gyra By-Laws
BY-LAW I NAME
1.1 The organization shall be called The Greater Yorkville Residents’ Association, hereafter referred to as GYRA.
BY-LAW II TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION
2.1 The territory served by GYRA shall be that district of the GTA bounded as follows:
NORTH: Ramsden Park Road / Pears Avenue
SOUTH: Charles Street
EAST: Yonge Street
WEST: Avenue Road
2.2 These boundaries are not absolute and may be varied at any time by the Board of Directors.
BY-LAW III MISSION
3.1 GYRA provides a forum for achieving consensus on issues of shared community concern.
3.2 GYRA’s policies and strategic plans are developed in accordance with objectives defined by its membership, in order to optimize the security, prosperity and quality of life of the community.
BY-LAW IV OBJECTIVES
4.1 To be a collective voice for persons living in condominium / cooperative residences within the territorial area to enable them to participate in the decision making around issues affecting their neighbourhood.
4.2 To ensure a satisfactory balance between residential, commercial and visitor interests.
4.3 To protect historical legacies and special areas of identity so as to preserve the unique character / ambiance of the area.
4.4 To maintain and improve the safety, security, prosperity and livability of the area by vigorously addressing all environmental issues.
4.5 To keep members informed of all pertinent community issues and events.
4.6 To ensure that the voice of the community is heard by municipal and provincial elected representatives.
BY-LAW V COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
5.1 GYRA seeks to maintain close relationships with neighbourhood community groups with a view to sharing information and ideas and to encourage cooperative action.
5.2 GYRA is actively involved in the following organizations as:
A member of the Board of the Yonge-Bloor-Bay Association (YBBA)
A serving member of various committees of the YBBA
A serving member of various committees of the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BIA)
A serving member of the Community Heritage Project
A serving member of the Toronto Police Services 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee
BY-LAW VI: MEMBERS
6.1 ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
6.1.1 Condominium and Cooperative Corporations situated within the territorial area are eligible to become members of GYRA. Member buildings through their Board of Directors comprise the membership of GYRA. All residents of member buildings are deemed to be members of GYRA.
6.1.2 The Boards of member buildings appoint a voluntary representative, preferably a Director, and an alternate, to the GYRA Board of Directors.
6.1.3 Each member building through their Director on the GYRA Board is entitled to one vote in the proceedings of GYRA.
6.2 CLASSES OF MEMBERS
6.2.1 The Board of Directors may invite to join the Board, as ex-officio, non-voting Directors, persons who can bring to the Board qualified expertise in specific fields (i.e. Law, Urban Planning, Architecture, or other areas as the Board requires), thereby adding to the Board a professional advisory / consultant element.
6.3 FEES
6.3.1 The Board of Directors reviews and sets two levels of membership fees annually.
- Level 1 is a flat fee per building member.
- Level 2 is an additional fee based on the number of units in the building.
6.3.2 Member buildings are invoiced each year in January and fees are due at that time. 6.3.3 Non-payment of fees results in loss of membership.
BY-LAW VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7.1 DIRECTORS
7.1.1 The Board of Directors is comprised of one person from each of the member buildings.
7.1.2 A Director who is unable to attend a meeting may send an alternate as a non-voting observer.
7.1.3 Directors who are not members of the Executive Committee are expected to offer their service and expertise by participating on committees and undertaking other duties at the request of the President.
7.1.4 Directors are expected to keep their member buildings up-to-date regarding GYRA activities and to respond directly to any resident questions / concerns regarding GYRA activities.
7.1.5 Directors do not receive any remuneration as GYRA is a Not-for-Profit Association with voluntary members.
7.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
Every Director of GYRA and his/her heirs, executors, administrators and other legal personal representatives shall be indemnified and saved harmless by GYRA from and against any liability that such Director sustains or incurs in respect of any action, suit or proceeding that is proposed or commenced against him/her for or in respect of anything done or permitted by him/her in respect of the duties of his/her office as a Director of GYRA.
BY-LAW VIII EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
8.1 The Directors elect annually an Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Past President will be recognized and appointed a member of the Executive Committee with voting rights.
8.1.1 The President is authorized to convene meetings of the Executive Committee to discuss specific issues of policy.
8.1.2 The Executive Committee may make recommendations to the Board of Directors and request a Motion for approval and implementation. The Board Directors will respond to these requests either in person or electronically.
8.1.3 The Executive Committee will implement policy and strategy decisions approved by the GYRA Board of Directors.
8.1.4 Executive Committee officers may be entitled to expense administrative and representation costs in connection with their functions. Such costs will be defined on an annual basis by the Board of Directors.
8.1.5 Ad hoc committees may be formed as required.
8.2 DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF GYRA OFFICERS
8.2.1 PRESIDENT
8.2.1.1. The duties and responsibilities of the President are to:
a) Coordinate the activities of GYRA with the assistance of the Executive Officers.
b) Act as the sole public spokesperson for GYRA.
c) Set meeting agenda.
d) Recommend the striking of sub-committees on special or emerging issues as required.
e) Preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Board.
f) In case of a tie, cast the deciding vote for any Motion.
g) The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.
