By-Laws of the Clark County Rental Association

(Revision May 30, 2006)

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this Organization shall be Clark County Rental Association hereinafter referred to as CCRA. The Association is a not-for-profit educational association.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of this association shall be as follows:

SECTION 1: To unite and educate all residential rental providers in this community.

SECTION 2: To promote improved productivity for rental providers.

SECTION 3: To provide a common environment for owners and rental providers for protection of their interests.

SECTION 4: To assist Members in protecting themselves against unfair legislation whether local, state, or federal and safeguard Members so that they pay no more than their fair share of the cost of government.

SECTION 5: To endeavor to procure sound and just legal protection for the rental industry.

SECTION 6: Through a code of ethics advise and assist Members in their conduct and promote high standards and ethical practices in the rental industry.

SECTION 7: To comply at all times with local, state, and federal laws.

SECTION 8: To assist in the formation of similar associations in other cities and communities.

SECTION 9: To provide a periodic newsletter for Members of the organization, content and frequency of publication to be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 10: To convene General Meetings periodically and board meetings as needed.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Any person, firm, or corporation involved with the rental industry, whether as an owner, manager, or manager’s representative, of property containing one (1) or more rental units designed for residential living shall be eligible for Membership in CCRA. The interest of such Membership shall be equal to that of any other. No member can acquire any interest which will entitle him/her to any greater voice, vote, authority, or interest in CCRA than any other member.

SECTION 2: Application for Membership in CCRA must be made in writing and submitted to the Membership Chairperson on official forms accompanied by new member dues and application fees, if any. A member-in-good-standing is defined as one (1) current paid Membership, whether an individual, couple, entity, or organization.

SECTION 3: Upon termination of a Membership by voluntary withdrawal, by death, or by expulsion, all interests and rights of the member shall immediately terminate, and all interests of the member shall revert to the remaining members of CCRA; Membership being granted upon this express condition.

SECTION 4: Membership in CCRA shall terminate upon non-payment of membership dues or any other indebtedness due CCRA for a period of one (1) month from the date, thereof. Upon termination of a member as herein provided, the Membership Chairman shall notify the member, by mail, and shall report such action to the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Upon receipt of annual dues, an expired membership shall be reinstated from the original due date.

SECTION 5: Any member except an officer may be expelled for any cause deemed just by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at a board meeting at which a quorum of three-quarters of the Board is present. Notice of a proposed removal of a member must be given to the member sought to be removed and the Board at least five (5) days prior to the meeting during which the issue is to be voted. If requested such member shall be given a hearing before the Board.

SECTION 6: An officer may be removed for any cause deemed just, first, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at a Board Meeting at which a quorum of three-quarters of the Board is present following which that officer’s duties shall be suspended until a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the attendees at the next General Meeting. Such officer shall be given a hearing before the Board if requested. Notice of a proposed removal of an officer must be given to the officer sought to be removed as well as the Board and General Membership respectively at least five (5) days prior to the meeting during which the issue is to be voted.

SECTION 7: Any person, firm, or corporation who is a goods or services provider to the industry shall be eligible for Associate Membership in CCRA. An Associate Member shall have the same voting rights as a Member.

ARTICLE IV - JURISDICTION
SECTION 1: The territorial jurisdiction of CCRA shall include all of Clark County, Washington, and any other areas as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP DUES
SECTION 1: Annual dues for Membership shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Notice of any change in annual dues shall be announced in the newsletter at least thirty (30) days prior to the affected year. These dues may include membership in other associate organizations. Dues shall become the property of CCRA upon submission.

SECTION 2: Annual dues for NEW membership will be charged a full year and prorated by month the second year. All years’ dues thereafter, will be due and payable on January 1.

SECTION 3: Dues for Associate members shall be set by the Board of Directors. Notice of any change in annual dues shall be announced in the newsletter at least thirty (30) days prior to the affected year. These dues may include membership in other associate organizations. Dues shall become the property of CCRA upon submission.

ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The governing body of CCRA shall be a Board of Directors comprised of elected officers, the Immediate Past President, and no less than five (5) appointed members.

