Who We Are
Neighborhoods First is a non-partisan political action and information organization dedicated to protecting and improving Long Beach. We are a broad-based city-wide organization with members from every council district and represent the views of all parts of our city.
What We Do
The Neighborhoods First mission is to protect the quality of life in Long Beach by increasing public awareness of the pro-neighborhood performance of all elected officials, working to elect responsible candidates, and holding them accountable to the pro-neighborhood agenda once elected.
How We Do It
Voter Education: At the end of each legislative year, Neighborhoods First publishes the Long Beach Community Scorecard. The Scorecard is the definitive barometer of community politics in Long Beach, rating the performance of the City Council and the Mayor on key issues. At the end of January, the Scorecard will be distributed to Neighborhoods First members, other community organizations and the news media.
Electoral Campaigns: Neighborhoods First conducts rigorous research on candidates in order to make endorsements in City races. Our endorsements are backed with expertise of many years of community involvement. We will also campaign to educate voters about candidates’ pro-neighborhood records.
Legislative Advocacy: Neighborhoods First is a legislative watchdog organization. Each year, we campaign for strong pro-neighborhood issues in Long Beach. We collaborate with other City, County and State organizations on issues of importance to our common community goals. We work to make sure Councilmembers hear from pro-neighborhood voters.
Neighborhoods First Officers
Mike Kowal, Chair mike@lbnf.org
Joe Sopo, Vice-Chair joe@lbnf.org
Paul De Jung, Secretary paul@lbnf.org
Kinde Durkee, Treasurer kinde@lbnf.org
Eric Bradley,
Endorsement/Policy Chair eric@lbnf.org
Neighborhoods First Bylaws
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSES AND GOALS
The purposes and goals of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST is to increase the participation of residents in the political process, to increase the number of pro-neighborhood candidates elected and appointed positions, to recruit viable pro-neighborhood candidates to run for office, and to advocate pro-neighborhood policies at all levels of government. In pursuit of these goals, NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST attempt to provide a counter-balance to the well-funded special interest groups that put their own interests ahead of the quality of life of residents.
The work of the NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST includes, but is not limited to:
(A) Active support for public office of candidates who demonstrate support of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST issues.
(B) Provide training and information on issues and candidates so that residents may intelligently participate in party decision making and candidate selection at all levels.
(C) Draft and support pro-neighborhood legislation.
(D) Coalesce and work with other groups sharing the concerns of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST.
(E) Lobby for the appointment of people who share the goals of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST in all areas of political and governmental activities.
(F) Maintain a political action committee to provide financial support to endorsed candidates.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
(A) ELIGIBILITY. Membership in NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST shall be open to any individual, without regard to ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, handicap, economic status, or sexual orientation, who supports the purposes and goals of the organization and for whom dues have been remitted.
(B) CONDUCT. Members shall:
1. Comply with all federal and state laws governing political contributions, political activity, and candidate support;
2. Refrain from any activity that would jeopardize the tax status of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST;
3. Be entitled to vote in any matter presented for vote by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
(A) ENUMERATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS. There shall be nine (9) officers, each of whom shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST. One officer shall be the Chair, one Vice Chair, one Secretary, one Treasurer, and one Endorsement/Policy Chair. If possible each officer shall be a resident of Long Beach and each shall reside seperate council districts. All other officers shall be At Large officers. All officers will assume their offices on January 1 of the year following the annual membership meeting/annual meeting or within forty-five (45) days, whichever is the shorter time period, except that the initial officers shall serve from the inception of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST, until January 1, 2008.(B) COMMITMENT.
1. The officers of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST shall reflect purposes and goals of this organization.
2. The officers shall also reflect the commitment of this organization to be non-partisan, to work with diverse groups, and to participate in a respectful manner in governmental decision-making.
3. Elected and appointed officers will transmit materials, explain duties, and assist their successors in preparing to assume office.
(C) Terms. All officers will serve one year terms as mandated in Section A of this Article.
(D) VACANCIES. A vacancy in the office of Chair shall be filled by the Vice Chair elected in the same year as the Chair. Vacancies in other elected offices shall be filled by a majority of the remaining Board members, provided a quorum is present.
