Article I: Name and Geographic Area

The name of the organization shall be National Community Development Association (NCDA) Region IV.

The organization shall operate in the states and territories designated as Region IV – Southeast; Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennssee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Article II: Purpose and Objective

Section 1: The purpose of the organization shall be to foster and promote, within the jurisdiction, the programs of the National Community Development Association and/or congressionally funded programs designed to improve and empower local Communities, Cities, Counties and Urban Areas.

Section 2: The Objective shall be the attainment of sound communities through the processes of development, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and redevelopment. This shall be accomplished through:

1. The exchange of information and experience on housing and community development;
2. Regular meetings and year-round activities;
3. Sponsoring an annual training conference;
4. Cooperation and collaboration with other associations, agencies and groups having similar or related purposes;
5. Serving as an advocate for CPD program policies unique to the region
6. Promoting professional development within the designated geographical region.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: The membership of the organization shall be all active National Community Development Association member cities within the geographic area. Each active member shall have full voting rights and will be eligible to participate in all activities open to membership. Votes shall be cast by one designated representative of each active member.

Section 2: Associate memberships will be available for non-governmental agencies and individuals upon payment of dues or fees as may be established by NCDA Region IV.  Associate members will not have voting rights in NCDA Region IV but will be eligible to participate in all other activities open to membership.  Associate members are not eligible to attend Board Meetings or to serve as Board Members

Article IV: Dues

Section 1: Membership dues and fees may be established at the discretion of the Region IV Executive Committee and approved by the membership for the operation of the organization. The Executive Committee may establish fees for non-members of the organization that wish to participate in the organization’s annual training conference.

Payment of dues and/or fees shall entitle members to all rights of active membership subject to any restrictions listed in Article IV, Membership.  The membership year will begin October 1 and end on September 30 the following year.  Dues are to be made payable to the National Community Development Association (NCDA) Region IV-Southeast and are due on or before the beginning of the year of membership.  Dues for the year must be paid to be considered an active member.

Membership dues are set at $150.00 per agency annually.

Article V: Officers

Section 1: The officers of NCDA Region IV shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, Treasurer and the immediate past President. These five officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the organization. All officers must be in good standing of NCDA Region IV – Southeast.  In addition, the President and Vice President must be active members in good standing of NCDA.  The officers shall represent NCDA member cities.

The Region IV Board of Directors shall all be members of the Executive Committee as well as the national NCDA Board of Directors who represent member cities in Region IV, both persons elected by the Region IV membership and those serving on the national board by virtue of being co-chairs of national standing subcommittees.

Section 2: Terms for all officers and board members shall be two years. For continuity, the Secretary and Treasurer may be standing officers if requested by the President and approved b the voting members. A President completing the term becomes the Immediate Past President. Terms shall begin at the conclusion of the conference at which the election takes place. The officers shall receive no compensation for their services.

Section 3: There are no regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors other than the annual general membership meeting.  The day-to-day business of NCDA Region IV may be conducted by meeting, letter, telephone, email, conference call, or other media, with a written copy summary transmitted to the Secretary for the purpose of the official records.  A simple majority is required to approve any Board of Directors’ decision or action.  The President may call for a vote of the Board.  The vote may be by phone poll, email, or other electronic means.

Section 4: The President shall preside at all NCDA Region IV Board and general membership meetings to ensure the By-Laws are strictly enforced. The President shall work with the host city for the annual training conference to secure appropriate facilities and develop the agenda. The President shall appoint special committees as may be needed; shall implement the procedures, policies, and activities adopted or approved by the board; shall serve on the Board of Directors of the National Community Development Association; and shall report periodically to the membership of the accounts and general business of NCDA Region IV – Southeast. The President shall act as mentor and guide to his/her successor while serving as immediate past Chairperson.

Section 5: The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President at all NCDA Region IV Board and general membership meetings. The Vice-President shall succeed the President when the President completes the two-year term or is unable to complete the elected term. The Vice-President shall assist the President in planning the annual training conference.  The Vice President perform other duties as may be assigned by the President of the Board.

