Our Bylaws

ARTICLE I:  NAME
The name of this association shall be Willow Lawn Civic Association hereinafter referred to as WLCA.

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

The purpose of WLCA shall be:

1. To represent and articulate the interest of this community in the City of Richmond.

2. To promote a sense of community through community service projects and social activities.

3. To encourage and promote pride in the community through beautification projects.

4. To create a welcoming and secure community environment.

ARTICLE III:  MEMBERS

Section A.  Geographic Area

The WLCA includes the city area bound between the east side of Willow Lawn Drive to the west side of Westmoreland Street and between the south side of Monument Avenue to the north side of Patterson Avenue.

Section B.  Class of Members

1. Membership in WLCA shall be open to all persons living within the membership area.

Section C.  Finances

1. WLCA shall be self-sustaining and not for profit.

2. At WLCA’s inception, no dues and or fees will be required. The Community within shall support volunteer activities as needed. As a noted caveat, should projects and or WLCA size and scope shift, the Steering Committee may enact a small membership fee.

Section D.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of WLCA shall be January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE IV:  WLCA STEERING COMMITTEE

Section A.  As of WLCA’s inception in late November 2024, the community has decided to organize and run under a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is made up of community members and will include sub-committees to better serve the WLCA. All Steering Committee members are on a volunteer basis, and all possess equal say and rights into WLCA matters and decisions. Members may vacate their respective positions by providing formal notification to the entirety of the Steering Committee.

Section B.  WLCA Sub-Committees currently consist of a Chair and Co-Chair and are currently defined as items 1-6 below;  additional sub-committees may be created or retired as needed to better serve community needs:

1. BLOCK REPRESENTATIVES’ LIAISON: Work with the Block Representative Team to voice ideas, projects, and block concerns to the WLCA Steering Committee.

2. CITY RELATIONS: Work with the community and City of Richmond presenting and resolving neighborhood issues.

3. NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Address areas of opportunity to improve the overall safety of the neighborhood, inclusive of traffic safety.

4. COMMUNICATIONS: Support the WLCA website, blog posts, the WLCA Facebook page, and other marketing needs.

5. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SERVICE: Support and work with local charitable organizations through direct outreach, volunteer opportunities and donations.

6. SOCIAL OUTREACH: Manage and support neighborhood and community events.

ARTICLE V:  BLOCK REPRESENTATIVES

Section A.  There shall be a block representative (rep) for each block within the defined geographic area or as volunteers can cover needs. 

Section B.  Duties of Block Reps

The block rep shall:

1. Distribute newsletters and notices to each home in his/her assigned block.

2. Contact new neighbors and inform them about the WLCA by providing them with a hospitality packet when available.

3. Inform the Steering Committee of new neighbors.

4. Receive concerns and complaints from members residing in their block to present to the Steering Committee/Liaison.

5. Notify the City Relations chairperson, and if feasible, households in their assigned area of crimes and significant events.

6. Attend Steering Committee meetings as needed.

ARTICLE VI:  MEETINGS

Section A.  The Steering Committee will hold a monthly meeting the first Saturday of each month during year one of WLCA inception. After that time, the Steering Committee will re-evaluate meeting cadence needs.

Section B.  The regular or general meetings of WLCA shall be held a minimum of two (2) times per year. The month, date and time to be called by the Steering Committee who shall give reasonable and timely notice to the membership. The October meeting shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of recruiting new chair people, receiving year-end reports and planning for the next year.

ARTICLE VII:  BYLAWS AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

Section A.  These bylaws may be amended by submission of a proposed amendment to the Steering Committee who shall consider the proposal and offer its recommendations by written notice to the WLCA membership.

Section B.  The Steering Committee shall maintain and update the bylaws as needed and share publicly on the WLCA community website.

ARTICLE VIII:  DISSOLUTION

The duration of WLCA is intended to be indefinite. It will be imperative to maintain community communications to foster a steady roster of volunteers to carry out the mission of the WLCA.