History of the Association
In the early 2000s, a neighborhood crime watch group was established which served Mercier Avenue and its immediate surrounding streets.
Referred to as the Mercier Avenue Neighborhood Association (MANA,) the group held periodic meetings at area residences to discuss crime and neighborhood issues. It served mostly as a crime watch and facilitated neighborhood social activities without having any formal structure. In the mid-2000s, activities related to MANA ceased.
On January 2, 2012, a meeting was held with residents of the MANA area, as well as, seven other streets. A Core Planning Group was established by Lirba Carrion, with its first task to unite the area, and recruit individuals willing to take an active role in advancing and promoting a civic-minded association.
At a meeting on March 5, 2012, 41 residents unanimously agreed on naming the new group, "Peabody Slope Neighborhood Association," which ties in the area with the revitalized Ashmont-Peabody Square district.
Board Members 2016/2017
Luis Jimenez, President
Carol Robinson, Secretary
Mission Statement
Peabody Slope Neighborhood Association's mission is to help preserve and enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood. As a non-profit civic organization it:
- Acts as a unified voice for residents and facilitates on issues and activities affecting our neighborhood.
- Identifies and represents the best interest of the neighborhood while serving as a community link with City government agencies on matters affecting our residents and neighborhood.
- Facilitates neighborhood social activities.
- Fosters relationships with organizations within the Dorchester to promote improvements within its district.
Bylaws of Peabody Slope Neighborhood Association
ARTICLE I PURPOSE
Section 1 NAME OF ORGANIZATION: The name of the organization is the Peabody Slope Neighborhood Association, hereafter referred to as the Association.
Section 2 PURPOSE: The purposes for which the Association has been organized are:
- To enhance the livability of the area by establishing and maintaining an open line of communication and liaison between the neighborhood, government agencies and other neighborhoods.
- To provide an open process by which all members of the neighborhood may involve themselves in the affairs of the neighborhood.
- To perform all the activities related to said purposes, to have and enjoy all of the powers granted and engage in any lawful activity for corporations under the Massachusetts non-profit law.
- To be organized exclusively for education, scientific and charitable purposes. Notwithstanding any statement of purpose or powers aforesaid, this association shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of its specific and primary purpose.
Section 3 MEMBERSHIP: Membership in the Association shall be open to all residents, property owners, and abutting business licensees located within the boundaries of the Association, as defined in Article X of these bylaws. To become a member, a membership application must be completed and filed with the Association’s Treasurer and annual dues must be paid.
Section 4 VOTING: All members, 18 years of age or older, shall have one vote each to cast during attendance at any general or special meeting. Only members of the association are allowed to vote on any issue. Residents of the neighborhood who are interested in attending any meeting are welcome, however only members are allowed to vote.
ARTICLE II FUNDING
Section 1 DUES: Annual dues will be $10 per individual and $15 per family memberships to be collected by the 15th of the month preceding the annual election. Membership fees paid run from January to December.
Section 2 CONTRIBUTIONS: Voluntary contributions will be accepted.
Section 3 FUNDRAISING: Activities to raise funds for the Association may be held if appropriate and approved by the Board.
ARTICLE III MEETINGS
Section 1 GENERAL MEETING: There shall be monthly general meetings held which will take place the first Monday of each Month, unless otherwise pre-determined by the majority of the Board of Directors. Notification for all meetings shall require seven (7) days advance written or telephone notice to all members of the Association.
Section 2 ANNUAL MEETING: One Membership meeting shall be designated as the annual meeting. At this meeting:
- The President shall report on the state of the association
- The Treasurer shall give an annual financial report
- Election for Members of the Board of Directors shall be held
Section 3 SPECIAL MEETING: A special meeting of the membership may be called by the President or the majority of the Board of Directors as deemed necessary. Notification and purpose of the meeting shall require seven (7) days advance written or telephone notice to all active members of the Association.
Section 4 AGENDAS: Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the President shall prepare the agenda for general and special meeting of the membership. Any person may add an item to the agenda by submitting the item in writing to the Board of Directors at least eight (8) days in advance of the membership meeting. Any member of the Association may make a motion to add an item to the board. General or special agendas at those respective meetings. Adoption of that motion requires a second and majority vote.
