Approved: July 9, 2006
Amended: July 12, 2009
Amended: July 20, 2014
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE
Section 1:1
The Association exists as a voluntary association in compliance with and pursuant to the laws of the State of New Hampshire to serve Granite Lake’s scenic, recreational and environmental interests by promoting the preservation and protection of its water quality and other natural resources.
Section 1:2 Recognition of the Granite Lake Village District and Disclaimer By Association
The Association recognizes the existence, pursuant to the laws of the State of New Hampshire, of the Granite Lake Village District whose responsibility is exclusive with respect to the impoundment of the waters of Granite Lake (including the water level of the lake, and maintenance, repair, improvement, replacement and inspection of the dam). The Association shall not have any responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any matter or subject for which said Village District has exclusive responsibility.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 2:1
Membership open to all owners (and their families) of property situated around the lake including those in the watershed of the lake and in the environs of Munsonville Village.
Section 2:2
Membership becomes effective with the payment of dues for the fiscal period and is renewable at or before the Annual Meeting for the subsequent fiscal period.
Section 2:3
The GLA Fiscal Period shall commence on July 1 and shall end on June 30.
Section 2:4
Dues shall be determined by a majority vote taken at an Annual Meeting for the subsequent fiscal period
ARTICLE III MEETINGS
Section 3:1
The Annual Meeting shall be held in Munsonville on the third Sunday of each July or at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Section 3:2
Special Meetings may be called by the President, the Executive committee or by written petition signed by twenty (20) or more members and submitted to the Secretary.
Section 3:3
The Secretary shall mail a notice of each meeting, Annual or Special, setting forth the date, time and location to all members (and to others who are eligible and may be interested in memberships and who have made themselves known to the secretary) at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
Section 3:4
All meetings of the GLA – annual, special, and executive – shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 3:5
Twenty members present at any Annual or Special meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3:6
Each single membership shall have one vote; each family membership shall have two votes.
Section 3:7
At any meeting, in order to vote a member must be present at the time the vote is called.
Section 3:8
No member may vote by proxy or by absentee ballot except in extreme circumstances at the discretion of the Executive Committee and with current membership status.
ARTICLE IV ELECTIONS
Section 4:1
Elections of officers shall be held at each Annual Meeting for all offices the terms of which are then expiring. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for all open terms of office and post such list at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations may be made and seconded from the floor at such meeting. An officer is elected by a majority vote of those present in person.
ARTICLE V OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 5:1
The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Officer At Large.
Section 5:2
The officers and the respective terms of their offices, commence at the conclusion of each Annual Meeting and continue until the next subsequent Annual Meeting except as set forth below, or until their successors are elected and qualified.
President –for a term of two fiscal periods
Vice-President – for a term of two fiscal periods
Secretary – for a term of two fiscal periods
Treasurer – for a term of two fiscal periods
Officer at Large -for a term of two fiscal periods
Section 5:3
Any vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and the person selected will serve to the end of the unexpired term.
Section 5:4
The officers of the Association, who shall constitute the Executive Committee and their assignees, shall have general charge, management and control of the affairs, funds and property of the Association in accordance with policies voted at the Annual or Special meetings.
Section 5:5
Any action of the Executive Committee may be taken only at a meeting thereof in person or by any feasible electronic means at which one more than half the established members thereof shall constitute a quorum. Notices of any such meeting must be given not less than twenty-four hours in advance thereof and may be given by mail, telephone or personal contact.
Section 5:6
Expenditures of funds greater than $500 require the prior authorization of the Association.
Section 5: 7
At the discretion of the Executive Committee, periodic audits of the financial records and accounts of the Association shall be performed by individuals not serving on the Executive Committee.
Section 5:8
The Executive Committee shall include all committee chairpersons who shall be selected by the Officers and who shall be voting members of the Committee. (amended 7/09)
Section 5:9
The President, subject to the supervision and control of the Executive Committee, shall have overall responsibility for the conduct of the affairs of the Association. The President shall preside at all meetings; call special meetings when necessary; have general supervision over all matters appertaining to the Association; appoint such Committees as are necessary to properly carry on the work of the Association. The President shall have check writing authority as backup to the Treasurer only in emergencies and with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 5:10
The Vice President shall assist the President in the general management of the affairs of the Association, and in case of the absence, or illness of the President, shall exercise all the powers of the President.
Section 5:11
The Treasurer shall be the chief fiscal Officer of the Association, shall receive all dues and other payments due the Association, and shall make all disbursements on behalf of the Association. The Treasurer shall maintain proper accounting records of the affairs of the Association.
Section 5:12
The Secretary shall act as the recording officer of the Association and shall keep the records of the Association including minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for the preparation and mailings of all notices and other Association correspondence. The Secretary shall, in cooperation with the Treasurer and Membership Chairperson, keep a list of all members of the Association together with their current addresses.