SECTION 1: The elected officers of CCRA shall be: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

  1. Officers shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. The officers shall be elected by majority vote to serve for two years with one exception, to wit, in the election immediately following approval of these by-laws, the President and Secretary will serve for one year. Thereafter the President and Secretary will serve two-year terms.
  2. The office of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.
  3. An Officer must be a landlord.
  4. No elected officers shall be paid by CCRA.

SECTION 2: The duties of each officer shall be as follows:

  1. President. The President shall supervise all activities of CCRA and the Board of Directors; execute all instruments on its behalf; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of CCRA; call such meetings of CCRA as shall be deemed necessary other than the General Meetings; be an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominating committee, and perform such other duties as are customarily performed by the President of the Association.
  2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall act for the President in his/her absence; and perform such other duties as the Board may direct.
  3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep all records of the Board of Directors and the Association; and perform such other duties as the Board may direct.
  4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall pay all obligations incurred by CCRA upon authorization by the Board of Directors; maintain a bank account and depository designated by the Board of Directors; render financial reports; and perform such other duties as the Board may direct.

SECTION 3: Directors: The Directors shall be members-in-good-standing nominated by a Board Member and approved by the majority of the Board of Directors. Directors shall serve a term of 4 years from the date of appointment and be eligible for additional terms with approval of the Board. This action will take place at the Board Meeting following the election of the officers.

SECTION 4: At least sixty (60) days prior to the annual election, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members, the Chair of which shall normally be a Past President. The Nominating Committee shall select a minimum of one (1) candidate member-in-good-standing for each office. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the Board of Directors and upon approval, published in the newsletter at least 30 days prior to the election. Additional candidates to fill the available offices may be placed in nomination from the floor at the November meeting of the General Membership.

SECTION 5: The election of officers shall take place each year at the November General Meeting conducted by the Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Election shall be by voice or written ballot and all votes must be cast in person by members-in-good-standing. NO VOTING BY PROXY shall be allowed under any circumstances.

SECTION 6: Each member of the Board of Directors shall possess one (1) vote in matters coming before the Board. All voting shall be in person by each member at such meetings. A majority of Board Members shall constitute a quorum at a Board meeting.

SECTION 7: A Director who loses member in-good-standing status shall have 30 days to correct the deficiency. Failure shall be construed as resignation from the Board.

SECTION 8: Any Director may be removed from office by 2/3 vote of the Directors present at a Board meeting. Notice of the proposed removal of a Director must be given to such Director at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the removal is to be voted.

SECTION 9: Vacancies of Directors and elected officers shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors and the resulting appointed officer shall serve the still remaining term of office, with the exception of the President whose vacancy will be filled by the Vice President.

ARTICLE VII- MEETINGS

SECTION 1: The Board of Directors shall designate a regular time and place of meetings.

SECTION 2: Meetings of the members may be held at such other times as the President or the Board of Directors may determine.

SECTION 3: Written notice shall be given to every member in-good-standing at least five (5) days preceding all meetings. If a special meeting is called, it shall be accompanied with a statement of the purpose of the meeting.

SECTION 4: The members in-good-standing who are present at any regular or special meeting of the General Membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION 5: Absence from three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors by a member of the Board without an excuse deemed valid by the Board shall be construed as resignation.

ARTICLE VIII- COMMITTEES

SECTION 1: Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint a Chairperson from the Board of Directors for any Standing Committees. This Chairperson shall serve on such committee as long as his/her appointment to the Board.

SECTION 2: Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint from the general membership such special committees as deemed necessary.

SECTION 3: The Committee Members in attendance at a committee meeting shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX - VOTING RIGHTS

SECTION 1: No Membership shall have more than one (1) vote. In case of dispute on this point, the record of the Membership’s account with CCRA shall govern, subject to review by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - FISCAL AND ELECTIVE YEAR

SECTION 1: The fiscal and elective year of CCRA shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE XI - RULES OF ORDER

SECTION 1: Meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner and generally in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order in all instances wherein its provisions do not conflict with these By-Laws.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

 SECTION 1: Amendments to the By-laws must be reviewed during at least two Board Meetings and then approved by 2/3 majority of those present. The amendment(s) so approved must be mailed to the Membership and/or placed on the official website at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. These By-Laws may then be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority Vote of the members present at such General Meeting, provided.