WESTWARD HO RESIDENTS
ASSOCIATION, INC.
618 North Central Avenue #335
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 229-1962
Westward Ho Residents Association,
Inc.
By-Laws
1. MISSION
Westward Ho Residents Association, Inc. (hereinafter
called the Association) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable, educational and
philanthropic corporation organized to benefit low-income seniors and disabled
people, primarily residents of federally subsidized Section 8 housing. We are
dedicated to improving the health, welfare and knowledge of residents,
regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or personal
beliefs. Recognizing that ignorance, isolation, bigotry and lack of education
are our common enemies, we seek to improve knowledge, tolerance and social
interaction for the common good.
2. ACTIVITIES
Activities of the Association shall include, but not be
limited to providing charitable assistance to low-income senior and disabled
persons; conducting social activities, holiday and food events; providing
amenities and services for public housing residents; and sponsoring educational
seminars, classes and entertainment events.
3. MEMBERSHIP
a. The Association shall have Regular Members (hereinafter
called Members). The admission of new Members will be decided by majority vote
at the annual meeting, or at other regular meetings of the Members. No dues or
fees will be assessed for Regular Membership. The Board may from time to time
create other specialized classes of membership.
b. Membership nomination and oversight shall be the job of
the Membership Committee, whose job it is to define rights and responsibilities
of all types of membership. However, Membership will not be denied anyone based
on disability, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
c. Regular Members are expected to serve on at least one
committee. Committees include but are not limited to Activities, Membership,
Elections, Education, Development, By-Laws, and other committees that may be
constituted by the Board.
d. Disqualification from membership, and/or removal from
membership may be based on
- Conduct unbecoming a member, or proposed member, not
adhering to the principles of the organization, e.g. discrimination, or
working to disrupt the orderly conducting of business.
- Unexcused lengthy non-participation in meetings,
events or other activities. Illness or health matters are always excused.
- Other criteria that may be recommended by the
Membership Committee, subject to member approval.
e. Membership will not be limited to Westward Ho
residents. Minimum qualifications will be a willingness to help low-income
seniors and disabled people, and further the goals of the Association.
4. BOARD
The Board of Directors shall consist of at least five (5)
persons who must also be Members of the Association. A greater number of Board
members may approved by Members at the annual meeting.
5. OFFICERS
Officers shall include but not necessarily be limited to a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Two offices other than
President may be combined, for example Secretary-Treasurer or
Vice-President-Treasurer. The election of additional Vice-Presidents is not
excluded, on recommendation of the Elections Committee and approval of the
Board.
6. TERM OF OFFICE
All Board members and officers shall be elected for a
one-year term. Interim replacement terms shall expire at the same time as
regularly elected terms.
7. MEETINGS
a. Meeting dates and times shall be set by the Board. An
annual legal meeting of the membership will normally be held each January.
Nomination and election of Board members may coincide with the annual meeting.
b. Procedural disputes at all Member, Board or Committee
meetings will be settled by deferring to Robert’s Rules of Order.
8. ELECTIONS
a. An Elections Committee oversees the orderly process of
nominations and election to the Board, including the nomination and election of
mid-term replacements.
b. Election to the Board is made by majority vote of
Regular Members. Election of officers is decided by vote of the Board. All Board
members must also be Regular Members.
9. COMPENSATION
No Board member of the Association shall receive salary or
compensation for serving in this capacity.
10. ARBITRATION
Arbitration of disputes may be settled by a neutral third
party if the Board cannot negotiate agreement. Arbitrator shall be chosen on
approval of both parties, and decision will be binding.
11. FUNDRAISING, BUSINESS
a. The Association, as a legal corporation, may engage in
any lawful business not prohibited under federal, state or local statutes
governing non-profit organizations. This includes but is not limited to
soliciting donations, applying for grants, fundraising events, non-cash
contributions, and entering into contracts.
b. The Development Committee will be responsible for
planning organizational development, fundraising oversight, grant writing, and
recommending major budget expenditures.
12. LIMITS OF ACTIVITY
No partisan political activity shall be conducted or
sponsored by the Association that is prohibited in 501(c)(3). This does not
preclude educational seminars on issues of concern (e.g., Social Security,
health care, disability rights). No endorsements of candidates may be made by
the Association, or contributions to political campaigns made from Association
funds.
13. TREASURY
Association funds are overseen by the Treasurer, who
reports to the Board and Members. Funds are dispersed at the direction of the
Board for authorized expenses. Two signatures of officers are required for
disbursement of funds, except for small, authorized petty cash expenses. Petty
cash shall not normally exceed $200.
14. AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Amendments to By-Laws may be made by majority vote of
Members at the annual or other scheduled Member meeting. Advance notification of
proposed By-Laws changes will be given by the By-Laws Committee, or by the Board
at the direction of this committee.
DIRECTORS of the Association for the year 2003 are:
Ellen Bayliss, 618 N. Central Ave. #1027, Phoenix AZ
85004.
Lydia Espinoza, 618 N. Central Ave. #327, Phoenix AZ
85004.
Joyce Gittoes, 618 N. Central Ave. #101, Phoenix AZ 85004.
AmyLou McKelvey, 618 N. Central Ave. #419, Phoenix AZ
85004.
Victor Pawlak, 618 N. Central Ave. #335, Phoenix AZ 85004.
September 4, 2003
To view Articles of Incorporation
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