Leschi Community Council is a participating member of the Seattle Community Council Federation.
council documents
Constitution of the Leschi Community Council
(Established 1958)
ARTICLE I Preamble
This Constitution confirms the goals, functions, and operation of the Leschi Community Council, a non-profit organization formed in 1958.
The Council has been and shall continue to be organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational and literary purposes. Its goal is to initiate and/or support beneficial public interest projects and programs, to create a neighborhood awareness of community issues so that residents of Leschi may make informed and effective decisions in matters concerning them, and to support and promote artistic and cultural activities that are consistent with the Council’s purposes.
ARTICLE II Name
The name of this organization shall be the Leschi Community Council.
ARTICLE III Boundaries
The Leschi neighborhood consists of that portion of Seattle, Washington generally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr, Way, East Cherry Street, S. Norman Street and Lake Washington.
ARTICLE IV Membership
Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, or political background. To qualify for membership, a person must live, own property, or conduct business in the Leschi neighborhood.
ARTICLE V Voting
Voting is restricted to members sixteen (16) years of age or older.
ARTICLE VI Quorum for meetings
Regular Council meetings, other than committee meetings, require a quorum of six (6) persons to conduct business, provided that information can be disseminated to smaller groups. A quorum for Executive Committee meetings is three (3) persons.
ARTICLE VII Permissible Activities
As a nonprofit organization formed exclusively for charitable, educational and literary purposes, the Council may conduct any activities consistent with these purposes as they are defined by section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and implementing regulations. Permissible activities may include but are not limited to:
A. Lessening neighborhood tensions and eliminating prejudice and discrimination by increasing contacts among neighbors, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse, unique, and special talents of Leschi residents and groups, and by similar beneficial programs;
B. Establishing or maintaining areas of public use or enjoyment, such as neighborhood parks and green space;
C. Combating community deterioration through involvement in planning and decision-making regarding community development and programs, including physical planning, land use, transportation, public safety, and similar concerns;
D. Combating crime and juvenile delinquency through involvement in block watch, crime control, juvenile court diversion, and similar public programs;
E. Educating Leschi residents and business owners on matters of public interest by sponsoring or conducting neighborhood discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar events or by sponsoring cultural activities, such as gatherings for art performances, art exhibits, or other artistic endeavors.
F. Conducting literary activities, such as the preparation, publication, and/or distribution of articles, newsletters, and books promoting neighborhood appreciation and pride.
The Council or Executive Committee shall supervise, determine the location, and set such admission fees for Council-sponsored events as it deems appropriate and as are consistent with the organization’s purposes. Literary materials may be offered for sale to the general public at prices set by the Council or Executive Committee, provided that all revenue raising must comply with Articles VIII and IX.
ARTICLE VIII Prohibited Activities
The Council shall not engage in any activity precluded by its tax exempt status under 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No substantial part of its activities shall include attempting to influence legislation, or attempting to participate or intervene directly or indirectly in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements), except as permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, or rulings. Attempting to influence legislation, for this purpose, means:
A. Any attempt to influence any legislation through a move to affect the opinions of the general public or any segment thereof; and
B. Any attempt to influence any legislation through communication with any member or employee of a legislative body, or with any government official or employee who may participate in the formulation of the legislation.
However, the term ‘influencing legislation1 does not include the following activities:
A. Making available the results of nonpartisan analysis, study, or research;
B. Providing technical advice or assistance (where such advice would otherwise constitute the influencing of legislation) to a governmental body, or to a committee or other subdivision thereof, in response to a written request by such body or subdivision;
C. Appearing before, or communicating with, any legislative body with respect to a possible decision of that body which might affect the existence of the organization, its powers and duties, its tax- exempt status, or the deduction of contributions to the organization;
D. Communicating with a government official or employee, other than:
1) A communication with a member or employee of a legislative body (when such communication would otherwise constitute the influencing of legislation), or
2) A communication with the principal purpose of influencing legislation.
