Article I: Name

Article 11: Boundaries

Article III: Membership

Article  IV: Objectives and Policies Article

Article V: Board of Directors

Article VI: Officers

Article VII: Executive Committee

Article VIII: Financial Accountability

Article IX: Bylaw Amendments

Article X: Annual Meetings

Article XI: Grievance Procedure

Article XII: Elections

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization shall be The Valley Glen Community Council (VGCC).

ARTICLE II: BOUNDARIES

  1.      The Council's geographic area shall be all of Valley Glen and surrounding areas as described herein. On the west, Hazeltine Avenue from Burbank Boulevard to Vanowen Street. At Vanowen Street the boundary runs east to Woodman Avenue, then north to Sherman Way. At Sherman Way, the boundary runs east to the Tujunga Wash, then south along the Tujunga Wash to Vanowen Street. At Vanowen Street the boundary runs east to Hollywood Freeway. The boundaly then runs south along the Hollywood Freeway to Burbank Blvd. At Burbank Boulevard the boundary runs west to Hazeltine Avenue. The area will be divided into six grids. The boundaries were determined according to major streets and roughly equal land mass. By using major streets as district points, this offers easy reference to stakeholders to determine their district. Their boundaries are as follows:

Area 1 :North of Oxnard Street to Vanowen Street. East of Hazeltine to Woodman Avenue.

Area 2:North of Victory Boulevard to Sherman Way. East of Woodman Avenue to the Tujunga Wash.

Area 3: North of Victory Boulevard to Vanowen Street. East of the Tujunga Wash to the Hollywood Freeway (1 70).

 Area 3: North of Burbank Boulevard to Oxnard Street. At Woodman Avenue. North to Victory Boulevard. East of Hazeltine Avenue toFulton Avenue.

 Area 5:North of Oxnard Street to Victory Boulevard. East of the Fulton Avenue to

Whitsett Avenue. At Whitsett, North of Erwin Street to Voctory Boulevard and East to the Hollywood Freeway (170).

Area 6:North of Burbank Boulevard to Oxnard Street. At Whitsett, North of Burbank Boulevard to Erwin Street. East from Coldwater Canyon to the Hollywood Freeway (170).

 (See map attached as Exhibit A)

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

 The VGCC membership is open to all Community Stakeholders. A Community Stakeholder is anyone who lives, works, or owns property in the VGCC area. In addition, Community Stakeholders include people who participate in educational institutions, religious institutions, and community organizations.

ARTICLE IV: OBJECTIVES and POLICIES

 1.      The Council shall seek to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life of the community, to preserve and enhance its character, and prevent its deterioration.

2.      Methods to achieve objectives:

a.       Identify issues affecting the community; gather information concerning these issues and serves as a forum for the discussion of such issues.

b.        Strive to reach general agreement among the stakeholders concerning the community's issues and priorities.

c.        c. Seek resources that will benefit the community.

d.      d. Foster cooperation between community organizations, area businesses and institutions.

e.         Serve as a link between the community, it's elected representatives and government agencies. Advise and advocate stakeholders' concerns and priorities to elected representatives

f.        .To prohibit 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.

g.        The VGCC will establish procedures for communicating with all the Community Stakeholders on a regular basis in a manner ensuring that the information is disseminated evenly and in a timely manner.

h.        To utilize the Early Notification System to inform our neighborhood council of matters involving the City of Los Angeles and our community in a way that is tailored to provide opportunities for involvement in the decision-making process.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Directors shall be elected from the General Membership on an Election Day to be held initially within a reasonable period of time from certification and within 30 days of each annual meeting thereafter. The Board of Directors shall consist of no more than twenty-nine voting members and such non-voting ex-officio members as the board determines to be necessary. The allotted Board seats will be elected by a caucus or open elections of the stakeholder members in a given category. Any individual representing a group or association must be designated by appointment or election by that organization. The board members shall consist of:

 a. Homeowner Representatives (One member from each of the Areas 1-6)             Elected

Self-nominations

b. Resident Occupant Reps (One member from each grid 1-6)                 Elected

Self-nominations

c. Schools: 2 board members                                                 at-large.. ............... Caucus

........    d. Merchants/Business Reps (Owners or employees) (1 Per grids 1-6).            Elected

Self-nominations

Definition: Merchant/Business Representative:

Owner/employee of retail, wholesale, industrial or service business located within the community grid area on commercially zoned property.

