Charter for Jefferson Westside Neighbors
Article I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Jefferson Westside Neighbors
Article II. GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES
The Neighborhood shall encompass the area bounded by 7th Avenue to the north, 18th Avenue to the south, and Chambers Street to the west. The eastern boundary is Willamette Street between 18th and 13th avenue, then by Lawrence Street from 13th Avenue to the alley between 7th and 8th Avenues, west on the alley to Washington Street, finally north on Washington to 7th Avenue.
Article III. PURPOSE
Section 1. The mission of the Neighborhood association is to build community at the neighborhood level and improve the livability of the neighborhood. This may be done by activities such as:
a) Providing a forum for members to identify, discuss and resolve neighborhood issues;
b) Identifying and advocating the Neighborhood Association’s position on issues such as land use and zoning, transportation and traffic, public safety, housing, school and community facilities, parks and recreation, economic development, issues affecting youth and elderly, and other factors affecting the livability and social and economic aspects of our neighborhood;
c) Sponsoring neighborhood improvement projects and social events;
d) Educating neighbors about issues, public processes, government services and elections;
e) Establishing two-way communication between neighborhoods and the City, and between neighborhoods and other external agencies.
Section 2. The organization may also address itself to all matters which affects it in accordance with the City of Eugene Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy as currently adopted by the Eugene City Council.
Section 3. City of Eugene Required Equity Statement: Jefferson Westside Neighbors is committed to fostering an equitable and welcoming neighborhood in which all may freely live, participate, and thrive.
Article IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership is open to any person 16 years of age or older who resides in or is the single legal representative of a business, non profit organization, property or other establishment located within the Neighborhood boundary as described above. All may participate in discussion
Section 2. a. Membership is declared by entering one’s signature and address on the neighborhood association’s attendance log available at each general meeting. The Neighborhood Association shall keep and maintain
attendance lists for all general meetings for at least 12 months.
b. Membership shall terminate at once for anyone who moves from the neighborhood or ceases to be the authorized representative of a business, non profit organization, property or other establishment located within the Neighborhood.
Section 3. Each member shall have one vote and there shall be no absentee voting or voting by proxy.
Article V. MEETINGS
Section 1. At least one general meeting shall be held each year at a time and place to be established in the bylaws of this Association. Should the Eugene City Council require additional meetings to meet a minimum meeting requirement, that number shall become the minimum. In any case, any additional meetings may be provided by the bylaws of this Association.
Section 2. Notice of the location, time and date of all meetings shall be provided to the members in a manner to ensure maximal effective Neighborhood notification. Acceptable methods of notice are defined in the bylaws of this Association.
Section 3. A quorum at a general meeting shall be 10 members.
Section 4. Election of the officers of the executive board shall take place at the annual meeting, the date of which shall be established in the bylaws of this Association.
Section 5. Other requirements affecting meetings may be established in the bylaws of this Association.
Article VII — EXECUTIVE BOARD
The bylaws of this Association shall define the membership, duties, and operation of the executive board.
Article VIII — BYLAWS
The membership shall adopt such bylaws of this Association as necessary to implement this charter. The original bylaws of this Association shall be established in the same manner as defined in Article IX — Charter Revision.
Article IX —CHARTER REVISION
Section 1 This charter may be amended, repealed or replaced by the following process.
a) A motion to amend, modify or repeal this charter or to adopt a new charter at the next general meeting shall be made and approved by a majority vote of members present at a general meeting. The motion shall include the language of the proposed amendment.
b) Written notice of the proposed charter action shall be given to the general membership prior to the next general meeting.
c) At that next general meeting, the proposed charter action will be presented, discussed, and voted on. If it receives at least a two-thirds vote, it takes effect immediately unless it includes a provision delaying implementation to a specific date.
d) The action will be submitted to the City Council for affirmation.
Section 2 If there are further requirements established by the Eugene City Council to revise this charter they shall be incorporated into those required by Section 1 of this article.
Approved by Westside Neighborhood Quality Project at the February 12, 2002 General Meeting.
Approved by Jefferson Area Neighbors a the March 12, 2002 General Meeting
Amended by Jefferson Area Neighbors at the October 8, 2024 General Meeting