Section 5:13
The Officer at Large shall attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and assume responsibilities as requested by the President including monitoring issues regarding water safety, initiating periodic inspections of the island, and making general observations of lake and lakeside activities.
Section 5:14
The Executive Committee, including Officers, will read and sign the Association’s Conflict of Interest policy annually in conformance with the State of New Hampshire. The signatures will be retained by the Secretary for future reference.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES
Section 6:1
Members of standing and ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee from members of the Association for a period of up to one fiscal period and may be extended for additional fiscal periods. Committee responsibilities and authorities shall be established by the Executive Committee.
Section 6:2
Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association with the President acting as chairperson along with all Committee chairpersons automatically being members of the Executive Committee
Section 6:3
Nominating Committee
At least two months prior to the Annual Meeting, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of from three to five Members, none of whom is the current President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, or Officer At Large. The Nominating Committee shall, by writing filed with the Secretary at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting, recommend the names of Officers and shall post such list at the place of the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of members for election as officers at each Annual Meeting.
Section 6:4
Membership Committee shall promote Association membership. The Membership Committee shall, with the Treasurer and Secretary, compile a list of members’ mailing addresses for meeting notification.
Section 6:5
Lake Water Committee shall monitor lake water purity by making periodic quality tests, maintaining a log of the results and recommending to the Executive Committee any corrective or preventive actions. The Lake Water Committee shall also be responsible for the operation of the Lake Host Program and the Weed Watch Program whose purposes are to prevent the introduction of any undesirable or harmful vegetation into the lake.
Section 6:6
The island within the boundaries of Granite Lake is owned by the Association. It shall be kept in its natural state. GLA shall have supervision over its proper use and shall endeavor to protect this environment and prevent its misuse.
Section 6:7
The Island shall be open to members of the Granite Lake Association and their guests only and not to the general public.
Section 6:8
Use of the Island shall be at the individual’s own risk.
Section 6:9
No facilities or trash collection shall exist on the island. A policy of carry in/carry out shall be promoted.
Section 6:10
No overnight camping or fires shall be permitted on the island.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
Section 7:1
Amendments to these By Laws may be made only by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum present at any duly called meeting of members. Notice of any meeting at which amendments are to be considered shall be given at least thirty days in advance thereof and shall include the proposed amendments.
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8:1
Except as may be prohibited by the laws of the State of New Hampshire, the Association shall indemnify and hold harmless all officers and committee members and volunteers for all expenses, costs, damages and liabilities, including legal fees, that any of them may sustain or incur by reason of any good faith actions taken or not taken on behalf of, or in connection with the performance of any responsibilities or policies of, the Association. To the extent and in such amounts deemed to be economically feasible in the sole determination of the Executive Committee, the Association shall purchase appropriate liability and contractual liability insurance to cover all insurable risks to the Association set forth particularly in this paragraph and generally in these by-laws.
ARTICLE IX SEVERABILITY
Section 9:1
Should any provision of these By-Laws be deemed void by virtue of a Court Order or Governmental regulation, all other provisions shall remain in effect to the extent possible.
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION
Section 10:1
Upon dissolution of the Granite Lake Association, Inc., all remaining assets must be contributed to The New Hampshire Lakes Association or another 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is promoting the preservation and protection of water quality and other natural resources.
Process of deliberations:
First Revision: Richard Nicoletti and Alfrieda Englund, April 28, 2006.
First Reading: Executive Committee Wed., May 3, 2006. Present: David Wichland, Tom Newcombe, Dawn and John Baybutt, John Shea, Phil Hamilton, Alfrieda Englund
Second Reading: Executive Committee, Wed.., May 10, 2006. Present: David Wichland, John Shea, Phil Hamilton, Alfrieda Englund, John and Dawn Baybutt;
Telephone conversations: Douglas Maynard. 5/11/06, 5/22/06
Email input: Nick Nicoletti, 4/27, 5/4,13,14,16,17, 18, 2006; Jane Kirk 5/5/06; Tom Newcombe, 5/15,16/2006, 5/22/06; Judy Walton, 4/28/06, 5/15/06, 5/18/06, 6/22/06; John Shea, 5/16/06;
Distributed: GLA News mailed Monday, May 22, 2006
Presented: Annual Meeting: Sunday, July 9, 2006
Action: Approved, Sunday July 9, 2006
July 2009: Amendment changes: Sections 2;2, , 3:1, 5:8, 6:2;
Nov. 26, 2013: Present: Bob Mitchell, Dita Englund, Dave Pagniucci. Proposed changes for July 20, 2014: typo on Granite Lake Association, Inc.; typo in Section 4:1 “the terms of which”; Section 5:5 “one-half plus one”; ; Section 6:10; Section X: DISSOLUTION