Section 5 QUORUM: A quorum for any general or special meeting of the Association shall be 2/3 of the number of members in attendance. Unless otherwise specified in these bylaws, decisions of the Association shall be made by a majority vote of those members present at any meeting.
Section 6 PARTICIPATION: Any general, special, or committee meeting is open to any person and all who wish to be heard. However, only members are entitled to vote. All actions or recommendations of the general or special meetings shall be communicated to all affected parties, including minority reports.
Section 7 PROCEDURES: The Association shall follow the Robert’s Rule of Order in all areas not covered by the bylaws.
ARTICLE IV BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 COMPOSITION OF BOARD: The board of directors hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall be composed of five (5) members
Section 2 DUTIES OF THE BOARD:
- MANAGEMENT: The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the Board in the interim between general meetings. The Board shall be accountable to the membership; shall seek the views of those affected by any proposed policies or reactions before adopting any recommendation on behalf of the Association; and shall strictly comply with these bylaws.
- VACANCIES: The Board may fill any vacancy on the Board or a committee by majority vote. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
- BOARD MEETINGS: The board shall meet once a month on the third Wednesday of each month a meeting is scheduled (refer to Association Meeting Schedule). These meetings shall be open, conducted in an open session; however, only board members may vote. A quorum for the board meeting shall be three of the Board members. Decisions shall be made by majority vote. The Directors shall be notified of board meetings in writing or by telephone in advance. A majority of board members, by signed petition, may call a board, general or special meeting.
- EMERGENCY POWERS: In such cases where the Board is required to provide neighborhood response before the question is presented to the membership, the Board must indicate to the questioner that this is the case, and shall present the action taken at a special or general meeting within thirty (30) days, or within a reasonable time for ratification by the membership where circumstances dictate.
Section 3 OFFICERS: The Board shall elect from among its members a President, Secretary, Treasurer, a Director of Communications and a Director-at-Large.
Section 4 DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS:
- PRESIDENT: The President shall prepare the agenda and preside at all meetings of the Board and membership; shall appoint chairs of committee with majority approval of the Board.
- VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall assist the President and preside at meeting in the absence of the President.
- SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep minutes and written records of majority and minority opinions expressed at all meeting; shall be responsible for all correspondence for the Association, shall make records of the Association available for inspection for any proper purposes at a reasonable time.
- TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be held accountable for all funds and shall give an accounting at each general meeting; shall receive safe keep and disburse the Association funds, but such disbursement shall require the signature of one other Board Member.
- DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS (DOC): The DOC shall serve as the association representative in matters relevant to community projects and reports to the Board of issues requiring association actions. DOC shall also maintain the PSNA group site and hold main responsibility for its management.
ARTICLE V COMMITTEES
Section 1 AD HOC COMMITTEES: The President shall institute with the agreement of the Board of Directors such other committees as deemed necessary to transect the business of the Association. The Chairman of the committee shall be appointed by the President with the agreement of the Board and may be dismissed without cause by the President with the agreement of the Board.
ARTICLE VI ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1 ELIGIBILITY: Only members shall be qualified to hold an elected position.
Section 2 TERMS OF THE BOARD: Members of the Board shall be elected annually.
Section 3 METHOD OF ELECTION: Elections shall be held at the annual meeting. Candidates shall be nominated from the floor. If two candidates are nominated, election requires a majority of vote of the membership present. If more than two candidates are nominated, election requires a majority vote of the membership present. If more than two candidates are nominated, a plurality of the vote will be sufficient.
Section 4 IMPEACHMENT: Any holder of an elected position may be removed and replaced by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a general or special meeting of the membership. Removal does not require cause.
ARTICLE VII ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS OF THE BYLAWS
Section 1 ADOPTION OF THE BYLAWS: Adoption of the bylaws shall require a two-third vote of the members present at a general meeting.
Section 2 AMENDMENTS OF THE BYLAWS: Amendments to the bylaws shall be made at any general or special meeting after the members have been notified of all proposed amendments to the bylaws by a minimum of at least seven (7) days advance written or telephone notice. Adoption of the amendments shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at the meeting.
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