If you're new to the Neighborhood Association and want to learn more about it, review the Association's bylaws below. You can also get a great history of neighborhood activities going back to 1970 compiled by Phyllis Brinkley here (requires Adobe Acrobat reader).
Article I. Name
The name of the organization shall be the Allandale Neighborhood Association.
Article II. Purpose
The Association shall be a non-profit organization within which the residents of the Allandale neighborhood can promote and protect the quality of life, safety, residential characteristics, and property values of the neighborhood primarily, and all neighbors generally.
The Allandale Neighborhood Association can preserve and protect the natural environment for the benefit of the general public, promote and conserve natural resources and become party plaintiff to enforce local, state and federal environmental and conservation legislation and rules.
Article III. Territorial Boundaries
The boundaries of the Association shall be MoPac (Loop 1) on the west, Anderson Lane on the north, Burnet Road on the east, and the south side of 45th Street on the south, within the city of Austin, Texas.
Article IV. Membership
There shall be two classes of membership in the Association: regular and associate.
1. Regular membership shall be open to any person who resides within the geographical boundaries of the Association.
2. Associate 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 Executive Committee is required for associate membership.
3. Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Committee for both classes of membership.
4. Annual dues are payable each January 1, for a one-year membership ending December 31st.
5. Annual dues shall be assessed on each household, and each adult residing in that household shall be entitled to vote at each General Membership Meeting. Proxy votes shall not be permitted.
6. An eligible household which is not currently a member of the Allandale Neighborhood Association may establish membership and voters rights by paying dues anytime during the calendar year.
7. Members who join the Association after September 1 of any year may be accorded membership for the entire next membership year in addition to the remaining months of the current year upon payment of the annual dues.
8. Association membership shall convey no voting rights.
Article V. Officers
The officers of the Association shall be the president, the vice-president, the secretary, and the treasurer.
1. The president shall preside at each meeting of the General Membership and at each meeting of the Executive Committee. The president shall be the spokesperson for the Association. The president may delegate this responsibility to another officer or member of the Executive Committee. The president shall prepare and submit an activities report at each meeting of the General Membership. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Bylaws Committee.
2. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president. The vice-president shall assist the president in the preparation of the activities report to each general membership meeting. The vice-president shall coordinate the activities of the standing and special issues committees.
3. The treasurer shall collect, disburse, and safely keep all Association dues and other funds. The treasurer shall maintain a membership roster of regular and associate members. The treasurer shall prepare and submit to the Association such financial statements as required by the Executive Committee. Information collected as part of the membership roster, including e-mail addresses, may be used under the direction of the Executive Committee for the purposes of the Association. Third parties may be temporarily given membership data when contracted for services such as mailings or internet distribution.
4. The secretary shall record and keep the minutes of each meeting of the General Membership and the Executive Committee.
5. The officers shall be elected in September by the General Membership.
6. Nominees for all offices shall be regular members in good standing of the Association.
7. Nominees for the offices of president shall have served on the Executive Committee for 12 months.
8. The chair of the nominating committee shall submit to the Executive Committee nominees for officers prior to the date of the election. The nominees shall be presented to the General Membership. Nominations from the floor shall be requested. A majority of regular members voting shall elect by a show of hands.
9. The officers shall take office at the close of the meeting at which they are elected. The term shall extend for one year until their successors are elected. No officers may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office.
10. Vacancies occurring in office, or other Executive Committee positions shall be elected by the Executive Committee.
11. For purposes of determining eligibility for reelection or re appointment, a person who shall have served half or more, shall be considered to have served the whole term.
12. Election to an office shall be by show of hands, and by ballot if there is more than one candidate for the office.
Article VI. Meetings
1. General membership meetings shall be convened as determined by the Executive Committee, but no fewer than two times a year, including the September annual meeting.
2. The September annual meeting shall include the election of members of the Executive Committee.
3. Notice of special or general meetings shall be made to the membership no less than one week in advance of the meeting.
4. A quorum shall consist of ten voting members.
5. A special, or called meeting of the General Membership must be called upon receipt by the Executive Committee of a petition requesting and stating the reason for such meeting and bearing the signatures of no fewer than fifteen voting members of the Association or by 6 members of the Executive Committee. Only business specified in the called meetings may be transacted. The meeting shall be called within 30 days unless a scheduled regular general meeting shall intervene, in which case the business of the special meeting shall be considered at the General Meeting.
