee shall be chosen by the members at the Annual Meeting along with the President, Secretary, and Board of Directors.
A quorum shall consist of the smaller of: twenty percent (20%) of the membership or twenty members. If the beginning of a meeting has a quorum, action may be taken even if the quorum is not present throughout the meeting.
Any action taken by the Board of Directors may be overturned by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of the members present at a properly advertised meeting of the members.
Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
An agenda of the Annual Meeting, including the names of nominees, shall be made available at the Island Community House two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.
Sec. 3 - VOTES: Each member on the membership list shall have one vote, which may be cast in person or by absentee ballot received by the Secretary on or before the day of the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise provided, decisions shall be made by majority vote. Votes may be taken by a show of hands unless the majority calls for a written ballot.
Dues must be paid at or before the Annual Meeting for a member to have voting privileges at the Annual Meeting and subsequent meetings of the current fiscal year.
The Board of Directors shall prepare a proposed annual budget, which shall be approved or modified by the members at the Annual Meeting. The budget may include an amount for contingencies, which may arise during the year, but any expenditures greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00) not specifically allocated in the budget must be approved by the members at a general or special meeting.
The dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors as part of the annual budget. When the Board determines that special assessments must be made because of unusual circumstances, conditions, problems, or opportunities which require extra funds beyond what was budgeted, the Board may make a special assessment to be paid by each member but in no circumstances may the assessment be more than ten dollars ($10.00) without the approval of a majority of the members present at a special meeting duly called.
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) VOTE of the members present at an Annual or special meeting.