ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership Categories.
1. Individual Memberships shall be open to those individuals, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older, and who are interested and supportive of the purposes of the Association. Those who reside within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I, whether as tenants or property owners shall have one (1) vote as outlined in Article IV, Section (D). Those who reside outside said boundaries shall be ineligible to vote.
2. Senior Memberships shall be open to those individuals who qualify for an Individual Membership who are at least sixty (60) years of age or older. Senior Membership shall be at a reduced membership rate. Those who reside within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I, whether as tenants or property owners shall have one (1) vote as outlined in Article IV, Section (D). Those who reside outside said boundaries shall be ineligible to vote.
3. Business/Organization Memberships shall be open to business entities that own a business open to the public.
a) Business/Organization Members shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Entities or Residential Members that share a common member or relationship shall be considered to have the interests of the whole represented by that one member and are limited to one (1) vote.
b) Voting privileges shall be limited to those whose principal place of business is located within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I; OR whose business address on record with the Ohio Secretary of State is located within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I.
4. “Members in Good Standing” are considered current in payment of dues, meeting Membership Categories in Article IV Section A, and not under review for Expulsion of the Association in Article IV, Section (C).
B. Exclusivity of Membership Categories. The membership categories set forth in this Article shall be mutually exclusive. Duplicate memberships are prohibited. Exceptions are noted in Article IV, Section (A), Membership Categories.
C. Expulsion of Members. Members whose conduct or association is deemed detrimental to the Association and/or Merion Village may be expelled in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Revised.
D. Voting Privileges.
1. Residential Members who do not reside within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I, Section (B), may attend all meetings, serve on committees in an advisory capacity, and participate in discussion, but shall not be entitled to vote. Voting members shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, submit a membership application, and be current in the payment of annual dues as established by the Association.
2. Business/Organization Members whose principal place of business is not located within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I; OR whose business address on record with the Ohio Secretary of State is not located within the Association Boundaries as set forth in Article I, may attend all meetings, serve on committees in an advisory capacity, and participate in discussion, but shall not be entitled to vote. Voting members shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, submit a membership application, and be current in the payment of annual dues as established by the Association.
3. Applicants for membership in the Association shall not receive voting privileges until seven (7) days after the application and membership dues are received. Prior to receiving voting privileges, a new Member may attend all meetings, serve on committees in an advisory capacity, and participate in discussion, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office.
4. Dues must be paid in full to be eligible to vote.
5. Only those Members present at the time a vote is called may cast a vote. Proxy votes are prohibited.
E. Dues.
1. Applicants for membership in the Association must submit dues with the application. Membership is a one-year term commencing on the date that dues are paid in full.
2. Dues submitted shall remain in effect for one year from the date dues are paid in full.
3. Membership dues are as follows:
a) Individual Membership: Minimum of $15.00 annually
b) Senior Individual Membership: Minimum of $15.00 annually
c) Business/Organization Membership: Minimum of $50.00 annually
F. Membership Renewal.
1. Membership in the Association is to be maintained on a one-year basis. The deadline for membership renewal is one year from the date of the member’s initial registration or from the date of the member’s last membership renewal. Members who renew later than one year from the date of their initial registration or their last membership renewal will be subject to the seven (7) day waiting period to vote as set forth in Article IV(D)(2).
G. Membership Lists and Information.
1. Each applicant for membership or membership renewal shall, with the payment of dues, tender a form disclosing his or her residential address (or business address), personal telephone number (or business telephone number), and email address. By obtaining a membership, each applicant consents to be contacted, using the information so provided to (a) volunteer for Association activities; (b) receive information regarding Association activities and events; and (c) receive other communications from Association members relating to Association business.
2. The Executive Board shall maintain a list of members in good standing for the sole purpose of verifying voting privileges. The membership list including members’ names shall be made available for review by Members of the Association. The membership list shall not be used for any purpose associated with the solicitation of Association Members, including solicitation prior to Association elections. The membership list shall not be used to solicit goods, services, or products on behalf of any entity other than the Association itself.