Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME AND OFFICE
| A. |
Name: The name of the organization
shall be “Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood
Council”. It shall hereinafter be referred
to as “WCKNC.” |
| B. |
Principal Office: The principal office
for WCKNC’s business transaction (“principal
executive office”) is within the City of Los
Angeles. The Board of Directors shall designate
the exact location of the principal executive office
and shall maintain the office within the boundaries
of the WCKNC. |
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
| A. |
WCKNC Community Stakeholders: “WCKNC
Community Stakeholders” (hereinafter referred
to as “Stakeholder(s)”) are defined
as individuals who live, work, own property or
conduct business within the WCKNC boundaries.
In addition, Community Stakeholders may be a designated
representative from the following entities: education
institutions, religious institutions, community
organizations, business ownership, nonprofit organizations,
block clubs, neighborhood associations, business
associations, apartment associations, resident
associations, school/parent groups, faith-based
groups, senior groups, youth groups, chambers
of commerce, business improvement districts, arts
associations, political action groups, service
organizations, park advisory boards, boys and
girls clubs, cultural groups, environmental groups,
neighborhood watch groups, police advisory board
groups, fraternal societies, military/veterans
organizations, and/or redevelopment action boards.
The WCKNC shall maintain a policy that prohibits
discrimination against any individual or group
in our operations on the basis of race, religion,
color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex,
sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status,
income, or political affiliation. The WCKNC will
have fair, open, and transparent procedures for
the conduct of our neighborhood council business. |
| B. |
Voting Members: In order to effectively
conduct business of the organization, the WCKNC
shall encourage WCKNC Stakeholders to sign-up
to vote, hereinafter referred to as “Voting
Members.” Any WCKNC Community Stakeholder
within the boundaries and 16+ years old at the
time of election may complete a simple registration
form to become a “Voting Member.”
However, Stakeholders must be 18+ in order to
participate and engage in contractual matters.
The Rules and Elections Committee shall develop
simple sign-up procedures that will be published
prior to each meeting. A sign-up list will be
maintained by the Committee in order to eliminate
the need to re-register at each meeting. The Committee
shall request that Stakeholders indicate to which
stakeholder categories they belong. WCKNC Community
Stakeholders need only register as Voting Members
once in order to be considered “Active Members”
for voting purposes. |
| C. |
Dues, Fees, and Assessments: No dues shall be
required for WCKNC membership. Neighborhood Council
membership is open to all Community Stakeholders. |
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE & DEFINITIONS
| A. |
Mission: The mission
of the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood
Council is to ensure effective Stakeholder participation
and interaction in all aspects of the decision-making
and problem solving processes in issues that affect
our community.
The intent of the WCKNC is to represent the diversity
of our area and that our positions represent the
diversity of our Stakeholders. While acknowledging
the will of a majority, the Board of Directors
shall try on all community issues to reach a consensus
of all major Stakeholder groups (e.g. residents,
businesses, property owners, etc.) |
| B. |
Purpose: The purpose of the Wilshire
Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council shall be:
1. To foster and encourage the principles of Participatory
Democracy in the formation of policies and recommendations
made to all levels of government regarding issues
as they relate to our community. This means one
person, one vote.
2. To be a forum for the discussion and review
of issues of concern and projects pertaining to
Wilshire Center-Koreatown. To work with other
Los Angeles neighborhood councils throughout the
City.
3. To engage the broad spectrum of Community Stakeholders
for collaboration and deliberation on matters
affecting our community. The WCKNC will consistently
and diligently outreach to the diverse community.
This means a commitment to provide access to all
Stakeholders regardless of language and economic
status.
4. To promote greater awareness and utilization
of City services available to WCKNC Community
Stakeholders through the Early Notification System
made available by the Department of Neighborhood
Empowerment (hereinafter referred to as D.O.N.E.).
5. To provide a communication and coordinating
role for the various volunteer organizations,
businesses and other associations within Wilshire
Center-Koreatown while respecting the autonomy
of all individuals, groups, and organizations
within the community.
