KEEP MECKLENBURG BEAUTIFUL, INC.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Section I. Name: The name of the organization is “Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Inc.” hereafter referred to as the
“Board”.
Section II. Creation: The Board was duly organized as a result of a 1999 mandate from the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) to establish a litter prevention plan. The plan called for an action to consolidate with Keep
Charlotte Beautiful. They were unable to honor the merger request and encouraged Mecklenburg County to pursue
affiliation. Application for affiliate membership into the Keep America Beautiful, Inc. system was approved by the
BOCC on November 5, 2003.
Section III. Authority: The Board shall operate as a unit of Mecklenburg County, housed in the Land Use and
Environmental Services Agency (LUESA). They shall have the following authority:
1.
To adopt bylaws to facilitate the attainment of its purpose and functions.
2.
To plan, initiate, direct and coordinate community countywide efforts to achieve its goals.
3.
To solicit and accept donations and appropriation of money, services, products, property, and
facilities for expenditure and use by the Board for the accomplishment of its objectives under the
guidelines for 501(c) (3) status in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
4.
To make recommendations to the BOCC as well as to private sector regarding measurers which it
deems necessary to accomplish its objectives.
Section IV. Mission: To empower the citizenry of Mecklenburg County to take greater responsibility for
enhancing their environment, thereby resulting in a community of pride and choice for people to live, work and
recreate.
ARTICLE II
Section I. Organization and Structure of the Board:
A.
The Board shall consist of not more than twenty (20) members representing corporate, public
(governmental) and private organizations or entities that share the Keep America Beautiful philosophy.
Representation should be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Business and Industry
Schools
Chamber of Commerce
Construction Industry
Waste Hauling Industry
Faith Community
Fast Food Industry
Recycling
Media
The Board may also include persons appointed by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
The Board should include representatives of the above areas but shall not be limited to those persons.
The remaining slots shall be filled by a cross section of citizens in the county.
B.
Ex-Officio Board Member. The Board may appoint up to five (5) ex-officio members who may serve
as non-voting advisory/members.
C.
Terms of Office. Each member shall serve for a period of two (2) years and may be re-appointed to
two (2) successive terms, for a total of six (6) years. Terms shall be effective from July 1 through June
30 or until a successor is duly elected.
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D.
Resignation and Removal. Any members may be removed from office with or without cause by the
Board by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board. Any member may resign at any
time giving written notice to the Chair. Such resignation will take effect on the date of receipt of such
notice or at any later time specified therein and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
E.
Attendance. Each member shall be expected to attend a minimum of seven (7) meetings and not miss
three (3) consecutive meetings during the course of the year. Each member is also mandated to
participate in one volunteer event during the course of the year. The Chair may request a waiver of the
attendance policy due to mitigating circumstances or that a member of the Board has his or her
membership terminated if such member fails to comply with this attendance policy.
F.
Voting Rights. All members of the Board shall have one vote equal in weight. The Chair shall vote
only to break a tie. All voting shall be by voice vote; provided however, the Chair of the Board, may,
at the chair’s discretion, call for a roll call vote or secret ballot. All decisions will be by majority vote.
Section II. Executive Committee:
A.
The Executive Committee shall be composed of five (5) members who will serve without
remuneration, to wit: Chair, Co-Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Executive Director
of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful shall be an ex-officio non-voting committee member.
B.
Appointments and Duties. The Chair, Co-Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary shall each be
nominated by the Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful Board Nominating Committee and shall be selected by
a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board Members.
C.
A vacancy on the board shall be filled based on the recommendation of the Executive Committee after
the applications have been reviewed.
The duties are as follows:
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1.
Chair: Shall act as public spokesman for the Board at public functions, shall serve as ex-officio
member of all committees; shall appoint Chair and Vice-Chair of standing committees and ad hoc
committees upon the direction of the Board; and perform all other duties as the Board elects.
Chair shall serve for a two-year (2) term and shall not be re-appointed for more than one
additional term in succession. Chair’s term shall be effective from July 1 through June 30 or until
a successor is duly appointed.
2.
Co-Chair: : Will act in the place and stead of the Chair in the event of his absence, inability, or
refusal, to act and shall exercise and discharge such other duties as may be required of him by the
Board. Vice-Chair shall serve a two-year (2) term and shall not be re-appointed for more than one
additional term in succession. Co-Chair’s term shall be effective from July 1 through June 30 or
until a successor is duly appointed.
3.
Vice-Chair: Will act in the place and stead of the Co-Chair in the event of his absence, inability,
or refusal, to act and shall exercise and discharge such other duties as may be required of him by
the Board. Vice-Chair shall serve a two-year (2) term and shall not be re-appointed for more than
one additional term in succession. Vice-Chair’s term shall be effective from July 1 through June
30 or until a successor is duly appointed.
4.
Treasurer: Shall be a member of the Executive Board and will keep accurate records of the funds,
debits, expenses and donations of the Board. The Treasurer shall prepare a monthly reconciliation
for submittal at Board meetings.
D.
5.
Secretary: Shall be a member of the Executive Board, shall be the custodian of the minutes,
papers and records of the Board; present minutes and shall perform other duties customary to that
office.
6.
Executive Director: Shall be the managing officer of the Board, and shall be an employee of
Mecklenburg County, Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA).
Vacancies: A vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the manner prescribed above. The member
appointed to such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term of the member replaced.
ARTICLE III
Section I. Regular Meetings: Meetings shall be held once per month or at intervals on the date and time
designated by the Board members. Should such meeting fall on a legal holiday, then that meeting shall be held at
the date and time specified by the Board.
Section II. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by either Committee Chairs, the Executive
Committee or by five members of the Board when necessary to act upon matters; provided notice is given to each
member of the Board at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting. Said notice shall specify the time,
place and nature of the meeting.
Section III. Open Meeting Rule: All meetings of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful are obligated to the open meeting
rule for county government.
Section IV. Quorum: A quorum shall consist of 50% of the membership present for a meeting.
Section V. Robert’s Rules of Order: All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order,
Current Edition. It shall be the responsibility of each Board member to observe that these rules are followed and the
meeting conducted in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE IV
Management of Funds: Mecklenburg County is responsible for the appropriation and disbursement of the
operating funds of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful and will go through the annual county budget review. The Keep
Mecklenburg Beautiful Board of Directors shall oversee the fundraising efforts, donations and other proceeds
generated under 501 (c)(3) stipulations in the name of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Inc. The Chair, Treasurer, and
Executive Director shall be empowered to sign all checks up to $300 for the organization. The Chair, Treasurer, and
Executive Director shall be empowered to cosign all checks above $300. Any checks disbursed over the amount of
$300 shall be signed by the Executive Director and an authorized officer of the organization.
ARTICLE V
Section I. Amendment: These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board members present
at any regular meeting provided 1) a quorum is present, and 2) notice was presented in writing at the previous Board
meeting.
ARTICLE VI
Section I. Dissolution: The Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful Board shall have the right and privilege to dissolve
itself, its committees and organization upon the proper motion ad the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of its
members. That dissolving of the Board shall be with a written ninety (90) days notice to all concerned governments,
private and non-private interest.
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Adopted June 21, 2004
Amended January 12, 2009
Amended September 14, 2009