BYLAWS
As amended July 27,
2004
Southern Hills Business Association
P O Box 80344 – Shreveport LA 71148-0344
Voice Mail (318) 687-7808
- Fax (318) 603-9953 – Website http://www.shba-spt.org/
Article I - Name and Organization
Sec. 1. This organization shall be
known as the SOUTHERN HILLS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter
referred to as the "SHBA" or as the "Association."
Sec. 2. The SOUTHERN HILLS BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION is an independent, non-profit corporation organized,
established, and existing under the laws of the state of Louisiana,
with offices in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Article II - Objectives and Mission
Sec.
1.
This
association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious
educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes,
the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt
organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The association also endeavors to pursue the following activities:
1. To establish an organization
of business persons thoroughly representative of the business
and professional interests of the Southern Hills area;
2. To promote and encourage
the creation and expansion of business and professional organizations
in the Southern Hills area;
3. To establish a business
climate favorable to Shreveport-based business and professional
enterprises;
4. To encourage active participation
by local and regional business people and organizations and by
Shreveport citizens in all things related to Southern Hills business,
professional, and industrial development, expansion, and revitalization;
5. To unite the members of
the Southern Hills business community for the purpose of promoting
a greater sense of business and social unity.
Article III - Membership
Sec. 1. Eligibility. Any
owner, partner, corporate officer or designated representative
of any recognized business, business activity, profession, or
other legitimate business enterprise whose business or activity
has an interest involving citizens of the Southern Hills area
or with the Shreveport business community in general, shall be
eligible for membership in the Southern Hills Business Association.
Sec. 2. Approval. The Board of Directors shall,
at its sole and absolute discretion, but consistent with the provisions
of Sec. 1. herein, review and act as the final approving authority
for all applications for membership in the Southern Hills Business
Association.
Sec. 3. Dues. The annual dues of this Association
for regular members shall be in an amount recommended by the Board
of Directors and approved by the membership of the Association
as part of the approval of the budget at the annual meeting.
Sec. 4. Assessments.
Assessments regarding luncheon and/or dinner meetings and/or
other special events, activities, or functions conducted by the
SHBA shall not be an administrative expense, but will be established
either by the Board of Directors or by a majority vote of the
active general membership at any regular or special meeting. Any
decision by the Board of Directors regarding assessments need
not be ratified by the general membership.
Article IV - Board of Directors
Sec. 1. General Management. Board
of directors consisting of President, First Vice President, VP
Membership, VP Special Events, VP Neighborhood and Civic Affairs,
VP Government Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President,
Media Coordinator, Legal Advisor, Chaplain, non-voting Association
Administrator, and up to six members at large. The Association
Administrator may simultaneously perform the duties of Treasurer.
Sec. 2. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board
of Directors may be held prior to regular monthly general membership
meetings, or at least four times each year.
Sec. 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board
may be called by the President at any time by giving at least
two (2) days notice to all Board Members and shall specify the
particular business to be transacted at said meeting.
Sec. 4. Quorum.
The quorum for all board meetings shall be five members
of the Board.
Sec. 5. Vacancies. Any vacancies that may occur
may be filled by a majority vote of the membership present at
the next regular meeting of the Association for the unexpired
term of the Board member whose seat becomes vacant.
Sec. 6. Removal. Any director may be removed
from office for cause deemed sufficient by a majority vote of
the membership of the Board at a meeting so called for that purpose
and his/her successor may be elected at that meeting, subject
to the approval of the general membership. Absenteeism from more
than one-half of scheduled meetings shall be deemed ‘cause’ for
removal.
Sec. 7. Installation and Term of
Office.
The installation of the directors shall take place at the regular
January meeting and they shall hold office for no
more than three years each before retiring from the board
for a period of at least one year before being eligible to return
to a board position. The board will determine an appropriate schedule
of rotation so that no more than one-third of elected board members
begin their terms as freshmen board members at the same time.
Article V - SHBA Officer and Directors
Sec.
1.
The officers of this Corporation shall be as follows and no person
may hold more than one office simultaneously with the exception
of Association Administrator who may simultaneously perform the
duties of Treasurer:
Sec. 2. Eligibility. Any member in good standing
shall be eligible to be elected to serve as an officer or director
upon approval of the current board when said member is nominated.
No member whose dues are in arrears shall be allowed to serve
as an officer or member of the Board of Directors.
Sec. 3. Nominations. The President shall appoint,
in September of any given year, a nominating committee of up to
four people, who shall compile recommendations for the offices
of the President, First Vice President, Vice Presidents as set
forth in Article IV, Section 1., Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors
as set forth in Article IV, Section 1., and shall present such
recommendations to the general membership at the next regular
or special meeting. At that time, additional nominations, if any,
may be made from the floor, whereupon the nomination process shall
be closed. All nominations for the respective officers and directors
shall be listed in the meeting notice at which elections will
take place.
Sec. 4. Installation and Term of
Office. The
installation of the SHBA officers and directors shall take place
at the regular January meeting and they shall
hold office for no more than three years each, or until
their successors shall be duly elected, before retiring from the
board for a period of at least one year before being eligible
to return to a board position. The board will determine an appropriate
schedule of rotation so that no more than one-third of elected
board members begin their terms as freshmen board members at the
same time.
Sec. 5. Duties of the Officers:
1. President: The President shall be the
Chief Administrative Officer of the Corporation. He or she shall
preside over all meetings of this Association and at all meetings
of the Board of Directors. The President shall carry into effect
or cause to be carried into effect all orders and resolutions
of the Board of Directors, and shall discharge such other duties
as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors
and the Membership. The President shall serve on the Board of
Directors for one year as Immediate Past President upon completion
of his or her term as President; shall direct the official correspondence;
shall be an ex-officio member of all committees; shall appoint
all committees, not otherwise provided for by vote of the Association
or by these By-Laws; and may, at his or her own discretion or
upon the written recommendation of the Board of Directors, remove
from office any member of the committee, for neglect of duty or
for any cause deemed sufficient he or she shall fill all vacancies
in committees. The President shall enforce these By-Laws and perform
all duties incidental to the office of President.
2. First Vice President: The First Vice President
shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform
these duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall
perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, members or
the President shall prescribe.
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall attend
all meetings of the association and of the Board of Directors,
and shall be responsible for recording the minutes of all proceedings
in books belonging to the Association.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible
for the receipt, care, and custody of all funds of the Association.
He or she shall maintain safe custody of all Association funds
and securities. All funds of this Association shall be deposited
to the credit of this Association in depositories designated by
the Board of Directors or members and may be withdrawn only by
a check signed by the Treasurer, President, or Immediate Past
President. The Treasurer shall keep correct books of account as
the membership may require. The Treasurer's books and accounts
shall be open for inspection at all times by any officer or member
of the Board of Directors.
5. VP Membership:
The Vice President of Membership shall be responsible for directing
the ongoing activities associated with new member enrollment,
membership retention, and other membership activities as directed
by the President or the Board of Directors.
6. VP Special Events:
The Vice President of Special Events shall be responsible for
community, civic, and other special events such as Christmas in
the Hills or other such initiatives as directed by the President
or the Board of Directors.
7. VP Neighborhood and Civic Affairs:
The Vice President of Neighborhood and Civic Affairs shall be
responsible for serving as liaison between the Association and
other groups within the area with whom interactions are initiated
such as the Homeowners Association and perhaps school groups or
others as deemed appropriate by the President and/or the Board
of Directors.
8. VP Government Affairs:
The Vice President for Government Affairs shall be responsible
for monitoring activities of Shreveport City Council, Metropolitan
Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Caddo Parish
Commission, together with any other governmental body empowered
to affect changes or recommendations that could impact the greater
good of the Association and the City of Shreveport, as well as
other duties deemed appropriate by the President and/or Board
of Directors.
9. Past President: The Past President will attend
all meetings of the Board of Directors and serve as counsel. He
or she shall perform such duties as deemed appropriate for the
position.
10. Administrator: The Administrator shall be responsible
for notifying members and/or officers and directors of meetings
of the Association and shall be responsible for attending to all
correspondence of the Association. The Administrator shall be
under the supervision and direction of the President and shall
act as liaison officer between the Association membership, officers,
and directors, committee members and/or other parties having legitimate
interest in the business activities of the corporation. He or
she shall keep the general record of the Association and the seal
of the Corporation in his/her charge and shall affix the seal
of the corporation when acquired. He or she shall present to the
Directors or to the membership all communications addressed to
the SHBA or to him or her as Administrator. The Administrator
shall file any and all reports or other documents with the Louisiana
Secretary of the State or any other legitimate authority by law
for a non-profit corporation. He or she shall attend to and perform
all duties regarding any matter pertaining to the office of Administrator.
Article VI - Meetings
Sec. 1. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the
SOUTHERN HILLS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION shall be held within the Southern
Hills area on the last Tuesday of each month at least eight times
a year. At the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and with
ample notice to the general membership, the regular meeting time
or location may be changed. The Directors shall use reasonable
discretion on changing a meeting schedule based on availability
or non-availability of speakers or meeting sites, because of weather,
or because of other purposes deemed reasonable by said Board of
Directors.
Sec. 2. Special Meetings. The President or a majority
of the Board of Directors may call special meetings by giving
three (3) days written notice to members.
Sec. 3. Quorum.
A quorum will be the majority of current members present at a
meeting.
Sec. 4. Parliamentary Procedures. The rules contained in "Robert's
Rules of Order Revised" shall govern the Association in all cases
in which said Rules are applicable, and in which they are not
inconsistent with the By-Laws or any special rules of the Association.
Article VII - Operations
The SOUTHERN HILLS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
shall operate on a calendar year basis defined as January 1st
to December 31st.
Article VIII - Execution of Instruments
Sec. 1. Bank Accounts. Bank accounts shall be maintained
at banks and trust companies approved by the Board.
Sec. 2. Borrowing. No officer shall have the
authority to borrow money in the name of the Association, except
by vote of the Board.
Sec. 3. Deeds, Leases, Mortgages,
etc.
With the advice, consent and written authorization of the Board,
deeds, leases, mortgages, contracts, and other legal instruments
requiring the signature and/or seal of the Southern Hills Business
Association shall be executed in behalf of the Association by
the President, or if he or she is not available, by the Vice President
and Secretary and Treasurer and Administrator, unless generally
or in a particular instance the Board shall otherwise order or
provide.
Article IX - Amendments
These Bylaws may be altered, amended,
or repealed or revised by a majority vote of the active SHBA members
in good standing in attendance at any regular, annual, or special
meeting of this Association, provided a copy of such proposed
amendments or revisions is discussed and appropriately acted upon.
These Bylaws shall be reviewed once every five years or more often
as deemed appropriate by the board. A committee consisting of
one to three current members appointed by the President shall
perform such review.
Bylaws
Adopted this _27th__ day of ____July__________,
20_04__.
________________________________
____________________________________
President
Witness
__________________________________ ____________________________________
Executive
Director
Witness