WCA Constitution
ARTICLE I — Objectives
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Wellington Civic Association, Inc. (WCA), a non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-racial unincorporated association of citizens of the identifiable Wellington community in the Mount Vernon District, Fairfax County, Virginia.
Section 2. The objectives of this Association are to:
- Keep members informed of developments and activities on local matters affecting their welfare and interests;
- Provide the stimulus and mechanism for the self-expression of members on such matters and the machinery for effectively communicating their wishes to appropriate persons and agencies with special attention to taxation, assessments, bond issues, protection and safety, health, schools, zoning and pollution;
- Provide a venue for other appropriate action on issues significant to the Wellington area, as members deem appropriate; and
- Provide an avenue for neighborhood social functions and events.
ARTICLE II — Membership
Section 1. Membership in the Association shall be by family unit and open to residents 18 years of age or over owning or renting their homes within the Wellington designated boundaries as shown in the marked Fairfax County map published in the Directory.
Section 2. Application for membership in good standing may be made in writing or verbally to the Secretary or Treasurer with payment of current dues.
Section 3. All residents of the area are invited and welcome to attend any regular meeting, but voting is restricted to members in good standing and no more than two members of any household may vote.
Section 4. Membership is open to both property owners and renters residing in the WCA area.
Section 5. Membership is terminated automatically if a member no longer owns or rents property in the area. Failure to pay dues will not terminate membership but will restrict voting privileges.
ARTICLE III — Officers and Committees
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected by the membership for terms of one year and shall take office the following January 1st.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the elected officers and the Chairperson of all standing committees. The immediate past president shall serve as an ex officio member. No president shall be eligible for re-election to the same office for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
Section 3. The President shall appoint all Committee Chairpersons.
Section 4. The Standing Committees shall be those committees directly associated with the Mt. Vernon Council of Civic Associations (MVCCA) and any and all WCA committees.
Section 5. The Officers may establish special Committees for a specified period of time and/or for a specified purpose. If or when a special committee becomes a sustainable activity or event then, with the approval of the Executive Committee, it will be considered for permanent standing as part of the Executive Committee. Once approved, the Chairperson of that new Committee will become part of the Executive Committee.
Section 6. Chairpersons of Standing Committees with MVCCA counterparts shall be responsible for submission of resolutions. These submissions shall be in writing and shall provide all necessary information to assist the Executive Committee reach decisions. They furthermore will maintain continuing contact with appropriate Fairfax County officials and civic groups. Chairpersons of WCA Community Committees shall be responsible for the management of their respective special events or activities.
Section 7. The Officers and members of the Executive Committee shall take office upon election or appointment and shall serve until the next Annual Election or until their successors are elected or appointed.
Section 8. In the event of death, resignation or removal from office of any officers or members of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall select a successor to hold office until the next Annual Election.
ARTICLE IV — Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of the Association shall be scheduled three times each year during the months of February, May, and November. The February and November meetings shall be required. Meeting dates will be announced in advance through the Wellington Civic Association Bulletin and by electronic means. The November meeting shall be the election of officers. The February meeting will be the presentation of the annual budget for the upcoming calendar year.
Section 2. The Annual Election of the officers/WCA board of directors shall be held on the fourth quarterly meeting date of each calendar year annually and held in November.
Section 3. The President may call Special Meetings upon notification of members, or one may be called upon petition signed by 10 or more member family units. Notice in writing shall be given at least five days before such special meetings and the object of the meeting must be limited to those subjects or subject stipulated in the notice.
Section 4. A quorum for the transaction of official business at general membership meetings shall be 10 members in good standing. A quorum for transaction of business by the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the membership thereof.
Section 5. Community meetings may be held virtually at the discretion of the WCA Board of Directors/officers or when safety concerns or other emergencies occur.
ARTICLE V — Elections
Section 1. A Standing Nominating Committee, consisting of the past Presidents of the Wellington Civic Association, Inc. still residing within the Association boundaries, shall be appointed by the President. This Committee shall select the immediate past President as its Chairperson and shall name one or more candidates for each office. This slate of candidates shall be published to the membership in advance of the November Annual Election Meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be in order. All members in good standing shall be eligible to vote and proxy votes are accepted if given in writing to the Secretary prior to the opening of the meeting.
Section 2. Elections shall be by ballot validated by the Secretary.
Section 3. The President shall appoint a judge and two tellers to count the votes and the candidate receiving the largest number of votes for his/her respective office shall be declared elected and shall take office the following January 1st.
ARTICLE VI — Revenues
Section 1. The revenues of this Association shall be derived from annual membership dues determined by the Executive Committee and from such other sources as may be recommended by the Executive Committee and approved by the Association.
Section 2. All authorized expenses shall be paid out of the Association Treasury. Authorization shall be by vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The President may appoint a committee to audit the books before the Annual Election. The President shall appoint a committee to audit the books upon a vote by the membership.
Section 4. The Association shall operate strictly as a not-for-profit organization and not for the financial or material benefit of any member.
ARTICLE VII — Amendments
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present and voting provided written notice has been given to all members at least five days prior to such meeting. Amendments may be proposed by any member or by members of the Executive Committee.