Also excluded are communications between an organization and its members with respect to legislation or proposed legislation of direct interest to the organization and such members, unless these communications directly encourage the members to influence legislation or directly encourage the members to urge nonmembers to influence legislation, as explained earlier.
The Council may apply for permission from the Internal Revenue Service for an exemption to allow a substantial part of its activities to consist of attempting to influence legislation. The exemption allows specified amounts of lobbying expenditures.
Certain voter education activities conducted in a nonpartisan manner may not constitute prohibited political activity, under various Internal Revenue Service rulings.
The Council shall not carry on activities for the benefit of private interests.
ARTICLE IX Dues, Contributions, and Other Revenue
The Council shall be operated as a public charity, not a private foundation, as those terms are used in the Internal Revenue Code and regulations. All, or at least a substantial part, of its financial support shall be derived, directly or indirectly, from the general public, a governmental unit, or a combination of these sources. ‘A substantial part’ consists of, normally, one-third (1/3) of its total financial support. However, one-tenth (1/10) may be sufficient, if the Council maintains a continuous and good faith program for the solicitation of funds from the general public, community, or its membership, or if it carries on activities designed to attract support from governmental units or other eligible charitable organizations.
Reasonable dues or fees may be charged for membership, activities, or publications. Rates shall be designed to attract a broad cross-section of the interested public. Donations may be accepted. Donors will be eligible for a charitable tax deduction, if the Council satisfies 501 (c) (3) requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
Any revenue generated by the Council shall be for the benefit of the Leschi neighborhood or general community. No part of the Council’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any particular resident, member, officer, or other individual. The Council may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make other payments and distributions consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
ARTICLE X Dissolution and Distribution of Assets
Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the organization’s liabilities, dispose of all the assets of the organization exclusively for its purposes in such manner, or to such organization(s) formed and operated for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary or other specified purposes which shall at the time qualify for tax exemption under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the alternative, some or all of the assets may be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose.
ARTICLE XI Construction of By-Laws
All provisions of the Council’s By-Laws shall be constructed and implemented in a manner consistent with this Constitution. Any provisions of the By-Laws which cannot be so interpreted and applied are hereby declared null and void.
ARTICLE XII Amendments
Any amendment of this Constitution or of the Council’s By-Laws shall be by two-thirds (2/3) of those members present and eligible to vote at a regular or special meeting, after notice of the proposed amendment and meeting has been posted in the neighborhood at least seven (7) days prior and the notice mailed to all members on the current membership list, at least ten (10) days prior. A copy of the adopted amendment shall be sent to the appropriate District Director of the Internal Revenue service.
ARTICLE XIII Adoption
The Constitution was duly adopted this 5th day of May, 2004 by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members eligible to vote after reasonable notice and copies of the proposed Constitution were issued.
The original of this Constitution, or a conformed copy, shall be kept by the Recording Secretary with other Council records.
Thurston Muskelly, President
Diane Morris, Vice-President
Diane Snell, Recording Secretary
Amended Bylaws of the Leschi Community Council
(Established 1958)
Article I Name
The name of this organization shall be the Leschi Community Council.
Article II Purpose
The purpose shall be to work to improve the general welfare of the Leschi neighborhood.
Article III Membership and Dues
Section 1. Membership. Membership in the Leschi community Council shall be composed of all persons living, owning property or conducting business in the area generally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, East Cherry Street, S. Norman Street and Lake Washington.
Section 2. Dues. Annual dues shall be $25 for individuals, $35 for families, $5 for persons who are low income, and $50 for commercial establishments.
Section 3. Voting. Every member 16 years of age or older shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 4. Income accounting. All dues and other income shall be deposited into an interest bearing account and shall be withdrawn only upon the issuance of checks signed by the President, Vice-President or Treasurer.
Amendment to Article III, Section 4. All dues and other income shall be deposited into an interest bearing account whenever the interest rate environment permits and shall be withdrawn only upon the issuance of checks signed by the President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer.
Yousef Shulman, President, Ocotober 5, 2016.
