CDCA By-Laws

CHARTER FOR THE CREST DRIVE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Article I. Name.
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Crest Drive Citizens Association (CDCA).

Article II. Geographic Boundaries.
Section 1. Beginning at the intersection of Willamette Street and 29th Avenue; the northerly boundary being as follows: west along West 29th Avenue to Lorane Highway; thence north on Washington Street to West 28th Avenue; thence west on West 28th Avenue to Chambers Street. Go north on Chambers Street to West 24th Avenue, then west to City View. Follow City View as if it were extended south to the south edge of the McClean subdivision. Go south and east along the urban growth boundary to the intersection of Pinewood Drive and Ridgewood Drive. Then along Pinewood Drive, if extended, east to the west line of the Densmore plat. Go north along the Densmore plat west line to West 40th Avenue if extended west. Continue east on West 40th Avenue, then north on Densmore Road to West 39th Avenue. Continue east along West 39th Avenue to Willamette Street. Go north on Willamette Street to 29th Avenue, the true point of beginning.

Article III. Purpose.
Section 1. The purpose of the Crest Drive Citizens Association is to promote community at the neighborhood level and improve the livability of the neighborhood. This may be done by:
(a) Providing a forum for members to identify, discuss, and resolve neighborhood issues by encouraging and facilitating communications and participation among the members on matters of common concern.
(b) Educating neighbors on issues, public process, City services and policies, and elections.
(c) Sponsoring neighborhood improvement projects and social events.
(d) Maintaining and fostering neighborhood communication with the City of Eugene and with other public or private entities by identifying and advocating CDCA’s position on issues such as land use and zoning, transportation and traffic, public safety; housing, school and community facilities; parks and recreation; economic development; issues affecting the elderly and youth; and other factors related to sustainability, livability, and other social and economic aspects of our neighborhood.
Section 2. The association shall address all matters which affect the neighborhood in accordance with the City of Eugene’s Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy Resolution 2554.
Section 3. The association shall do whatever else it deems necessary and appropriate to enhance the welfare of its members and livability of the neighborhood.

Article IV. Membership.
Section 1. Membership is open to any property owner or resident of voting age within the geographic boundaries described in Article II. Membership is also extended to the single legal representative of a business or non-profit or other establishment located within said boundaries.
(a) Participation in association activities is declared by entering one’s signature and address on the neighborhood association’s membership attendance log available at each General Meeting.
(b) Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
(c) Each corporation, partnership, non-profit agency, or business shall be entitled to one vote.
(d) There shall be no voting by proxy. Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow members with physical disabilities to vote.
Section 2. Membership will terminate for anyone who no longer meets member requirements as stated in Section 1.

Article V. Officers.
Section 1. The officers shall consist of a (1) Chair, (2) Vice Chair, (3) Secretary, and (4) Treasurer. Alternately, two people may serve as Co-chairs, in which case no vice chair will be elected.
Section 2. Duties of Chair. The chair shall coordinate and supervise the business and activities of the Executive Board and CDCA organization. S/he shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership, serve as an ex officio member of all committees, and act as the primary contact person and liaison with the City of Eugene and the Neighborhood Leaders Council.
Section 3. Duties of Vice Chair. The vice chair shall assist the chair in his/her duties on request. In the absence of the Chair, or in the event of the Chair’s inability or refusal to act, the vice chair shall execute the duties and powers of the chair.
Section 4. Duties of Co-chairs.  The duties of the Co-chairs will include all those enumerated in Section 2 and Section 3 above.
Section 5. Duties of Secretary. The secretary shall record the minutes of all General Membership and Executive Board meetings and maintain and file copies of said minutes, correspondence, and membership attendance logs.
Section 6. Duties of Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive all association funds and pay out funds as approved by the Executive Board.

Article VI. Nomination and Removal of Executive Board Members.
Section 1. The officers shall be elected by a simple majority of those in attendance at the Annual Meeting in November and shall serve a one-year term. Upon election, the Chair shall be entitled to appoint additional board members, liaisons, and committee chairs subject to approval by the general membership.
Section 2. Nominations shall be accepted only at the meeting prior to the Annual Meeting in November. Nominations shall be for a specific office.
Section 3. The ballot shall be posted on the CDCA website and also sent via e-mail to those on the current e-mail list by the appointed Communications Liaison within two weeks following the October General Meeting.
Section 4. Any vacancy of the Executive Board shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a majority vote of the general membership.
Section 5. An officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a General Meeting. However, prior notice of intent to submit a removal motion is required at the General Meeting immediately preceding the meeting in question.
Section 6. If a member of the Executive Board is absent for three consecutive official meetings, that member’s position shall be vacated unless the Board finds extraordinary circumstances prevented the member’s attendance.

