About the Ashland Business Association

The Ashland Business Association (ABA) is a group of storefront owners, home-based businesses, professionals and organizations working together to foster ties between business and community. The ABA is dedicated to increasing profitability and/or visibility for its members, and to advocating for a positive business environment within the Town of Ashland.

Goals of the ABA:

Generate more business for members
Encourage residents, organizations, and businesses to shop Ashland
Reach out to the community through scholarships and charitable donations
Help Ashland prosper by becoming more attractive

Ashland Business Association Bylaws

Article I.	Mission Statement:
	Ashland Business Association (ABA) is dedicated to increasing profitability and/or visibility for its members, and to advocating for a positive business environment within the Town of Ashland.

Article II.	Purpose:
	To increase the profitability and/or visibility of the member organizations. To advocate for a positive business environment within the Town. To participate in the Town activities as member citizens. To facilitate the flow of information among the membership. To facilitate communication between ABA and the Town of Ashland.

Article III.	Steering Committee:
Section A.	Shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Coordinator, and Members-at-Large.
Section B.	Duties of the Steering Committee: President Controls the Agenda for all meetings. Presides at all Steering Committee meetings and Business Association meetings. Liaison between the ABA, and the Town of Ashland and the Community. Vice President Assists all Steering Committee personnel in any portions of their positions. Parliamentarian for both the Steering Committee and the Business Association meetings, using Roberts Rules of Order as a guideline. If the President should be unable to chair a Steering Committee meeting and/or a Business Association meeting, or to complete his/her term of office, the Vice President will assume the duties of the President. Secretary Responsible for taking Minutes of both the Steering Committee meetings and Business Association meetings. Drafts the newsletter. Maintains official ABA files. Treasurer Responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all funds of the organization. Keeps accurate records of all ABA financial business. Maintains current membership lists and mailing lists, both print and online. Publicity Coordinator Finalizes the newsletter and puts it online. Prepares and distributes news releases and other publicity. Designs and produces advertising items such as flyers, ads, and posters. Members-at-Large Attend Steering Committee meetings and Business Association meetings. Assist all Steering Committee personnel with their duties.

Section C.	Authority:
	1. Raises issues for the general membership.
	2. Makes decisions for the Association when there is a need for immediate response (such decisions to be kept to an absolute minimum).

Section D.	Terms of Office:
	1. All Steering Committee positions will be elected by the general membership.
	2. All Steering Committee positions will be for one year (May 1 - April 30).
	3. No term limits for Steering Committee positions. Each Steering Committee position has the option to run for another term.

Article IV.	Elections:
Section A.	Slate of officers for the Steering Committee to be voted upon by the general membership at the April meeting of the Ashland Business Association.
Section B.	Steering Committee will take office May 1st of each year.

Article V.	Nominating Committee:
Section A.	In January, the President of the Steering Committee will appoint a Nominating Committee chairperson from the general membership.
Section B.	This committee shall consist of the Steering Committee plus two other members of the Ashland Business Association.
Section C.	The Nominating Committee chairperson, at the February meeting of the Ashland Business Association, will present the slate of officers. Additional nominations from the floor will be taken at this time.
Section D.	The Nominating Committee shall hold the general election for the officers of the Steering Committee at the April meeting of the Ashland Business Association.

Article VI.	Standing Committees:
Section A.	The President of the Steering Committee shall appoint all the Standing Committee chairpersons.
Section B.	Three permanent Standing Committees shall be formed: Membership Committee Events Committee Ashland Day ABA Booth Committee

Article VII.	Membership:
Section A.	Open to all businesses, business owners, executives, and managers with a physical business, office, or residence in Ashland.
Section B.	Applicants for membership that do not meet requirements of Section A will be voted on by the ABA membership upon a positive recommendation by the Steering Committee. Applicants may be required to submit supporting documentation or other requested items.
Section C.	Members whose dues are paid and current, and honorary members, shall have voting rights and privileges.
Section D.	Renewal dues, based on the member's enrollment date, are to be paid within a month of receiving a renewal notice.

Article VIII.	Protocol to amend or make an addition to the Bylaws:
Section A.	Bylaw amendments and/or additions must be brought to the floor at an Ashland Business Association meeting.
Section B.	Proposed amendment and/or addition will be introduced, seconded, and discussed as laid out in Roberts Rules of Order.
Section C.	The proposed Bylaw amendment and/or addition must be presented in writing to the active general membership 30 days prior to a vote (a show of hands at a general Business Association meeting).
Section D.	Proposed Bylaw amendments and/or additions are only voted on at an Ashland Business Association meeting.
Section E.	Passage of the proposed Bylaw amendment and/or addition requires a two-thirds majority vote of those active ABA members present.