Bluffs Business Association (BBA) Bylaws

Amended as of July 1, 2021. 1st revision 6/10/2023

Article 1: Address

The address of this association is: Bluffs Business Association, Attn: Suzy Sofer, 2530 West Bay Drive, Suite D, Largo, FL 33770

Article 2: Members

Members shall be any business in Pinellas County.

Article 3: Officers & Directors

Officers & Directors, including duties, eligibility, terms of office, vacancies and removal from office

• The Officers of this association are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Marketing Director. The Committee Chairs are Events, Membership Development, Community Outreach, Member Retention and Member Engagement. (See board member responsibilities)
• Members in good standing may be elected to or retain office in the association.
• Terms of officers: All officers and directors of this association shall hold office for two years, but may be re-elected to serve another year with no final term limits.
• Removal of officers: Removal of any officer will be by a 2/3 vote of the board excluding the person being removed.
• Vacancy in the office of president: In the event of a vacancy on the office of president, the vice-president shall become president.
• Vacancies of an unexpired term shall be filled by presidential appointment within 30 days with approval by 2/3 of the board of directors.
• Duties of officers shall be as outlined in Robert’s Rules.
• Board of directors: All officers and chairpersons are members of the board.
• The board has the administrative authority over the affairs, funds and property of the association between business meetings of the association, except that of modifying any action taken by the association.
• Board meetings will be held at the discretion of the President.

BBA Board Member Responsibilities

President

• Oversees the Officers & Committee Chairs to carry out the mission of the BBA.
• Schedules board meetings and prepares agendas
• Prepares agendas for monthly mixers and ribbon cuttings
• Works with the Marketing Director on social media and email communications
• Helps all Officers and Committee Chairs carry out their responsibilities.
• Prepares annual budget in conjunction with the Treasurer & Vice President

Vice President

• Steps in when the president is unavailable to perform the above duties
• Bylaws of the Bluffs Business Association Final 6/10/2023 Page 2 of 4
• Coordinates and oversees the business card drawings at monthly mixers
• Helps all Officers and Committee Chairs carry out their responsibilities.
• Prepares annual budget in conjunction with the Treasurer & President

Secretary

• Take meeting notes and distribute to Officers and Committee Chairs
• Maintain a current paid up membership list showing renewal dates to be invoiced and payment recorded.
• Notify members when membership is about to expire
• Works closely with the Treasurer to update member database and payment transactions
• Works closely with Membership Retention Chair

Treasurer

• Keep the financial records up to date and bank statement reconciled
• Create quarterly financial report and share with board members
• Keep an accounting of expenses, dues and additional revenues from sponsorships
• Work closely with the Secretary to update member database and payment transactions
• Prepares annual budget in conjunction with the President & Vice President

Marketing Director

• Maintain email database of members
• Creates events on social media and engages with current members and the public.
• Creates and sends email to members alerting them of upcoming events, to introduce new members and other pertinent news and updates.
• Maintain online calendar
• Maintain website
• Generates revenue for the BBA through the sale of email blasts, event and website sponsorships.

Committee Chairs

Events Chair

The duties of this position are to provide networking and educational opportunities and to
generate revenue through the sale of sponsorships

• Plans and coordinates ribbon cuttings for new members
• Creates opportunities for networking and educational events (i.e. Threshers baseball for members, lunch and learns)
• Creates community events that will benefit the businesses (i.e. sidewalk sales, vendor markets, etc)
• Sells event sponsorships to generate revenue for the BBA

Membership Development Chair

The duties of this position are to encourage growth in this organization and to generate revenue
through the sale of memberships

• Actively recruit local businesses to join.
• Encourage present members to bring in new members.
• Prepare and update membership info material

Member Retention Chair

The duties of this position focus on retaining existing members

• Works closely with the Secretary to identify members with expiring memberships and
  contact them to encourage renewal.

Member Engagement Chair

The duties of this position are to contact new members immediately upon joining

• Present member with a certificate of membership plaque
• Provide an orientation to their benefits and how to make the most of their membership.
• Contacts inactive members to gauge their satisfaction with the BBA and encourage activity if dissatisfied

Community Outreach Chair

The duties of this position focus on engaging with other nonprofit organizations

• Identify nonprofit organizations whose missions align or complement ours and establish a relationship with them.
• Recognize nonprofit members at mixers to help promote their cause
• Participate with the board in the selection of the non-profits
• Works closely with Events Chair to include nonprofits in events

Article 4: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this association is from January 1 to December 31 (calendar year), and
officer terms run from February to January.

Article 5: Association & Board Meetings, Special Meetings, Quorum

• Association meetings (mixers) will be held monthly at the discretion of the board.
• Place of monthly meetings – Members will be asked by the President via email to volunteer to host a mixer. The calendar of meetings should be set no later than December for the following year. Members will not host a meeting two consecutive years in order to give all members the opportunity to host a mixer.
• Quorum: 25% of the voting members (all members) of the association shall constitute a quorum.
• Board Members shall have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the membership.
• Special Meetings: Special Meetings will be held as called by President.

Article 6: Election of Officers

• After a member has been an active member for six months, they will be eligible to be-come an officer in the association.
• A nominating committee shall consist of 3 members appointed by the president.
• This committee shall prepare a single slate to be presented to the general membership at the January meeting. The report of the nominating committee shall be read to the association at the association meeting preceding the meeting when the election is held or published in a newsletter or emailed and placed on the website.
• The committee shall nominate one or more candidate for each office and directors. The consent of the nominee must be obtained before the name is placed in Nomination. The nominee must be in a good standing.
• Bylaws of the Bluffs Business Association Final 6/10/2023 Page 4 of 4
• Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at the January membership meeting.
• Election of officers will take place at the January membership meeting.
• The term of office is two years.
• Election shall be by ballot for any office for which there is more than one nominee.
• Installation of the new officers shall take place at the February meeting.
• Officers may be re-elected and serve consecutive terms.

Article 7: Committees & Their Responsibilities

All chairpersons shall be able to appointment ambassadors to help them carry out their responsibilities. Duties will be determined as needed and based on the reason for forming the committee. The ambassadors will not be board members and have no voting rights.

Article 8: Termination of Membership

Termination of membership will occur if member is more than 30 days past due on membership fee. Reinstatement will be effective upon the new renewal date upon receiving full membership dues.

Article 9: Treasurer

The treasurer shall not be bonded. The treasured is responsible for tracking all inflows and outflows of the Association in addition to maintaining a record of all members in good standing. The Treasurer is also responsible for mailing renewal notices to members.

Article 10: Association Dues, Fees and Assessment

The Annual dues are $120.00, $145 or $295 for 12 months of membership including the month in which the new member joins. Renewals will be due each year no later than the end of the thirteenth month to remain a member in good standing.

Article 11: Association Budget, Financial Statements & Audit

Audit and Budget: The treasurer’s books shall be audited within a reasonable time after the close of the fiscal year by an audit committee of three association members appointed by the president. These three people will also prepare a budget.

Article 12: Amendments to Association Bylaws

Amendments to association procedures: These procedures may be amended at any regular business meeting of the association by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting, provided notice of the amendment has been given at the preceding meeting.

Article 13: Parliamentary Authority

Roberts Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters not specifically covered in these association procedures.