FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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NEW BYLAWS ARE COMING TO THE FRIENDS By Peter Ingram As part of the exempt status application process described in this issue, the Executive Board determined that the interim bylaws under which the friends have operated since October 1993 required updating and modification. Since the Friends have not yet been recognized as exempt, the organizations’ own requirements could take precedent and thus the interim bylaws were formulated to suit our unique nature and style. However, we have been lead to understand that in the eyes of the state and federal tax authorities the bylaws of a California public benefit corporation must span a broader legal spectrum. So, in June the Board set about developing a new set of bylaws that would include the requisite legal provisions and also reflect - and protect - the characteristics of the organization that have worked so well for us to date. The current process for election of officers includes the annual election of the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer by the membership. Under the proposed new bylaws, the membership would elect six directors for two year terms, with three elected alternately every other year. Following the election, the Board of Directors would select the four officers from within the six directors and the officers would serve one year terms. Additionally, the Board would appoint one "Director Emeritus" who has served previously as a director/officer, who would have full Board of Directors voting rights. And finally, the Board would appoint an "Executive Committee" comprised of directors and committee chairs that would be empowered to carry out the operational activities of the Friends, much the same as our current board. On July 17, 1997 at a special membership meeting, the new Bylaws were approved for submittal to the state and federal agencies responsible for reviewing incorporation applications. Stay tuned for the next steps of implementing the new bylaws. |
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