Note: The YQNA constitution is reproduced here but is also available as a PDF document.
York Quay Neighbourhood Association
YQNA
Interim Constitution
(June 2, 2025)
1. Name: The name of the organization shall be York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA)
2. Mission:
2.1. The mission of the York Quay Neighbourhood Association is to:
– Protect and improve the unique character of the neighbourhood
– Provide leadership that enables residents to exercise their rights
– Provide a forum for giving and receiving information that is vital to the quality of life in the neighbourhood
– Identify and respond to issues that will have an impact on the neighbourhood
2.2. To carry out this mission, the York Quay Neighbourhood Association will:
– Work with other associations, organizations and agencies on matters of mutual concern and for the betterment of the neighbourhood
– Operate on a consensus-building basis
– Respect the cultural and environmental diversity of the neighbourhood
– Have ongoing contact with staff and councillors at Toronto City Hall, members of Provincial and Federal Governments, and other members of the public and private sector on matters relevant to the YQNA area and the City of Toronto.
3. Membership:
3.1. Membership in the YQNA will be open to all residents, property owners and business owners in the area which YQNA advocates for, namely the area bounded by The Waterfront to the south, Spadina Avenue to the west, Yonge Street to the east and Lake Shore Boulevard to the north.
3.2. Non-resident members are welcome, provided they are active in YQNA committee work that is York Quay neighbourhood focused.
3.3. The key voting decisions will be taken by the Planning Committee, referred to hereafter as Board. At the discretion of this Board, on matters considered important, a “straw vote” will be taken at any public meeting. In such cases, each member, attending the meeting, will have one vote. However, the final decision will rest with the Board.
4. Executive Officers: Executive Officers of the YQNA are
– One Chair or two or more Co-Chairs
– Secretary
– Treasurer
5. Planning Committee/Board of Directors:
5.1. The Board will have a minimum of 7 members. The Board will be composed of the Executive Positions and other members to give broad representation from condo buildings within the area.
5.2. Board Members, including Executive Officers, can be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Board at any Board meeting. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by a simple majority vote at any Board meeting. New Executive Officers are considered “interim” until approval at the next Annual General Meeting of YQNA.
5.3. Motions related to the affairs and mission of the YQNA will be moved, seconded and voted upon by those in attendance. A simple majority prevails.
5.4. Conflicts of interest by Board Members can undermine YQNA’s effectiveness as a voice for the community. Members of the Board must declare any conflict of interest, especially with respect to employment, and excuse themselves from discussion and votes on issues related to that conflict.
5.5. A quorum for voting purposes will be a simple majority of the Board Membership.
5.6. Directors must have an e-mail address.
6. Public Association Meetings: YQNA will hold bi-monthly public meetings, five times a year, in January, March, May, September and November.
6.1. Speakers may be invited to present issues that are vital to the neighbourhood.
6.2. The Board as necessary can call additional meetings.
6.3. Meetings will hear reports from Directors and Outreach and Liaisons.
6.4. Public association meetings will hear questions, deputations, raise and discuss issues and be open to residents of the area. People interested in joining the Board should express interest at these meetings. The Board can bar or remove residents at its discretion.
6.5. Any member of YQNA can ask that a motion be considered by the Board.
6.6. Executive members of the Board will be elected at the November Annual General Meeting of YQNA.
7. YQNA’s Outreach and Liaisons cover:
– Planning and Development
– Traffic and Transit
– Communications and Website
– Harbour, Ferries and Marine Police
– Police Liaison, 52 Division
– Harbourfront Centre
– Waterfront Toronto Liaison (Parks)
– Ports Toronto and Billy Bishop Airport
– Federation of South Toronto Residents Association (FoSTRA)
7.2. Other Outreach and Liaisons may be established as agreed to by the YQNA Board. And they can be dissolved by majority vote if they become obsolete.
7.3. Membership on any Outreach or Liaison is open to any interested YQNA member or resident at the invitation of, or with the approval of, the YQNA Executive.
7.4. Outreach and Liaison leaders are selected by the Board, or appointments can be at the recommendation of existing Members.
7.5. Outreach and Liaison groups will meet at times and frequencies appropriate to carrying out their mandate.
7.6. All Outreach and Liaison groups work with, and through, the YQNA Board, not alone.
7.7. New members can be added as interest and needs arise.
7.8. Outreach and Liaison groups in YQNA will from time to time work with each other, as situations require.
7.9. Members of YQNA Outreach and Liaison groups will declare conflicts of interest in the same manner as described in 5.1 above.
8. YQNA Communications:
8.1. Any information, such as letters, website content, articles, opinion pieces and other communications on behalf of YQNA, going out in the name of the Association, must be distributed to the Executive Officers to read and prior to going out, must be approved by a majority of the Executive Officers who provide comments.
8.2. The Chair or a Co-chair of YQNA can speak publicly on behalf of YQNA, always reporting back to the Board on any such communications.
8.3. Board members can speak publicly on behalf of YQNA after consultation with the Board, and reporting back to the Board on any such communications.
8.4. Outreach and Liaison groups will utilize distribution lists to ensure that all their members are involved in issues and discussion.
8.5. Any communication with the full YQNA membership will come from the Chair, a Co-chair, or Communications team, and be sent out by the Tech Officer or Communications. The content can be proposed by anyone connected with YQNA.
8.6. Posts on various social media platforms are added by the social media coordinator or other members of the Communications Committee. Members are encouraged to make suggestions.
9. Membership and Logins/Passwords:
9.1. The Chair of the Board will create a Board Membership List, with names, positions, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. This list will be circulated to Board Members to facilitate communication. The Chair of the Board and the Chair, or a Co-Chair, will be responsible for the maintenance, privacy, and security of the YQNA General Membership List. When electronic mail list management software is used, there must be guarantees of List security.
9.2. Neither the YQNA Membership List, nor the YQNA e-mail tree will be shared with any other individual, group, or organization.
9.3. Logins and Passwords for websites and services used by YQNA will be held by the Chair(s) and relevant Executive member(s). Logins/passwords and 2FA or MFA logins should always be shared between at least one Chair and an Executive member. Only the Chair(s) can change or approve changing logins/passwords, which must then be shared.
10. Signing Powers:
10.1. The Treasurer and two or three other YQNA Board members shall have bank signing authority in respect of YQNA’s financial responsibilities.
11. Amendments:
11.1. Any proposed amendment to this Constitution must be submitted in writing, signed by three active Directors of the Board, at least two weeks prior to a regular or special Board/Planning meeting. After such notice, the motion to amend may be brought forward for discussion at the next Board/Planning meeting. The proposed amendment will become part of the Constitution, if approved by a two-thirds majority of those members present and voting.