The Wilshire Wood / Delwood 1 Neighborhood Association (WWD1) is the association of neighbors – both homeowners and renters – in the area in central/east Austin that is bounded by I35 and/or the Southern Pacific Railroad (west side), Airport Blvd (north side), Wilshire Blvd (east side), and Bradwood Rd/Lullwood Rd. cul-de-sac (south side). We are a diverse group of families and individuals who are highly involved in our community. We are recognized by the City of Austin as the official Association of the neighborhood, and we work closely with a variety of city, state, and national agencies on everything from Watershed protection (Upper Boggy Creek) to helping people experiencing homelessness, to involvement in mobility issues (I35, and Project Connect), to historic preservation (the Wilshire National Register Historic District, under the U.S. Parks Department). And we include vibrant faith communities, and a school – St. George's Episcopal church and school. (And Genesis Church on our our eastern edge, while not technically within WWD1 boundaries, is active in many community activities).
The current officers of the Wilshire Wood / Delwood 1 Neighborhood Association are:
• David Keene, President
• Vice President: Meagan Bunker
• Treasurer: Karen Latta
• Contact: wilshirewood.delwood1@gmail.com
Wilshire Wood / Delwood 1 Neighborhood Association Bylaws
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be Wilshire Wood/Delwood I Neighborhood Association, a non-profit organization, hereinafter referred to as the “Association”.
Article II - Preamble/Vision
The Association is established to create a community that is well-informed and can participate in the decisions, actions, and issues affecting residents of our community. The Association seeks to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, to develop a community spirit which is diverse and inclusive in hearing all the voices in our neighborhood, to preserve the historic and unique character of our small East Central Austin neighborhood, and to represent its members to outside entities for matters such as taxation and property improvements.
Article III - Membership
Section 1 - Eligibility
- Membership in the Association shall be open to all residents and property owners within the following boundaries: See Attachment A.
- There are three categories of members of the Association:
- Neighborhood Association Members – Every person who lives or owns property within the neighborhood boundaries is a neighborhood association member and is entitled to attend meetings, participate in social events, participate in Association discussions, and be represented by the Association to outside entities. To become an eligible voting member, see the “Voting Member” description below.
- Voting Members – each property address (or structure, based on vote of Steering Committee) that is enclosed within the boundaries of the neighborhood association may have up to two adult votes per resident owner household, pending annual Association dues payment. If the property is a rental property there may be two voters and dues payers: the owner and the renter. Non-resident owners of more than one rental home within the Association’s boundaries are entitled to one and only one vote. Commercial property owners or tenants within the Association boundaries are entitled to one vote per all commercial addresses. Only dues paying residential members may be eligible for election to Association offices described in Article V.
- Honorary Members – Non-voting honorary membership may be conferred on individuals or organizations who support the Association but who are not eligible for regular membership. A majority vote of the Steering Committee is required for honorary membership. Honorary members have no voting rights.
- Neighborhood Association Members – Every person who lives or owns property within the neighborhood boundaries is a neighborhood association member and is entitled to attend meetings, participate in social events, participate in Association discussions, and be represented by the Association to outside entities. To become an eligible voting member, see the “Voting Member” description below.
- There are three categories of members of the Association:
Section 2 - Dues
Dues in the amount of $10.00 per voting member ($20.00 per household if there are two voting members), per calendar year shall be payable to the treasurer. Dues payments must be made prior to enabling voting status for a given calendar year, and names of voting members provided at the time of dues payment. Dues (and other funds) shall be deposited in an Austin branch financial institution in good standing.
Section 3 - Expenditures
Upon approval of the treasurer that the funds are available, the president can spend up to $100.00 based on his or her own discretion for items related to Association business or meetings. The president must report such expenditures at the next meeting of the Steering Committee. For expenditures ranging from $100.01 to $250.00, a majority vote of the Steering Committee must be obtained. For expenditures of $250.01, or more, a majority of a quorum (described in Article IV) of the voting membership must be obtained.
Article IV - Voting
Section 1 - (Section reserved for additional discussion regarding electronic voting.)
Section 2 – Special Issue Voting
The steering committee may call for an “owner-only vote” (i.e., resident, non-resident, and commercial property owners) if it is determined that an issue has a significant impact on a specific property, or in a specific area, e.g., zoning restrictions in a neighborhood plan, which can affect a property owner’s property values. Voting members who are renters will not be permitted to vote on these special issues to ensure that property owners’ right take priority on a specific property.
Section 3 - Quorum
A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of the Association business, including a move to vote on a topic. In no event, however, shall a quorum be constituted with less than five percent (5%) of the voting members represented, or at least ten voting households.
Section 4 - Simple Majority Vote
An affirmative vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting members constituting a quorum shall be binding on the Association.
Article V - Officers
Section 1 – Elected Officers
The officers of the Association shall be elected from the active membership and shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2 – Steering Committee
- Membership – The Steering Committee shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The Steering Committee may designate members of the Association to represent the Association at meetings of the Austin Neighborhoods Council (ANC), the Upper Boggy Creek (UBC) Contact Team, and other outside entities requiring representation by the Association. A Communications Coordinator responsible for managing social media related to the Association may also be designated by the Steering Committee.
