The Seton Hill Association has been in discussions with the Community Law Center to get support to comprehensively review the SHA bylaws. At a September 30, 2023, Special Board meeting, the Seton Hill Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to:
- Postpone the scheduled October 10 vote to allow SHA to work with CLC.
- Spend funds necessary to retain the Community Law Center to workshop the proposed bylaw changes (see draft below) with the SHA’s 2023-24 board and bylaws committee.
- Clarify the board’s desire to—subject in part to the timing of bylaws work-shopping with the Community Law Center—to amend bylaws and expand SHA’s boundaries in a way that would allow more potential members to vote and run for the board by SHA’s October 2024 annual meeting.
Working Bylaws Draft
The Seton Hill Association Board of Directors latest bylaws amendment draft on September 12, 2023, would incorporate the following amendments:
1. Expand voting eligibility to members who have attended a meeting within the last 12 months. The bylaws currently state 6 months.
2. Amendments to codify existing practice within the Association, including check signing, acting through consensus, fiscal policies for bank access and insurance, and summarizing the purposes of the Association.
3. Expand the boundaries for eligibility to become a voting member to include all areas within the Seton Hill Neighborhood Statistical Area, as defined by the Baltimore City Department of Planning. (See the map below)
The board believes that expanding the boundaries for eligibility would allow SHA to:
- Recruit new members who live in areas commonly associated with Seton Hill and increase participation in activities, meetings, and committees.
- Increase the number of businesses and institutions (e.g. Urban League, Mt Calvary Church, and Arena Players) that are eligible for voting membership.
- Increase the number of members who identify with under-represented groups, including people of color, renters, and people with low incomes.
- Better represent Seton Hill neighbors, business, and institutions that are not eligible for membership in any neighborhood organization.
- Preserve the historic character of the neighborhood while fostering a stronger shared neighborhood identity with surrounding areas.
- Develop closer relationships of mutual trust to improve the quality of life in Seton Hill.
The current SHA boundaries have not been modified in over 40 years, despite changes to the surrounding area like the construction of MLK Blvd. The board believes modernization of these boundaries would better reflect the neighborhood’s identity.
SHA has conducted significant engagement with: (1) current members; (2) households, businesses, and institutions, who are currently eligible for membership; and (3) households, businesses, and institutions, who would become eligible for membership if the amendment is adopted. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, including support from the Greater Baltimore Urban League and Arena Players. SHA is currently answering Silver Park West’s questions and will report back to the members on their feedback.
The draft text is below: