By-Laws Keep Meetings Running Smoothly

from Terry Smith

Even though it is not mandatory, I strongly believe in each mobile/manufactured home community chapter having a set of bylaws, and each board member having a copy of the bylaws. By having the chapter bylaws in writing, it will help prevent confusion within the chapter and in the community as to the chapter’s operation in the community.

The chapter bylaws example that follows is easy to tailor to your chapter’s needs.  It is very important to set times and dates for your board meetings and for your membership meetings (Article 111 meetings). It is very important to have a method of amending bylaws (Article 1V amendment to bylaws). It is very important to have board officers’ and board members’ duties and terms of office in writing (Article V duties of officers).

 A chapter needs a plan of operating (bylaws) to become successful and to remain successful and all members need to follow that plan of operation.

 Sample Chapter By-Laws (Optional)

 Chapter By-Laws

MANUFACTURED HOUSING/OREGON STATE TENANTS ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE 1---ORGANIZATION

Sec. 1   The name of this organization will be:_________________________

                                           (name of park and assigned chapter number)

Of the Manufactured Housing/Oregon State Tenants Association (MH/OSTA)

 

ARTICLE 11---PURPOSE

Sec. 1   The purpose of this chapter of MH/OSTA is to advance the interests and protect the investments of the residents of this community, to engage in any activity the membership of this chapter deems necessary under the guidelines set forth by the state organization, and to represent the members of this chapter at State and District meetings.

ARTICLE 111---MEETINGS

Sec. 1   Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at times announced by the board at a location accessible to all Directors

General membership meetings shall be at times announced by the board and at a location accessible to all members. This shall be a business meeting for all members in good standing. Non members may be invited if desired.

Sec. 2   All members must be notified of meetings and those members attending shall constitute a quorum. At least two members of the executive board must be present to carry out business of the chapter.

Sec. 3   Special meetings may be called by any executive officer or by one third of the members if there is business that cannot wait until the next business meeting. Written notice must be posted at least two days in advance and there must be two officers present.

                                                   ARTICLE 1V---AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS

By-Laws may be amended, modified or replaced by a majority vote of the membership. Proposed amendments shall be announced at the meeting prior to the vote to allow the membership to become familiar with them.

                                                                                                                                                             
Newly formed MH/OSTA Chapters are encouraged to develop their by-laws within a 6 month period.
                                                                                                     

ARTICLE V---DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec.1   The executive committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer (Secretary / Treasurer may be combined into a single office if so determined). Term of office for officers shall be for one or two years, to be decided by the majority vote of the membership. Officers may, by nomination and majority vote of the membership, serve consecutive terms.

Term of office for a Board Member shall be for one or two years decided by the majority vote of the membership. Board members may, by nomination and majority vote of the membership serve consecutive terms.

If for any cause, an officer or board member should be asked to resign, he/she shall be allowed a hearing before the Board of Directors (Executive Committee if there is no Board of Directors) and dismissal or removal upon recommendations of the Executive Committee shall be by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors at the next regular board meeting. Removal of an officer or board member shall be for the remaining time left in their term.

Duties of the President: Arrange meetings of the chapter and conduct business according to the requirements of the state and chapter by-laws. Appoint committees as needed.

Duties of the Vice-President: Assist the president and conduct meetings in the absence of the president. Chair the nominating committee and membership committees.

Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer: Record the minutes of each meeting and preserve minutes and correspondence. Collect, bank and dispense chapter monies. Keep accurate reports of the business of the chapter.

 

[Note: These by-laws are a sample only.]