- Purpose – The Steering Committee shall transact necessary business in the intervals between regular meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the Association. The Steering Committee shall appoint all ad hoc committees and approve the work of such committees. These committees shall report to the membership
- Meetings – The Steering Committee will convene approximately every other month to approve expenditures, discuss information on issues that may impact the neighborhood, receive reports from UBC Contact Team and ANC representatives, and set the agenda for the next general membership meeting. Special Meetings for issues that cannot wait for the next general membership meeting and need to be brought to the Steering Committee’s or the Association’s attention can be called as necessary as defined in Article VI, Section 4, if agreed to by two or more members of the Steering Committee.
Section 3 – Terms of Office
Officers shall be nominated for two-year terms. Elections will be held electronically or by paper ballot using the same voting procedures outlined in Article IV of these bylaws. Officers-elect shall be installed immediately after elections. No officer shall serve more than five consecutive full terms in the same office, and only one member of a household may serve on the Steering Committee at one time.
Section 4 - Nominations
Nomination of officers shall be the responsibility of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall appoint a nominating body to make recommendations to the general membership. Nominations may also be made from the floor at a membership meeting held for the purpose of nominating officers, and nominations for officers will be closed by the end of that meeting. Nominations will be presented to the general membership at least one week before votes are taken on the candidates.
Section 5 - Duties of Officers
- The President shall preside at all meetings of the Steering Committee and the Association; shall be an ex officio member of all committees; and shall cosign all checks drawn on the account of the Association.
- The Vice President shall fulfill the duties of the President in the President's absence and shall serve as parliamentarian of the Association.
- The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping an accurate record of all business of the Association and for all outside correspondence of the Association. The Secretary shall also be responsible for posting notification of Association meetings, both electronically and through appropriate physical signage or flyers, and for collecting and tabulating the votes of voting members on positions being adopted by the Association.
- The Treasurer shall be responsible for the Association monies; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; shall co-sign all checks drawn on the account of the Association.
Section 6 – Policy Positions
None of the elected officers or appointed representatives may take a position on behalf of the Association with outside entities without the members of the Association being informed and given an opportunity to vote on the position to be taken, if deemed appropriate by a quorum of the voting members of the Association.
Section 7 - Removal from Office
Any officer may be removed from office for cause at any meeting by two-thirds of the membership providing that notice has been furnished to the membership at least two weeks prior to said meeting.
Section 8 - Replacement of Officers
When necessary, vacant offices may be filled at any meeting by the Steering Committee for the unexpired portion of the term or as directed in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section 9 - Resignations
Elected officers must give two weeks written notice before a resignation can become effective.
Article VI - Meetings and Organization
Section 1 - General Membership Meetings
Membership meetings shall be held at approximately quarterly intervals at a time and place to be determined by the membership at a previous meeting or by the Steering Committee.
Section 2 - Meeting Agendas
The agenda for the general membership meetings shall list issues to be discussed and any possible actions to be taken. The Steering Committee shall set the agenda for the next general membership meeting at its meeting immediately prior to that general membership meeting. Additionally, upon the request from no fewer than five Association members delivered to the President (by hand, postal delivery, or email) prior to the Steering Committee meeting, an item for discussion or action shall be placed on the agenda. New business introduced at a meeting shall be for discussion only and/or referral to a committee.
Section 3 - Notice of Membership Meetings
All general and special membership meetings shall require prior notice specifying the date, time, place, and an agenda describing issues to be discussed and any possible actions on which a vote may be taken. Written notice shall be posted in publicly accessible locations no fewer than five days prior to a meeting. The Steering Committee shall determine and make public the exact locations of notice to be used for the year at its first meeting following the last Association meeting for the year, or whenever a change is necessary. In addition, electronic notice shall also be sent to members by email, via the appropriate Association group distribution list, no fewer than five days prior to a meeting.
Section 4 - Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Steering Committee, for example, at the request of an Association Member to discuss zoning changes to their property.
Section 5 - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall run from January 1 through December 31.
Article VII - Parliamentary Authority
When not inconsistent with these bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be generally followed for all matters of procedure. These rules may be suspended at any meeting by a majority vote.
Article VIII - Prohibitions
The Association shall not endorse any candidates for political office nor shall discussions extend to matters outside the purpose of the Association as set out in Article II.
Article IX - Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the voting members constituting a quorum provided that the amendments have been submitted in writing to the membership at the previous meeting.
Article X - Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Wilshire Wood/Delwood I Neighborhood 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 purpose. In the event of dissolution, the Association’s assets, after payment of debts, will be distributed to an organization which is tax exempt under the provisions of Section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Change History
Use this numbering system to indicate the document version and description of changes: 1.00 final first edition; 1.0x draft updates to first edition; 2.0 final second edition; 2.0x draft updates to second edition.
Version
Release Date
Description of Changes
1.0
01/23/2018
Final first edition adopted by vote of the neighborhood association.