ARTICLE I: PURPOSE
Section 1: Name of Organization:
The name of the organization shall be the WALNUT CROSSING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
The organization shall function and operate as a non-profit organization, and
hereinafter be referred to as the Association.
Section 2: Boundaries
The area of the Association is bordered as follows:
1. East boundary is Mopac.
2. North boundary is Parmer.
3. West boundary is generally Amherst, excepting that all non-residential tracts
west of, and adjacent to Amherst are also included. This boundary is Amherst
from Duval to Mosley, Mosley to Brigadoon, Brigadoon Lane, Cassady from Brigadoon
to Coronet, Coronet, and the line from Coronet to Parmer.
4. South boundary is Duval.
Section 3: Purpose of the Association
The purpose of the association is to seek to improve the quality of life in
the neighborhood in such matters as land use, environmental protection, public
services, consumer protection, and other matters of neighborhood concern.
1. Inform residents of Walnut Crossing about issues of general concern to the
neighborhood through newsletters, association meetings, and other means.
2. Promote a sense of community through neighborhood activities.
3. Protect and improve BalconesPark by organizing park clean up days, cooperating
with city departments, and notifying police of suspicious activities.
4. Encourage the enhancement of property value and aesthetics in the neighborhood.
5. Represent the interests of the neighborhood to relevant governmental and
civic agencies and assist in the planning and development of the neighborhood
and its environs.
6. Promote community safety through the neighborhood watch program, the dissemination
of information, education and other means.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership Qualifications
1. Membership in the Association shall be open to all residents and property
owners 18 years of age and older within the boundaries of the Walnut Crossing
neighborhood.
2. Honorary membership may be awarded to persons who have other significant
interest in our area. The election of honorary membership shall be by majority
vote of the board of directors. Honorary members shall have no vote.
3. The Association shall have the right to establish dues for voting members.
A vote on establishing dues can occur only at the annual meeting where officers
are elected.
Section 2: Membership Voting
1. Members of the Association present at any meeting shall be entitled to one
vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the membership.
2. A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of Association business.
A Quorum shall be defined as 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent
Association election.
3. An affirmative vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the members constituting
a quorum shall be binding on the Association.
4. In the event that dues are established for voting members, that shall in
no way inhibit the right of other members from speaking or otherwise contributing
to association business or activities.
Section 3: Membership Lists
The membership list and information gathered by the Association is to be used
solely for conducting Association business. This information will not be released
or sold to individuals or organizations for other uses.
Article III: Finances
Section 1: Income
The Association may raise funds by charging dues, selling subscriptions to the
newsletter, voluntary contributions, and/or by fundraising events (raffles,
etc.)
Section 2: Expenditures
1. The fiscal year of the association shall run from January 1st to December
31st.
2. The board of directors shall adopt a budget by the end of January describing
the planned expenditures and projected income for the fiscal year.
3. The budget shall be published on the website after adoption.
4. The board of directors shall accept comments and suggestions from the general
membership for alteration of the budget, but the final decision with respect
to the budget is the sole province of the board of directors.
5. Expenditures not included in the budget may be approved by majority vote
of a quorum of board members, provided such expenditure is first posted on the
website.
6. Any donation received for which the donor has specified a particular use,
shall be used for the specified purpose or returned to the donor. Such donations
may be accepted or rejected at the discretion of the President of the Association
unless overruled by a majority of the members of the Board of directors.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1: General Membership Meetings
Meetings of the general membership shall be held a minimum of quarterly, and
a maximum of once a month, as called by the President of the Association, and/or
the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board shall be held at least quarterly.
Section 3: Member Privileges
The privilege of introducing motions and participating in floor debate shall
be limited to members of the Association. If dues are levied, then all members
shall still be entitled to introduce motions and participate in debate, but
only those members who have paid their dues would be eligible to vote.
ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Number of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of no fewer than three officers and two
major committee chairs. Additional committee chairs may be added to the board
by a majority vote of the general membership.
Section 2: Terms of Office
All board members shall serve one year terms, with no limits on re-election.
Section 3: Eligibility for Board Service:
Only persons eligible to vote in the Association shall be qualified to hold
an elected or appointed position.
Section 4: Duties of the Board
The Board shall manage the affairs of the Association in the interim between
general meetings. The board shall be accountable to the membership; shall seek
the views of those affected by any proposed policies or reactions before adopting
any recommendation on behalf of the Association; shall strictly comply with
these bylaws.
Section 5: Election of Board Members
Board members shall be elected annually by a vote of the membership at its annual
fall meeting. The names of all candidates for the board shall be placed in nomination.
Election requires a majority vote of the membership present.
Section 6: Board Vacancies
The board may fill any vacancy on the board or a committee by majority vote
of the board in cases involving absences by a board or committee member from
three (3) consecutive meetings. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve
the remainder of the unexpired term and until his/here successor is elected
or appointed.
