SMHA Resident Association

RESIDENT ASSOCIATION

STARK METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

BY LAWS - MARCH 2003

ARTICLE I

Name

Section 1. Name: The name of the organization will be the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Resident Association.

ARTICLE II

Purpose and Mission

Section 1. Purpose: This association will have the purposes and powers as stated in these by-laws:

1) Improve living conditions in the housing communities.

2) Cooperate with housing authority management in maintaining the physical condition of the property in a quality manner.

3) Assist the authority in providing nourishing neighborhoods for low-income persons.

4) Serve as an organized spokesman for the resident body to present resident concerns to the authority and to participate and provide feedback to the authority regarding the 5 Year Plan and Annual Plan, policy revisions, grant applications, development of resident programs, etc. on behalf of the residents.

5) Serve as an organized spokesman for the resident body for community issues other than those related to housing.

6) Serve as a liaison between residents and the housing authority.

7) Sponsor educational programs that will assist residents in moving to self-sufficiency.

8) Sponsor cultural and recreational activities for the residents.

9) Foster a sense of responsibility and community awareness among

residents.

Section 2. Mission: The mission of this association shall be to serve the residents of SMHA by helping each other to achieve while residing in assisted living. Achievement may come in providing service for the cause of the collective body of the Resident Association. Everyone is valued. All of us may serve. Each of us doing our part. Where ever we are. Types of service are outlined in the Purpose Statement in Article II, Section 1. Purpose, of the Resident Association By-laws.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1. Definition of Membership: Any adult person, 18 years or older, receiving rental assistance from the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority either as a public housing resident or from Section 8 types of funding is considered to be a member of the association. All members must meet the screening criteria set forth in the housing authority admissions policy to become a resident. This includes meeting the income eligibility requirements of the various rental subsidy programs.

Section 2. Dues: There will be no dues collected by the organization during the first year of operation. At the beginning of the second year, the group will review this issue to determine if dues should be assessed.

Section 3. Terminations: Membership in this organization will be void if the member no longer receives rental assistance from the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority.

ARTICLE IV

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this organization shall be from January 1 to December 31.

ARTICLE V

Boards and Representation

Section 1. Board: A Resident Advisory Board will be established to represent residents in conducting the ongoing business of the organization. The advisory board shall consist of 20 resident representatives, selected as follows:

1) The twelve housing developments that have organized resident associations will be invited to have one (1) representative on the Advisory Board.

2) For those public housing developments that do not have associations, representative volunteers from each of the 5-family management areas, Southeast/Southwest Canton, Northeast Canton, Scattered Sites, Massillon and Alliance, will be invited to serve on the Advisory Board. Three (3) additional volunteers will be selected to serve as representatives of the Section 8 residents

3) Advisory Board Members will serve for a two-year term, with an option to serve one additional two-year term.

4) Members will serve the full term unless they elect to resign or are removed from the board due to failure to meet their responsibilities such as lack of attendance, failure to conduct themselves in the spirit of cooperation, inappropriate conduct during meetings, etc.

Section 2. Sponsors Board: One housing authority resident will be appointed by local authorities to serve as a voting member on the Start Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. That board member should make periodic reports to the Resident Association to inform of pertinent board decisions and activities.

Section 3. Conflict of Interest: Members of this board shall not knowingly engage in any activities or transactions in material conflict with their duties and obligations to the Association while serving in such capacity. Any possible conflict of interest on the part of any board member should be disclosed to the other board members and made a matter of record.

ARTICLE VI

Officers

Section 1. Definition of Officers: A group of persons vested with the management of the business and affairs of this association. For the first 90-days, there shall be no elected officers for the association. During that time the Administrative Staff of the Housing Authority Community Service Department will schedule meetings, set agendas and keep minutes.

Section 2. Number: The Association shall have the following executive officers. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These offices shall serve as the Executive Committee of the Association. The President may appoint such subordinate officers as it may deem necessary, who shall have such duties and authority as may be prescribed by the President and serve at the pleasure of the President.

Section 3. Initial Officers: The initial officers shall be elected 90-days after the first meeting of the Association. A meeting for the election of subsequent officers shall thereafter be held at the annual meeting.

