2017 was exceptional in its volatility—for our nation, for the world, and even for this neighborhood association. But in BWNA’s case, what began as exceptionally problematic soon became exceptionally positive—all within a few months.
Flash back to last January, and a reeling BWNA had no president, multiple board resignations, a newsletter drain on the treasury, and bylaws in dire need of an overhaul. So how was BWNA able to transform from one extreme to the other in a matter of months? Oddly enough, the initial catalyst for the turnabout was a set of proposed bylaw revisions—the kind of esoteric topic that usually illicit yawns, and certainly not a sense of urgency. But BWNA was in soul-searching mode, and the discussions that followed penetrated well beyond the form and substance of bylaws to the operational underpinnings of the organization—so much so that the board took the unusual step of scheduling a “special meeting” to resolve issues associated with the revisions proposal. Complicating matters, a competing bylaws revision proposal was submitted for consideration by a board member opposed to the initial proposal.
At the contentious showdown, board members collectively scrutinized the bylaws line by line, offering arguments pro and con on each proposed revision, taking multiple votes on everything from punctuation and sentence structure to officer duties and voting procedures. The final product can be easily accessed on the BWNA website (www.bwna.us/about/bylaws). As trying as the special meeting was, in the end board members had reason to feel positive about their collective accomplishment, providing a pathway to the future.
That future soon took shape. Motivated by a forward-looking set of bylaws and the prospect of a new day for the organization, board member Tim Hemstreet stepped up to become president, which in turn motivated board members Kathy Campbell and Barb Strunk to throw their hats into the ring for the positions of vice president and secretary, respectively (replacing longtime officers Bill Markwart and Jim Karlock). Election of the three new officers at April’s Taste of Beaumont encouraged others to fill vacated at-large positions, and the tide began to turn.
Fresh, energized, and smart leadership at the helm would steer BWNA into its future.
For starters, the newsletter was switched to a different printing company (FedEx, former Kinko’s), providing equivalent quality at hundreds of dollars less per issue. In tandem, late payments from advertisers were significantly reduced as a result of Treasurer Karla Lenox’s diligent e-mail reminders and conscientious recordkeeping.
VP Campbell brilliantly coordinated the National Night Out Picnic (one of the best in years), Secretary Strunk raised the bar with conscientious, thorough minute-taking, and President Hemstreet enlivened meetings by inviting guest speakers to address controversial issues—from pedestrian safety to infill development to car break-ins.
Interested in joining the new team? BWNA begins 2018 with two at-large vacancies.