Section 7: Duties of the Board Members
1. President
The President shall prepare the agendas for all general meetings and for board
meetings, preside at general meetings and at Board meetings, be an ex-officio
member of all committees, and authorize all expenditures of Association moneys.
The president shall appoint members of committees not elected, subject to approval
by a majority of the board. The President shall authorize all statements made
on behalf of the Association, and represent the association before the city
council or other governing bodies.
2. Vice-president
The Vice-president shall fulfill the duties of the President in the President's
absence, shall serve as parliamentarian of the Association, and shall perform
other duties delegated by the President. The vice-president shall oversee the
creation and distribution of newsletters and other Association publications,
including the website.
3. Secretary-Treasurer
The secretary-treasurer shall keep minutes and written records of majority and
minority opinions expressed at all meetings; shall keep a file copy of all public
correspondence of the Association; shall make records of the Association available
for inspection for any proper purpose at any reasonable time, shall be responsible
for Association moneys, including receipts for newsletter advertising, donations,
receipts from fund raising activities, and payment of Association expenses.
The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, shall
maintain accounts of the Association, shall notify the president of all expenditures
from Association accounts, and report the status of all accounts at general
meetings.
4. Neighborhood Watch Committee Chair
The chair of this committee shall coordinate all neighborhood watch programs,
including regular meetings with block captains and communications with law enforcement
agencies. The chair shall report at least once annually to the general membership
regarding public safety issues.
5. Planning Committee Chair.
The chair of this committee shall consult with with all city agencies regarding
development and maintenance in and around our neighborhood, including parks,
creeks, commercial development, traffic, etc. The chair shall keep the board
apprised of all actions initiated by the city or by other interests, and shall
undertake to develop such projects as directed by the board.
Section 8: Board Meetings
The board shall meet at least seven days prior to any general or special membership
meeting to prepare the agenda of the general meeting, and at any other time
the President may designate. The President, if indisposed, may assign this duty
to the Vice President. These meetings shall be open session; however, only board
members shall be entitled to vote. A quorum for board meetings shall be the
number of board members in attendance; decisions shall be made by majority vote.
Directors shall be notified of board meetings by email or by telephone in advance.
Section 9: Emergency Powers of the Board
In such cases where the board is required to provide neighborhood response before
the question is presented to the membership, the board must indicate to the
questioner that this is the case, and shall present the action taken at a special
or general meeting within thirty days, or within a reasonable time for ratification
by the membership where circumstances dictate.
Section 10: Termination for Nonattendance
Any officer may be removed from office for cause at any meeting by two-thirds
of the voting members, providing that notice has been furnished to the officer
and all other board members at least two weeks before said meeting.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
The board shall establish both standing and ad hoc committees as it deems necessary.
Committees shall make recommendations to the board for board actions. Committees
shall not have the power to act on behalf of the organization without specific
authorization from the board. Certain committee chairs can, by a vote of the
membership, be elevated to board status or removed from board status as circumstances
dictate.
ARTICLE VII: PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS
Section 1: Submission of Proposals
Any person or group, inside or outside the boundaries of the Association and
any city agency may propose in writing items for the consideration and/or recommendation
to the board. The board shall decide whether proposed items will appear on the
agenda of either the board, standing committee, special committee, general meeting,
or special meeting.
Section 2: Notification
The proponent and members directly affected by such proposals shall be notified
in writing, at least seven days in advance, of the place, day, and hour that
the proposal will be reviewed.
Section 3: Attendance
The proponent may attend this meeting to make a presentation and answer questions
concerning the proposal.
Section 4: Dissemination
The Association shall submit recommendations and dissenting views as recorded
from the meeting to the proponent and other appropriate parties.
ARTICLE VIII: PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC RECORDS
The Association shall abide by all Texas Statutes relative to public meetings
and public records. Official action taken by the Association must be on record
or part of the minutes of each meeting. The minutes shall include a record of
attendance and the results of any vote taken. A summary of dissenting views
should be transmitted along with any recommendations made by the Association
to the city.
ARTICLE IX: ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
All amendments to these bylaws must be proposed in writing and submitted to
members at least seven days before voting on their adoption may proceed. Notice
of proposal to amend the bylaws, specifying the date, time, and place for consideration
of the proposal, must be provided to all members at least seven days before
voting. Adoption of and amendments to these bylaws shall require a two-thirds
vote by the members present at the general meeting.
ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the Association, no class of member shall have any right
nor shall receive any assets of the Association. The assets of the Association
are permanently dedicated to a tax-exempt propose. In the event of dissolution,
the assets of the Association will be delivered to a succeeding tax-exempt neighborhood
organization recognized by the City of Austin, Texas. Otherwise, the assets
will be distributed to an organization that is tax-exempt under the provisions
of Section 501(c)(3) or (501(c)(4))of the Internal Revenue Code of the United
States.
Appendix A: History of Bylaws
First Version
The first draft of the bylaws was presented to the Steering Committee by interim
president Javier Bonafont on August 6, 2002 for review and subsequent adoption
vote.