Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Updated Bylaws. Dec. 2015

At the last quarterly meeting, the membership voted to approve the latest updated SNA bylaws. They are hereby publicly posted.

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Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Bylaws 

Bylaws Established in the City and County of San Francisco on September 24, 1974, as amended May 2016 and August 2025. 

ARTICLE I (Name)

Section 1

This organization shall be known as the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association (“SNA”). The physical mailing address of the association shall be determined by consensus of the members of the Executive Board as defined in Article III Section 1.

Section 2

The Association shall be a not-for-profit organization pursuant to IRS Code section 501(c)(3).

Section 3

The Sunnyside neighborhood shall be bounded by Melrose Avenue, Ridgewood Avenue, Flood Avenue, Frida Kahlo Way, Ocean Avenue, Interstate 280, Circular Avenue, Monterey Boulevard east of Baden Street, Baden Street north of Monterey Boulevard, Mangels Avenue, Congo Street, Melrose Avenue, and Sunnyside Playground.

Section 4

The objectives of the Association shall be to unite all segments of the Sunnyside Neighborhood; to identify and publicize the needs and problems of the neighborhood; to address these needs and resolve these problems; to act as a liaison between the neighborhood and the City of San Francisco and its departments and between the neighborhood and City College of San Francisco and its Board; and to engage in any lawful activity for the benefit of the Sunnyside neighborhood.

ARTICLE II (Membership)

Section 1

Membership shall be open to Sunnyside neighborhood residents, property owners and business proprietors; non-voting memberships shall be open to other interested parties. 

Section 2

Household membership. Each household membership shall entitle a maximum of two members of the household of major voting age one vote each, provided each member lives within the boundaries defined in Article I, Section 3.

Section 3

Business membership. Each business membership shall be entitled to one vote, provided the business is located within the boundaries as defined in Article I, Section 3.

Section 4

Dues may be changed by a vote of over 60% of the Executive Board, followed by a vote of 60% of the active members in attendance at the next membership meeting following that Board meeting.

Section 5

Due date for annual dues shall be included on each member’s mailing labels for newsletters and meeting notices.

Section 6

The membership list, including e-mail addresses, shall not be loaned or sold. Membership information will never be used for other than Association business.

Section 7

Application for membership shall be submitted to the Treasurer and shall be accompanied by dues.

Section 8

To be considered active, a member’s dues shall be not more than three months delinquent.

ARTICLE III (Elected Officials and Executive Officers)

Section 1

The Executive Board shall comprise the elected officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Members-at-Large.

Section 2

The Executive Board shall act as a body with no less than three members present. Three concurring votes shall be necessary to act on any business.

Section 3

To be eligible for nomination to elective office, a person must be all of the following: a resident within the boundaries as defined in Article I, Section 3; a household member as defined in Article II, Section 2; and an active member as defined in Article II, Section 8.

Section 4

An executive officer may hold only one executive office at a time.

Section 5

Term of office for elected officers shall be two years following the meeting at which officers are installed as defined in Article V, Section 2.

Section 6

A member shall serve on the Executive Board for no more than three consecutive terms in one elected office. No officer having served three consecutive terms in one elected office shall be reelected to that office.

Section 7

If an officer is absent from two consecutive Board meetings without sufficient excuse, the officer’s position can be declared vacant. The Board shall determine what constitutes “sufficient excuse.” The vacancy shall be filled as defined in Article V, Section 4.

Section 8

Elected officers shall serve without compensation.

ARTICLE IV (Duties of Elected Officials)

Section 1 – President

Shall preside at all meetings of the Association. Shall schedule Executive Board meetings as required in Article IV, Section 6. Shall call additional Board meetings as necessary. Shall appoint all committee chairs, unless directed otherwise by the membership. Shall see that all State and Federal legal requirements, for the organization, are fulfilled. Shall, in conjunction with the Treasurer, authorize any payment in excess of $500. Shall have the Association represented wherever and whenever necessary. 

Section 2 – Vice President

Shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence. Shall act as a liaison between committee chairs and the Board and shall report on committee activities at Board meetings. 

Section 3 – Secretary

Shall keep and distribute a permanent and accurate record of proceedings of the general membership and Executive Board meetings.

