BY-LAWS
OF
WHISPERING OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
(A Non-Profit Texas Corporation)
ARTICLE I
Purposes and Powers
1.1 To promote the civil well-being of the Whispering
Oaks Subdivision of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
1.2 To coordinate activities with city, county and other
governmental agencies.
1.3 To arrange for such security as desired by the
membership and as the Board of Directors deems feasible.
1.4 To encourage or provide for maintenance and
enhancement of common areas and perimeter walls of Whispering Oaks
Subdivision to the extent the Board of Directors, in its discretion,
deems advisable.
1.5 To provide programs, welcome new residents to the
subdivision, make the new residents aware of activities available in the
subdivision, and provide the matrix within which social contacts between
neighbors can develop spontaneously.
1.6 To produce, acquire, distribute, buy, sell, lease
and trade or deal in and with personal property, real property and
services.
1.7 To establish a bank account, and other such other
federally insured accounts, for the common treasury and for all separate
funds which are required or may be deemed advisable by the Board of
Directors.
1.8 To keep and maintain full and accurate books and
records showing all of the receipts, expenses or disbursements, and to
permit the examination thereof at any reasonable time by each of the
members.
1.9 To prepare and deliver annually to each of the
members a statement showing a summary of all receipts, expenses or
disbursements since the last such statement.
1.10 Such other acts as, in the discretion of the Board
of Directors, shall promote and encourage the development and
maintenance of Whispering Oaks as a prime residential area.
ARTICLE II
Non-Profit Character
2.1 The Whispering Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc.,
(the "Association") is a non-profit corporation, organized and operated
exclusively for non-profit purposes. No part of its net earnings shall
inure to the benefit of any officer, director, member or private
individual for services rendered in their capacity as an officer,
director or member of said non-profit corporation; nor shall it ever
declare or make to any such persons dividends. Nothing herein shall
prevent the payment of reasonable compensation for professional services
rendered or the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the Association’s affairs.
ARTICLE III
Membership
3.1 Membership shall consist of all owners or residents
of residence lots in the Whispering Oaks Subdivision, Bexar County,
Texas, who have applied for membership, paid the required dues and fees,
and have been admitted to the membership by the Board of Directors.
3.2 Each applicant for membership in the Association
shall accompany with such application for membership, the applicable
membership dues, as determined by the Board of Directors.
3.3 The annual dues shall be due and payable upon
initial application as well as on or before the end of the month of
October of each subsequent year.
3.4 When any member shall be in default in the payment
of dues for a period of thirty (30) days from the date which such dues
become payable, his or her membership will thereupon be terminated until
such dues are paid and membership restored by the Board of Directors,
3.5 The initial and annual dues of the Association may
be raised or lowered by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members
present at an annual meeting or at a specially called meeting for which
notice is given and for which a quorum is present, either in person or
by proxy.
3.6 Each member shall be entitled to one vote on all
matters presented before the general membership, and there shall be only
one owner-member per residence lot owned in the Whispering Oaks
Subdivision, though non-owner residents may be dues paying and voting
members as well provided that only one such non-owner member per lot may
be recognized as a voting member.
3.7 Except as otherwise provided by Statute, the
Articles of Incorporation, or these By-laws, the number, qualification,
rights, privileges, dues, fees, responsibilities, term of membership,
and provisions governing withdrawal and expulsion of members shall be
established by resolution of the Board of Directors.
3.8 Unless otherwise provided by Statute, the Articles
of Incorporation, or these By-laws, the right to vote as a member, and
the right, title and interest of members of any class in and to the
Association, and its properties and franchises shall be divested upon
termination of membership.
3.9 Membership shall terminate by death, resignation,
sale of lot for which membership certificate is issued, or by expulsion.
3.10 The Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe the form and contents of any certificates of membership which
the corporation may decide to issue.
ARTICLE IV
Meetings of Members
4.1 The annual meetings of active members shall be held
on any Sunday in September as may be designated by the Board of
Directors, in each year, for the purposes of electing Directors and
acting upon such other business that may be properly brought before the
meeting.
4.2 Annual meetings shall be held at such place as the
Board of Directors designates by written notice to the members.
4.3 Notice of meetings shall be in writing specifying
the time, place and purpose of such meeting, signed by the President,
Vice President, Secretary or other person or persons calling it. Such
notice may be delivered to each active member entitled to vote, or by
placing such notifications conspicuously throughout the Whispering Oaks
Subdivision. Such notice shall be given not less than ten (10) days nor
more than forty (40) days before the meeting.