Article VII. Executive Board.
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the four elected officers plus additional board members, liaisons, and committee chairs.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall hold regularly scheduled meetings and the membership shall be given reasonable, advance notice of said schedule. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be open to the general public.
Section 3. The Executive Board will be responsible for establishing the time, place, and agenda for the General Meetings and ensuring reasonable advance notice to members.
Section 4. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the Chair or by one-half of the Executive Board members, after notice has been provided to all Executive Board members. Reasonable efforts shall be made to inform the CDCA membership of special meetings. In the event of situations calling for prompt action, such meetings may be conducted by conference telephone call or by e-mail.
Section 5. The majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 6. Executive Board policy decisions and opinions must be presented to the general membership for approval.
Section 7.(a) The Executive Board may represent the neighborhood (association’s) opinions to the City Council, Planning Commission, or other appropriate decision-makers. Such advisory opinions will specify whether the position is one of the general membership or a committee.
(b) If a minority position on the issue is represented by at least one-third of those voting, this shall also be presented.

Article VIII. General Meetings.
Section 1.
(a) At least four General Meetings will be held each year at a time and place to be established by the Executive Board. Should the Eugene City Council require additional meetings to meet a minimum meeting requirement, that number shall become the minimum.
(b) Notice of the location, time, and date of all meetings shall be provided to the members in a timely manner.
(c) A quorum at a General Meeting shall be 10 members.
(d) The Annual Meeting will be held each November.
(e)  CDCA General Meetings include any CDCA-sponsored activity at which attendance is taken.
(f) All CDCA meetings are open to the public.
Section 2. Election of the Officers of the Executive Board shall take place at the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Emergency Meetings: Emergency General Meetings may be called by a majority vote of the Executive Board or by a petition requesting said meeting signed by 20 neighbors and delivered to the neighborhood Chair.
Section 4. Executive Board members shall notify Chair of non-attendance at any meeting.
Section 5. CDCA meetings shall be conducted according to generally accepted rules and procedures, with an emphasis on allowing those persons present at the meeting to have an opportunity to be heard.

Article IX. Committees.
Section 1. The Chair shall appoint all committees and committee chairs as needed to meet the needs of the association.
Section 2. The committees shall collect information and review subjects for the purpose of presenting information to the membership for discussion and decision-making.
Section 3. A committee chair shall present a report (oral or written) of the committee meeting and activity in a timely manner to the General Membership.
Section 4. Committee meetings will be announced publicly by the Communications Liaison and open to the general membership (or public).

Article X. Finances.
Section 1.
(a) The association may receive funds and may own and dispose of property.
(b) The association may secure monies or grants to fund a specific project or program.
(c) With membership approval, the Treasurer may accept donations from the general membership for a specific project or program.
Section 2.
(a) An annual budget shall be approved by the General Membership before expenditures commence.
(b) Any expenditure other than those budgeted shall be approved by the General Membership.
Section 3. The association may employ persons to further its purpose.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall give a report (oral or written) of available funds and detailed expenditures at the General Meetings.

Article XI. Neighborhood Newsletter.
Section 1. The name of the CDCA newsletter shall be “Ridges & Vales”.
Section 2. The purpose of the neighborhood newsletter is to:
(a) Distribute information to the members and provide a forum for free expression of opinions by neighborhood members on issues of interest to the neighborhood and the community.
(b) Provide notification of upcoming meetings; facilitate discussion on local neighborhood issues; share information related to the neighborhood; distribute City public information; and foster dialogue on elections and ballot measures related to the neighborhood.
(c) Promote neighborhood, community, and city events; recognize people and businesses for their contributions to the neighborhood; recognize individuals, organizations and businesses for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the neighborhood.
(d) Facilitate the continuing development of a vital neighborhood and community.
Section 3. The Chair shall appoint a member to produce the newsletter in conjunction with City staff.
Section 4. The newsletter editor shall work with City staff to produce a product that meets the Neighborhood Association newsletter guidelines adopted by Council.
Section 5. Advocacy positions (on non-election issues) may be included in the newsletter in an editorial format.
Section 6. Commercial advertising is not permitted, if City funds are used to publish the newsletter.

Article XII. Website (new section).
Section 1. The address of the neighborhood website shall be <www.crestdriveca.com>.
Section 2. The purpose of the neighborhood website is to distribute and archive CDCA information.
(a) The CDCA newsletter as well as Executive Board and General Membership meeting minutes shall be posted to the website.
(b)  The website may be used to recognize people and businesses for their contributions to the neighborhood.  
Section 3. The Chair will appoint a CDCA member to maintain the website.
Section 4.
(a) Renewal of the hosting server shall be approved and funded annually by the membership association.
(b) Changing the website address requires a vote of two-thirds  of members present at a General Membership meeting, which must preceed the annual renewal and funding anniversary.
Section 5. Commercial advertising is not permitted if City funds were used to purchase the domain.

Article XIII. Adoption and Amendments.
Section 1. This charter may be adopted, repealed, or amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present at any General Membership meeting. Written notice of the meeting and of the proposed changes shall be forwarded to all members prior to the meeting. If approved it takes effect immediately unless it includes a provision delaying implementation.