OWL ByLaws

Date: November 29, 1981

BYLAWS

THE ORGANIZATION OF WOODLAND LAKE

ARTICLE I. Organization of Woodland Lake

This Association, having been duly incorporated as a non-profit association, under Public Act 327 of the Public Acts of 1931, State of Michigan, shall be known as The Organization of Woodland Lake, hereinafter referred to as O.W.L.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose or purposes of this association are as follows:

To own, hold, manage and control, for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the members of O.W.L., submerged lands and lands surrounding the outlet and dam impounding the waters of Woodland Lake, in the Township of Brighton, Livingston County; Michigan; to maintain and improve the dam and outlet to said lake; to preserve, regulate and control the level of the waters thereof; to aid in the weed control on said lake and to provide for the collection of dues from members for the carrying out of the objects of O.W.L. and to do or perform any other act or acts reasonably necessary to the accomplishment of the foregoing purposes.

ARTICLE III. TERRITORY

The area of interest of O.W.L. shall be Woodland Lake, property adjacent to Woodland Lake or property having Woodland Lake privileges. The land included in this association shall be all subdivided areas with access to Woodland Lake in the Township of Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan and all acreage having frontage on said lake and all subdivided areas or acreage contiguous thereto which the Board of Trustees may determine are sufficiently identified with the common interests of such land as to make proposed members eligible, all such land being east of Grand River Avenue.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

Section 1. Eligibility. To be eligible for membership in the O.W.L., a person must own an equitable or legal interest in one or more lots within the territory described in Article III herein.

Section 2. Membership. Upon joining, membership is continuous (as long as) eligibility requirements are met.

Section 3. Rights of Members.

1. Members shall have full privileges of membership. They may serve as a trustee, elected officer, may be chairman of or serve as a committee member, they shall have voice and vote.

2. Voting. Each member shall be entitled to one vote. No one person shall be entitled to more than one vote because of ownership of more than one lot.

3. Husband and wife owning jointly shall each be entitled to one vote.

4. In the event more than two owners appear on a deed, only two shall be entitled to vote.

5. With a quorum present, a majority vote of these members present and voting shall be required to pass on all official business matters of O.W.L.

Section 4. Meetings - Regular - Annual - Special

1. There shall be a minimum of one Regular Meeting of O.W.L. held each year. A regular meeting shall be held in October or as otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees, for the purpose of consideration and voting upon the budget, consideration of bylaw amendments, and any other pertinent business as may properly come before O.W.L.

2. The Annual Meeting shall be held in June or as otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees, for the purpose of electing the Trustees, consideration of bylaw amendments, and any other pertinent business as may properly come before O.W.L.

3. Special Meetings. Special Meetings of the membership may be called by the president provided the purpose of the meeting is stated in the call, and at least a seven day notice is given to the membership. No business may be transacted except that which is stated in the call.

4. Notice of Meeting. The call for any regular, annual or special meeting of the O.W.L. shall be by U.S. mail, sent by the corresponding secretary or by personal delivery to all property owners no less than seven days prior to the meeting. The notice shall state the business to be transacted

5. Rules of Debate. No person may speak more than twice, nor longer than two minutes on each question without permission of the assembly. Debate on any one subject shall be limited to twenty minutes unless extended by vote of the assembly.

6. All meetings of O.W.L. shall be conducted in keeping with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised current edition.

7. Quorum. 35 members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the association for the transaction of business and voting. In the event that any association meeting fails to meet a quorum, another meeting of the membership shall be called within fifteen (15) days. No official business shall be transacted at any association meeting without the presence of a quorum.

8. Meeting Place. The notice bf each regular, annual or special meeting shall designate the place or places where each such meeting is to be held, as the Trustees may from time to time determine.

Section 5. Order of Business. (may be changed by the chair as deemed necessary).

a) Call to order

b) Reading of the minutes of the last regular, annual or special meeting.

c) Reports of Officers and Committees

d) Election (when applicable)

e) Unfinished business

f) New business

g) Adjournment

ARTICLE V. DUES - ASSESSMENTS - BUDGET

Section 1. The annual dues shall be as determined in the budget which shall be considered and voted upon each year by the association’s membership at the October meeting.

Section 2. Dues Payments. Dues shall be due and payable to the treasurer from January 1 through June 1 each year.

Section 3. Failure to pay dues by June 1 shall result in the loss of voting privileges at all meetings until dues are paid.

Section 4. Budget. The annual budget shall include dues and assessments, (weed control fee) and all other pertinent expenditures of the O.W.L.

a) A Budget Committee of three shall be appointed by the president. The committee shall submit the budget to the Board of Trustees for review prior to being submitted to the O.W.L. membership for their consideration and vote.

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Section 1. The board of Trustees shall be comprised of 16 members of the O.W.L.

Section 2. Election. The Board of Trustees shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in June. Election shall be by ballot and a majority vote of the members present and voting shall constitute election

a) A count of the voting members present shall be mandatory before the ballots are distributed.

b) Trustees shall be elected to serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected.

c) 8 trustees shall be elected in the odd numbered years;

8 trustees shall be elected in the even numbered years.

There shall be a total of 16 members on the Board of Trustees each year.

d) The Board of Trustees shall elect from their numbers the officers of the O.W.L. and they shall have the power to fill all vacancies within their body.

Section 3. Vacancies occurring in the office of Trustee shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining trustees.

Section 4. Election of Officers and Board Meetings. The Board of Trustees shall meet within four (4) weeks after the Annual Meeting for the purpose of electing from their numbers the officers of the association who shall be a . . . President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and a Treasurer who shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected.

a) Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be called by the president as deemed necessary.

b) Committee chairman, or a representative on the committee, may be invited to attend meetings of the Board for the purpose of submitting reports.

