I've received a number of inquiries about voting in next month's Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) elections. So I decided to write down a few things to help people out.
The simplest piece of information you need to know is this: if you are not currently a member of the BCA, you must join by today, September 21st, in order to be eligible to vote during BCA elections for officers and other positions during the meeting scheduled for October 21st. Now let me break that down.
To be a member, you must live within the boundaries of the neighborhood, own a business within neighborhood, or pastor a church within the boundaries of the neighborhood.
According to the BCA bylaws, to be eligible to vote in annual elections, on the date of the elections, You must meet two criteria: you must be a current member and you must have been a member for at least 30 days. That's why--if you are not currently a member--you must join by September 21st to meet the 30-day minimum requirement for membership.
But wait! There's another twist. Because September 30th is the end of the BCA's fiscal/membership year, if you become a new member this week, you have become a member for the 2013 fiscal year. But because the 2013 fiscal year ends at the end of the month, you'll also have to renew membership for 2014 at the beginning of October to stay eligible to vote. So that means that, if you are not a member now, you will have to pay two memberships fees in less than two weeks to be able to vote next month.
Although some have objected to this reading of the bylaws by the current executive board's, if you are balking at the thought of paying two membership fees, consider this, the BCA does offer scholarships and performs other good works so that your donation is well worth it in any case. I just renewed my and Acacia's memberships at Monday's BCA meeting.
For those of you who have been members during the 2013 fiscal/membership year, you will need to renew your membership (technically by Oct. 1st) to be eligible to vote on Oct. 21st.
Below you'll find a copy of the membership application. Applications and checks can be given to any officer of the civic association. But to keep things simple, feel free to slide any applications and checks (made out to "Bloomingdale Civic Association") through my mail slot at 131 U Street NW. I'll make sure any applications and checks get to the right officers.
Of course, I would love to see you all join the BCA, vote, and take part in some activity. Having more members would make the BCA more representative of the neighborhood, and the BCA would benefit from the ideas and energy of more people. What you do doesn't have to be all consuming, just one thing that interests you and you can commit to. That's democracy in action and what makes the neighborhood stronger.
Thanks,
John
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The Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.
PO BOX 1438
Washington DC 20013
Membership Application
($20.00 annually)
($10.00 seniors and students)
Name
Washington DC
Street Address Zip Code
Home Phone Alternate Phone
E-Mail Web Site
Other Family Members
Rooting for a Better Tomorrow
I am interested in the following committee(s) of The Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.:
□ Community Relations
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□ Neighborhood
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□ Beautification/Clean-up
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□ Public Safety Projects
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□ Education
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□ Membership
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□ Finance
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□ Economic Development
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□ Historic Preservation/ Housing
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□ Youth Program/Jr. Civic Association
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□ Renewal Membership
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□ New Membership
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Other
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John T. Salatti
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"
See
this additional comment from current Bloomingdale Civic Association President
Teri Janine Quinn:
Upon
rereading the note below, it is inaccurate to say you have to pay dues twice
within two weeks. To meet the 30 day requirement, you have to pay for 2013 dues
by today. The second requirement, that your current dues be paid, may be met
the day of the election.
The
more accurate statement is that if your 2013 dues are not current you would
have to pay dues twice within 30 days in order to be eligible to vote in the
upcoming election.
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