Section 6: The Secretary shall keep a record for all NCDA Region IV proceedings, including the annual business meeting and regional caucus meetings held in conjunction with national NCDA conferences. The Secretary shall send notices as required, certify petitions and positions as required, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Committee.  The Secretary shall arrange for minutes to be taken should he/she be unable to attend a meeting.

Section 7: The Treasurer shall be the custodian of NCDA Region IV funds. The Treasurer shall collect all monies payable to NCDA Region IV and deposit them as directed by the President. The Treasurer shall disburse funds of NCDA Region IV upon written or verbal approval of the President or a Board Representative acting for the President. The Treasurer shall supply financial reports to include a Statement of Account(s) to the President and Vice-President when requested and at the annual business meeting and regional caucuses held at national NCDA conferences.  The books of the treasurer shall be open for inspection by the officers, or any committee appointed by them for the purpose of the examination.

Before taking on his/her duties, the Treasurer may be required to be bonded in an amount as determined by the Board of Directors, commensurate with the funds on hand.  The premiums for the bond shall be an authorized expenditure of NCDA Region IV funds.

Section 8: The Immediate Past President shall serve on the Executive Committee and perform any duties assigned by the President. The Immediate Past President shall serve as a mentor and resource for the President and Vice-President. Should the Immediate Past President no longer be a member of NCDA during the two-year term, the position shall remain vacant until the next election.

Section 9: Persons elected to represent Region IV on the NCDA national Board of Directors shall serve a two-year term and may succeed themselves.

Section 10: If a vacancy occurs in any office during the term, the Executive Committee shall appoint a member of NCDA Region IV to serve the unexpired term. Should a person representing NCDA Region IV on the national NCDA Board of Directors become the co-chairman of a national standing subcommittee, the Executive Committee shall declare that position vacant and name a replacement to fill the unexpired term.

Article VI – Elections

Section 1: Elections shall be conducted alternate years during a business meeting conducted in conjunction with the annual training conference. If an annual training conference does not take place, the election would be conducted at the next regional caucus held during a national NCDA meeting.

Section 2: Prior to a scheduled election, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee to develop a slate of candidates to fill the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and national NCDA board positions in the number allocated by the national association. The committee’s slate of candidates shall be distributed to the regional membership prior to the business meeting. If the Vice-President is unable or unwilling to become President, the Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates shall include a nominee for President.

Section 3: Nominations for any Region IV office shall be accepted from the floor before the election.

Section 4: The election shall be by voice vote. Should there be no nominations offered from the floor, the presiding officer may present the entire slate for a single vote. Should there be nominations offered from the floor, a separate vote for each office shall be taken. Should the election for Board of Directors be contested, a single vote shall be taken. The number of candidates as authorized by NCDA receiving the most votes shall be elected. Should there be a tie in the vote for the final authorized board position, the candidates receiving the same number of votes will be voted on until one person receives the most votes cast.

Section 5: A written vote may be allowed if a motion for such is made, seconded and approved by the majority of voting members present for the election. Should a written vote be approved for any or all offices, the presiding officer shall appoint a committee of three members to count the ballots and report the result.

Article VII – Membership Meetings

Section 1: The membership shall meet to conduct the business of the organization at least annually at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. This meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual training conference but may be held in conjunction with a national NCDA conference should the annual training conference not be held. Members shall be notified at least 30 days in advance of the annual business meeting.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by a petition to the Executive Committee of one-fourth of the membership.

Section 3: One-fourth of the active members on the roll shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4: When possible, a quorum should be present at any meeting where business is transacted, or a vote is taken on any proposal or action involving the general membership.

Article VIII – Amendments

Section 1: These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of active members present at the meeting during which an amendment is presented for consideration. Notice of proposed amendments shall be distributed to the membership by the President or the NCDA Region IV member proposing the change.

Article IX – Rules of Order

Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the final authority on all questions of procedures and parliamentary law in government under By-Laws.

Article X – Effective Date of By-Laws

Section 1: These By-Laws and amendments thereto shall become effective on approval by the membership of NCDA Region IV.