By-laws

Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be the Old Spring Branch Civic Association, Inc.

Article II – Boundaries

The Old Spring Branch Civic Association, Inc. includes the following residential subdivisions: Hilldale, Hillendahl, Herzogg, Lentz Villas, Long Point Manor, Long Point Oaks, Point Place, Silverbonnet; and residences in the 2000 block on Thonig Street.

Article III – Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:
A. to maintain the residential character of the community which this Association represents;
B. to safeguard the individual and collective property owners;
C. to encourage improvements in the appearance of homes and properties;
D. to promote wholesome social and recreational activities for adults and children;
E. to take concerted action on all matters which pertain to the welfare of the community; and
F. to monitor the status of applicable deed restrictions for purpose of perpetuating and/or improving same at the appropriate time.

Article IV – Membership

Section 1. All property owners or residents of the area served of at least 21 years of age who have paid the prescribed dues are members of the organization and entitled to vote at membership meeting.

Section 2. Non-resident property owners or businesses within or with interest in the area served are invited to support the community improvement goals of the Association by becoming non-voting Associate Members, with privilege of receiving all membership mailings and participating with attendance at meetings and help with endeavors.

Section3. Annual Dues
a. Regular Membership–$25.00 per property represented.
b. Senior Citizen/Fixed Income Membership–$12.50 per property represented.

Section 4. Dues shall be due and payable on or before the annual meeting in May of each year. Dues of residents new to the neighborhood shall be prorated from date of residence in the neighborhood.

Section5. Membership may be refused or terminated for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors when it is deemed that such membership is or may be harmful to the best interest of the Association. Any such action shall have been preceded by written or oral communication from the Board or its representative which shall have afforded the member an opportunity to allay Board concerns, or to voluntarily resign or withdraw said membership. In the event formal Board consideration of such action still is deemed necessary, the at least five (5) days advance written notice of that meeting shall extend to the member an opportunity to offer personal or written objections to such action. Written notice of any membership refusal or terminations shall be sent to the concerned party, along with a refund of any current dues money received for that membership.

Article V – Officers and Directors

Section 1. The Officers of the Old Spring Branch Civic Association, Inc., shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
a. The President shall have overall responsibility for directing the Association and shall preside at all meetings. The President shall’have the responsibility for the agenda and programs at the membership meetings. The president shall appoint all committee chairs with the approval of the Board of Directors.
b. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the president. This officer shall assist the president and shall perform various duties and serve on committees as assigned by the president and approved by the Board of Directors.
c. The Secretary shall record and preserve minutes of all meetings of the membership, and the Board. He shall be custodian of the official minutes book, the charter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws and shall pass these to his successor together with any other important records or correspondence accumulated during his/her term.
d. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe keeping and accounting of Association monies. The Treasurer shall give a monthly report at the membership meetings of Association’s receipts and disbursements. Disbursements shall require signatures of 2 officers. The Association fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall serve as the governing body of the Association and shall consist of the officers, the immediate past President, and six (6) street representatives geographically distributed as near as practicable through the area served.

Article VI – Election, Term of Office, and Replacement

Section 1. The officers and directors shall be elected during the regular general meeting in May of each year.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected by all Association members in attendance at the May meeting.
Section 3. Officers shall serve one year commencing with their election in May and ending at such time as their respective successors have been duly elected and installed.
Section 4. Street Representatives shall be elected for two-year terms at the May meeting. Street Representatives may serve no more than two consecutive two-year terms. At the first election after the adoption of these bylaws, one-half of the Street Representatives shall be elected for one-year terms and the remainder for two-year terms.
Section 5. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of President during the year, the Vice President shall assume the office of President. In the event a vacancy occurs among other officers or street representatives, the position shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. An officer or director may be removed from office by majority vote of the Board of Directors at any time for cause, including lack of attendance or participation, when it is believed the best interest of the Association would be served by such removal. Any officer or director so removed from office shall be informed in writing of such action.

Article VII – Committees

The standing committees of this Association shall be Membership, Communications, Bylaws, Crime Control, Deed Restrictions, Beautification and Social.

Section 1. All standing committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the president or the vice president in his/her absence and approved by the Board of Directors. The committee chairperson shall, in turn appoint additional members.
Section 2. The membership committee shall conduct an annual and continuing membership drive to secure dues from residents; and shall maintain a record of current and potential members of the Association.
Section 3. The communications committee shall be responsible for the publicity for the organization, distribution of meeting notices and other information to the membership, and other duties as specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. The bylaws committee shall be responsible for review of all proposed amendments to the bylaws to be brought before the members for approval.
Section 5. The crime control committee shall be responsible for carrying out the neighborhood citizens patrol program, and other duties as specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Deed restrictions committee. The legal responsibility for deed restriction monitoring and enforcement rests with property owners on each street. The deed restrictions committee shall consist of five members distributed as nearly as practicable through the area served. The committee shall:
a. maintain an archive of documents including current copies of deed restrictions for each street as well as current and historical files on all deed restriction cases from the ten streets;
b. serve as a coordination committee of records and reports related to complaints of possible deed restriction violations;
c. assist in assuring that enforcement efforts are handled in a consistent and coordinated manner.
d. make available to any property owner or resident a copy of the deed restrictions applicable to his/her property; and
e. recommend any action needed related to deed restriction changes or renewals.

Section 7. The beautification committee shall develop programs to encourage improvements in the appearance of the homes and properties in the civic association neighborhood area.
Section 8. The social committee shall promote social and recreational activities for the neighborhood adults and children including, but not limited to, providing refreshments during the social period of general meetings.
Section 9. Special Committees–Special Committees may be appointed by the President and shall act for the duration of their assigned task or until the election meeting in May.

Article VIII – Meetings

Section 1. General Meetings–The general membership shall meet in regular session once a month at a date, time, and place to be designated by the board of directors.
Section 2. Board of Directors Meetings–The Board of Directors shall meet, as needed, in the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Time and place will be announced no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. Chairs of standing and special committees shall be invited to attend the Board of Directors meetings when appropriate.
Section 3. Special Meetings–Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at the direction of the President or at the written request of five members.
Section 4. Written Notice-Written notice of all general meetings shall be provided all members of the Association.

Article IX – Quorum

Section 1. A quorum for general meetings shall consist of at least 10% of the membership and at least five (5) members of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of five members, including at least two (2) elected officers.

Article X – Amendments and Rules

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any general meeting of the Association provided that the suggested amendment or amendments have been submitted in writing at the previous general meeting. The adoption of the amendments shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote in the affirmative of the members present.
Section 2. On all points of order not covered by these bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order”, Revised, shall act as guide and authority.

Article XI – Seal

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Association.

As Adopted, 5/1/91
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