Movie in the Park
The WRA announces the start of our “Movie in the Park” series. Movies will be shown in the WRA fields near the playground. The first movie will be Brave which will be shown on Friday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m.. Rain date is Friday, June 21 at 8:30 p.m. Please come and join us for what we hope will become a wonderful WRA tradition!
Summer Newsletter
This summer the WRA is beginning a monthly newsletter we will be e-mailing to all the Members and Approved Users for whom we have e-mail addresses. If you know of someone who did not receive the WRA Summer Newsletter by e-mail that should have, or if you do not wish to receive it, please email gro.cerdoowenyawnull@tnediserp with this information.
Pool is Open!
Normal pool operating hours for the 2013 season are:
May 25 – June 16
12:00 Noon – 8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Holidays
June 17 – September 2
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Holidays
12:00 Noon – 9:00 p.m. Sundays
Important Pool Rules to Remember
Baby Pool Rules
The baby pool is for children 5 years of age and under and is not intended to be used by older children during break. Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by an adult at all times. NO LIFEGUARD is on duty at the baby pool so parents must be present to ensure the safety of their children.
Direct Supervision of Children
All children 9 years of age and under must be in direct supervision of an adult at all times, unless the child has passed the swim proficiency test. Direct supervision is defined as “within arm’s length.” This rule is in place to ensure the safety of children. Children who cannot pass the swim efficiency test can easily get into distress even in shallow water. The only way to ensure that your child remains safe is to supervise them at all times when they are in the pool.
Unaccompanied Access to the Pool
All children 9 years of age and under MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by an adult at all times. Children between the ages of 10 and 12 may come to the pool unaccompanied IF they have passed the swim proficiency test AND received permission from their parent(s).
Swim proficiency tests will be administered by lifeguards throughout the summer. Exact dates and times tests can be taken will be posted in the pool house.
WRA campaign to go PAPERLESS!!
One of the major initiatives of the Board for 2013 is to see the WRA go paperless. Sending correspondence via the U.S. Postal Service costs the WRA upwards of $1,500 each year as well as requires hours of time by Board members to fold, stuff and stamp 515 envelopes. Going paperless will save the WRA money, streamline the process of sending correspondence to Members plus having the added benefit of saving a few trees!
If you are willing to receive all future correspondence (including meeting announcements and annual dues notices) via e-mail, please contact the Business Manager, Leslie Schoeffel at gro.cerdoowenyawnull@rgmssenisub. By providing your e-mail, you are agreeing to no longer receive correspondence via U.S. mail. Your e-mail will be used solely for official WRA communications and will not be given to any other organization or used for any other purpose.
Important Changes to WRA Membership Policy
At the February 11, 2013, semi-annual membership meeting, the membership voted to accept the following proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation (Articles) and By-laws. The actual text that was deleted and/or added to the Articles and By-laws can be found in the Membership Policy Review Committee’s Report.
Nearby Residential Area Membership Restriction
Future memberships are restricted to residents in “nearby residential areas” which is defined as street addresses on both sides of the following streets: Collingwood Road to the north, West Boulevard (extended south to Fort Hunt Road) to the east and Fort Hunt Road to the west and south. Those members currently residing or later moving outside of these boundaries are grandfathered allowing them to keep their memberships.
There has been a long standing practice which is not guaranteed in the Articles or By-laws that allows members selling their homes to convey their memberships to the buyers. Since the By-laws specifically state that memberships are non-transferrable, this practice effectively allows the buyer of the home to “jump to the head of the line” on the waiting list and purchase a membership. Anyone holding a membership outside the newly established boundaries will not be able to take advantage of this practice since the buyer will no longer be eligible to become a member since their residence will be outside of the WRA’s boundaries.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The statement the WRA “shall not discriminate in any manner prohibited by law” was added to the Articles and By-laws.
Joint Tenancy
Extend to adults other than spouses the ability to hold a membership in Joint Tenancy. This change eliminates the requirement that the adults must be married, but does not alter the requirement that the adult must be a bona fide resident of the household.
Associate Member Definition
Revise the definition of “associate member” in the Articles and By-laws to say “bona fide residents of the household of an active member” replacing the former definitions in both which stated that associate members must be part of the active members family, related by blood or marriage. This does not alter the requirement that the associate member be a bona fide resident of the household.
Automatic Termination of Membership Upon Death
Added to the By-laws the provision that “Where a membership is not held in joint tenancy and the active member dies, the membership slot shall be offered to adult associate member(s) of the household ahead of the waiting list.” This codifies the long-standing practice of allowing the surviving spouse (or other adult associate member) to take over the membership slot (not the membership itself which by law is not transferrable) of a deceased active member not held in joint tenancy.
New Member Application and Approval Process
The requirement that applications for membership must be filed with the Membership Committee, which has not existed for years, has been replaced with the requirement that applications be filed with the “Membership Chair or the person serving as the Association’s Membership Manager.” This brings the By-laws in line with current practice.
A second amendment to the By-laws that would have given the authority to approve membership applications to the Membership Chair or Membership Manager instead of requiring a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors present was tabled. Members present voiced their concern that they did not want one individual to be given the authority of approving membership applications. There was also discussion to revise the proposed amendment to state that “a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors is required to deny an application.” The Board will take these recommendations into consideration and, if deemed necessary, bring a revised amendment to the membership for consideration at the September 2013 semi-annual meeting.
Committees of the WRA
The WRA Board currently has four Committees to help in reviewing membership issues, updating the long range plan, creating a mid-term plan, conducting a financial asset and policy review, and creating a document retention system. Visit the Board section for more information.
Keep the WRA Beautiful, RECYCLE!
Please be aware that blue recycling bins have been placed in and around the pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and playground to collect cans, bottles, plastics, and paper.
You can also recycle your Capri-Sun drink pouches and chip bags in the green and yellow containers near the eating area in the pool.
It just takes a second to recycle these items and it can make a big impact on our global legacy. Thank you for your support!
Site last updated June 19, 2013 @ 8:47 am