10400 Detrick Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
(240) 773-9000 (Phone)
(301) 949-4690 (Fax)
Maryland Relay Number: 711(TTY)
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10400 Detrick Avenue |
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Revised and Ratified February 19, 2001 OF THE RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD (RAB) NAME AND JURISDICTION The name of this organization shall be the RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD OF THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION (HOC) OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, hereinafter referred to as the "RAB." ARTICLE II PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES Section 1. To review Commission policy and make recommendations to the Commission regarding changes to existing or proposed policy and to advise the Commission regarding the overall concerns and needs of HOC residents and program participants. Section 2. To seek and recommend candidate(s) for one or more voting seats on the Commission in order to represent the interests of HOC residents and program participants. Section 3. To participate in the planning of programs, services, and activities intended to benefit HOC residents and participants, and to seek additional resources which would enhance the living conditions of HOC residents and program participants. Section 4. To become aware of, and stay abreast of issues which affect the housing of county residents, particularly low and moderate individuals and families and to advocate on their behalf. Section 5. To prepare and present testimony to government groups regarding pending legislation and program changes affecting low and moderate income residents. Section 6. To sponsor and participate in educational programs, workshops, seminars, public forums and other programs in order to enable HOC residents and program participants to assume leadership roles. Section 7. To help establish and support community based associations and civic groups and to encourage participation by HOC residents and program participants in such group. ARTICLE III Section 1. Membership shall be open to individuals who participate in any of the HOC housing programs or reside in a unit owned, operated, managed or administered by HOC and are concerned with the purposes or objectives of the RAB. To the maximum extent feasible, every effort will be made to ensure that each type of HOC housing will have membership representation on the RAB, which may have a total membership up to 21 persons. Section 2. Periodically, the RAB may seek applicants for membership from particular segments of the HOC housing population which are not represented or under represented. Such recruitment will be held in a democratic manner, soliciting applications from interested candidates from the resident population. Applications will be reviewed and individual interviews held with potential members by the Membership Committee. Final selections will be decided by the RAB at the May meeting. Criteria for selection may include, but not be limited to: interest and availability to serve on the RAB, prior leadership experience and service to the community, and familiarity with, and knowledge of HOC programs. Section 3. Monthly Meetings. The regular monthly meeting of the RAB shall be held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM, with the exception of August or other periods as decided by the RAB. Monthly meetings falling on holidays will be moved to the fourth Monday of each month. Section 4. Members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings without notification to the Secretary or the Facilitator will be suspended from active membership on the RAB, and will be reinstated only upon written request and approval of the RAB. Section 5. All RAB meetings shall be open to the general public. Section 6. Annual Meeting. The RAB will conduct a public forum on an annual basis which will be open to the general public. At each annual meeting, the RAB will make a report on its activities and will hear testimony, suggestions, and recommendations regarding RAB future actions and agenda. Section 7. Executive Committee. An Executive Committee shall be formed which will be composed of all standing officers. It may meet, as necessary, on RAB matters between regular RAB meetings. The President shall be responsible for calling such meetings. Any decision made by the Executive Committee shall be ratified by the RAB at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Section 8. Sub-Committees. The following sub-committees shall exist: Public Housing Committee and the Membership Committee. Other sub-committees may be formed as the need arises or as determined by the RAB. Membership of sub-committees shall be determined by nomination of RAB members. Sub-committees appointed by the RAB shall each select a chairman and determine their own procedures. All sub-committees shall report their findings and recommendations to the RAB. Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the President. Section 10. Reimbursement. Expenses incurred by RAB members for attendance at meetings, seminars, and conferences shall be reimbursed by the RAB. However, requests for reimbursement of expenses incurred by attendance at such functions will not be granted unless such attendance had been pre-approved by the RAB. Receipts and/or a written statement of all accommodations received while on assignment must be submitted in order to justify reimbursement. Reimbursements will occur only following attendance at the function. Section 11. Quorum. The quorum for the purpose of voting shall be one-third of the total membership of the RAB. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the RAB shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. The term of office for officers will be three years. If any officer is unable to fulfill his/her term of office, the President will appoint a member for the balance of the term remaining, and such action shall be ratified by the Board. In the instance when the President is unable to serve, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President. Section 2. Duties. President: The President shall preside at all RAB meetings and Executive Committee meetings and be responsible for the overall management of RAB affairs. The President shall sign correspondence on behalf of the RAB and ensure that the policies decided upon by the RAB are implemented and are in accord with these by-laws. Vice-President: In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside at RAB meetings and assume all other obligations of the President related to RAB matters. The Vice-President shall succeed to the office of the President for the balance of the President’s term. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of, and be responsible for, all RAB funds and securities and for keeping an accurate account of all revenue and disbursements. The Treasurer will make a written report to the RAB twice annually, and shall be responsible for verifying the correctness of the report, if such action is deemed necessary. The Treasurer shall be responsible for securing the co-signature of one other authorized signatory on all checks. Authorized signatures shall include the Treasurer, President, and Vice President. Only two signatures will be required for banking transactions. Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian will be responsible for maintaining order during RAB meetings. The Parliamentarian will ensure that parliamentary procedures as established under Robert’s Rules of Order will be enforced and prevail in the event of disputes or controversies. The Parliamentarian should be familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order in order to exercise the responsibilities of this office. Section 3. Officers should make ever effort to attend the monthly meetings. Officers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings, even with notification to the Secretary or Facilitator will be subject to removal from office. If deemed appropriate they ma be suspended from the RAB. They may be re-instated on written request and approval by the RAB. ARTICLE V NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICES Section 1. Election of Officers. A Nominating Committee shall be formed no later than the April meeting of the appropriate year to nominate candidates for each office to be filled. The Nominating Committee will consist of five members and shall be determined through nominations by RAB members. The selections shall be ratified by the Board. The Nominating Committee will present its slate of officers to the membership no later than the June meeting of the appropriate year. At the time of the presentation of the slate, additional nominations for any office with the consent of the candidate, may be accepted from the floor prior to the elections. Nominating Committee members may not simultaneously be candidates for elected office. Section 2. Officers shall be elected for a term of three years at the July meeting of the appropriate year and shall assume responsibility for the position at the September meeting of the same year. Section 3. No member shall hold more than one office at a time. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. Section 4. Voting. A candidate receiving a single majority vote of the members shall be deemed elected. If there is only one candidate for a position declaration of election of that person shall be by acclamation. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Section 5. Vacancies. Vacancies in unexpired terms of Officers or Committee Chairpersons shall be filled by the President and approved by the membership at the next regularly scheduled RAB meeting. ARTICLE VI FISCAL YEAR Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the RAB shall begin on July 1st of each year. ARTICLE VII BY-LAW AMENDMENTS These by-laws may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part only by a vote of the majority of no less than a quorum of RAB members at any regular or special meeting. ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules as set forth in the current edition of Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt. ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST LIABILITY The RAB may, to the extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless each person who shall serve at any time as a member of the Executive Committee and / or officer of the RAB from and against any and all claims and liabilities to which such persons shall become subject by reason of his / her having been a member, officer, executive committee member and contingent upon the availability of funds, may reimburse each such person for all or part of the legal and / or other expenses reasonably incurred by him / her in connection with any such claims or liability, provided, however, that no such person will be indemnified against or be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in negligence or willful misconduct.
By-Law Committee
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©2007 Housing Opportunities Commission, All Rights Reserved. Information current as of 7/9/2009. |
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