Origins
In January, 2004 a group of rural residents united in concerns about rural garbage pick up. It was soon discovered that the public consultation process was a problem, and that there were many other issues that required a concerted rural voice. Development of a Milton Rural Residents Association began.
MRRA is not sponsored, subsidized or supervised by any Regional or Municipal body. We rely only on the support of our members for operating expenses and can speak freely on issues.
MEMBERSHIP
MRRA was incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a not for profit association of residents of rural Milton; membership in the MRRA is available to all rural Milton residents, and there is, currently, an annual membership fee of $10. Members are invited to participate in the activities of MRRA as members of the Board of Directors or members at large. Members of the Board of Directors are appointed as per the MRRA constitution, below, and serve without remuneration.
CONSTITUTION 25/09/05
1. Name
The name of the organization shall be: Milton Rural Residents Association.
2. Mission
Ensure that the interests of the residents of rural Milton are encouraged, heard and respected.
3. Activities
Monitor Milton Council, Region Council, Milton Committee, and Region Committee meetings and actions to …
- keep members informed of significant issues and events.
- bring appropriate items to the attention of Committee or Council. Where Council has already acted in a way that could be detrimental to the rural community, meet with members of Council to develop remedial actions and responses.
- measure Council action against guiding principles.
Provide a forum for members to raise and discuss issues of importance to the rural community.
Hold public meetings on issues of major concern to the membership.
4. Officers
The members of the Association shall elect from the membership 11 Directors. This Board of Directors will then elect a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer from the Board members.
All members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a one (1) year term and may stand for re-election.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held every month, or as needed.
Any member of the Board of Directors who is absent from 3 consecutive meetings, without a valid excuse, or who submits his/her resignation, shall be deemed to have vacated his/her position.
The Board of Directors is empowered to appoint new Directors from the membership to fill any vacancy until the next election of the Board.
5. Quorum
A quorum for a Board meeting consists of a simple majority of active members of the Board of Directors, with the President or Vice-President present, or a designated Director to preside over the meeting.
6. Duties of Directors
The President shall call and preside over all meetings and generally supervise the Association’s activities and shall give a report at the general meeting.
The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, in the latter’s absence or request
The Secretary shall keep all minutes and records except financial and shall attend to clerical work.
The Treasurer shall have charge of all finances and assets of the Association, under the direction of the Board of Directors. He/she shall pay all bills approved by the Board and shall maintain records of all assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements and present reports at all meetings. All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and either the President, Vice President or Secretary.
7. Members
All members of the Association must be residents or home owners in the Region of Halton. In no event shall members residing outside of the rural areas of Milton constitute more than 10% of the membership.
Members of the Association shall be those who properly satisfy above requirements and have paid their annual dues of $10.00, which amount may be revised from time to time by the Board of Directors.
8. Meeting
Annual general meetings shall be held in September.
Other general meetings shall be held as required.
Notice of all general meetings shall be distributed at least 14 days in advance by phone or email.
The Association’s fiscal year is from September 1 to August 31
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9. Amendments
Motions for amendments to the constitution must be given in writing to the Board of Directors at least 14 days before general meetings.
Constitutional amendments can only be considered at general meetings and must be approved by two-thirds majority vote of the paid-up membership in good standing present at the general meeting in order to be adopted.
10. Election of Officers
Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual general meeting held in September, by a simple majority of members present, in good standing, and who have been members for at least 3 months. Candidates for election to the Board of Directors must be residents of rural Milton and members in good standing for at least 3 months.
11. Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Association shall be developed by the Board of Directors for the good governance and efficient operation of the Association. Bylaws shall be approved and adopted at the annual general meeting by a simple majority vote of the membership.
12. Procedures and Arbitration
Since the Milton Rural Residents Association is registered with the Province under the Corporation Act, as a non-profit organization, all its by-laws and meeting procedures are governed under legislation of this Act. This includes the holding of meetings under parliamentary guidelines.
