Boundaries

(click for high-resolution map from Google)

We are very pleased to announce the formation of the Rainbow West Neighborhood Association, covering San Jose households between Rainbow Drive to the north, Calabazas Creek and U.S. 85 to the west, Prospect Road and the boundary of San Jose City to the south and Johnson Avenue and Saratoga Creek to the East. Click on the map above to enlarge it.

Bylaws

ARTICLE I: Name and Boundaries

The Name of this Association shall be Rainbow West Neighborhood Association, hereafter referred to as RWNA, which is located in San Jose, CA, in the city boundaries surrounded by Rainbow Drive to the north, Calabazas Creek and U.S. 85 to the west, Prospect Road and the boundary of San Jose City to the south and by Saratoga Creek to the east.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

Section 1 (Purpose): The purpose of this neighborhood association is to serve as a vehicle for communication within the RWNA community, between RWNA and San Jose City, between RWNA and surrounding communities, and between RWNA and other Neighborhood Associations.

Section 2 (Mission): To establish a communication network within the neighborhood and to establish and act on a set of priorities and actions that will foster and maintain a high quality, safe and friendly living environment.

Section 3 (Goals): The goals for this association will be defined by members of the association at the annual meeting and updated throughout the year as needed.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1 (Eligibility): Any person or family representative over the age of 18 who resides or owns property in the RWNA area shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2 (Membership Types): There will be two distinct types of members: Associate Members and General Members.

Section 3 (Associate Members): Associate Members are defined as any person who owns property within the RWNA boundaries yet does not reside within said boundaries.

Section 4 (General Members): General Members are defined as any person or family representative who resides within RWNA boundaries.

Section 5 (Membership Contributions): RWNA shall request from all Associate and General Members one contribution of $15.00 annually, per calendar year, per household or property to be hereafter referred to as “dues.” Dues shall be used for RWNA expenses such as, but not limited to newsletters, dumpsters, etc. Members who pay annual dues are deemed members in good standing.

Section 6 (Voting): Each General Member in good standing is entitled to vote, with a maximum of one vote per household. Associate members in good standing are entitled to vote, with a maximum of one vote per property.

Section 7 (Voting Method): A simple majority of attending members rules any regular agenda item with the exception of Article VI, section 2.

Section 8 (Membership Termination): Memberships may be terminated at any time voluntarily or by stopping their annual contribution. At no time will refunds of any dues, partial or full, be made. Extreme circumstances may be considered by the RWNA Board.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section 1 (Composition): The RWNA Executive Board shall consist of elected members for the offices of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 2 (Committee Chairpersons): Committee chairpersons shall be nominated by the Executive Board and approved by the membership. Standing committees may include but are not limited to Safety, Neighborhood Watch, Action, Beautification, Grant writing, and Communication. Additional committees may be added as deemed necessary by the Association.

Section 3 (Qualification for Office): A nominee for elected office must be a member in good standing.

Section 4 (Elections): Officers for the President, Second Vice President, and Treasurer shall be nominated in November and elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting in January on even numbered years. Officers for the First Vice President and Secretary shall be nominated in November and elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting in January on odd numbered years.

Section 5 (Term of Office): The term of office shall be two (2) years and shall begin immediately following the election. No officer may hold the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms. Out-going officers shall train their successors and turn over all records in a current condition.

Section 6 (Vacancies): If an officer resigns or becomes ineligible to hold office, the office shall immediately become vacant. If the office of President is vacant, the First Vice-President shall immediately assume the office of President until the expiration of the President’s term. For any other vacancy, the Board shall immediately appoint an eligible replacement, with membership approval as soon as possible, and the replacement will serve until the expiration of the original term of office.

Section 7 (Duties):

1. President: The President shall coordinate all Association activities, plan for and preside at meetings of the Association and the Board, and shall have the general powers of supervision and management of the Association.
2. First Vice President: The First Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in that officer’s absence. The First Vice President shall also work with other officers as needed to maintain the membership rolls and to maintain responsibility for the email communication network. Other duties shall be performed as required by the President or Board.
3. Second Vice President: The Second Vice President shall ensure operation of committees and assist committee chairpersons as needed, including maintaining and communicating with a list of block captains. Other duties shall be performed as required by the President or Board.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be custodian of the Association funds and under the direction of the Board shall ensure that funds are used for the exclusive support of the RWNA mission. The Treasurer shall, with Board and Membership collaboration develop a budget, collect dues, make deposits, make payments, oversee all RWNA funds, keep proper financial records, and provide financial reports to the membership and Board regularly. RWNA checks shall be signed by the Treasurer and by one of the following: President, or if unavailable, by the First Vice President.
5. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and archiving minutes of the Association and Board meetings. The Secretary shall also be responsible for the written correspondence of the Association as needed.
6. Committee Chairpersons: Chairpersons shall coordinate events and functions pertaining to the nature of their committee in conjunction with the overall purpose of RWNA. Chairpersons will collect feedback from the Membership and Board and gather volunteers to help organize events. The Chairpersons shall prepare projections of anticipated expenditures, when appropriate, and obtain approval from the Executive Board prior to the sponsored event. Chairpersons are responsible for reporting committee progress and regular updates to the Membership and Board.

ARTICLE V: Meetings

Section 1 (General Meetings): The Association shall conduct general meetings in January, March, May, July, September and November. The January meeting will be the Annual Meeting. Meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the appropriate month. Meetings may be changed to avoid scheduling conflicts such as holidays.

Section 2 (Annual Meeting): An annual meeting shall be conducted in January. The purpose of Annual Meeting is to set the direction for the following year and shall include elections, goals, and priority setting.

Section 3 (Special Meetings): Special Meetings may be called by the majority of the board and or by the request of ten (10) association members in good standing. In either case, a seven (7) day notice shall be provided.

Section 4 (Meeting Minutes): Minutes for each meeting shall be recorded and made available to association members at the next meeting and/or by verbal or written request.

ARTICLE VI: Amendments to these By-Laws

Section 1 (Proposal of Amendments): Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by the Executive Board or by written petition addressed to the Secretary and signed by twenty-five (25) members of the association. Amendments proposed by such a petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be submitted to the members with the recommendations of the Board by the Secretary. The proposed amendments will then be placed on the agenda of the second subsequent regular meeting, at which time the proposed amendments shall be acted/voted on.

Section 2 (Adoption of Amendments): An affirmation vote of two thirds (2/3) of the total number of the General and Associate Members in good standing shall be required to adopt any proposed amendments to the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VII: Dissolution

Section 1 (Dissolution): In the event of dissolution of the RWNA, any assets remaining after payment of debt and liabilities shall be given to a non-profit community group, as directed by a majority of the Executive Board.