SPNA members to vote on new by-laws Oct. 12

SPNA members will decide whether to adopt new by-laws at the next monthly membership meeting on Monday, October 12, at 7 p.m. The revised by-laws are intended to replace the existing by-laws and better conform to the standards for non-profit organizations that are required by Tennessee state law.

Earlier this year, SPNA president Wendell Goodman appointed a by-laws committee to review the organization's current by-laws. Recording secretary John Summers and steering committee member Margaret Holleman assessed SPNA's existing by-laws and compared them to the by-laws of other area neighborhood associations.

The committee developed new by-laws modeled on the by-laws of the Richland-West End Neighborhood Association. As required by the current by-laws, SPNA members voted unanimously at the September membership meeting to hold a vote regarding formal adoption of the new by-laws at the upcoming membership meeting. All current SPNA members are eligible to vote and are encouraged to do so, and a letter has been mailed to all members to this effect. Members will also have an opportunity to review any amendments to the proposed by-laws which are submitting in writing to Wendell Goodman by Oct. 5.

Here is a summary of the changes that will be enacted if the proposed by-laws are adopted. As required by state law, SPNA will be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be elected by the SPNA membership at an annual meeting in December for the following calendar year. The Board will consist of up to 21 members. The Board of Directors will elect a slate of officers from the board upon its election. SPNA will hold monthly board meetings. SPNA board meetings will be open to the public and participation by the members. Membership in SPNA is open to resident homeowners in Sylvan Park and tenants who have lived in Sylvan Park for more than two years.

The by-laws vote by the membership marks the culmination of a lengthy process to review SPNA's existing by-laws. Please take time to review the current and proposed by-laws, which are available for review at sylvanpark.org, and to attend the October membership meeting to participate in the vote. Many thanks to Wendell, John and Margaret for their work in this effort.