8.2.2 VICE PRESIDENT
8.2.2.1 The duties and responsibilities of the Vice President are:
a) In the absence of the President, to assume all the responsibilities of that office, including presiding at meetings and acting as the public spokesperson for GYRA.
b) To present the financial report in the absence of the Treasurer.
c) To monitor the GYRA web site and keep it up to date, as required.
8.2.3 SECRETARY
8.2.3.1 The duties and responsibilities of the Secretary are to:
a) Distribute meeting notices and agenda by e-mail one week prior to a meeting date.
b) Record Minutes of all meetings.
c) Maintain records of all meetings and correspondence.
d) Conduct authorized correspondence on behalf of GYRA, at the request of the President.
e) Chair the Membership Committee.
f) Transfer full and accurate records to the succeeding Secretary.
8.2.4. TREASURER
8.2.4.1 The duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer are to:
a) Manage all banking activity and keep accurate books of accounts.
b) Prepare a financial statement for presentation at each GYRA Board meeting.
c) Prepare and issue annual membership fee invoices and follow up delinquent payments.
d) Prepare and present an Annual Budget and an Annual Financial Statement / Report.
e) Maintain a current list of Member Buildings and Directors.
f) Transfer full and accurate books and records to the succeeding Treasurer.
8.3 EXECUTIVE TERMS OF OFFICE
8.3.1 All executive offices shall be for a term of two years commencing January 1st.
8.3.2 No Executive Committee Member may serve in one position for more than two consecutive terms. However, in the absence of a suitable and willing nominee for the position the incumbent may continue to serve in that position until a suitable candidate is identified.
8.3.3 Absence from office for one term shall entitle a former Executive Committee Member to stand for election to that position again.
8.3.4 In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee the Directors shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
8.4 ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
GYRA Directors will elect members of the Executive Committee annually at the December meeting of the GYRA Board of Directors.
8.5 MEETINGS
8.5.1 GYRA Board meetings will take place at 6:00 pm on the first Monday of each month, or on such other date as agreed upon by the Board of Directors, with the exception of July and August when there will be no meeting.
8.5.2 The Executive Committee will meet at the request of the President.
BY-LAW IX FISCAL YEAR
9.1 The fiscal year of GYRA shall end on December 31.
BY-LAW X SIGNING OFFICERS / AUTHORITY
10.1 The President together with another designated officer shall sign on behalf of GYRA all contract agreements, and other documents as may be required.
10.2 The President and Treasurer are jointly authorized to sign cheques and all necessary orders for the payment of money and to execute any documents as required by the bank.
BY-LAW XI AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
11.1 GYRA’s BY-LAWS may be amended with the approval of a quorum at any time at a special meeting of all Directors of GYRA.
BY-LAW XII DISSOLUTION
12.1 GYRA will have the power to dissolve itself only upon the vote of 75% of those present at an extraordinary General Meeting called specifically for this purpose.
12.2 In the event of dissolution, after all outstanding bills are paid the remaining funds will be returned to member buildings equally or alternatively by a vote of the Directors will be given to a charity of their choice.
BY-LAW XIII QUORUM
13.1 A quorum is defined as 25% of the Board of Directors.
BY-LAW XIV PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
14.1 In all matters not provided for in these By-Laws, Robert’s Rules of Order – Simplified and Applied, shall be the Parliamentary Authority.
BY-LAW XV ADMINISTRATION
15.1 GYRA shall be administered without the purpose of personal gain for its members.
15.2 Any profits or other accretions to GYRA shall be used in promoting the collective objectives of GYRA.
15.3 GYRA will not affiliate itself with any political party or religious group and will at all times act in a non-partisan manner for the benefit of all its members.
15.4 GYRA may choose to support an organization / association providing it is acting to promote its and GYRA’s stated objectives.
BY-LAW XVI COMMUNICATION
16.1 All internal communication will be conducted electronically and Directors are required to respond in this format.
BY-LAW XV11 STATEMENT OF TRANSPARENCY
17.1 The Greater Yorkville Residents’ Association (GYRA) is a voluntary, non-registered Not-for-Profit Association of persons residing in condominium / co-operative buildings within the prescribed area.
17.2 GYRA is dedicated to promoting the interests of residents of member buildings in preserving the integrity and harmonious development of the neighbourhood.
17.3 GYRA is self-funding via membership fees for each member building.
17.4 GYRA acts independently in the interests of its diverse membership and is not aligned to any political association.
17.5 A representative from the Board of a member building may, with the agreement of the GYRA President, attend a GYRA Board meeting as an observer and may receive upon request a copy of meeting Minutes, if deemed appropriate to his / her specific concerns.