6. To provide administrative support to members
of the Wilshire Center-Koreatown community seeking
to increase their participation in the neighborhood
council system. Assistance may include administrative
assistance, capacity training, and access to City
resources. |
| C. |
Definitions: The following is a list of defined
terms:
1. Business: Anyone who owns or works for a commercial
or for-profit enterprise (e.g. small business, large
business, entrepreneur, commercial property owner,
etc) within and with a mailing address within the
boundaries of WCKNC.
2. Organization: A nonprofit faith-based organization,
school, social service agency, arts/cultural group,
youth program, senior program, health care provider,
environmental group, community group, political
group, neighborhood association, or business association
operating within and with a mailing address within
the boundaries of WCKNC.
3. Resident: Anyone who lives within the boundaries
of WCKNC.
4. At-Large: A stakeholder who lives, works, or
owns property within the boundaries of WCKNC.
5. Youth: A stakeholder who is 16 or 17 at election
time and lives or works within the boundaries of
WCKNC |
ARTICLE IV: BOUNDARIES
The boundaries of the WCKNC shall be as follows:
| North: |
i) Melrose Avenue and Highway 101
(between Wilton and Vermont)
ii) 6th Street (between Vermont and Hoover/LaFayette
Park) |
| South: |
i) Olympic Blvd (between
Wilton Place and Western Avenue)
ii) 11th Street (between Western Avenue and Normandie)
iii) Olympic Blvd (between Normandie and Vermont)
iv) 7th Street (between Vermont Avenue and Hoover
Street/LaFayette Park Place) |
| West: |
i) Wilton (between Melrose Avenue and
Olympic Blvd)
ii) Western Avenue (between Olympic and 11th Street) |
| East: |
i) Vermont Avenue (between Highway
101 and 6th Street)
ii) LaFayette Park Place (between 6th Street and
Sunset Place)
iii) Vermont Avenue (between 7th Street and Olympic
Blvd)
iv) Elden (between 7th Street and Sunset Place)
v) Normandie Avenue (between Olympic Blvd and 11th
Street) |
In order to ensure fair and equal representation of
all areas within the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood
Council, the WCKNC area shall be divided into five (5)
Sub-Districts (hereinafter referred to as “SDs”)
representing residents from all portions of our community.
SDs will ensure the most participation by the greatest
number of Community Stakeholders. A map identifying
the boundaries and each of these areas is included as
Exhibit (#).
For the purposes of these Bylaws, the boundaries of
each SD are generally defined to be:
Sub-District 1 (2 Board Seats): Western, Melrose, 101,
Vermont, and Beverly
Sub-District 2 (2 Board Seats): Western, Beverly, Vermont,
and 3rd
Sub-District 3 (3 Board Seats): Western, 3rd, Vermont,
6th, LaFayette Park, and Wilshire
Sub-District 4 (3 Board Seats): Western, Wilshire, LaFayette
Park, Hoover, Sunset Place, Wilshire Place, 7th, Vermont,
Olympic Normandie, and 11th
Sub-District 5 (2 Board Seats): Wilton, Melrose, Western,
and Olympic
ARTICLE V: OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION
| A. |
The WCKNC will make a continuing and
concerted effort to increase the voting membership
and achieve a diverse Community Stakeholder representation
and participation in the membership and on committees.
This commitment is consistent with DONE’s
guidelines for neighborhood councils. |
| B. |
The WCKNC will communicate with all
Neighborhood Council Community Stakeholders on a
regular basis in a manner consistent with DONE’s
guidelines, that is, ensure that information is
disseminated evenly and in a timely manner. |
| C. |
The WCKNC will endeavor to coordinate at least
once annual mailing through first class mail to
the Community Stakeholders within the WCKNC boundaries
in order to ensure that the greatest opportunity
to participate is extended to the largest number
of people. |
| D. |
The Outreach Committee will have general responsibility
for outreach communications. Procedures for outreach
and communication will be but not limited to the
following:
1. Will oversee periodic outreach efforts to solicit
new membership using such methods as flyers, email
to existing organizations and WCKNC listserve/database,
door-to-door canvassing, advertisement in local
periodicals, posting in public places, information
booths at farmers’ markets or other community
events, and/or other methods identified by the Committee
or membership and deemed to be timely and effective.