Section 4 – Treasurer

Shall collect and receipt for all funds due to the Association. Shall keep a set of books of the simplest form to record receipts and expenditures of the Association. Shall pay bills. Recurring expenditures, such as application costs and service subscriptions, may be authorized by the Executive Board and do not require approval before each payment. Other expenditures in excess of $500 shall be paid when such bills have been approved by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting, or by a majority of the Executive Board. Shall deposit all monies in a San Francisco bank or credit union, as designated by the Executive Board, in the name of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association. Shall render a report of the financial standing of the Association and of the funds expended and received at Board and membership meetings. Shall make books open for inspection by any active member. Shall submit such records or audits as are required by the Federal and State authorities.

Section 5 – Members-at-Large

One Member-at-Large shall act as Parliamentarian. One Member-at-Large shall maintain the membership roster.

Section 6 – Executive Board

The Executive Board shall meet prior to membership meetings and at other times as required by Association business. By majority approval of the Board, the Executive Board shall have the power to incur indebtedness not to exceed monies then on deposit in the Association’s bank account.

ARTICLE V (Elections)

Section 1

Nominations and elections of Association officials shall conform to the following:

There shall be no discrimination in favor or against any candidate, with regard to the use of membership lists. Association funds shall not be contributed or applied for or against any candidate. Nominations shall be made from the floor during the February meeting. Any active member may nominate any other active member, who is present at the meeting or whose signed acceptance of nomination is presented. Self nominations are permitted.

Nominations, followed by voting, shall take place in the following order: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and two Members-at-large. Nominations and voting for each office shall be completed before nominations and voting for the next office commences.

A member who is nominated but not elected to one office shall be eligible to be nominated for any other vacant office. Only active members as defined in Article II, Section 8 shall vote. Voting shall be by voice ballot at the February meeting. If a majority of the voting members present request it, a secret ballot shall be used.

There shall be no proxy voting.

Section 2

Ballots are official when cast by active members at the February meeting. Newly elected officers shall be announced and installed at the February meeting. If a vacant office is filled at any meeting other than the February meeting, the officer shall be installed at the meeting where they are elected.

Section 3

The Secretary shall preserve a record of the vote if by voice, or the ballots if by secret vote, for one year, and it shall be open to inspection by any active member. 

Section 4

If the President is unable to complete a term of office, the Executive Board shall meet within 30 days and fill the vacancy from the remaining elected officers with an affirmative vote of three of the five remaining elected officers. In the absence of three votes for any candidate, the Vice President will assume the office of President and complete the term of office. Any vacancy of any other elective office shall be filled by the President within 30 days of the occurrence of such vacancy.

Section 5

An officer may be removed upon recommendation of over 60% of the Executive Board and a majority vote at a membership meeting, or a 65% or greater vote at a membership meeting without recommendation of the Board.

ARTICLE VI (Membership Meetings)

Section 1

Membership meetings shall be held at least three times per year. Membership meetings may be held virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format.

Section 2

The Executive Board or the majority of Association members may call a special meeting.

Section 3

Members shall sign in. A membership roster showing all active members as defined in Article II, Section 8 shall be available at the meeting.

Section 4

Inactive members and guests of members may attend meetings but may not vote. A designated Board member will determine eligibility of persons attending the meeting to vote.

Section 5

When a majority of Executive Board members requests a special Board meeting of the President, such a meeting shall be called as soon as possible.

ARTICLE VII (Rules of Order)

All questions arising and not covered by the laws of this Association shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition.

ARTICLE VIII (Bylaws)

Section 1

These bylaws may be amended or repealed by a vote of over 60% of the Executive Board, followed by a vote of 65% or greater of active members in attendance at the next membership meeting. The Board shall spell out in detail the form of the proposed amendments.

Section 2

These bylaws may be amended or repealed by a vote of 75% of the active members in attendance at a membership meeting. Members shall submit in writing proposed amendments to the bylaws to the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the next membership meeting, at which the proposed amendments are to be considered. The Board shall spell out in detail the form of the proposed amendments.

ARTICLE IX (Committees)

Section 1

The Executive Board shall identify, define the purpose of, and appoint the chairs of such committees as are necessary to fulfill the objectives of the association.

Section 2

Committee chairs and committee members shall be active members of the association.

Section 3

The Executive Board may appoint an Audit Committee comprising three members.

ARTICLE X (Order of Business)

Opening of meeting. Roll call of officers. Reports of officers and committees. Unfinished business. New business.

