ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: Name. The name of the organization shall be the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council (hereinafter called "the KCNAC").

Section 2: Purpose. The mission of the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council (KCNAC) is to represent the interests of Kansas City's diverse neighborhoods in the development and implementation of governmental policies that impact the quality of life for our residents.
The KCNAC is an advisory board to the governing bodies of the City of Kansas City, Missouri on matters that affect neighborhood welfare, as established by Resolution 030770. The KCNAC will respond to proposed City policies, programs and decision making as well as will make recommendations to the Director of Neighborhood and Community Services Department, as well as provide feedback to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager and other Department Directors regarding the concerns and perceived impacts of decision making upon the neighborhoods. The KCNAC may cooperate with other metropolitan governing bodies to consult with them as well.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership. Membership of KCNAC shall consist only of the Board of Directors (hereinafter called "the Board" or "Board members").

Section 2: Constituency. Neighborhood and homeowner associations registered with the City of Kansas City, Missouri will comprise the constituency of KCNAC, with each such group having one vote for the purpose of electing Board members.

ARTICLE III - REGIONS

Section 1: Regions. The six geographic regions of the KCNAC are as follows:

• North West Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits on the North and West, by the Missouri River and Front Street on the South, and on the East by the limits of ZIP Codes 64116, 64118, 64155, and 64165.
• North East Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits to the North and East, by Front Street to the South, and on the West by the limits of ZIP Codes 64120, 64117, 64119, 64156, and 64166.
• Central West Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits to the West, by the Missouri River and Front Street to the North, by Prospect Avenue to the East, and by Gregory Boulevard to the South.
• Central East Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits to the East, by Gregory Boulevard to the South, by Prospect Avenue to the West, and by Front Street to the North.
• South West Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits to the South and West, by Gregory Boulevard to the North, and by US-71 Highway to the East.
• South East Region: Parts of Kansas City, MO bounded by the City Limits to the South and East, by Gregory Boulevard to the North, and by US-71 Highway to the West.
• At Large: Anywhere within the City of Kansas City, MO.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

Section 1: Meetings. The date, time, and place of the regular monthly meetings shall be established by the Executive Committee. All meetings will be held in compliance with the Open Meetings Law of Missouri.
All business of the KCNAC shall be conducted in the manner of Robert’s Rules of Order. It shall be the responsibility of the Presiding Officer to maintain an orderly and business-like meeting.

Section 2: Special Meetings. The President, the Executive Committee, or one-third of the Board by written request to the Secretary, may call special meetings of the Board.

Section 3: Committee Meetings. The Committee Chair, with regard to date, time, and place, shall set committee meetings.

Section 4: Notice. Notice of each regular Board meeting will be given in writing to each active Board member postmarked not less than 5 business days before the meeting. Notice may also be given by email to the last recorded email address or by telephone not less than 5 business days before the meeting at the individual member's discretion. Notice of special meetings will be provided by telephone or other means convenient to achieve a quorum in the time available. Public notice for all meetings will be posted in accordance with the Missouri Open Meetings Law, Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. (City Clerk must be notified of meeting date, time, location, and proposed agenda at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.)

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Board Size and Compensation. The Board will be comprised of 15 members. Two members shall be elected by each region and shall be referred to as “Regional Representatives". Three members shall be appointed by majority vote of the twelve elected members at the January meeting and shall be referred to as “At-Large Representatives”. Board members receive no compensation.

Section 2: Board Elections. Election of Board members will occur every odd year in November. The Board should be composed of 2 representatives from each of the regions whenever possible, and 3 at-large representatives. Regional board members will be elected by a majority vote of the constituency for their region. A prepared mail-in ballot will be sent to all constituent groups with the assistance of City staff functioning as an Independent Election Administrator.
In the event of tied vote for any board position, a run-off election shall be conducted as soon as possible. Only neighborhoods that did not cast a ballot for one of the candidates involved in the tied vote shall be eligible to vote. Should the run-off election result in a tied-vote, the process will be repeated until a clear winner is determined.
A candidate forum will take place in October, and candidates are encouraged to meet with their constituent groups during the following period of time before the election. An information packet will also be sent to all constituent groups with their ballots, explaining candidate positions in their own words.

Section 3: Terms. All Board members term of office shall consist of two years or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Terms are staggered, with one "Regional Representative" seat being determined each year by the November election. One "At-Large Representative" seat shall be determined at the January board meeting in even-numbered years. Two "At-Large Representative" seats shall be determined at the January board meeting held in odd-numbered years. Applications for the "At-Large Representative" seat(s) shall be accepted by the Neighborhood & Community Services Department until the January board meeting has been called to order.

