By-Laws

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this association shall be the Citizens Association of South Bowie, or the abbreviation CASB.

ARTICLE II – Objective

The objective is to become more aware of the issues regarding controlled development, how it effects the environment and well being of the community. Express opinions on such matters and inform the residents of the same. It will express concerns of its residents at public hearings.

ARTICLE III – Members

Section 1. Any adult within the South Bowie boundaries – which shall consist of: Mt. Oak Road on the North, Route 301 on the East, the Conrail Railroad on the West and Leland Road on the South.

AMENDED – May 29, 2002 TO READ:

Any adult within the South Bowie boundaries – which shall consist of Mt. Oak Road on the North, Route 301 on the East, Church Road on the West and Leland Road on the South, (anything incorporated into the City of Bowie within boundaries so noted).

Section 2. The annual dues shall be $12.00 per household. Semiannual dues shall be $6.00. A year shall run from January 31 and ½ year shall be July 31. Dues shall be collected at the annual meeting.

AMENDED – November 29, 2006 TO READ:

The annual dues shall be $25.00 per household effective at the January 2007 Annual Meeting. Any new member household who joins by the September 2006 General Meeting or before December 31, 2006 will have their dues applied to the following year’s dues. Any new member household who joins after July of any year will have their dues applied to the following year’s dues.

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Advisory Council.

Section 2. The officers shall perform the duties described in the parliamentary authority of the "Roberts Rules of Order, The Modern Edition 1993".

Section 3. Method of nomination and voting for officers. Written nominations may be made 3 weeks prior to the January meeting, Nominations may be received form the floor at the January meeting. Voting shall occur immediately after receiving nominations.

Section 4. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting to serve a term of one year until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the annual meeting.**

** The current board shall remain until the election of new officers at the annual meeting. AMENDED September 26, 2001.

Section 5. No person shall hold office if they are not a member and no member shall hold more than one office at a time.

Section 6. All expenditures by any board member requires approval of the President. An accounting of all expenditures shall be made at the annual meeting

ARTICLE V – Meetings

Section 1. Shall be held every other month, beginning with January 31, with the exception of July. Notice shall be given in the local news and the notice board at the South Bowie/Mitchellville Post Office, when available.

AMENDED – September 26, 2001 to read:

Shall be held every other month, beginning with January 31, with the exception of July. Notice shall be given in the local news and the notice board at the South Bowie/Mitchellville Post Office when available.

AMENDED – November 29, 2006 to read:

Shall be held every other month, beginning with January 31, with the exception of July. Notice of meetings shall be given in the local newspapers, the City of Bowie’s Tv Channel, and posted on the city of Bowie Announcement Board located in the front of the South Bowie/Mitchellville Post Office and on the Association’s Website "www.caofsb.org".

Section 2. The regular meeting in January shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, paying dues, receiving annual reports and conducting any other business that may arise. The meeting will be on the last Wednesday of January.

Section 3. A special meeting may be held upon the call of the President. The purpose of the meeting shall be set forth in the notice and may be called within 7 days.

Section 4. An executive meeting shall consist of the officers, called by the President. It may be called in case of an emergency.

AMENDED – November 29, 2006 to read:

An executive meeting shall consist of the officers, called by the President. It may be called in case of an emergency. In case time is short before a regular General Meeting, the issue can be transmitted to the officers having email service and a written copy supplied the officers without email service. After a review by the officers, comments/approval/disapproval can be forwarded to the president.

Section 5. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those attending; one vote per household, 25% of registered members.

Section 6. General rules for meetings; They shall begin promptly at 7:30 PM; follow the order of business: last no longer than 2 hours; speeches shall be limited to 3 minutes.

ARTICLE VI – Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the "Roberts Rules of Order, Modern Edition 1993", shall govern the Association in all cases where they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

ARTICLE VII – Amendments

A simple majority may amend these by-laws at any regular meeting, provided notice of the amendment was given to all members at least one month in advance.

The mailing address for the Association as of September 1, 2001 is: Citizens Association of South Bowie, P.O. Box 1604, Bowie, MD 20717-1604.

*** It shall be established that if the Citizens Association of South Bowie shall be dissolved, any remaining funds shall be donated to the South Bowie Boys and Girls Club.

Voted and approved September 26, 2001.