Standing Rules of Operation 2022

Standing rules outline the routine operating procedures of Congress Park Neighbors, Inc. with specific details that are not included in the bylaws and that must not conflict with the bylaws. Standing Rules are a CPN Board document. Unlike bylaws, which can be changed only by membership, standing rules can be changed more easily to respond to changing circumstances.

Vision Statement

“Congress Park is a traditional city neighborhood with a small town atmosphere. Here people of diverse cultures, ages, colors and economic backgrounds share a sense of community, value older homes and mature trees, and enjoy the convenience of city living amid the stability of a thriving neighborhood.”

Mission Statement and Goals

Congress Park Neighbors, Inc., (CPN) aims to improve the quality of life and sense of community in our defined neighborhood and as a part of a larger, interconnected Denver. CPN, Inc’s Board, volunteers and members strive to provide a forum to improve neighborhood cohesiveness and enhance livability by disseminating information, promoting communication between neighbors, and active involvement in neighborhood activities, and coordinating neighborhood projects.

CPN, Inc. Structure and Function

CPN, Inc, is a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) that is recognized by the City of Denver, and maintains 501c3 tax status. Congress Park Neighbors Board members shall comply with the City of Denver’s Standards for Neighborhood Associations.

CPN, Inc. is a group of neighborhood volunteers who work together as a team. CPN Board members and volunteers represent the neighborhood at various city and local organization meetings to gather and report on information that can impact the neighborhood, offering an opportunity for neighbors to learn and exchange information.

RNOs are not Home Owners’ Associations. CPN, Inc., actively encourages neighbors to address and resolve issues together in a spirit of comradery and neighborhood pride.

CPN, Inc. raises awareness of City initiatives, including zoning and planning, organizes meetings, maintains a website, hosts an annual Ice Cream Social, and publishes a quarterly newsletter. CPN, Inc. helps support and publicize the Teller Backpack program.

Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics is established for the purpose of ensuring that Congress Park Neighbors, Inc., Board members and RNO members maintain appropriate standards of ethical conduct in representing the RNO and participating in the organization. It is a statement of our principles that apply to all who are implementing the goals and activities undertaken by the Congress Park Neighbors RNO.

• Congress Park Neighbors, Inc. has a zero tolerance policy of bullying, discrimination harassment and all behaviors that contribute to a hostile environment. Bullying is any behavior that intimidates, controls, denigrates, threatens, abuses or coerces another person, often by someone perceived to have power, authority, position, or status. Discrimination is the unjust or preferential treatment or mistreatment of others based on age, cognitive or physical ability, color, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, language, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood status, immigration status, or any classification or characteristic protected by state or federal law or regulation, or by this policy. Harassment is unwelcome conduct, including aggressive pressure or intimidation that demeans, humiliates, embarrasses or otherwise threatens. CPN prohibits, by all Board Officers and CPN members, bullying, discrimination, harassment or similar behaviors based on protected classifications. CPN further prohibits this behavior against a person perceived to belong in a protected category, and prohibits this behavior against any person for associating with someone protected by this policy. This behavior will not be tolerated and will result in termination of membership.

CPN Board Participation and Guidelines

CPN Board members are volunteers and receive no compensation for their participation, nor may they accept any compensation or gifts that may be perceived as influencing their participation. Those wishing to join the Board must be CPN, Inc. members in good standing and must be interviewed by a majority of the Board.

Congress Park Neighbors Board members shall not make public statements representing the views of the organization without approval of the Board, or of the President, if the Board is unable to vote on the matter. The President is the official spokesperson of the Congress Park Neighbors, and statements must reflect the consensus of the Board. Board members may make public statements about Congress Park Neighbors actions or positions to the extent of relaying how the Board gathered information and voted on a particular matter or issue.

The Board may present a collective position on issues, including ballot measures, zoning plans and referendums after conducting a neighborhood wide survey to determine the impacted neighbors’ views.

Board members shall not present or vote on matters in which they have a direct financial or personal interest.

Expenditures over $299 require Board approval. Expenditures of $299 and under can be approved by the Chair or Treasurer, which the Treasurer will report on at the next CPN meeting.

No one shall use the official CPN, Inc. logo, email addresses, membership data or other information generated by or for CPN, Inc., without prior Board approval.

Congress Park Neighbors strives to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard to all interested persons on matters which are, or may be, controversial or contested. The Board shall make a good faith effort to give actual notice of meeting times and agenda issues, to interested persons on the different sides of controversial or contested issues before the matter is presented to the Board.

CPN-Sponsored Committees

CPN has frequently sponsored committees within the neighborhood to work on discrete issues and report back to the Board and membership through the website, email blasts and newsletter. CPN asks all CPN-sponsored committees to be named “The Congress Park Neighbors (committee name)” and abbreviate as “CPN (name) Team/Committee”.

Committees adhere to operations as suggested in Robert’s Rules of Order, specifically that the named committee chair will be, or will appoint a liaison to the CPN Board, and will furnish committee members’ names to the Board at least quarterly. We encourage committee chairs to request that committee members join the Congress Park Neighbors RNO.

Committees will hold meetings regularly (frequency to be determined by the committee with agreement from the Board) as needed to perform a function that benefits the neighborhood, with a quorum or majority number of members participating, and with meeting minutes being submitted to the Board within 10 days.

Committees shall use the CPN Zoom subscription for online meetings. All participants must sign in and meetings must be recorded, per RNO transparency requirements. Committees should ensure that all activities of the committee are supported and pursued by a majority of the committee, following a motion, a quorum vote, and presentation to the Board for approval.

These Standing Rules were revised and approved by the CPN, Inc. Board on March 24, 2022.