2. Will solicit volunteers to undertake targeted
organizing efforts to encourage membership among
underrepresented stakeholder groups and/or in historically
disenfranchised portions of the community.
3. Will be responsible for maintaining a list of
all voting members and their contact information,
including mail, email, telephone numbers, and/or
fax numbers as provided by each member. All email
communications shall be performed in compliance
with Article VII, Section 5 of the DONE plan.
4. Will advertise all meetings at least seven days
in advance using such methods as flyers, email to
WCKNC listserve/database, voting members and organizations,
door-to-door canvassing, advertisement in local
periodicals, posting in public places, information
booths at farmers’ markets or other community
events, and/or other methods identified by the Committee
or membership and deemed to be timely and effective. |
| E. |
The WCKNC will comply with the Ralph M. Brown
Act in conducting and in announcing of all meetings. |
ARTICLE VI: RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
Community Stakeholders have the following rights:
| A. |
To initiate discussion, an action,
policy, or position during the Public Comment Period
or as stipulated in Article XI; |
| B. |
To make a motion to hold an advisory
vote of the members at any general meeting during
the Public Comment Period; |
| C. |
To make use of initiative, referendum, recall,
and grievance procedures outlined in Article XI; |
| D. |
To participate in and provide feedback at all
meetings of the WCKNC, Executive Committee or Board
of Directors; and |
| E. |
To participate on standing committees and assist
with various activities of the WCKNC, as specified
in Article IX. |
Voting Members have the following rights:
| A. |
A-E as listed above; and |
| B. |
To vote to elect the Board of Directors,
as specified in Article VIII. |
ARTICLE VII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| A. |
The Board of Directors shall act based
upon active participation and input by the Stakeholder
Community. Once they have registered, all Community
Stakeholders will be given the opportunity to vote
once on any issue that concerns the community. The
vote shall inform the Board of Directors on how
to establish policies, positions, and recommendations
to government and other entities on issues affecting
the Wilshire Center-Koreatown community. |
| B. |
The WCKNC Board of Directors is
comprised of 35 Directors, elected by the Voting
Members from the Stakeholder Community, as follows:
- 12 seats: for community residents (2 to 3
from each Sub-District)
- 9 seats: for businesses/commercial entities/business
associations
- 9 seats: for organizations (qualified nonprofit
organizations)
- 2 seats: for youth representation
- 3 seats: for at-large representation
|
| C. |
Executive Officers: All Executive Officers
(President, First and Second Vice-Presidents,
Treasurer, and Secretary) from the Board of Directors
will be elected by the Board of Directors at the
first Council meeting.
- President: The President shall mean the Chair
or presiding officer of all General, Board,
and Executive Committee meetings. S/he shall
communicate with other neighborhood councils
in Los Angeles and execute all WCKNC approved
disbursements.
- Two (2) Vice-Presidents: Each Vice-President
shall mean the Vice-Chair or second in charge
behind the Chair of all General, Board, and
Executive Committee meetings. The First Vice-President
shall be the Chair of the Government Relations
Committee and the Second Vice-President shall
be Chair of the Outreach/Communications Committee;
and both shall assume duties of the President
when the President is unavailable to perform
his or her duties, in the following order: First
VP then Second VP.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer shall mean a member
of the Board of Directors who will chair the
Budget, Finance, and Fundraising Committee.
S/he will be charged with the responsibility
of establishing an accounting system for the
Council, maintaining the records of the Council’s
finances and account books, maintain financial
accountability, reporting financial information
at Board meetings, and preparing all financial
reports for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
pursuant to the Plan for a Citywide System of
Neighborhood Councils. Further, s/he will co-sign,
along with the President, all checks for disbursement
of funds greater than $100.
- Secretary: The Secretary shall mean a member
of the Board of Directors who records minutes
of all General, Board, and Executive Committee
meetings. S/he will post the minutes to the
Council’s website and other public locations
no later than seven (7) days after the meetings
have taken place. S/he will make the minutes
available prior to the next meeting as well
as maintain public record of the WCKNC meetings.