Section 4. Term of Office: All officers of the Association shall be elected by the Association and shall hold office for a period of two (2) years with two (2) years renewable or until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until resignation or death.

Section 5. Vacancies: A vacancy in any office by reason of death, resignation, or any other cause, may be filled for the unexpired term.

Section 6. Nominations: Nominations will be made by a nomination committee, in

addition to nominations made from the floor at the general membership meeting. In all cases, consent of the nominees must be secured prior to their names being placed on the ballot.

Section 7. Duties of Officers:

A. President: Upon taking office it shall be the duties of the President to preside at meetings of the association. He/she shall assign the Vice President specific areas of responsibility. The President shall appoint the Chairpersons of all Standing committees. The signature of the President along with that of the Treasurer shall be necessary for withdrawing funds from the Association Account.

B. Vice President: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to coordinate the activities of the committees assigned to him/her by the President and to supervise the Chairpersons of committees when so designated. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President when the President is absent or unavailable.

C. Secretary: It shall be the duty of this office to keep record of the proceeding of all meetings of the Association and distribute minutes among all officers. The Secretary shall also be responsible for meeting notices. More detailed responsibilities shall be determined according to Resident Association policy.

D. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to collect and receive all monies due the association and will act as custodian of all funds. More detailed responsibilities shall be determined according to Resident Association policy.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Section 1. Monthly: The Resident Association will meet as determined according to Resident Association policy. The Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Community Service Staff will initially determine meeting dates and agendas. After the Resident Association Officers are elected said officers will schedule future meeting. Agendas will include training for residents that will empower them to develop as an organization and board.

Section 2. Annually: The entire membership will meet annually, as determined by the Resident Association to elect officers, approve the goals and set the agenda of the Association for the next fiscal year. All members will receive a ballot, at the meeting, to vote on issues concerning the Association. Nominations from the floor will also be available for the election of Officers.

Section 3. Special Meetings: The officers of the Resident Association may call a special meeting at their discretion.

Section 4. Parliamentary Authority: Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization. Robert�s Rules shall be used in all meetings and all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws or special rules of this body. Members are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

Section 5. Order of Business: Unless changed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, the order of business at the Resident Association meetings shall be as follows:

1) Reading and approval of minutes of the previous meeting of the

Association Board of Membership.

2) Report of Officers.

3) Report of Executive Committee and the Director/President.

4) Report of other Committees.

5) Unfinished Business.

6) New Business

7) Election of Officers (Annual or Prescribed Meeting Only).

8) Adjournment.

ARTICLE VIII

Voting Rights

Section 1. Board Meeting: At the Resident Association Meeting, each member present will have one vote. A quorum shall consist of all members present. Association Members should also convey the wishes of the total resident population.

Section 2. Annual Meeting: At the Annual Meeting of the Association, there will be only one vote per member. Proxy voting may be established according to the Association�s voting policies.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

Section 1. Amendment of By-Laws: These by-laws may be amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted at any annual or special meeting of the members upon due notices as required herein by the vote of a majority of its members present, and/or proxy ballots where applicable by policy.

No amendment shall be made which is inconsistent with these Articles. The notice of any meeting at which any amendment or repeal of regulations or the adoption of new regulations will be acted upon shall include information concerning the proposed amendment, repeal, or new regulations.

Section 2. Review of By-laws: The Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Resident Association shall review its by-laws every year in October prior to the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE X

Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees: There shall be such Board Committees as the Officers of the Resident Association may from time to time determine to be desirable. Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Officers, by which the President shall appoint the Chairperson. The Chair of the committee shall be required to attend Resident Association meetings to give a report of the committee�s activities.

Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees: When there will be any reason for a committee to serve a special purpose and exist for a limited period of time, this committee shall be called Ad Hoc. Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the Officers, by which the President shall appoint the Chairperson. The Chair of the committee shall be required to attend Resident Association meetings to give a report of the committee�s activities.

Section 3. Executive Committee: The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will serve as the Executive Committee.

These by-laws are adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of Members of the Resident Association on the ___________day of _________________, 2003 at Canton, Ohio.

_____________________________ _____________________________