One of the oldest civic organizations in Northeast Philadelphia has decided to give itself a facelift. The East Torresdale Civic Association unveiled proposed changes to its 49-year-old bylaws during the group’s monthly meeting on Sept. 8.
The ETCA bylaws committee delivered the first official reading of the new bylaws during the meeting. A second reading will be conducted during the group’s Oct. 13 meeting. Members will be able to vote on the proposed changes during the Nov. 10 meeting. The ETCA’s general meetings are open to the public, although only paid members are eligible to vote.
Linda Hogan chairs the bylaws committee, which also includes ETCA officers Lew Halas, Bill Kennedy and Justine Graham. The proposed bylaws changes address several provisions, including membership eligibility, meeting dates, voting procedures, composition of the executive board, spending protocols and dues rates.
The cost of individual memberships will increase from $7 a year to $8, while family memberships will increase from $10 to $12 a year. To be eligible to vote on any topic at a general meeting, a person must be a member in good standing. If someone joins the ETCA during a general meeting, he or she must wait until the next meeting to become eligible to vote.
General meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. Members of the ETCA’s executive board meet additionally in private session on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are subject to cancellation due to weather or other emergencies.
Full membership in the ETCA is open to any person who lives in the neighborhood or owns property in the neighborhood. The bylaws define the association’s boundaries as the Delaware River, the Poquessing Creek, Frankford Avenue and the Academy Road exit of Interstate 95. The territory also includes the 3900 blocks of Fitler Street, Eden Street and Grant Avenue, as well as the 9600 blocks of Frankford Avenue and Leon Street.
Associate memberships are available to those who do not meet the criteria for full membership. Associate members are ineligible to vote. In the case of a question over someone’s voting eligibility, the voter may be asked to show a government-issued ID card to confirm his or her identity or place of residence.
Property owners seeking the ETCA’s support for construction or zoning-related applications must meet first with the executive board before presenting the plans at a general membership meeting. Under the proposed bylaws, the executive board would be reduced in size from eight officers and 10 standing committee chairs to seven officers and seven standing committee chairs.
Executive board elections are held each December, with installation of board members in January. All executive board terms are one year. In the past, the bylaws called for a secret ballot election. The secret ballot requirement would be eliminated if the proposed bylaws are adopted. No absentee or proxy voting is permitted. All votes must be cast in person by the registered member.
For information about the East Torresdale Civic Association, visit www.easttorresdalecivic.com ••