Section 4: Vacancies. When a vacancy on the Board exists, the Board may accept applications from the general public. Nominations must be received 10 business days in advance of a regular Board meeting, to be sent out with the regular meeting announcement. New members must reside within the region for which they have applied. All vacancies will be filled by a majority vote of the members of the Board at the next Board meeting. Those appointed in this manner will serve until the expiration of the term that was vacant.

Section 5: Determination of Status. Only those Board members who are on Active status shall count for purposes of determining a quorum for a meeting. All changes of status will be recorded in the next month's minutes.

1. Active. Any Board member who is either present for that regular Board meeting or has attended at least one of the previous two regular Board meetings shall be considered Active.
2. All active board members shall have a functioning e-mail address for purposes of board communications.
3. Inactive. A Board member not satisfying either of these criteria shall be considered Inactive. A Board member may also request in writing to the Secretary that the Board consider, by a majority vote, changing them to Inactive status.
4. Terminated. A Board member may be removed by a majority vote from the KCNAC for excessive absences from regular Board meetings if they have three unexcused absences from regular Board meetings in a year. Board members may also be removed for other reasons by a two-thirds vote in accordance with Missouri Statutes concerning non-profit agencies, Chapter 355. Voluntary resignation from the Board must be received by the Secretary in writing and does not require a vote to take effect.

Section 6: Quorum. Before business can be transacted or motions made or passed, a meeting must be attended by a majority of the active Board members which shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7: Officers and Duties. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Their duties are as follows:

1. The President shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings and shall preside or arrange for other members of the Executive Committee to preside at regular and special meetings. The President may initiate action for discussion as an equal member of the Board. The President shall request and/or assign board members to monitor city council committees and make reports to the full board on issues relevant to the mission of KCNAC.
2. The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in his/her absence.
3. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all Board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained. These actions may be coordinated with the Neighborhood & Community Services Department staff assigned to the KCNAC.
4. The Executive Committee shall be elected at the January meeting each year. Nominations for Executive Committee positions may be made by any board member, or members may self-nominate. Candidates for President and Vice-President must have served on the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council for a minimum of 9 months prior to the election of Officers. All active board members are eligible to participate in the election of Officers. Votes shall be cast by secret, written ballot. A member of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department shall count ballots and a non-candidate member of KCNAC shall verify the results.

Section 8: Candidate Qualifications. Candidates will be sought from those members of constituent groups who:

• have experience in neighborhood leadership;
• shall be a member in good standing of a Kansas City, Missouri registered neighborhood or homeowners’ association if they reside within such an entity;
• are registered to vote with the State of Missouri;
• are not delinquent on either Federal, State, or local taxes;
• have resided in the state continuously since January 1st of the election year;
• have no outstanding Federal, State, or local warrants;
• reside within the region they will be representing;
• reside within the City of Kansas City, Missouri, if seeking an At Large position;
• are not currently employed by the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section 1: Definition of Committees. The Board may create standing and/or ad hoc committees as needed, such as ordinance review, budget review, etc. and may designate a chair for said committee. Committees shall make reports to the full board on issues relevant to the mission of KCNAC.

Section 2: Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for carrying out all business which advances the mission of the KCNAC and which is not specifically delegated to the entire Board by these bylaws. The Executive Committee shall consist of a President, Vice-President, and Secretary.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Amendment of Bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by at least a two-thirds majority vote at a regular Board meeting. Notice of intent to amend shall be included in the meeting notice, including specific amendment language defined by Article and Section. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary fifteen (15) business days before the meeting. Any current Board member may propose amendments to these bylaws.

Standing Rules

1. As a protection for the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council, collectively and individually, no action representing the Board may be taken without priorwritten approval of the full Board.
2. No Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council board member may offer to the media a position statement representing the Board without prior written approval of the full Board.
3. No Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council board member may offer to the media a position statement representing a neighborhood within their region ofrepresentation without prior written approval of that neighborhood.
4. All proposed presentations to be held before the Board must first be presented to the Board for approval of the full Board and it will then be the duty of the Board President to insure the presentation is scheduled.

These Bylaws were approved at a meeting of the KCNAC on Aug. 9, 2005, by those charter members present who were named in Ordinance 030770.