S/he will oversee Early Notification System.
|
| D. |
Board Members’ Responsibilities: In addition
to the specific responsibilities defined above for
Executive Officers, all Executive Officers will
serve on at least one Standing Committee and will
chair other Committees as required. All other Directors
shall participate in at least one committee. |
| E. |
Interim Board Members’ Responsibilities:
Their responsibilities shall be limited to outreach
and holding elections. |
| F. |
Term: After the initial election of Board of Directors,
the term shall begin on April 1st and end on March
31st. Each term shall be for two years. Article
VIII offers details on initial terms, staggering,
and term limits. |
| G. |
Vacant Board Seats: If all Board seats are not
filled after the general election, or are vacated
due to voter recall, resignation, or removal for
cause, the Rules and Elections Committee shall arrange
for a special election as soon as possible but not
to exceed 60 days after the vacancy occurs. |
| H. |
Quorum: A quorum must be present to
conduct WCKNC Board of Directors and General meetings
as well as to rule on business, unless otherwise
stated in these Bylaws. A quorum is considered to
be at least 15 Board of Directors; and a minimum
of one (1) Executive Officers shall be required
at Executive and General meetings for a quorum to
be present. Once a quorum is established, a majority
vote (51%) of Directors present shall be sufficient
for Board of Directors to rule on business issues. |
| I. |
Resignation and Removal: Conditions for resignation
and removal are stipulated as follows:
1. Any Director may resign by submitting a written
resignation to the President or the Secretary.
2. The Voting Membership may remove any Director
when, in its judgment, the best interests of the
WCKNC would be served. Recall provisions are stipulated
in Article XI. Such action shall be effective immediately.
In such case, the President shall send a certified
letter to the person, stating that s/he is no longer
a WCKNC Director.
3. If a Director fails to consistently attend meetings
at which s/he is expected to be present, the Director
shall automatically be removed and the seat will
be declared vacant upon a formal motion and vote
by the Board. Executive Officers are expected to
attend all Executive Committee meetings, Board of
Directors meetings, and General meetings. Board
Members are expected to attend all Board of Directors
meetings and General meetings. Unexcused absence
from three (3) consecutive meetings or six (6) or
more meetings during the previous twelve months
shall be deemed a failure to consistently attend.
4. Any Director removed from the Board is ineligible
to serve on the Board for twelve (12) to twenty-four
(24) months from the date of removal, depending
on the date of removal |
| J. |
Conflict of Interest: The Conflict of Interest
provisions issued by the City of Los Angeles and
DONE will be used to determine a conflict of interest.
However, a conflict shall be deemed to exist where
a Director or a member of their immediate family
or household, would derive a direct or indirect
financial benefit from an action of the WCKNC on
which the Director would be voting. If a Conflict
of Interest exists, the affected Director shall
declare in writing or verbally state as part of
the record the source of such a Conflict of Interest
and shall abstain from voting on any related issues.
Failure to do so shall be grounds for removal from
the Board. |
| K. |
Code of Ethics: The Wilshire Center-Koreatown
Neighborhood Council, upon certification, shall
be subject to any or all applicable sections of
the City of Los Angeles Governmental Ethics Ordinance
(Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 49.5.1). All
applicable laws of local, state, and federal government
shall be the minimum ethical standard for the Wilshire
Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council, its Governing
Body, and Community Stakeholders. The Code of Ethics
provisions of the City of Los Angeles and DONE will
apply to those serving on the WCKNC Board of Directors.
Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics shall
be grounds for removal from the Board. |
ARTICLE VIII: ELECTIONS
| A. |
Timing: Elections for the WCKNC Board
of Directors shall be held annually on the second
Thursday in March. The first election shall elect
all 35 Directors within 60 days of certification.
Elections thereafter shall be staggered, electing
17 Directors in even numbered years and 18 Directors
in odd numbered years. |
| B. |
Staggering:
In the initial election for Directors representing
community residents, the following shall apply:
From each SD with 3 seats, the two candidates
with the largest number of votes shall serve two
years and the candidate with the third largest
number of votes shall serve one year. From each
SD with two seats, one candidate with the largest
number of votes shall serve two years and the
candidate with the second largest number of votes
shall serve one year.