......      e. Religious Institutions 2 board members at-large.. Caucus

Must be 2 different denominations

f. Community Organizations or other non-profit organizations

who operate within the boundaries of the Council

and are not listed above. No organization may have

more than one board member. Each organization

will select their representative.             2 board members             at-large…… Caucus

Definitions: Community Organizations:

Non-profit tax-exempt organizations that within the last twelve months  immediately preceding the election for the Council Board, has carried out activities that involve stakeholders served by the Council. In addition, the organization maintains its principal office or headquarters within the area served by the Council, or a majority of the Organization's activities and meetings occur within the area served by the Council, or a majority of the persons affiliated with the organization are stakeholders of this Council.

g. Youth Representative (16- 19) 1 board member at-large.. .............. Elected

Self-nominations

Definition: Youth rep Person, aged 16- 19, who lives works or owns property within the Council area.

h. Other Stakeholder 2 board members at-large.. Elected

Self-nominations

Definition: Other stakeholders

Any stakeholder who is outside the criteria of stakeholders categories including but not limited to workers of home based businesses, workers in religious or educational institutions, community organizations and homeless.

i.         Commercial Prop Owners 2 board members at-large Elected

Self-nominations

Definition of Commercial Property Representative: Owner/owner's representative of income property within the Community Council area that is used for residential rental (including single family or multi-family housing), retail stores, offices, service businesses, industrial facilities or any other recognized commercial use.

2.The Board shall be governed by the following rules:

j.        The terms of office for Directors shall be for one year. The Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board shall determine the voting process.

k.      The President will appoint a person to any vacancy subject to a majority vote by the board.

l.         If the board is unable to fill a vacancy, the process for filling the vacancy will continue with each regular meeting thereafter until the time such vacancy is filled.

m.     No Director shall serve on the Board of Directors for more than five consecutive full terms without being off the Board for at least two years.

n.       Any Director who misses two (2) regular Board meetings in any six (6) month period shall be notified in writing of their removal from the board, effective immediately.

3.      The Powers of the Board of Directors shall be those usually consistent with the operation of an organization including but not limited to the filling of vacancies among its committees, management of fiscal affairs, the deliberation of issues and establishment of organization position through communication with the membership, the dissemination and implementation of such positions, evaluations of personnel.

4.      Restrictions and Ethics:

             a.       All directors will comply with the City's Ethics provisions and abide by all applicable laws of the local, state and federal government.

b.      No elected government official may serve on the Board.

c.       All Directors must comply with the Bylaws of the Council.

d.      Directors may not vote by proxy.

e.   The Board shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act as required by law.

f. All members of the Board will comply with the financial disclosure required by the City of Los Angeles.

5.      Resignation & Removal:

a.      Any Officer may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the President or Secretary of the Council. The resignation shall be effective as of the date of receipt of such Officer and shall not constitute a resignation as a Director or a member of the Council. Any Officer who becomes ineligible for the following reasons shall resign immediately: Board member resident representative who moves out of the VGCC district or zone they represent, or a board member who is elected to public office.

b. A Board member may be removed or suspended by the submission of a written petition which (1) describes the Board member to be removed, (2) describes in detail the reason for removal and (3) includes the signature of 50 Stakeholders. The Secretary shall then have the matter placed in the agenda for a vote of the Board at the next regular meeting of the Board. A vote of No Confidence by two-thirds of the board shall be necessary to remove the Board member forthwith. The Board member that is the subject of the removal shall not take part in the vote on this matter, but will be allowed to speak at the meeting to the Board prior to the vote. If an adequate number of Board members are not present to take the vote on removal, the matter shall be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting, and every meeting thereafter, until such time as a vote is taken.

 6. Meetings:

a. The Board will meet regularly every other month. The meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month. The meetings of the Interim Board of Directors will initially meet at Valley College, Cafeteria Conference Room, 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen. The first meeting after certification will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 (not on September 2, due to Labor Day) at 7:00 pm.

b. The Board can be called into Special Session with proper notice (a minimum of 24 hours) by the President or Vice President or by a quorum of the Board.

c. Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall decide all question of normal order not otherwise provided for by the Bylaws.

d. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board shall consist of 14 Directors. An Official Action may be taken by majority vote of those Board Members present.

e. All items for the agenda must be submitted to the Secretary (by Stakeholders/ Directors) 96 hours in advance of any meeting concerning the Council. The President will post the agenda 72 hours in advance of all meetings in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.

f. All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act.

