By-Laws

By-laws of the South Westside Olympia Neighborhood Association Adopted September, 2002

ARTICLE 1 - Purpose

The South Westside Olympia Neighborhood Association (SWONA) shall be a non-profit corporation. Our purpose is to preserve and protect the character and infrastructure of the neighborhood, the rights of its residents and the quality of the natural environment. We will do this through involving all neighborhood residents and businesses in full and democratic discussion of issues that affect the neighborhood’s quality of life, informing the city of our views and advocating on proposals that affect us, and providing an opportunity for social activity and interaction among neighbors.

ARTICLE II - Membership and Boundaries

Sec. 1. Members shall be defined as persons age 18 or older who reside, own property or have a place of business within the neighborhood or who are otherwise required by the City of Olympia to be eligible for membership in order for the Association to qualify as a recognized neighborhood association, who have paid annual dues. Dues shall be $5.00 per person per calendar year, payable in January or upon joining.

Sec. 2. The boundaries of the neighborhood for these purposes are defined as that part of the City of Olympia east of Black Lake Blvd and Division Street, south of Harrison Avenue, west of Capitol Lake, and north of Percival Cove, Percival Creek and Cooper Point Rd/Auto Mall Way.

ARTICLE III - Meetings and Communications

Sec. 1. The Association will establish a regular meeting time annually at its annual meeting, to be not less than 4 times per year. It will give 15 days’ prior notice to residents through newspaper advertisement, mailings to members or signs posted in the neighborhood, including in the information kiosk located on Decatur Street at 10th Avenue SW. Prior to its Annual Meeting, the Association will post at least 12 signs in all areas within the boundaries of the Association.

Sec. 2. Ten percent of the membership must be present at a meeting to elect officers and to approve payment of bills in excess of $35.00. The Association’s officers and members will identify positions on major issues taken in communications with city officials and other bodies as those of the Association only when a position has been established by vote and included in the minutes. An Association position on such issues must be approved by more than one-half of the members voting. Proxies will be allowed from members who have attended at least one meeting in the calendar year, prior to the meeting at which the vote is to occur; provided that their proxy is given in writing and applies to one issue at that meeting. The results of the vote, including the number voting and the percent for and against, must be recorded in the Association’s minutes. Association views are to be identified as those of the membership and not the neighborhood.

ARTICLE IV - Officers

Corporate officers shall constitute the Association’s Board of Directors and shall include, but not be limited to, a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers will be elected by majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting and will hold office for a period of two years. The President and Treasurer shall be elected in even years and the Vice-President and Secretary in odd years. The Board may appoint members to fill vacancies or call for a special election.

ARTICLE V - Amendments to the By-Laws

Proposed amendments and an explanation of why they are being considered must be sent to all members at least 30 days before the meeting at which the changes will be discussed. The amendments may then be voted upon at the next regularly scheduled Association meeting; with at least 15 days’ notice given that the meeting will consider by-law changes. Approval by one-third of the membership is needed to amend the by-laws.