In the initial election for Directors representing
businesses/commercial entities/business associations,
the following shall apply:
Five candidates with the largest number of votes
shall serve two years, and the four candidates
with the 6th through 9th largest number of votes
shall serve one year.
In the initial election for Directors representing
nonprofit organizations, the following shall apply:
Five candidates with the largest number of votes
shall serve two years, and the four candidates
with the 6th through 9th largest number of votes
shall serve one year.
In the initial election for Directors representing
youth, the following shall apply:
The candidate with the largest number of votes
shall serve two years and the candidate with the
second largest number of votes shall serve one
year.
In the initial election for Directors representing
at-large members, the following shall apply:
Three candidates with the largest number of votes
shall serve one year.
Those Directors elected to one-year terms in
the initial election shall be eligible for a two-year
term upon completing the first term. |
| C. |
Term Limits: No person may serve more than three
consecutive two-year terms in any office or as a
Director of the WCKNC Board of Directors. The first
one-year term that initiates the staggered terms
of service will not be counted as part of the three
consecutive terms totaling six years. |
| D. |
Qualifications: Any Community Stakeholder can
qualify to run for a position on the WCKNC Board
of Directors. See Article II for a complete definition
of requirements for Community Stakeholder qualification. |
| E. |
Registration: Registered Voting Members who qualify
as current Community Stakeholders at the time of
elections are entitled to vote for Directors in
the annual elections. For election purposes, registration
will remain open until one hour before the General
Election Meeting. |
| F. |
Voting: Voting for election of the Board of
Directors shall be by ballot. Each Voting Member
shall be entitled to cast one vote per available
Board position.
If more than two candidates are running for a
position on the Board, a plurality shall be sufficient
to elect. A candidate cannot run for more than
one position on the Board.
No voting by proxy is allowed, either in elections
or for the Board of Directors to rule on business. |
| G. |
Election Procedures: The Rules and Elections Committee
is granted discretion to interpret these rules and
to create additional rules and procedures as necessary
to hold annual WCKNC Board elections. The Rules
and Elections Committee shall be guided by the principles
of fairness and democracy in interpreting and creating
such rules. |
| H. |
Nominations: The Board shall appoint an Elections/Nominating
Committee to qualify candidates for election to
serve as members of the Board at least ninety
days before the date of any election of Directors.
This Committee shall make its report at least
thirty (30) days before the date of election,
and the Secretary shall forward to each Community
Stakeholder a list of all candidates.
The Committee shall also hold a meeting or conduct
a mailing procedure to accept nominations from
the Membership at-large. Candidates for Director
positions must qualify as described in Article
VII.
At the initial elections, the WCKNC Formation
Committee will serve as the Elections/Nominating
Committee and will accept nominations from the
Community Stakeholders at-large. |
ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES
The following Committees shall be established:
| A. |
Executive Committee: Consists of the
Executive Officers and two at-large representatives
from the Board Council and chaired by the President
of the Board. Sets agenda for Board, Executive Committee,
and WCKNC meetings. Establishes ad hoc and other
Committees. Acts as the administrative body for
the WCKNC. Recommends actions to the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee shall have the authority
of the Board of Directors to make decisions on emergency
and routine business items, and shall report all
such actions and decisions to the Board and the
Membership, which may modify or reverse such actions
or decisions upon a majority vote. |
| B. |
Rules and Elections Committee: Chaired
by the Secretary. Organizes and executes general
and special WCKNC elections. Oversees enforcement
of and amendment to WCKNC Bylaws; amendments must
follow the procedures as stipulated in Article XIII.
Proposes and enforces standing rules as necessary
with the approval of the Board. Establishes a Nominations
Sub-Committee as necessary. Informs the voting members
of all election rules and procedures, and reports
at WCKNC General meetings on any changes to these
that it has adopted. |
| C. |
Budget, Finance, and Fundraising Committee: Chaired
by the Treasurer. Oversees and administrates all
WCKNC financial matters, including system of financial
accountability as required by DONE and monthly reporting
on bank accounts. Maintains all records on all deposits. |
| D. |
Outreach/Communications and Government Relations
Committee: Fulfills City oversight function and
liaises with City and other government entities.