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Amended May 2016: Article I, Section 3; and Article II, Section 2.

Amended August 2025: Article I, Sections 1 and 4; Article II, Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5; Article III, Sections 1 and 7; Article IV, Sections 1, 2 and 4; Article V, Sections 1, 2, and 4; Article VI, Section 1; Article VII, Section 1; and Article VIII, Section 1.

Sunnyside Gets Greener: 43 New Trees planted in Sunnyside

Our neighborhood got a little greener recently. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF), organized a tree planting day on Saturday, May 31st, and it was a resounding success!

Volunteers of all ages participated, showing a real commitment to enhancing our local environment. In total, 43 beautiful new trees were planted in tree basins throughout the neighborhood.

Volunteers planting a tree in a neighborhood, smiling and engaging in community service.

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association and FUF have been actively working to bring more greenery to our streets. In April, homeowners had the opportunity to request a free street tree, with options for concrete removal and stump grinding available at no additional cost. FUF and the city are also committed to the crucial work of watering and caring for these young trees for the first three years.

SNA Quarterly Meeting – Monday, August 5th

Sunnyside Neighborhood AssociationQuarterly Meeting

Monday, August 5, 2024

St. Finn Barr Auditorium, 415 Edna Street (at Hearst)
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – General Meeting

The agenda includes:

SFPD, Ingleside Station: Amy Hurwitz
District 7 Updates from Supervisor Melgar‘s office
SF Community Living Campaign: Patti Spaniak
Mission Housing: Update from Sam Moss on planned senior housing at 250 Laguna Honda

Committee updates:

Detroit Steps Project – Rosaura Valle
Slow Hearst – Sara Barz 
West of Twin Peaks Central Council (WTPCC) – Steve Martin-Pinto
SNA Greening Committee – Ken Hollenbeck

Keren Abra

This morning we bring you the sad news of the passing of our neighbor, Keren Abra. Keren came to Sunnyside from her birthplace in Wellington, New Zealand in 1979. She was accompanied by her husband, Bob whom she met while attending college in Glasgow, Scotland.

Together with Bob, she raised two boys, Graham and Lewis here and became an elementary school teacher at Sacred Heart. During that time she became an active member of the community as she co-chaired with Bob the Greening Committee. She worked to beautify Monterey Boulevard and the Circular Ribbon Garden and she worked on regular Sunnyside Conservatory volunteer clean-ups. Keren also led the New Zealand/Australia plant docent tours at the SF Botanical Gardens including one just for the Sunnyside Garden Club. In 2012 Keren was awarded an SNA volunteer award for that work.

Keren left a positive legacy in our neighborhood and we will miss her very much. The SNA board sends our heartfelt condolences and best wishes to Bob as he endures this difficult time.

New San Francisco Parking Rules Enhance Safety and Accessibility in Sunnyside

San Francisco’s streets are getting a major makeover with the implementation of new parking rules aimed at improving safety and accessibility for both pedestrians and drivers. The latest regulations cover a range of crucial aspects, including sidewalk parking, daylighting, and the installation of speed cameras on Monterey Boulevard.

Sidewalk Parking Ban to be Enforced

One of the significant changes taking effect is the renewed enforcement of the ban on sidewalk parking. This move is poised to create clearer pathways for pedestrians and ensure that sidewalks are utilized for their intended purpose. This includes that part of your driveway that traverses the sidewalk. Tickets will run you $110.00.

Daylighting

In addition to the sidewalk parking ban, the concept of daylighting is being prioritized in the city’s efforts to revamp its streets. Daylighting involves keeping the area within twenty feet (or one car length) from the corner free from parked cars, thereby improving visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. By implementing this strategy, San Francisco is taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of collisions and enhance overall safety at street crossings. Violators will get a warning this year and fines will begin in 2025.

Speed Enforcement Cameras

Watch your speed! The introduction of speed cameras on Monterey Boulevard near Edna and Ocean Ave near Frida Kahlo Ave marks a significant step towards promoting responsible driving behavior. These cameras are designed to monitor vehicle speeds, encouraging compliance with designated speed limits and ultimately fostering a safer environment for all road users.

While these new parking rules add to the mounting inconveniences that drivers face every day, they create a more secure and navigable urban landscape. It’s all about prioritizing the well-being of our residents and visitors.