Facilitating Neighborhood Revitalization

The Corporation will foster a spirit of community and cooperation among residents and will promote greater self-policing of the neighborhood by the residents. The Corporation will disseminate information on the ordinances and codes most pertinent to improving the neighborhood's image and vitality, and will counsel neighbors when problems arise and action needs to be taken. The Corporation will also sponsor an annual Neighborhood Cleanup Day in the spring with the City providing a truck to remove the debris.

Promoting Neighborhood Reinvestment

The Corporation will identify and seek to mobilize for the benefit of the neighborhood the financial resources available from government and private programs to repair, rehabilitate, and restore existing, endangered and deteriorating housing units and to preserve and enhance public spaces. The Corporation will also sponsor programs to encourage the purchase of homes in the neighborhood.

Promoting Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Enforcement

The Corporation will promote the enactment and enforcement of zoning laws designed to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood and protect the economic value of existing and future investment. Stability is fundamental to neighborhood health and property values. Residents must be assured that the neighborhood where they choose to live and invest will not be substantially altered without careful consideration. The legal mechanism for maintaining neighborhood stability is effective zoning.

 

 

Looking to the future, the Corporation expects to participate with, and provide guidance to, local planning officials in developing the City of Binghamton's official Comprehensive Plan. Since it has been over 20 years since the City prepared its last master plan, this will be a long overdue opportunity for the neighborhood residents to participate in defining their community, both as it exists now and with a vision for the future.

Promoting More Effective Code Enforcement

The Corporation will promote the enactment and enforcement of ordinances and codes designed to preserve the neighborhood's existing housing stock, and protect the health, safety, peace, and quiet of the residents. The Corporation will work with local officials to ensure that the rules, regulations, and enforcement procedures pertaining to the physical condition, safety, and appearance of neighborhood housing; vehicle parking; noise; and litter are adequate and consistent with the standards maintained in other cities similar to Binghamton.

Enhancing University and Community Relations

The Corporation will seek to establish a permanent Committee on University and Community Relations to facilitate constructive dialogue and more harmonious relations between the students and permanent residents living in the neighborhood. The Committee will be comprised of representatives from the University, the Corporation, and city government.

Section 1

Any individual, 18 years or older, living in the area described in Article II who is interested in carrying out and furthering the purposes of the Corporation shall be eligible for membership and shall be such a member upon payment of dues.

Section 2

Any question of eligibility shall be resolved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3

Dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

Section 4

Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of members of the Corporation for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business which may properly be transacted at the annual meeting shall be held at such hour and on such day and at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

Section 5

Special Meetings: A special meeting of the members of the Corporation may be called by the Chairperson of the Board, President, or Secretary when directed to do so by resolution of the Board of Directors or at the written request of directors representing a majority of the whole Board or at the written request of 25% of the members of the Corporation. Any such request will state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

Section 6

Notice of Meeting: (a) Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. (b) Notice of each meeting shall be given by the Secretary or by a person calling the meeting to each member by mailing the notice, first class postage prepaid, not later than the third day before the meeting, or in the case notice is by facsimile transmission or e-mail, not less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Section 7

Quorum: The presence of the lesser of either a majority of the members or 25 members shall constitutes a quorum.

Section 8

Nominations: A Nominating Committee, consisting of at least three members of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least 21 days prior to the Annual Meeting for the purpose of presenting a proposed slate of directors. Nothing herein contained shall preclude nominations from the floor, when duly seconded.

Section 9

Voting: At any meeting the Secretary of the Corporation shall compile a list of the members present in person or by written proxy prior to a vote. At the discretion of the Chairperson of the Board, a roll call vote may be taken.

Section 1

Number of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of such number of persons, not less than three, as shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote at a meeting of the members or by resolution of the Board of Directors, adopted by a majority of the whole Board.

Section 2

Election and Term of Directors: Directors shall be elected annually at the annual meeting of members. Each director shall hold office until such director's successor is elected and qualified or until such director's earlier resignation or removal. The members at any meeting called for the purpose, by vote of a majority of those present, may remove from office any director, either with or without cause, and elect such director's successor.

Section 3

Meetings: The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the Chairperson of the Board or upon written request to the Secretary by at least 3 members of the Board of Directors. Notice of each meeting shall be given by the Secretary or by a person calling the meeting to each director by mailing the same, first class postage prepaid, not later than the third day before the meeting, or in the case notice is by facsimile transmission or E-Mail, not less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Section 4

Quorum and Voting: One-third of the whole board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than three directors. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 1

Appointment: The Board of Directors may from time to time, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate a committee or committees, to carry out one or more purposes of the Corporation. Each Committee established by the Board shall have a Chairperson appointed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2

Committee Membership: Each Committee Chairperson will have responsibility for appointing the members of his or her Committee. All members are eligible for Committee membership.

Section 3

Records and Committee Member Removal: Each Committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings and shall report thereon to the Board of Directors whenever requested to do so. Any and all members of any such Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by resolution of the Board of Directors, adopted by a majority of the whole board.

Section 1

Appointment and Qualification: The officers of the Corporation shall be (1) a Chairperson of the Board and President, (2) Vice President, (3) Treasurer, and (4) Secretary, all of whom shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chairperson and President and Vice President shall be directors. Each officer shall hold office until such officer's successor is elected and qualified or until such officer's earlier resignation or removal.

Section 2

Removal of Officers: Any officer of the Corporation may be removed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors with or without cause at any time.

Section 3

Chairperson of the Board and President: The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Members and of the Board of Directors at which the Chairperson is present; be ex officio a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; and shall have the power to disperse funds in the absence of the Treasurer. All disbursements in excess of  $250 require two authorized signatories. The Chairperson may sign and execute with the Secretary or the Treasurer in the Name of the Corporation deeds, contracts, or other instruments authorized by the Board of Directors . The Chairperson will speak publicly for the Corporation and will have final authority over all publications, press releases, newsletters, etc., issued in the name of the Corporation.

Section 3

Vice President: The Vice President shall in case of the absence of the Chairperson possess all his or her powers.

Section 4

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall manage the funds and securities of the Corporation and the deposits of such funds in the name of the Corporation in such banks or other depositaries as shall be designated by the Board of Directors, render periodical financial reports at the meetings of the Board of Directors and Membership and at such other times as shall be requested by the Board of Directors, and in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson.

Section 5

Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a proper record of all meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors; shall keep all records of attendance at meetings, ensure that books, reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents required by law for a New York State non-profit corporation are properly maintained and filed; and in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson. The Secretary shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation. The Secretary will be responsible for the preparation and issuance of notices of meeting setting forth the purpose and agenda for each meeting.

Section 6

Eligibility: All members shall be eligible for election to and may serve as officers of the Corporation, except that in order to serve as Chairperson and President and Vice President, the member must also have been elected to the Board of Directors.

Last revised November 26, 2002