(E) ELIGIBILITY. Any Member is eligible to serve as an At Large member of the Board, however, any other Board position requires a minimum of six (6) months service on the Board in any position.
(F) Dues. All members of the Board shall be current on dues, plus shall contribute an additional amount to NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST equal to dues. The dues amount, shall be determined by the Board, by majority vote, where a quorum is present and where notice shall be given of the decision to be made. ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS
(A) CHAIR. The Chair shall:
1. Serve as the executive officer of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST and preside at all meetings of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST;
2. Act as official spokesperson for NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST;
3. Chair the Board of Directors meetings;
4. Serve on all committees of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST, except the Nominating Committee;
5. Appoint all committee members, including members of the Endorsement/Policy Committee after consultation with the Endorsement/Policy Chair;
6. Execute contracts and other instruments authorized by the Board of Directors;
7. Ensure that NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST complies with all applicable federal and state laws governing political activity, political contributions, and candidate support;
8. Draft an annual budget in consultation with the treasurer to present to the Board.
(B) VICE CHAIR. The Vice Chair shall:
1. In the absence of the Chair, preside at meetings and otherwise act for the Chair;
2. Succeed to the office of Chair in the event of vacancy;
3 Serve as official spokesperson(s) for NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST upon request of the Chair;
4. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Chair.
(C) SECRETARY. The Secretary shall:
1. Assume responsibility for issuance of all meeting notices of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST;
2. Record and distribute minutes of all meetings of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST;
3. Assume responsibility for maintenance and custody of the official NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST books, records, and files.
4. Exercise the powers and perform such other duties as are usual to the office of Secretary;
5. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair.
(D) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
1. Assume responsibility for internal accounting procedures of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST as authorized by the Chair or the Board;
2. Be responsible for receipt, custody and disbursement of all NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST monies, as authorized by the Chair or the Board;
3. Keep accurate account, as required by federal or state law, of monies received and paid out;
4. Render periodic financial reports for distribution to members of the Board;
5. Prepare all federal, state, and local reporting forms, including public disclosure related to campaigns, if any are required;
6. Exercise the powers and perform such other duties as are usual to the office of Treasurer;
7. Perform such other duties related to finance as may be assigned by the Chair;
(E) Endorsement/Policy Chair. The Endorsement/Policy Chair shall:
1. Carry out candidate endorsement procedure in a timely fashion;
2. Assist the Board with the development of policies and positions on various governmental decisions;
3. Carry out other duties relating to the endorsement process as may be designated by the Chair.
ARTICLE VI ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
(A) GOVERNANCE. The board of directors shall hold at least one publicly announced, open meeting a year (Annual Meeting).
(B) TIME AND PLACE. The NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST Annual Meeting shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(C) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST may be called by the Chair or by majority vote of the Board of Directors, or upon written request of thirty percent (30%) of the membership, upon a minimum of thirty days notice to the membership, to act upon business.
(D) ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual membership meeting shall elect NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST officers. Nominations shall be taken at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting and if no candidates or only one candidate is nominated for each position, then the Board may cancel the election for that position and make an appointment.
(E) POLICIES. The annual membership meeting shall provide an opportunity to establish or change any policy of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST by receiving and acting upon resolutions brought before the body.
ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES
(A) COMMITTEE MEETINGS. The Chair may create any standing or ad hoc committee. Committees shall meet at the call of their chairs.
(B) REPORTS. All committees shall report through their chairs to the Board.
(C) DUTIES. The Chair shall determine the duties of the committees, however, the Board by formal vote may modify the duties of any committee or eliminate the committee altogether.
ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST and its committees.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT TO THESE BYLAWS
These bylaws may be amended by the Board of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST provided there is a quorum being present and Board members have been given notice prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. In relation to any federal, state, or local legislation governing NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST legal and/or tax status, the Board shall be empowered to make such amendments as are necessary to retain legal compliance and to project the effectiveness of the NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST in pursuing its goals and objectives.
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST, assets remaining after discharge of all liabilities shall be distributed to an organization having similar objectives. Determination of such distribution shall be made by the Board.