Article I - Name

The name by which the corporation shall be known is Glen Echo Improvement Association, Incorporated. Hereafter referred to as the Association.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose for which the corporation is formed are as follows:

To promote good fellowship and cooperation among its members; to promote the civic welfare of Glen Echo Lake Community; to establish and maintain improvements in and about the community; to improve the ecology of Glen Echo Lake; to preserve the rights and privileges of residents; and to do things necessary and incidental to these purposes permissible under Chapter 180 of the General Laws.

Article III - Membership

Membership of the Association shall be made up of the following classes:

Class I –. Owners of a specific Real Property that abut Glen Echo Lake or specific Real Properties that have deeded access rights to Glen Echo Lake. Hereafter referred to as Class I.

Class II – Those persons who, although not Real Property Owners in the Glen Echo Community, are dedicated to the intents and purposes of this Association as described under Article II. Hereafter referred to as Class II.

Article IV - Voting Rights

Voting rights shall be exercised only by those individuals described in Article III as "owners" (Class I). Such members "as owners" shall be entitled to and limited to no more than two (2) votes as owners but in no event may an individual owner be entitled to cast more than one (1) vote per membership. A member must be present to vote.

Article V - Assessment and Dues

1. Property owners (Class I members) shall be assessed thirty dollars ($30.00) annually for the calendar year or any part thereof and shall be paid on or before April 1st of each and every year. Former members of the Association may be reinstated by the payment of regular class dues.
2. Members other than property owners (Class II members) shall be required to pay ten dollars ($10.00) annually for the calendar year or any part thereof and shall be paid on or before April 1st of each and every year.
3. Any member whose dues have not been paid by June 1st of that year shall be automatically dropped from the membership.
4. In lieu of the annual membership fee, a one time, lifetime fee of $450.00 may be paid.
5. The advisory Committee shall consider and pass upon all questions pertaining to membership and their determination shall be final.
6. Only Class I members may purchase a key to the gate on the Boat Ramp on Association Property.
7. The Association shall solicit donations to the “Weed Fund” for the sole purpose of weed treatments for Glen Echo Lake.

Article VI - Officers

The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be elected by a majority vote at the annual meeting to hold office for a term of three (3) years, or until their successors are elected and assume office. They shall have the following powers and duties:

President and Vice-President

The President and in his/her absence, the Vice-president, shall preside at all meetings of the Corporations and at all meetings of the Advisory Committee. They shall have such other powers that may be conferred by the Advisory Committee. Vacancies in office shall be filled by the Advisory Committee.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Corporation and of the Advisory Committee and perform such duties usual to such office and such other power as may be conferred by the Advisory Committee. The Secretary shall post each bulletin board with announcement of meetings and all activities. The Secretary shall send to each member a notice of each Corporation meeting at least one week in advance of said meeting.

Treasurer

The treasurer shall keep safely all the funds of the Corporation and pay them out as provided by Bylaw. At each meeting, the Treasurer shall provide a monthly update of the finances and such other statements as required by the Advisory Committee to the membership. At the 1st yearly meeting, the Treasurer shall render a full and complete statement of the finances of the Corporation for the preceding year.

After the last meeting of the year there shall be an annual audit of the Treasure’s records. Said audit shall be concluded on or before July 15 with results reported at the Annual Meeting in August of each and every year. The Advisory Committee shall designate an individual who shall conduct said audit.

The Treasurer is responsible for the collection of dues.

The Treasurer must be Bonded. The Association shall pay any fees for this certification.

Removal of Officers

The Officers of the Corporation may be removed from office with or without cause by a majority of the members entitled to vote on the election of such officer.

Article VII - Advisory Committee

1. The Advisory Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Association and three (3) additional members of the Association who shall be elected by a majority vote at the annual meeting to hold office for a term of three (3) years, or until their successors are elected and assume office. The Advisory Committee shall generally supervise the activities of the Association, make such recommendations as may seem necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of its affairs and the protection of members, and may act in all matters in such manner as in their judgment appears to be for the best interest of the Association, subject only to voted instructions at a regular meeting.
2. The Advisory Committee may provide for and rule on all matters not otherwise provided for in these Bylaws.
3. In the event that an Advisory Committee member resigns before the Annual meeting, the remaining Advisory Committee members may fill the vacancy. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee shall be the President. The Secretary of the Association shall be the Secretary of the Advisory Committee.
4. An Advisory Committee member may be removed from the Committee with or without cause by a majority of the other Advisory Committee members.

Article VIII - By-Laws Committee

The President may appoint a Bylaws Committee to report in writing, recommendations to alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

Article IX - Nominating Committee

The President may appoint a Committee on nominations to report in writing their recommendation for candidates for officers.

Article X - Meetings

1. The annual meeting shall be held in August of every year commencing with the year 1972. Officer elections shall take place at the Annual meeting, every three (3) years.
2. Regular meetings of the Association shall be held on recommendation of the Advisory Board and on call by the President to be held May, June, July, August and September.
3. Advisory Committee meetings shall be held as necessary.
4. The annual meeting, regular meetings, special meetings, and meetings of the Advisory Committee may be called and held at such other times and at places as may be determined by the Advisory Committee, or upon petition by twenty-five (25) members.
5. Notices of upcoming meetings shall be emailed unless requested to mail, posted on the Glen Echo web site and poster boards around the lake at least three (3) days in advance of such meeting.
6. The President or the majority of the Advisory Committee without any minimum notice may call emergency meetings. The subject matter must be, if not acted upon, which will cause irreparable harm.
7. Meeting minutes shall be posted on the GEIA website within one week of the meeting after they’ve been approved.

Article XI - Quorum

A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual, regular, or special meeting of the Association shall consist of ten (10) members, and at any such meeting of the Advisory Committee shall consist of four (4) members of the Committee.

Article XII - Amendments

Changes to these Bylaws may be submitted by an appointed Bylaw committee. Said alterations, amendments or repeal shall be submitted at said annual or regular meeting. The Secretary, upon submission of such application for alteration, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws, shall forthwith mail (or email) to each current member of the Association a copy of the proposed alteration or amendment or repeal, an absentee ballot form and such other information as will inform said members that there will be a vote by members to alter, amend, or repeal the Bylaws.

Article XIII - Meeting Conduct

Meetings of the Association shall be conducted according to "Roberts Rules of Order", a copy of which shall be in the possession of the Secretary at all meetings.

Article XIV - Committees

The president may appoint or disband special committees on an as-needed basis for the purpose of fulfilling or expediting any of the goals and purposes stated or consistent with Article II.

Each committee will have a chairperson who will update the membership of progress, findings, and recommendations via regularly scheduled meetings or special meetings consisting of the officers and the advisory committee.

No committee has the authority to contact the press or publish any reports without the permission of the membership at large if possible, or of the advisory committee.

Only Class I members may be appointed to represent GEIA at town/state meetings, committees, task force etc.

Article XV - Bills and Expenses

All expenditures shall be associated with a written receipt. Expenses must be approved in writing by the President, or approved by membership majority at a meeting. The Advisory Committee may authorize Association Bills to be paid that are due in between Association meetings. A majority vote of 2/3 is required. Once approved, the Treasurer shall pay the Bill.

Any expenditure over $5000 must be communicated to the current total membership by email unless request by mail, at least one week in advance of meeting and approved by 2/3 majority vote in attendance at said meeting.

All notes, deeds and other documents are to be signed jointly by the President and Treasurer.

Last by-law revision date: January 31, 2015