Section 5. Quorum. 7 members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the legal transaction of business and voting.

Section 6. Removal from Office. A trustee can be removed from office for missing 3 consecutive meetings and/or failure to perform his/her duties in the best interest of O.W.L., as determined by the Board of Trustees, (9 or more).

Section 7. Duties of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have the management and control of all business and all the property of O.W.L. and shall represent the O.W.L. with full power of authority to act for it in all things legal whatsoever. The primary duty of the Board of Trustees shall be to direct and control the maintenance of the dam or spillway of Woodland Lake and to regulate the lake level, SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. The normal lake level is defined as the level of the overflow lip of the spillway structure. The winter lake level will be artificially controlled to diminish damage to the dam and shoreline caused by ice and excessive high water, and to facilitate general shoreline and beach maintenance.

The Board of Trustees shall appoint, and periodically direct one or more members to make necessary adjustments of the spillway level control. The spillway control will be adjusted during the fall of the year to lower the lake below the normal summer level. During the spring of the year, the controllable spillway section will be readjusted to the normal summer level. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT THE EMERGENCY RAISING OR LOWERING of the spillway control because of abnormal weather conditions, or to accommodate other factors affecting the waterway above or below Woodland Lake.

The Board of Trustees shall:

1. File an annual report with the Michigan Department of Treasury on or before October 1 every year in accordance with Public Act 327 (1931), the Michigan General Corporation Act.

2. Act in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 of this Article and a1 Bylaw

3. Review the budget for presentation to the membership for their consideration and vote. The Board of Trustees when the general interest of the association require the same, and when authorize by resolution of the members at any duly called meeting at which a quorum is present, borrow money and issue its promissory note or bond for the repayment thereof with interest, and may in like case mortgage its property as security for its debts or other lawful engagements; provide that no such promissory note or mortgage shall be valid unless so authorized, but no such mortgage or note shall be deemed to be invalid for failure of the members to include in their authorities the particular sums, rates of interest or time of maturity of the note or engagement, which items may be agreed upon by the trustees.

4. Appoint special and standing committees.

5. Appoint an assistant treasurer if deemed necessary.

6. Appoint a nominating committee of three (3).

7. Have the authority to discharge a committee for failure to perform their duties in the best interest of the O.W.L.

8. Receive grievances from the O.W.L. membership and act upon their complaints to the best interest of the O.W.L.

9. Review all bylaw amendments submitted by the members.

10. The Board may submit bylaw amendments.

Section 8. Nominating Committee. The nominating Committee shall be comprised of three (3) members appointed by the Board of Trustees.

a) Duties of Nominating Committee. They shall nominate one (1) person for each position to be filled on the Board of Trustees.

b) Nominees must give their consent in writing if not present at the Annual Meeting election.

c) Nominations shall be accepted from the floor immediately following the report of the Nominating Committee at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS - DUTIES

Section 1. The officers of the O.W.L. shall be a:

President Corresponding Secretary

Vice President Treasurer

Recording Secretary

a) The officers shall attend all meetings of the O.W.L. and Board; and perform all duties as usually pertain to their office.

Section 2. The President shall:

a) Be the chief executive officer and. official representative of the O.W.L.

b) Preside over all meetings of the O.W.L. and Board of Trustees.

c) Appoint standing and special committees with Board Approval.

d) Be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

e) Make certain that all orders of the O.W.L. and Board are implemented.

f) Appoint a budget committee of three (3).

g) Sign checks in addition to the Treasurer.

a) Perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President during the absence of that officer and assist the President in performing any annual duties.

a) Record the proceedings of all meetings of the O.W.L. and Board of Trustees and preserve them in a permanent minutes book.

b) Maintain the master copy of the Bylaws and other documents of the O.W.L. Note all amendments adopted to the Bylaws.

c) Have custody of the Seal of the O.W.L. and affix same to all documents as required.

d) Maintain all files, letters and records pertaining to all business of the O.W.L. and Board of Trustees.

e) Perform all duties of the office as required and/or as directed by the O.W.L. and Board of Trustees.

b) Tend to all correspondence as directed by the O.W.L. and/or Board of Trustees.

d) Consult with the president prior to mailing official O.W.L. correspondence to the membership and others.

e) Maintain a permanent book of correspondence sent and received by the O.W.L. and/or Board of Trustees.

a) Have custody of all O.W.L. funds and securities and maintain records in a permanent book. . . all receipts and disbursements shall be accounted for.

b) Deposit all monies, securities and other valuable effects in the name of the O.W.L., in such depositories as designated for the purpose by the Board of Trustees.

c) Disburse funds as directed by the O.W.L. or Board of Trustees. Vouchers must be obtained for all disbursements. Write checks, send dues and delinquent notices.

d) Submit a financial statement to the president and Board of Trustees at their meeting or whenever requested by them.

f) File a bond for the office of treasurer as directed by the Board of Trustees.

g) Submit all financial records, money, vouchers and property of whatever kind in his possession to the Board of Trustees upon completion of term of office or resignation.

Section 7. All officers, committees, board members shall submit to the O.W.L. all records belonging to the association which are in their possession upon resignation, retirement or removal from office.

Robert's s Rules of Order Newly Revised current edition shall govern this Association in all proceedings not provided in these bylaws.

1. Amendments shall be submitted in writing, signed by the proposer/s, and presented to the Board of Trustees for their review at least one (1) month prior to the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.

2. By a two-thirds vote of those present and eligible to vote provided the amendment/s have been published and mailed to the members at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.
The O.W.L. membership and the Board of Trustees may submit amendments to those bylaws as defined in this article.

Any person desiring a copy of the bylaws shall contact the Corresponding Secretary who shall have copies on file.