Article VII. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be the principal governing and policy-recommending body of the Association. The Executive Committee shall consist of the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, and seven other persons who hold regular membership in the Association.
1. Executive Committee members shall be elected for one-year terms at the Annual General Meeting in September, from names submitted by the nominating committee. Nominations from the floor shall also be in order, provided the nominee shall first agree to serve if elected.
2. Election shall be by a show of hands and by ballot if there is more than one candidate for a position.
3. Members of the Executive Committee shall take office at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and shall serve until their successors are elected.
4. Members may serve no more than three consecutive terms on the Executive Committee; they may however, be appointed to special issues committees in intervening years.
5. The Executive Committee shall meet once each month. The president may call a special meeting. Any four members of the Executive Committee may call a special meeting. There shall be at least a two-day notice of any special meeting.
6. A quorum at Executive Committee meetings shall be six Executive Committee members.
7. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to conduct the business of the Association between membership meetings. It shall make recommendations for action and policy to the General Membership. In case of necessity, it shall be empowered to determine policy positions by a two-thirds vote, but such policy shall be in the name of the Allandale Neighborhood Association.
8. Expenditures shall be approved by the Executive Committee.
9. The chairpersons of the special issues committees, not on the Executive Committee, may not be counted in determining a quorum of the Executive Committee.
10. An Executive Committee member or Allandale Neighborhood Association member shall be a representative to the Austin Neighborhood Council.
11. An Executive Committee member with three consecutive unexcused absences in a term or missing 1/3 of the meetings shall be removed from the committee. Absences are automatically excused when the regular meeting date has been changed with less than one month advance notice (this includes called meetings). Members are vested with the responsibility for preserving and enhancing the good name and reputation of the Association and for achieving the purpose stated in Article II. Members may be removed for unbecoming conduct by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee.
Article VIII. Committees
There shall be three classes of committees within the Association: standing committees, special issues committees and, special committees.
1. Standing Committee members shall be elected by the Executive Committee from the General Membership or the Executive Committee. Except where otherwise provided in these bylaws, the president shall appoint the committee chairpersons.
A. Membership/Finance Committees shall organize and implement membership drives and fundraising events for the Association. The treasurer shall be the chairperson of the Finance Committee.
B. Newsletter Committee shall prepare a newsletter for distribution at the direction of the Executive Committee. The committee shall develop and maintain a distribution system as determined by the Executive Committee for the newsletter and other necessary neighborhood information, based on low-cost or volunteer labor, or bulk-mail service. The president shall have final approval of the newsletter.
C. Nominating Committee shall make the recommendations to the membership of worthy individuals for the Executive Committee. It shall attempt to balance the membership of the Executive Committee with respect to geographic residence, age, sex, occupation and areas of expertise, choosing from among persons who have demonstrated interest in the goals of the Association.
D. Bylaws Committee shall make recommendations, as necessary, to the Executive Committee for changes to the bylaws.
2. Special Issues Committees may be formed by the Executive Committee to address issues of concern to the Association members and area residents. Chairpersons of the committees shall be appointed by the president. The chairpersons of the special issues committees may vote on matters which relate to the business of their committees only. Such committees shall be dissolved upon completion of their respective tasks, or after one year, whichever comes first. They may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Executive Committee which shall periodically review the need for each committee.
3. Special Committees may be formed as necessary by the Executive Committee or by motion from the floor at a General Membership meeting.
Article IX. Political Issues
Neither the Association nor any member purporting to speak for the Association shall endorse any candidate for public office or any political party. The membership roster and mailing list of the Association may not be used for political, commercial, or other activity not directly related to the Association.
Article X. Policy Determination
Policy positions for the Association shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the regular membership present at a meeting of the General Membership or the Executive Committee. Failure by Executive Committee member to publicly represent this majority view shall be considered unbecoming conduct.
Article XI. Parliamentary Authority
Rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Article XII. Amendment
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the General Membership provided that notice has been given in writing to all members at least one week in advance or by announcement at the preceding General Membership Meeting. The bylaws may be amended by the Executive Committee in the interim between the General Membership and must be passed by a two-third vote of the General Membership at the next occurring meeting.
Article XIII. Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Allandale Neighborhood Association, no class of member shall have any right nor shall receive any assets of the Association. The assets of the Association shall be permanently dedicated, to a tax-exempt purpose. In the event of dissolution, the Association's assets, after payment of debts shall be distributed to an organization selected by the Executive Committee which is tax exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)93) of Internal Revenue Code.
