Notification of Possible Amendments to League Bylaws

Dear Mayor,

Pursuant to the League’s Bylaws, this is to notify you of a possible amendment to the League Bylaws that may be considered at the Annual Business Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, November 16, 3:30 p.m., to conclude the upcoming 108^th Annual Conference.

The League Executive Board is seeking comment on the proposed revision, which may either be part of the meeting’s agenda or tabled for further discussion for next year.  

The purpose of the proposed revision is to expand the existing Board to assure that the Board is representative of the State and to enhance and promote engagement with the League. The current bylaws allow for 21 Board members and Board action has expanded that number to 25, including an ex-officio seat. The current composition of the Board provides for at least one board member for each county and two seats for Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, and Morris.

The proposed amendment would authorize the appointment of up to 5 (five) at-large seats, recommended by the Nominating Committee, for approval at the Annual Business meeting and further governed by the League’s bylaws. The Nominating Committee is charged with consideration of, “…the state’s geographical balance and a political balance with due consideration to gender and diversity.”

The proposed revisions follow below. We have also provided a form for League membership to submit their comments on the proposed revision. Based on feedback and discussion, the League Officers and Executive Board will decide whether to agenda the revision for discussion at the Annual Meeting. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.   

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

 ARTICLE V

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section 1.       Election and Vacancies.       

The Executive Board shall consist of the President and Vice-Presidents, ex-officio, and, in addition thereto, other members not exceeding thirty to be elected at the annual meeting. The Immediate Past President shall be a member of the Board unless their membership in the League terminates. The members of the Executive Board shall be municipal officials at the time of their election and shall hold office until the election of their successors at the next annual meeting, unless in the meantime their membership in the League terminates. Vacancies may be filled by the Executive Board for any unexpired term. 

Members of the Executive Board shall be chosen from different member municipalities and membership of the Board shall be so distributed as to provide member representation from each of the twenty-one counties in the State. Up to 5 members of the Board may be elected on at-large basis, upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee and approval at the Annual General Meeting.   

Section 2.       Powers and Duties.  

Subject only to the statutes and to the provisions of this Constitution, and to such action as may from time to time be taken by the League itself at an annual or special meeting, the Executive Board shall have the entire control and management of the affairs, property, and policy of the League. All action by the Executive Board shall be reported by the Executive Director to the member municipalities of the League, and except as to expenditures authorized by the Executive Board, shall be subject to ratification or modification by the League at an annual or special meeting. The Executive Board shall have power to appoint sub-committees of its own members, and any other League members, and to prescribe the powers and duties of such sub-committees. The Executive Board may make and alter rules for its own government, not inconsistent with this Constitution. The Executive Board shall engage annually a Certified Public Accountant or a Registered Accountant to audit the accounts and records of the League and to make a report thereon to the Executive Board. This report shall be submitted at the first meeting of the Executive Board following the end of the fiscal year. 

Section 3.       Meetings.       

The Executive Board shall meet on call of the President or of any seven members, on at least seven days’ written notice, emailed by the Executive Director to all members of the Board. Such notice shall state, at least in general terms, the purpose of the meeting. 

Section 4.       Voting and Quorum. 

Ten members present in person shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Executive Board. More than one-half the votes, excluding blanks, cast at a legal meeting where a quorum is present, shall constitute a majority vote. Members of the Executive Board shall not vote by proxy.

The League is Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 Innovation in Governance Awards Program!

 
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) will again acknowledge and promote Innovation in Governance through our annual recognition program. This is a great opportunity to showcase innovative solutions to any problems that have cropped up – either suddenly or over time – in your municipality. It can also be an opportunity to let your peers in on innovations that prevented problems from arising. The Innovation in Governance Awards Committee is looking for any new and distinctive approaches in any department of municipal government. This year you can apply through our new online application process, or simply print and send your application via e-mail or mail!  

Apply soon as the nomination deadline is Friday, October 20, 2023.
  
Visit our awards page to see previous years of impressive ideas created by our winning municipalities as well as the full invitation and application to this year’s program.  

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ciara Bradley at CBradley@njlm.org or 609-695-3481, x128.