7.      Committees:

a.       The President or the Board of Directors may establish or dissolve committees as deemed necessary to facilitate and further the intent of the Valley Glen Community Council. Each committee will include at least one Director.

b.      All committee work must be reported to the Board and no action can be taken without a vote by the board.

c.       The President shall appoint the Chairperson of all committees.

  ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

1.      The Valley Glen Community Council consists of the following four Officers:

a.      The PRESIDENT shall be the Chief Administrator and Executive Officer of the Valley Glen Community Council. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the general membership and all special meetings.

b.      The VICE PRESIDENT shall, in the absence of the President, function as the presiding officer and shall carry out the duties and responsibilities of the President.

c.      The SECRETARY shall be responsible for the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and General Membership and for all notices issued by and for the Council.

d.      The TREASURER shall be responsible for verification and review of all corporate funds and accounts of receipts and disbursements belonging to the Valley Glen Community Council, monthly written reports to the Board of Directors, and a written financial report to be distributed at the Annual Meeting.

2.      Election of Officers:

           a.      The Board of Directors shall elect Officers from among their members at the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting.

b.      The term is for one year.

c.      An officer may hold the same office for a maximum of two consecutive full terms or serve on the Executive Committee for a maximum of five consecutive full terms.

  ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Officers of the Valley Glen Community Council shall make up the Executive Committee, which shall be responsible for the administration of the Valley Glen Community Council.

ARTICLE VLTI: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

1. The Valley Glen Community Council shall keep a book of accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles and in compliance with Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) guidelines.

2. The Valley Glen Community Council shall submit its books to the appropriate City agency for review. The account statements shall be submitted to DONE no less than once and no more than twice during each year, the date of which shall be prescribed by DONE.

3. The Valley Glen Community Council shall discuss its finances at a minimum of one regular business meeting per year.

4. The VGCC will comply with the Public Records Act. Accordingly, stakeholders may obtain a copy of the Valley Glen Community Council's books and records.

ARTICLE IX: BYLAW AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board or by a majority vote of 50 Community Stakeholders present at any meeting, with prior notice, as long as appropriate notice of the agenda has been given. Thereafter, any adjustment or amendment shall be submitted to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment for review and approval by the Department in accordance with Article V Section 3 of the Plan.

Reconsideration. The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board, 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 all be in compliance with the Brown Act.

ARTICLE X: ANNUAL MEETINGS

1. All meetings shall comply with all applicable laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act. Members shall hold an Annual meeting for identification of issues, and a presentation of a financial statement and annual report. The following applies to this meeting:

a. The General Membership shall hold an Annual Meeting the first Monday of October, at a location in Valley Glen.

b. Notice of the time, date and place of the Annual Meeting shall be posted at the locations listed in our public notice location log as submitted with the certification application. A copy of notice for all meetings shall be provided to DONE.

ARTICLE XI: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

A written complaint regarding the Valley Glen Community Council shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. The Board will than refer the matter to an ad hoc grievance panel comprised of 5 Stakeholders randomly selected by the Council Secretary from a list of stakeholders who have expressed an interest in serving on such a panel. The Secretary will coordinate a time and place for the panel to meet with the person(s) submitting a grievance and to discuss dispute resolution. Thereafter, a panel member shall prepare a written report within two (2) months to be forwarded by the Secretary to the Board outlining the panel's recommendations for the resolving the grievance. The matter shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the Board pursuant to the Brown Act. The formal grievance process is intended to address matters involving procedural disputes, e.g., the Board's failure to comply with Board Rules or these Bylaws, or its failure to comply with the Plan, local ordinances and/or State and federal law. If the grievance cannot be resolved through the grievance process then the complainant has the right to appeal to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (Plan, Article 5 Section 4).

ARTICLE XII: ELECTIONS

1) Initial Elections

a) Initial elections of the Board of Directors shall occur within a reasonable period of time after the VGCC has been certified by the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners. The interim Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing the procedures and selecting the date for the special election within the reasonable time period. The election or selection process shall be held and coordinated with the assistance of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment.

b) Any meetings held to facilitate the election process shall be held in compliance with the Brown Act.

2) Regular Elections

a) Regular elections of Directors shall occur within 30 days after the October Annual meeting on a separate Election Day.

b) The Board of directors shall establish an election committee to draft procedures and determine the date of the annual Election Day.

c) Any meetings held to facilitate the election process shall be held in compliance with the Brown Act.

d) A committee will be established to draft the procedures.

3) Eligibility

a) All stakeholders of the VGCC, over the age of sixteen, are eligible to vote.

b) There shall be no proxy votes.

Revised per BONC hearing 5/6/03

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