Article IV Officers - Election and Term of Office
Section 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of 3 or more members. The President shall appoint 2 or more members by April 15 of even numbered years and the Vice President shall serve as chairperson. The Nominating Committee shall bring a slate of officers to be voted on at the May meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Section 2. Term of Officers. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years or until their successors are elected by the General Membership at an Annual Meeting. All officers shall take office immediately following their election at the Annual Meeting. Officers shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 3. Multiple Service. If a person holds more than one Board position concurrently, that person is entitled to only one vote.
Section 4. Vacancies. The Vice President automatically moves up. Other vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of resignation, death or disqualification of an elected or appointed member must be filled until the next Annual Meeting by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Removal for Cause. Any elected or appointed Board member may be removed from office for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board at a regular or special Board meeting, or by a two-thirds vote at a General Membership meeting, provided notice of the meeting and the proposed removal shall be mailed not later than seven days prior to the meeting date. Two unexcused, consecutive absences of a member from Board meetings shall be deemed a resignation.
Article V Officers - Duties
Section 1. President. The President shall: preside over all meetings of the Council and of the Executive Board; appoint committee chairpersons; and be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall: assist the president as needed; perform the duties of president in the president’s absence; and act as chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
Section 3. Treasurer The Treasurer shall: collect dues; maintain a list of all paid members; receive funds; pay bills; keep records of all transactions; balance all funds; and prepare monthly financial reports for Council meetings.
Section 4. Secretary. The Secretary shall prepare meeting agendas, record minutes of all general and executive board meetings and provide a copy to the newsletter editor; provide all officers with copies of relevant documents; maintain copies of all outgoing correspondence; retrieve mail from the post office; channel correspondence to appropriate persons; maintain lists of meeting attendance and council members; and maintain all records, reports and documents of the Council.
Section 5. Seattle Community Council Federation (SCCF) Representative. The Representative shall attend meetings of the SCCF and report to the Council and Executive Board.
Section 6. Elected officials must become dues paying members of the LCC, if they are not so already. Article V amendment/Section 6 added: CoPresident Diane Snell October 3, 2012.
Article VI Committees
Section 1. Committees Standing Committees:
a) The Standing Committees shall be designated each year by the Board at its first meeting after the Annual Meeting.
b) Additional Standing Committees: Additional Standing Committees may be designated and dissolved by a majority vote of the Board or by a majority vote at the General membership meeting.
c) Special Committees may be designated by a majority of the Board.
Section 2. Committee Chairpersons. The President shall appoint committee chairpersons for all committees approved by the Board and/or the General Membership.
Section 3. Executive Board. The Executive Board shall be composed of all officers listed in Article V and all committee chairpersons.
Article VII Meetings
Section 1. General Council Meetings. The general counsel shall meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.
Article VII, Section I, amendment: The general council shall meet on an as needed basis. At a minimum, there will be an annual meeting each May. Co-President Diane Snell, October 3, 2012.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The President may call a special meeting of either the general membership or the executive board with a three-day written notice which states with reasonable specificity the reason for the meeting. A special meeting of the executive board may also be called without written notice with the agreement of two thirds of the board members.
Section 3. Executive Board Meetings. The Executive Board shall meet on a regular basis. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. Voting. All matters shall require a majority vote for approval except those matters requiring the taking of a public position by the Council which were not included on the agenda or in the previous newsletter shall require a 2/3 vote for approval.
Section 5. Rules of Order. The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used to conduct meetings except where they may conflict with these bylaws. The president may appoint a parliamentarian as deemed necessary.
Article VIII Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present on the second reading at a regular meeting. Written text of the proposed changes must be included with the notice of the meeting.
As Amended 10/01/08
[1] AMENDED BYLAWS OF THE LESCHI IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL EST. 1959
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I
This is to hereby certify that Leschi community members officially changed the name of their association from the Leschi Improvement Council to the Leschi Community Council. The vote was published as required under the bylaws and was voted by two-thirds vote at the meeting following the meeting at which it was formally introduced. Therefore, under the powers authorized by the bylaws, the name is formally changed to Leschi Community Council.
Karen E. Daubert, Acting Co-President, 6/1/96