Oversees, administrates, and executes Early Notification
System and communications (in English, Spanish,
and Korean) with WCKNC Community Stakeholders. Performs
ongoing outreach to WCKNC Community Stakeholders. |
| E. |
Land Use and Planning Committee: (Specify membership
here.) Reviews, takes public input, reports on,
and makes recommendations of actions to the Board
of Directors and Membership on any land use and
planning issues affecting the WCKNC community. |
| G. |
Ad-Hoc Committees: Other standing or ad-hoc committees
may be established as deemed appropriate by the
Executive Committee and/or Board of Directors, to
carry out the work of the WCKNC (e.g. Event Planning
Committee). A committee may be chaired by and may
include any WCKNC Community Stakeholder. WCKNC Community
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate on committees
in which they are interested by contacting the committee
chair and inquiring about opportunities to participate.
Other than the Executive Committee and Land Use
and Planning Committee that have membership specifications,
the size and composition of each committee beyond
what is specified in these bylaws are left to the
discretion of each committee and its chair. |
ARTICLE X: MEETINGS
| A. |
Notice: Meetings shall be open to
the public as required with proper notice as mandated
by DONE and the Ralph M. Brown Act. Ongoing outreach
shall be performed by the Outreach Committee to
inform Community Stakeholders of meetings as described
in Article V. |
| B. |
Brown Act: All meetings of the WCKNC,
including Executive Committee and Membership meetings,
are subject to Ralph M. Brown Act requirements as
mandated by DONE, City of Los Angeles and the State
of California as amended from time to time. |
| C. |
Meeting Frequency: Meetings of the WCKNC shall
be held as follows:
- The Executive Committee shall meet prior
to the Board of Directors meeting
- The Board of Directors shall meet at least
monthly
- WCKNC General meetings shall be held at least
quarterly
- Emergency meetings of the Membership and
Community Stakeholders may be called on an as
needed basis
- All meetings are open to Community Stakeholders
who are also strongly encouraged to participate
in the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors
|
| D. |
Elections: WCKNC general election results shall
be ratified at the second to last Board of Directors
meeting of the year. |
| E. |
Agenda: The Executive Committee shall establish
the Agenda for Board of Directors and WCKNC general
meetings. Any Stakeholder or Voting Member can suggest
that a matter be placed on the Agenda for any meeting
by making such suggestion at the regularly scheduled
meeting of the Executive Committee or by submitting
such request in writing to a Director of the Board
at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. The
Executive Committee shall report on all such written
communications at its regular meetings. Voting Members
or Stakeholders may also introduce issues for discussion
or action during the Public Comment Period of each
meeting. A member of the Board may introduce a motion
for action as a result of the Public Comment Period. |
| F. |
Planning: The Executive Committee shall schedule,
organize, and carry out the Executive Committee
meetings and the Board of Directors meetings, and
shall report to the Membership if any actions were
taken. The Outreach Committee shall schedule, organize,
and carry out General meetings and shall be responsible
for advertising the meetings. |
| G. |
Code of Conduct: Due honor and respect shall be
afforded to all. |
| H. |
Minutes: Minutes of each meeting shall be made
available to all Community Stakeholders and Voting
Members prior to the next meeting at the WCKNC office
and other public locations as may be determined
by the Outreach Committee and in accordance with
DONE guidelines. |
| I. |
Reconsideration: The Board may reconsider and
amend its actions on items listed on the agenda
if that reconsideration takes place immediately
following the original action or at the next regular
meeting. The Board, on either of these two days,
shall: (1) make a Motion for Reconsideration and,
if approved, (2) hear the matter and Take an Action.