4.4 At each annual meeting the Directors shall cause to
be presented a report verified by the President, Treasurer and by
majority of the Board of Directors,
4.5 Members shall have one vote for each residence lot
owned or occupied by them in the Subdivision and for which a separate
dues payment has been made for each such lot. Nominations for Directors
are submitted by the then Board of Directors and by any member
submitting, in writing, a nomination to the Secretary not less than five
(5) days before the annual meeting. With the affirmative vote of 2/3s of
the members present, nominations for Directors may also be made by
members at the meeting called therefore.
4 .6 When a membership is held in the name of more than
one person, only one vote may be cast by virtue thereof in any election
or upon any issue.
4.7 Each dues-paid member may vote in person, or by
proxy.
4.8 In elections of Directors, voting may be either by
ballot or viva voce.
4.9 Unless otherwise provided by Statute, the Articles
of Incorporation or these By-laws, five percent (5%)of the active
membership present in person or by written proxy shall constitute a
quorum for the annual or any special meeting of members. If the required
quorum is not forthcoming at any such meeting, another meeting may be
called with proper notice and the required quorum at such subsequent
meeting shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the required quorum at the
preceding attempted meeting.
4.10 The Board of Directors may call a special meeting
of members upon their own motion and must call a special meeting of
members upon receipt off a petition requesting such meeting bearing
signatures off not less than ten percent (10%) of the active
membership of the Association. No business shall be transacted at a
special meeting except as stated in the notice unless by consent of
four-fifths (4/5ths) of the members present, either in person or by
proxy.
4.11 Each Proxy must be executed in writing by a member
entitled to vote or by his duly authorized attorney in fact. Every proxy
shall be revocable at the pleasure of the person executing it, or of his
personal representative or assigns.
ARTICLE V
Board of Directors
5.1 The property and business of the Association shall
be managed by its Board of Directors consisting of not less than five
(5) nor more than fifteen (15) members, all of whom shall be of legal
age, residents of the Whispering Oaks Subdivision, Bexar County, Texas,
and members in good standing of the Association.
5.2 The Board will endeavor to keep a balanced,
staggered Board membership with approximately half of the Board
standing for election or reelection each year. Each Director coming up
for election or reelection shall be elected for a two-year term.
5.3 All Directors shall take office on the date of their
election.
5.4 A majority of Directors then acting, but, in no
event less than one-third (1/3) of the then authorized number of
Directors, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
If, at any meeting, less than a quorum be present, a majority of those
present may adjourn the meeting.
5.5 In case one or more vacancies shall occur in the
Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, except
as otherwise provided in the case of vacancy or vacancies occurring by
reason of removal by the active members, a majority of the remaining
Directors although less than a quorum, may elect a successor or
successors for the unexpired term or terms.
5.6 Any member may serve on the Board of Directors
provided that such member has been a resident of Whispering Oaks and a
member of the Association for at least one calendar year preceding their
serving on the Board.
5.7 Directors may be elected to consecutive terms.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings of Directors
6.1 The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting
in September of each year and shall meet at such other times and places
as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of
Directors, or as may be specified in notice of meeting to said Directors
by the President or Secretary of the Association.
6.2 Such meetings may be held at any time by the call of
the President or any three (3) Directors by oral or written notice given
or sent to each Director not less than two (2) days before such meeting.
6.3 A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held
without notice immediately after the annual meeting of active members at
the same place,
6.4 Notice need not be given for regular meetings of the
Board of Directors held at times fixed by resolution of the of
Directors,
6.5 Meetings may be held at anytime without notice if
all Directors are present, or if all absent Directors waive notice in
writing at anytime.
6 .6 The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, by
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, appoint
committees, including an Executive Committee which shall have and may
exercise such powers as shall be conferred or authorized by the
resolution appointing them. The Executive Committee shall be composed of
Directors and shall consist of two or more members. Said Committee, if
composed of two members, or a majority of said Committee if composed of
more than two members, may determine its action and fix the time and
place of its meeting unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise
provide, The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to fill
vacancies and change the membership of, or to discharge any such
committee.
6.7 The Board of Directors, in its discretion, at any
meeting where a quorum is present, by affirmative vote of majority of
those directors present at any meeting, may authorize the President to
appoint Committees other than the Executive Committee, which shall have
such powers and take such action as the Board of Directors shall direct.
Such committees shall report directly to the Board of Directors and
shall act only through such authority as is vested in such Committees by
the Board. Such Committees may or may not consist of one or more
Directors, but must be composed of members in good standing of the
Association.
