By-Laws of Asheville Homeless Network
A Not-For-Profit Corporation
- Article I - ORGANIZATION
- Article II - PURPOSES
- Article III - MEMBERSHIP
- Article IV - MEETINGS
- Article V - VOTING
- Article VI - ORDER OF BUSINESS
- Article VII - OFFICERS
- Article VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Article IX - SALARIES
- Article X - COMMITTEES
- Article XI - AMENDMENTS
The name of the organization shall be ASHEVILLE HOMELESS NETWORK.
The Asheville Homeless Network is a coalition of homeless people, formerly homeless people, and their supporters joining together for the purpose of identifying and providing services in areas of need which the homeless may experience. Examples may include: housing, food, medical care and other needs as identified.
Membership in this organization shall be open to all who live in Buncombe County and surrounding areas, and who supports the goals of this organization. Voting members are required to provide community service or pay monthly dues to be established by the Board of Directors (or exempted from such dues as determined by the President and the Treasurer). Monthly dues shall be set at $1.00 per month per voting member.
The Asheville Homeless Network shall hold general meetings every week at 2 p.m on Thursday at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Special meetings may be called by the President or at the request of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members of the Board of Directors.
The President shall announce special meetings at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. He/She shall explain the reason for the special meeting and the only business transacted shall be the reason for the special meeting.
At least two Board members shall be required to be in attendance, plus four members in good standing for a quorum to be called and business to be enacted at all meetings.
The annual membership meeting of this organization shall be held on the second Thursday in June each year except if such day shall be a legal holiday.
Then the Board of Directors shall fix the day, but it shall not be more than two weeks from the date fixed by these By-Laws.
A quorum must be established in order that elections and any business be conducted at the annual board meeting. A quorum is defined as at least two Board of Directors and four voting members.
Each Asheville Homeless Network member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on motions coming before a chapter meeting. Each member or guest may speak once to any motion or more than once at the pleasure of the presiding officer. At all general meetings voting shall be by voice vote.
For election of officers, private ballots shall be provided and there shall be an Elections Committee appointed by the President to execute the elections of officers. No one running for office may serve on the Elections Committee. The Chairperson of the Elections Committee shall run the election.
Article VI - ORDER OF BUSINESS
- Roll Call.
- Reading and Acceptance of the Minutes of the preceding meeting.
- President's Report.
- Committee Reports.
- Old and Unfinished Business.
- New Business.
- Open Comments by Members and Guests.
- Adjournment.
The officers of the organization shall be as follows:
Should the President with the advice and consent of at least 51% of the Board of Directors need to combine the offices of Treasurer and Secretary during his/her tenure, the President is authorized to do so.
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
The Asheville Homeless Network is an organization of the homeless, former homeless and those who support its goals and mission. Therefore, at least one officer shall at all times be a homeless person, two officers may represent the former homeless and one shall be classified as a supporter of the organization. It is the desire that this organization's leadership be representative of the population that it serves.
The President shall preside at all membership meetings and shall by virtue of the office be Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The President shall present at each annual meeting of the organization an annual report of the work of the organization. The President shall appoint all committees, temporary or permanent. He/she be responsible for all books, reports, and certificates required by law to be properly kept or filed. The President shall be one of the officers who signs the checks or drafts of this organization. The President shall have such power as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization. The President shall have full authority to speak for the organization and to convene any advisory boards he/she may deem appropriate.
The Vice President shall in the event of the absence or inability of the President to exercise the office become acting President of the organization with all the rights, privileges, and powers as if he/she had been the duly elected President. If the President should resign the office of President or no longer be able to function, the Vice President shall become the President. The Vice President shall assume duties as the honorary chairperson of all committees and be responsible for their functioning properly.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the organization and for the performance of all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and for other duties as may be from time-to-time prescribed by the President. The Treasurer will be a signatory on all checks, financial instruments as may be needed by this organization. A Treasurer’s report will be given at all weekly meetings of the Asheville Homeless Network. All financial matters which require a signature will be signed by the President and the Treasurer at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, all checks, transactions, and other forms required as might be needed from time to time.
The Secretary shall keep all minutes and records of the organization and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to file any certificates required by any statute, Federal or State. The Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law.
In the event of vacancies other than President, the general membership shall elect a member to fill the vacancy for the duration of the year.
Article VII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business of this organization shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of a maximum of seven (7) members including elected officers. At least one of the BOD excluding elected officers shall be currently homeless.
The directors may be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the officers and will serve during the year until the next election.
The Board of Directors shall have the control and management of the affairs and business of this organization. Vacancies shall be filled by the President.
The President shall be chairperson of the Board of Directors. He/she shall convene meetings of the Board of Directors at least quarterly. However, the Board of Directors may request more meetings as they deem necessary. The President shall then call a Board of Directors meeting within two weeks of such request.
A Board of Directors member may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal. Seventy-five percent of the Board of Directors must vote for dismissal. Should two-thirds percent of the general membership wish to remove a Board of Directors member, they shall alert the President and a vote will be taken within two weeks.
Officers shall by virtue of their office be members of the Board of Directors. No officer shall for reason of holding office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation. However, salaries may be paid for duties which are not related to the administration of this organization.
All committees of this organization shall be appointed by the President and their members shall serve so long as the President determines them to be effective. The permanent committees shall be Fundraising, Programs, and Website.
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed by a affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds percent of the Board of Directors and fifty-one percent of the general membership in good standing. In that this document is an amended document, in order for it to become the By-Laws of this organization it must also pass by the same margin required for altering, amending and/or repealing the By-Laws.
These By-Laws were adopted at a meeting of the Asheville Homeless Network on July 21, 2011.
Signatures: John Withington, President, and John Spitzberg, Secretary.
Previous History of Asheville Homeless Network By-Laws:
- This document was adopted at a meeting of the Asheville Homeless Network on April 24, 2004.
- Amended on June 28, 2004 to identify the organization as the National Homeless Network, with an Asheville Chapter.
- Amended on August 6, 2004 to revert to the original name and purpose.
- Amended September 2004 to clarify changes in Membership roles and dues, and provide for a smaller percentage for a Quorum at the Annual Membership Meeting or other meetings as called per the requirements of these By-Laws.
- Amended November 17, 2005 to be more in compliance with actual activites of the organization and to comply with the filing of incorporation papers with the State of North Carolina.
Signatures: Jason Klein, Gerald L. Bliss, Laura Coxie
June 28, 2004 amendment signatures: Jason Klein, Gwenn McCourry, Gerald L. Bliss, and Jesse Stewart
August 6, 2004 amendment signatures: Jason Klein, Gwenn McCourry, Gerald L. Bliss, and Jesse Stewart
September 2004 amendment signatures: Jason Klein, Gwenn McCourry, Gerald L. Bliss, and Jesse Stewart
At the 2005 Annual Meeting the Board was reconstituted with Gerald L. "Moss" Bliss, D.D. as President, Other Board officers include Hilliard L. Carlisle, Gerald Hixson, and Emrenthia "Mary" Lucas.
November 17, 2005 amendments approved unanimously by all current Board Members.