Southwood Neighborhood Association Bylaws 

Article 1 – Name, Entity Type, Boundaries and Fiscal Year 

1.01 The name of this organization is the Southwood Neighborhood Association, hereinafter referred to as "the Association." 

1.02 The Association is a Texas Nonprofit Corporation. 

1.03 The geographic boundaries of the Association are defined as the south side of Ben White Boulevard, the east side of Menchaca Road, the north side of Stassney Lane, and the west side of South First Street. 

1.04 The fiscal year of the Association is October 1 to September 30. 

Article 2 – Purpose 

2.01 The purpose of the Association is to promote a sense of community, encourage active participation of members, and preserve and enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood. 

Article 3 – Membership 

3.01 All residents aged 18 or older living within the geographic boundaries described in Article 1.03, as well as non-resident residential property owners, are eligible for membership in the Association. Business owners may participate on a non-voting basis. 

3.02 Members may be asked, but are not required, to contribute annual membership dues to support the activities of the Association. Dues are set by the Officers, as defined in Article 4.01, and approved by a majority of the members present at any membership meeting of the Association where a quorum is present. 

3.03 Regular meetings of the Association members are held at a minimum of not less than quarterly. Special meetings of the Association membership may be called for any purpose. 

3.04 Notice of any Association meetings, along with related agendas, will be made through various channels including, but not limited to email, on the Association website and social platforms, and yard signs at least three days prior to the meeting date. 

3.05 Each member present at any Association meeting is entitled to one vote. Membership is defined in Article 3.01. 

3.06 A quorum is necessary for the transaction of the Association business. A quorum is defined as at least ten (10) members. A simple majority (51%) of members present is binding. 

3.07 The identity of the Association members is confidential and may not be released without specific explicit member permission. The identity of the Officers are excluded from this provision.

Article 4 – Officers 

4.01 The President, Vice President, Officer-at-Large, Secretary and Treasurer are hereinafter referred to as “the Officers” of the Association. 

4.02 To be eligible to serve as an officer of the Association, candidates must meet the membership definition in Article 3.01, provide proof of residence within the Association boundaries in Article 1.03 for at least six consecutive months prior to the election, and have attended at least two member meetings of the Association. 

4.03 Officer elections take place at the last member meeting of the Association’s fiscal year and are conducted by the Officer-at-Large, whose duties are described in Article 4.09. 

4.04 Each officer of the Association serves a two-year term and is eligible for no more than five consecutive terms in the same office. The Officers assume office at the first member meeting of the fiscal year. 

4.05 Officer meetings shall be held at least as frequently as membership meetings and are open to all members of the Association. 

4.06 An officer who misses more than two consecutive officer meetings without prior notice to the President is subject to removal. An officer must give written notice to the President before their resignation becomes effective. A vacant officer position may be filled by approval of the majority of members present at a membership meeting of the Association where a quorum is 

present for the unexpired portion of the term. 

4.07 The duties of the President are to set the agenda, call and preside over all member, officer and special meetings of the Association, be a signer on the Association bank account, represent the Association on the Austin Neighborhood Council, serve as primary spokesperson for the Association on positions officially adopted by the Association members, appoint standing and ad hoc committee(s) as needed and serve as an ex officio member of all committees. 

4.08 The duties of Vice President are to promote member, officer, and special meetings, provide logistic support for member, officer and special meetings, monitor and maintain content posted on the Association social platforms to ensure compliance with the Association’s policy, maintain and update the Association website, attend member, officer and special meetings, and serve on standing and ad hoc committee(s) as appointed by President. The Vice President will preside at member, officer and special meetings if for any reason the President is unable to attend. 

4.09 The duties of Officer-at-Large are to identify and recruit candidates to serve as officers in the Association, present slate of candidates and accept nominations from the floor to be considered for election at the last member meeting of the fiscal year, conduct the officer election by show of hands or ballot if multiple candidates for same position, determine results by simple majority vote of the Association members present. In case of a tie a second vote by ballot will be held, and if tie is not resolved, a coin toss will determine results. The Officer-at-Large will maintain and update officer terms and eligibility, attend member, officer and special meetings, and serve on standing and ad hoc committee(s) as appointed by the President.

4.10 The duties of Secretary are to take minutes and record attendance at all member, officer and special meetings, archive copies of the agenda, minutes, and attendance lists, attend member, officer and special meetings, and serve on standing and ad hoc committee(s) as appointed by the President. 

4.11 The duties of Treasurer are to process fund disbursements and deposits, provide a treasurer's report at member meetings, track paid members dues and prepare and submit required government financial reports, regularly check the Association’s PO Box, attend member, officer and special meetings, and serve on standing and ad hoc committee(s) as appointed by the President. 

Article 5 - Standards of Conduct 

5.01 All members and officers of the Association shall at all times act in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the Association. 

5.02 An officer is not liable to the Association for any action taken if the officer acted in good faith, with ordinary care, and in a manner the officer reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Association. 

5.03 The Association shall not endorse any candidates for political office, or take positions on ballot measures or initiatives. 

Article 6 – Adoption/Amendment of Bylaws 

6.01 These bylaws become effective upon approval of the majority of the members present at any Association membership meeting where quorum is present. 

6.02 These bylaws may be amended at any Association membership meeting by a majority vote of the members present where quorum is present. 

Article 7 – Dissolution 

7.01 In the event of dissolution, the Association’s assets, after payment of debts, will be distributed by the Officers to one or more organizations which are tax-exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Date Adopted: September 17, 2025