The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Michigan Community Development Association (MCDA) hereafter referred to as the Association.

1. Provide members of the Association an opportunity to mutually exchange ideas and information in the field of community development;
2. Work jointly with other organizations and governmental agencies;
3. Support community development professionals and practitioners through technical training and mentoring.
4. Encourage the development of public policies supportive to community development;

Honorary Member
An Honorary Membership must be conferred by the Executive Committee.

Student Member
A Student Membership can be held by any individual student who has an interest in the purpose of the Association, as set forth by the Association. Students should send proof of current student status.

Section 2
Membership shall be effective upon payment of dues.

Section 3 - Dues
Annual dues are to be determined by the Executive Committee Section 4 - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be the calendar year, but is open to change per the majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 1 - Executive Committee
This Committee shall be composed of all elected officers, the immediate past chairperson, six (6) board members, and one representative from each affiliate organization – Michigan Housing Rehabilitation Specialists Network and Michigan Small Communities Association. The Executive committee shall manage the affairs of the Association between meetings of the Association and shall exercise the authority of the Association. The Executive Committee shall meet at a time and place to be designated by the Chairperson.

Section 2 - Executive Board Members
Six (6) board Members will be elected by the membership to serve on the Executive Committee. All voting members are eligible for election to the executive board (officer positions are reserved for government employees). The term of each of the board members will be three years undefined with two elected each year. All board members must be voting members who pay their dues and attend meetings regularly. Every effort will be made to elect Board Members from unrepresented areas. Board members who miss 3 consecutive Executive Committee/General Membership Meetings without adequate reason may be subject to removal by 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee legally convened and acting within thirty (30) days from receipt of a resolution stating reasons for removal and signed by 2/3 of the voting members, other than the Executive Committee. A copy of this shall be given to the board member named in the petition.

Section 3 - Officers
The officers of the Association shall be a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and the past Chairperson.

Section 4 – Officers Qualifications
All officers must be individual members who pay their dues and attend meetings regularly. They must work for a government agency. All officers are elected by the voting membership of the Association.

Section 5 – Officers Term of Service
The term of office shall be two years or until the successors are elected or appointed. No person shall serve more than two consecutive elected terms in the same office.

Section 6 - Duties of Officers
Chairperson: The Chairperson shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and shall, in general, supervise and control all of the business affairs of the Association and other duties incidental to the office. She/He may sign with the secretary or any other proper officer of the Association authorized by the Executive Committee, contracts or other instruments not having a value in excess of $1,000. The Executive Committee must authorize signature of all other documents and expenditures.

Vice-Chairperson: In the absence, vacancy, or disability of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the Chairperson.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Association; disburse funds, establish and maintain accounts, and report on such accounts at meetings as required; and receive and give receipts for monies due or payable to the Association and deposit all such monies in the name of the Association in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the Executive Committee. In general, the Treasurer shall perform all the duties incidental to the Office of Treasurer, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chairperson or by the Executive Committee.

Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records of all meetings of the Association in a permanent book; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; and be custodian of all official paper of the seal of the Association. The Secretary shall maintain a register of the post office address of each member, in general, perform all duties incidental to the Office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chairperson or by the Executive Committee.
Past-Chairperson: The Chairperson shall continue to serve as a member of the Executive Committee for one term following the expiration of his/her term as the immediate Past-Chairperson. The Past-Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee.  

Section 7 - Removal of Officers
All officers shall maintain the prerogative of voluntary resignation effective two weeks after written notification to the full Executive Committee. Officers who miss 3 consecutive Executive Committee/General Membership Meetings without adequate reason may be subject to removal by 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee legally convened and acting within thirty (30) days from receipt of a resolution stating reasons for removal and signed by 2/3 of the voting members, other than the Executive Committee. A copy of this shall be given to the officer named in the petition.

Section 8 - Vacancies
The Chairperson, with the approval of the Executive Committee, may fill any vacant positions.

1. Education Committee: The committee shall arrange for workshops, educational programs and dissemination of public information and research efforts.
2. Nominating Committee: Shall consist of a chairperson and a representative recommended by the Chairperson and approved by the Executive Committee. This committee shall make nominations for officers and board members. The slate of nominees, whose consent has been secured, shall be sent to voting association members three weeks prior to election at the annual meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of election provided written consent of nominees have been secured.
3. Membership Committee: Shall enhance membership development and outreach efforts.

Section 2 - Other Committees
Such other Committees, standing or special (ad hoc) as deemed necessary to carry on the work of the Association.

Section 1 - General Membership Meetings
There shall be at least two (2) meetings of the general membership each year for the purpose of transacting appropriate business of the Association. One of these shall be the Annual Meeting. Meeting places shall be designated by the Executive Committee. Three (3) weeks notice of all meetings shall be sent to the membership. Special meetings may be convened by the Chairperson or by petition of 10% of the general membership but no less than five (5) members. The business of the special meeting shall be restricted to the stated agenda.

Section 2 - Annual Meetings
There shall be an Annual Meeting each Fall. A portion of this Annual Meting shall be devoted to business matters pertaining to the Association membership. The Chairperson and Treasurer shall present an annual report. The elections and installation of offices and at-large members will occur at this time. Executive Committee members will assume their responsibilities following installation.

Section 3 - Voting
Voting privileges shall be open to all voting members as defined by Article III, Section 1. At any regular or special meeting of the membership, a quorum shall consist of 20% of the paid voting membership. There shall be no voting by proxy. A simple majority will be required in voting, unless otherwise specified.

The Association may develop affiliate relationships with other organizations with similar objectives. All Affiliate relationships will be developed in accordance with approved Policy. Each relationship will be endorsed by the Executive Committee and agreed to by 2/3 vote of the paid members present and voting at a meeting of the Association.

An affiliate organization is comprised of Association members who choose to organize a subsidiary relationship based upon specific interests and objectives addressed in ARTICLE II of these Bylaws and under the purview of the Executive Committee.

The Affiliate, as a subsidiary of the Association, is responsible for maintaining proper communications with the Executive Committee by forwarding all communications to the Chairperson for review and comment of public positions and new initiatives.

The Executive Committee may develop written policy when such action is necessary. All written policy must be agreed to by 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee and must be consistent with these Bylaws. All paid members will be notified, in writing, within three (3) weeks of Executive Committee approval of Policy.

These Bylaws may be amended at a meeting of the Association by a 2/3 vote of the paid voting members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment was submitted in writing to the Executive Committee Association membership no later than the call for the meeting. The Bylaws shall be periodically reviewed by the Association.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

In case of dissolution of this organization, all assets remaining after payment of authorized expenditures shall be distributed to an organization which qualifies for tax exemption as provided for under the Internal Revenue Laws of the United States of America, no part to any private individual or member.