The name of the organization shall be the Allandale Neighborhood Association.
Article II. Purpose
The Association shall be a non-profit organization within which the residents of the Allandale neighborhood can promote and protect the quality of life, safety, residential characteristics, and property values of the neighborhood primarily, and all neighbors generally.
The Allandale Neighborhood Association can preserve and protect the natural environment for the benefit of the general public, promote and conserve natural resources and become party plaintiff to enforce local, state and federal environmental and conservation legislation and rules.
Article III. Territorial Boundaries
The boundaries of the Association shall be MoPac (Loop 1) on the west, Anderson Lane on the north, Burnet Road on the east, and the south side of 45th Street on the south, within the city of Austin, Texas.
Article IV. Membership
There shall be two classes of membership in the Association: regular and associate.
1. Regular membership shall be open to any person who resides within the geographical boundaries of the Association.
2. Associate 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 Executive Committee is required for associate membership.
3. Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Committee for both classes of membership.
4. Annual dues are payable each January 1, for a one-year membership ending December 31st.
5. Annual dues shall be assessed on each household, and each adult residing in that household shall be entitled to vote at each General Membership Meeting. Proxy votes shall not be permitted.
6. An eligible household which is not currently a member of the Allandale Neighborhood Association may establish membership and voters rights by paying dues anytime during the calendar year.
7. Members who join the Association after September 1 of any year may be accorded membership for the entire next membership year in addition to the remaining months of the current year upon payment of the annual dues.
8. Association membership shall convey no voting rights.
Article V. Officers
The officers of the Association shall be the president, the vice-president, the secretary, and the treasurer.
1. The president shall preside at each meeting of the General Membership and at each meeting of the Executive Committee. The president shall be the spokesperson for the Association. The president may delegate this responsibility to another officer or member of the Executive Committee. The president shall prepare and submit an activities report at each meeting of the General Membership. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Bylaws Committee.
2. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president. The vice-president shall assist the president in the preparation of the activities report to each general membership meeting. The vice-president shall coordinate the activities of the standing and special issues committees.
3. The treasurer shall collect, disburse, and safely keep all Association dues and other funds. The treasurer shall maintain a membership roster of regular and associate members. The treasurer shall prepare and submit to the Association such financial statements as required by the Executive Committee. Information collected as part of the membership roster, including e-mail addresses, may be used under the direction of the Executive Committee for the purposes of the Association. Third parties may be temporarily given membership data when contracted for services such as mailings or internet distribution.
4. The secretary shall record and keep the minutes of each meeting of the General Membership and the Executive Committee.
5. The officers shall be elected in September by the General Membership.
6. Nominees for all offices shall be regular members in good standing of the Association.
7. Nominees for the offices of president shall have served on the Executive Committee for 12 months.
8. The chair of the nominating committee shall submit to the Executive Committee nominees for officers prior to the date of the election. The nominees shall be presented to the General Membership. Nominations from the floor shall be requested. A majority of regular members voting shall elect by a show of hands.
9. The officers shall take office at the close of the meeting at which they are elected. The term shall extend for one year until their successors are elected. No officers may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office.
10. Vacancies occurring in office, or other Executive Committee positions shall be elected by the Executive Committee.
11. For purposes of determining eligibility for reelection or re appointment, a person who shall have served half or more, shall be considered to have served the whole term.
12. Election to an office shall be by show of hands, and by ballot if there is more than one candidate for the office.
Article VI. Meetings
1. General membership meetings shall be convened as determined by the Executive Committee, but no fewer than two times a year, including the September annual meeting.
2. The September annual meeting shall include the election of members of the Executive Committee.
3. Notice of special or general meetings shall be made to the membership no less than one week in advance of the meeting.
4. A quorum shall consist of ten voting members.
5. A special, or called meeting of the General Membership must be called upon receipt by the Executive Committee of a petition requesting and stating the reason for such meeting and bearing the signatures of no fewer than fifteen voting members of the Association or by 6 members of the Executive Committee. Only business specified in the called meetings may be transacted. The meeting shall be called within 30 days unless a scheduled regular general meeting shall intervene, in which case the business of the special meeting shall be considered at the General Meeting.
Article VII. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be the principal governing and policy-recommending body of the Association. The Executive Committee shall consist of the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, and seven other persons who hold regular membership in the Association.