6.8 At any annual meeting or specially called meeting of
the members, duly called as provided in these By-laws, any Director or
Directors, may, by the affirmative vote of more than fifty percent (50%)
of all the active members entitled to vote for the election of
Directors, be removed from office, either with or without, cause, and
his or her successor or their successors may be elected by majority vote
at such meeting or the remaining directors may, to the extent vacancies
are not filled by said election, fill any vacancy or vacancies created
by such removal.
ARTICLE VII
Officers and Terms
7.1 The Board of Directors, as soon practicable after
the annual meeting of members, shall elect a President, one or more
Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and from time to time may
appoint Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, such other
officers, agents and employees as it may deem proper. The office of
Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. All
officers shall be chosen from among the Directors,
7.2 Officers shall serve a term of one year and
thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified.
7.3 Officers may be elected to consecutive terms.
7.4 Officers may be removed from office either with or
without cause at any time by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members
of the Board of Directors then in office. A vacancy in any office
arising from any cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the
term by the Board of Directors.
7.5 The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer
and shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive
Committee (if any), and the annual and special meetings of members. The
President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are
carried into effect. In the absence of the President, the next ranking
officer present shall assume the authority and duties of the President.
7.6 The Secretary shall compile and keep up to date a
complete list of members and their addresses. Such lists shall be open
to inspection by members or other persons lawfully entitled to inspect
the same, during reasonable times. The Secretary shall keep minutes of
the proceedings of the Board and of the annual or any special meeting of
members.
7.7 The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books
and records of accounts and shall make such reports as the Board shall
require.
7.8 In general, the officers shall have such authority
and duties as are given by these By-laws and as the Board shall from
time to time determine.
ARTICLE VIll
Fiscal Year
8.1 The fiscal year of the Association shall begin or
about the 1st day of October of each year, and shall end on the last day
of September next following, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE IX
Corporate Seal
9.1 The Association shall have no corporate seal.
ARTICLE X
Finances
10.1 The Association shall be authorized to raise funds
by dues, solicitations, benefits, and other legitimate methods. The
funds shall be expended only in furtherance of the Association's
purposes. Deposits shall be maintained at such banks as the Board shall
determine.
ARTICLE XI
Indemnification
11.1 The corporation shall indemnify the Directors, and
the officers, their heirs, their executors and administrators, against
all loss, costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, reasonably
incurred by such Director or Officer in connection with any action, suit
or proceeding to which he or she may be made a party by reason of his or
her being or having been a Director or Officer of the Association,
except as to matters which he or she shall be finally adjudged in such
action, suit or proceeding, to be liable for gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The foregoing right shall not be exclusive of other rights
which such Director or Officer may be entitled. All liability, loss,
costs and expenses incurred or suffered by the Association by reason or
arising out of, or in connection with the foregoing indemnification
provision, shall be treated and handled by the Association as a common
expense.
ARTICLE XII
Expenditures and Limited Authority to Borrow Funds
12.1 At the annual meeting at which a quorum is present
in person or by written proxy, the Board of Directors may be authorized
by majority vote of the members to borrow money to finance a specific
capital improvement or project.
ARTICLE XIII
Execution of Instruments
13.1 The persons who shall be authorized to execute any
and all instruments, conveyances or enter into contracts on behalf of
the Association shall be the President and Secretary of the Association,
or such other persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time
designate.
ARTICLE XIV
Waiver of Notice
14.1 Whenever any notice is required to be given to any
person, a waiver thereof in writing signed by such person, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to giving
of such notice.
ARTICLE XV
Resignation
15.1 Any Director, Officer or committee member may
resign by giving notice in writing to the President or the Secretary.
ARTICLE XVI
Power of Members and Directors to Amend By-laws
16.1 The Bylaws of this corporation may be amended
repealed, or added-to, or new By-laws may be adopted the two thirds vote
of a quorum of members at the annual or any special meeting called and
for which notice is given according to these Bylaws; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that Article XI of the By-laws herein cannot be rescinded or repealed.
ARTICLE XVII
Dissolution
17.1 Upon dissolution of the corporation, its assets,
both real and personal, shall be dedicated to an appropriate public
agency to be devoted to purposes as nearly as practicable the same as
those to which they were required to be devoted by the
corporation. In the event that such dedication
is refused acceptance. such assets shall be granted, conveyed and
assigned to any non-profit corporation, association, trust or other
organization to be devoted to purposes and uses that most clearly
reflect the purposes and uses to which they were required to be devoted
by the corporation. The foregoing Bylaws of the Whispering Oaks
Homeowners Association, Inc. were initially adopted by the Directors of
said corporation in 1975 and most recently revised at the Annual
Membership Meeting of the Association held on September 28, 2008.