If the motion to reconsider an action is to be scheduled
at the next meeting following the original action,
then two items shall be placed on the agenda for
that meeting: (1) a Motion for Reconsideration on
the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should
the motion to reconsider be approved. A motion for
reconsideration can only be made by a Board member
who has previously voted on the prevailing side
of the original action taken. If a motion for reconsideration
is not made on the date the action was taken, then
a Board member on the prevailing side of the action
must submit a memorandum to the Secretary identifying
the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description
of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration
at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall
be in compliance with the Brown Act. |
ARTICLE XI: MEMBERSHIP OVERSIGHT
Participation and ideas from the WCKNC Stakeholders
are enthusiastically encouraged and supported. In order
to maximize this participation and to ensure accountability
of the Board of Directors to the WCKNC Community Stakeholders
and its Voting Membership, the following procedures
are established to be observed:
| A. |
Assistance: WCKNC will provide assistance
to any Stakeholder wishing to take action under
this Article. Assistance will include properly drafting
or presenting issues to the Board or Membership
as well as providing access to all publicly available
information regarding this item. |
| B. |
Agenda: Any Stakeholder or Voting
Member may request an item to be heard or added
to any Meeting Agenda as provided in Article X.
Stakeholders may also request that a member of
the Board introduce the item on their behalf at
least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the public
meeting in accordance with the provisions of the
Brown Act.
In addition, issues that may arise after this
period may be heard during the Public Comment
Period of each meeting. If an action by the Membership
or Board is required, the procedures outlined
in Section C below shall be followed. However,
the Board may waive this requirement if the item
is time-sensitive. |
| C. |
Initiative: An Initiative is a procedure
by which Stakeholders or Voting Members may directly
petition for a proposal and secure its submission
to the WCKNC Community for approval. Any WCKNC
Stakeholder or Voting Member may put forth an
Initiative by presenting a petition to the Executive
Committee or the Board of Directors with no less
than fifty (50) signatures of Stakeholders or
Voting Members supporting this motion. The petition
shall include a maximum of a one-page narrative
outlining the purpose and content of the Initiative.
- Receipt of this completed petition by the
Executive Committee or the Board of Directors
shall trigger this item being scheduled as an
action item on the Agenda at the next WCKNC
meeting to be held no less thirty (30) days
or more than ninety (90) days following the
receipt of the completed petition. Notice of
the Initiative, including the narrative description,
shall be made available in all public meeting
notices and announcements for the upcoming meeting
at which the Voting Membership will vote on
the Initiative.
- Passage of the Initiative requires a majority
vote (at least 51%) of the WCKNC Voting Members
present at the meeting.
- If the Initiative passes, the Stakeholder(s)
or Voting Member(s) who put forth the Initiative
must be willing to chair and/or organize an
ad-hoc committee (when appropriate) to carry
out the action of the Initiative, if so directed
by the Board of Directors.
|
| D. |
Referendum: A referendum is a procedure
by which a Stakeholder or Voting Member may directly
reject or oppose an action taken or decision made
by the WCKNC Board of Directors of the Voting
Membership. Any WCKNC Stakeholder or Voting Member
may put forth a referendum by presenting a petition
to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
with no less than one hundred (100) signatures
of WCKNC Stakeholders or Voting Members supporting
the motion. The petition shall include a maximum
of a one-page narrative outlining the purpose
and content of the referendum.
- Receipt of this completed petition by the
Executive Committee or the Board of Directors
shall trigger this item to be scheduled as an
action item on the Agenda at the next WCKNC
meeting, to be held no less than thirty (30)
days or more than ninety (90) days following
receipt of the completed petition. Notice of
the referendum, including the narrative description,
shall be made available in all public meeting
notices and announcements for the upcoming meeting
at which the Membership will vote on the referendum.
Passage of the referendum requires a two-thirds
(2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors. |
| E. |
Recall: Recall is the procedure
by which Voting Members may directly remove an
elected WCKNC member of the Board. Any WCKNC Voting
Member may put forth a Recall petition by presenting
a petition to the Executive Committee or the Board
of Directors with no less than one hundred (100)
signatures of WCKNC Voting Members supporting
the motion.
- Receipt of this completed petition by the
Executive Committee or the Board of Directors
shall trigger this item being scheduled as an
action item on the Agenda at the next WCKNC
General meeting to be no less than thirty (30)
days or more than ninety (90) days following
receipt of the completed petition. Notice of
the Recall petition, including the name of the
Officer subject to Recall, shall be made available
in all public meeting notices and announcements
for the upcoming meeting at which the Recall
shall be voted on.