1. Executive Committee members shall be elected for one-year terms at the Annual General Meeting in September, from names submitted by the nominating committee. Nominations from the floor shall also be in order, provided the nominee shall first agree to serve if elected.
2. Election shall be by a show of hands and by ballot if there is more than one candidate for a position.
3. Members of the Executive Committee shall take office at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and shall serve until their successors are elected.
4. Members may serve no more than three consecutive terms on the Executive Committee; they may however, be appointed to special issues committees in intervening years.
5. The Executive Committee shall meet once each month. The president may call a special meeting. Any four members of the Executive Committee may call a special meeting. There shall be at least a two-day notice of any special meeting.
6. A quorum at Executive Committee meetings shall be six Executive Committee members.
7. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to conduct the business of the Association between membership meetings. It shall make recommendations for action and policy to the General Membership. In case of necessity, it shall be empowered to determine policy positions by a two-thirds vote, but such policy shall be in the name of the Allandale Neighborhood Association.
8. Expenditures shall be approved by the Executive Committee.
9. The chairpersons of the special issues committees, not on the Executive Committee, may not be counted in determining a quorum of the Executive Committee.
10. An Executive Committee member or Allandale Neighborhood Association member shall be a representative to the Austin Neighborhood Council.
11. An Executive Committee member with three consecutive unexcused absences in a term or missing 1/3 of the meetings shall be removed from the committee. Absences are automatically excused when the regular meeting date has been changed with less than one month advance notice (this includes called meetings). Members are vested with the responsibility for preserving and enhancing the good name and reputation of the Association and for achieving the purpose stated in Article II. Members may be removed for unbecoming conduct by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee.
Article VIII. Committees
There shall be three classes of committees within the Association: standing committees, special issues committees and, special committees.
1. Standing Committee members shall be elected by the Executive Committee from the General Membership or the Executive Committee. Except where otherwise provided in these bylaws, the president shall appoint the committee chairpersons.
A. Membership/Finance Committees shall organize and implement membership drives and fundraising events for the Association. The treasurer shall be the chairperson of the Finance Committee.
B. Newsletter Committee shall prepare a newsletter for distribution at the direction of the Executive Committee. The committee shall develop and maintain a distribution system as determined by the Executive Committee for the newsletter and other necessary neighborhood information, based on low-cost or volunteer labor, or bulk-mail service. The president shall have final approval of the newsletter.
C. Nominating Committee shall make the recommendations to the membership of worthy individuals for the Executive Committee. It shall attempt to balance the membership of the Executive Committee with respect to geographic residence, age, sex, occupation and areas of expertise, choosing from among persons who have demonstrated interest in the goals of the Association.
D. Bylaws Committee shall make recommendations, as necessary, to the Executive Committee for changes to the bylaws.
2. Special Issues Committees may be formed by the Executive Committee to address issues of concern to the Association members and area residents. Chairpersons of the committees shall be appointed by the president. The chairpersons of the special issues committees may vote on matters which relate to the business of their committees only. Such committees shall be dissolved upon completion of their respective tasks, or after one year, whichever comes first. They may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Executive Committee which shall periodically review the need for each committee.
3. Special Committees may be formed as necessary by the Executive Committee or by motion from the floor at a General Membership meeting.
Article IX. Political Issues
Neither the Association nor any member purporting to speak for the Association shall endorse any candidate for public office or any political party. The membership roster and mailing list of the Association may not be used for political, commercial, or other activity not directly related to the Association.
Article X. Policy Determination
Policy positions for the Association shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the regular membership present at a meeting of the General Membership or the Executive Committee. Failure by Executive Committee member to publicly represent this majority view shall be considered unbecoming conduct.
Article XI. Parliamentary Authority
Rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Article XII. Amendment
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the General Membership provided that notice has been given in writing to all members at least one week in advance or by announcement at the preceding General Membership Meeting. The bylaws may be amended by the Executive Committee in the interim between the General Membership and must be passed by a two-third vote of the General Membership at the next occurring meeting.
Article XIII. Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Allandale Neighborhood Association, no class of member shall have any right nor shall receive any assets of the Association. The assets of the Association shall be permanently dedicated, to a tax-exempt purpose. In the event of dissolution, the Association's assets, after payment of debts shall be distributed to an organization selected by the Executive Committee which is tax exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)93) of Internal Revenue Code.
