Constitution and Bylaws

For printable pdf version of the RCHCA Constitution & Bylaws click here

Article I--Name and Boundaries

The name of this Association shall be Rock Creek Hills Citizens' Association.
The boundaries of the Association are the B&O Railroad on the north and east, Rock Creek Park and
the Capital Beltway on the south, the corporate limits of Kensington and Chevy Chase View, then
Connecticut Avenue from Saul to Rock Creek Park on the west.

Article II-Object

The object of the Association shall be to protect the community interest of the residents of Rock Creek
Hills and to promote the welfare of the community and Montgomery County.

Article III-Membership and Dues

Sec 1: Any adult residing or owning property in Rock Creek Hills or in the portion of Larchmont Knolls
which lies east of Connecticut Avenue shall be eligible to membership. Each member who is legally
adult in the state of Maryland shall be entitled to one vote in the Association. Membership in “good
standing” is a prerequisite for having one’s vote count. “Good standing” means that household dues
have been paid in full.

Sec 2: The membership dues shall be thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per family (or household) payable in
advance at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Sec 3: No fees or other assessments, other than the annual dues, shall be levied by the Association,
but voluntary offerings may be solicited and received by the Treasurer, when authorized by the
Executive Committee or by the Association.

Sec 4: The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

Article IV--Officers and Executive Committee

Sec 1: The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a
Treasurer.

Sec 2: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers, the immediate past-president and
the Chairpersons of standing committees.

Article V--Duties of Officers and Executive Committee

Sec 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, enforce the constitution and rules
of order, appoint the chairmen of all standing committees and such other committees as may be
approved by the Executive Committee. He shall discharge such other duties as may devolve upon him
by action of the Association.

Sec 2: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform functions of the President in the absence of
the President or upon his request.

Sec 3: In the absence of the President and Vice-President at any membership meeting, the Association
shall designate a temporary presiding officer.

Sec 4: It shall be the duty of the Secretary: To record the minutes of the meetings of the Association
and of the Executive Committee in a book provided for that purpose. To bring these minutes to all
meetings of the Association, both regular and special, all meetings of the Executive Committee. To
notify all members of the time and place of regular and special meetings. To perform such other duties
as are usually required of a secretary.

Sec 5: The Treasurer shall collect all moneys and contributions due the Association and keep a
permanent record thereof. The books of the Treasurer shall be audited at the end of the fiscal year by
a person to be selected by the President.

Sec 6: The Treasurer shall care for the funds, and the President and/or the Treasurer shall disburse
such funds as may be in the Treasury of the Association upon order of the Association, or the
Executive Committee.

Sec 7: The Executive Committee shall have general authority, not inconsistent with this constitution or
with any existing resolution of the Association, to direct the affairs of the Association during the
intervals between membership meetings and to establish such rules and procedures as may be
appropriate for that purpose.

Article VI--Nominations and Elections

Sec 1: A nominating committee of at least two members shall be appointed by the President, with
public notification for others to join at or about the time of the October meeting each year or within
thirty days thereafter, and this committee shall nominate candidates for the offices of President, Vice-
President, Secretary, and Treasurer at the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations for any of the said
offices may be made by any member from the floor at the election meeting

Sec 2: All officers and the chairmen and members of the standing committees or any other
committees shall be members of the Rock Creek Hills Citizens' Association, in good standing

Sec 3: Officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the
regular Annual Meeting of the Association and they shall hold office until the regular Annual meeting of
the following year or until their successors are elected and qualified. When more than one candidate is
nominated for any office, the election shall be conducted by secret ballot

Sec 4: In the event of vacancy in office, such vacancy shall be filled by the Executive Committee to
complete the unexpired term.

Article VII-- Meetings

Sec 1: Regular meetings of the Association shall be held three times a year. This includes one Annual
Meeting to be held in late January or early February, and two General Meetings to be held in May and
October. The dates for all meetings shall be announced at least 7 days in advance via RCHCA
newsletter, as well as via our website, www.rchca.org and via RCHCAnet.

Sec 2: Special meetings may be called by the President and shall be called upon written request of ten
members. Notice of such meetings shall be given to the membership at least four days prior thereto.
Sec 3: A quorum to transact business shall be twelve (12) members

Sec 4: Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the President, in accordance with
authorization of that Committee, or by such other officers as the Committee shall designate
Sec 5: A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority

Article VIII--Standing Committees

Sec 1: The following are the standing committees: Transportation, Special Events, Communications,
Building and Covenants, Legislative, Planning and Zoning, and Health, Safety and Environment.

Sec 2: The Transportation Committee shall be charged with responsibility for community interests in
streets, street signs, traffic signs, and highway safety,

Sec 3: The Special Events Committee shall be charged with responsibility for arrangement of special
programs and entertainment for special programs and activities.

Sec 4: The Communications Committee shall be charged with responsibility for member recruitment,
publication of the neighborhood directory, newsletters and other forms of communication with
members of the Association.

Sec 5: The Building and Covenants Committee shall be charged with responsibility for the study of
building regulations and covenants and the observance thereof throughout the community.

Sec 6: The Legislative, Planning and Zoning Committee shall be charged with responsibility for
community interests in private and public land uses, master plans and zoning regulations and
monitoring state and county legislation which may uniquely affect the community.

Sec 7: The Health, Safety, and Environment Committee shall have the responsibility for addressing
community interests on public health and safety and related environmental issues including, but not
limited to, sanitation, police and fire services.

Article IX--Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association (or at any special
meeting called for that announced purpose, with ten (10) days notice to the membership) by twothirds
of the members present and voting; provided written notice of such proposed amendment shall
have been distributed to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to date of meeting upon which
such amendment is to be voted

Voted & Approved 2009