- Removal of the member of the Board by Recall
requires a 51% of the WCKNC Voting Members present
at the WCKNC General meeting.
- Replacement candidates for the recalled position
shall only be considered at the next general
election.
|
| F. |
Grievance: Any WCKNC Community Stakeholder
who is adversely affected by a decision of the
WCKNC may submit a written Grievance to any member
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
(or a sub-committee thereof, if so designated
by the Board) shall review the Grievance at either
a regular Board of Directors meeting or a specially
called meeting. The complainant shall be notified
no less than four (4) days prior to this meeting
in order that s/he may attend. The Board shall
resolve the Grievance or take appropriate action
and shall advise the complainant of its determination.
Issues pertaining to the internal administration
and operation of the WCKNC shall be heard by the
Board and, if appropriate, the membership. Any
issues related to the recommendation, procedures,
or actions taken by the Board or Membership may
also be presented to DONE for review. |
ARTICLE XII: GOVERNING AUTHORITY, RECORDS, AND
REPORTS
| A. |
Governing Parliamentary Authority:
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
serve as the Governing Parliamentary Authority of
WCKNC. An unbiased Parliamentarian may be appointed
by the Board to ensure that the Governing Parliamentary
Authority is adhered to both at General meetings
and at Board meetings. In the case of any conflict
between these Bylaws and the Governing Parliamentary
Authority, these Bylaws shall prevail. |
| B. |
Standing Rules: Standing Rules may
be approved by the Board of Directors to supplement
these Bylaws. Such rules shall be in addition to
the Bylaws and shall not be construed to change
or replace any bylaw. Among other aspects, Standing
Rules are meant to guide the conduct of the Board,
election guidelines, and the procedures of all meetings.
If a conflict should arise between a provision of
the Bylaws and a Standing Rule, the Bylaws shall
govern. Standing Rules may be adopted, amended,
or repealed by a simple majority vote of the Board
of Directors. |
| C. |
Records: The accounting books, records, and minutes
of proceedings of the Board of Directors and any
committee of the Board shall be kept at such place
or places designated by the Board, or, in the absence
of such a designation, at the principal executive
office of the WCKNC. The minutes shall be kept in
written or typed form, and the accounting books
and records shall be kept either in written or typed
form or in any other form capable of being converted
into written, typed, or printed form. |
| D. |
Inspection by Stakeholders: Every stakeholder
shall have the absolute right at any reasonable
time to inspect all books, records, and documents
of every kind and the physical properties of the
WCKNC and each of its subsidiary corporations. The
right of inspection includes the right to copy and
make extracts of documents. |
| E. |
Reports: The Board shall provide to DONE and
WCKNC members within 90 days after the close of
its fiscal year, a report containing the following
information in reasonable detail:
- The assets and liabilities, including the
trust funds of the WCKNC fiscal year, as of
the end of the fiscal year
- The principal changes in assets and liabilities,
including trust funds, during the fiscal year
- The revenue and receipts of the WCKNC for
both general and restricted purposes for the
fiscal year
- The expense disbursements of the WCKNC for
both unrestricted and restricted to particular
purposes during the fiscal year
- The amount appropriated, additional receipts,
expenses paid, and ending balances of all accounts
Examples of financial reports and forms are attached
hereto. |
| F. |
Compliance: The Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood
Council agrees to comply with all financial accountability
requirements as specified by City Ordinance 174006
and in the Plan and as stated in the City’s
Certification Application. The Wilshire Center-Koreatown
Neighborhood Council further agrees to comply with
all financial reporting requirements as prescribed
by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. |
ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENT
These Bylaws may be amended as needed or recommended
by the approval of the WCKNC members, subject to the
limitations of the City of Los Angeles Department of
Neighborhood Empowerment.
Wilshire Center - Koreatown Neighborhood
Council
3600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1032, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (213) 487-7399 | Fax: (213) 386-5853
Email: infowc@wilshirecenter.com |
(WCKNC)