2026 Annual General Meeting: Tuesday, April 28th
This is a copy of the email that went to membership on April 8, 20 days in advance of the meeting as required in the bylaws.
Democratic Participation at the Neighborhood level! The Annual General Meeting is when Neighborhood Council members come together to vote on Board member elections and other matters of note. This year we will be voting on some proposed changes to our Bylaws. As required in the Bylaws, notice of this meeting is sent at least 20 days in advance of the meeting date.
Our Special Guest will be Dan Strauss, City Council Member for District 6!
The Board recommends the following amendments to the Fremont Neighborhood Council Bylaws. Voting members will vote on these proposed changes at the annual meeting on April 28th.
"Each membership shall have one vote." CHANGE TO → "Each membership shall have one vote (household memberships entitle each adult in the household to one vote)."
"The Board may create other offices and may select officers from its membership to fill the same. [and/or modify duties of general officers?]" CHANGE TO → "The Board may create other offices, select officers from its membership to fill the same, and modify duties of general officers as needed, provided they do not conflict with other bylaw responsibilities."
"EXPENDITURES OF $1000 OR MORE: Expenditures of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) or more may not be approved at the same board meeting as initiated" CHANGE TO → "EXPENDITURES OF $3,000 OR MORE: Expenditures of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) or more may not be approved at the same board meeting as initiated"
“The Board may vote between regular meetings by electronic means (e.g. email or video-conference) to approve urgent issues requiring action before the next regularly scheduled FNC meeting or to react to action items from a preceding meeting such as the approval of a letter or endorsement.” CHANGE TO → “The Board may vote between regular meetings by electronic means to approve urgent issues requiring action before the next regularly scheduled FNC meeting or to react to action items from a preceding meeting such as the approval of a letter or endorsement. Electronic votes shall require a majority of the full Board of Directors unless otherwise specified in these bylaws and all Board members must be given notice and an opportunity to respond.”
"These bylaws may be amended by a majority of voting members at the annual membership meeting upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Public notice of any proposed bylaws revision shall be included with the notice of the annual meeting." CHANGE TO → "These bylaws may be amended by a majority of voting members at the annual membership meeting upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Public notice of any proposed bylaws revision shall be included with the notice of the annual meeting. These bylaws may also be amended at any regular monthly meeting, provided that at least thirty (30) days’ public notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members. Amendments under this provision shall require a 2/3 vote of the voting members present."
Add a new section under ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS: "SECTION 8: BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Members of the Board of Directors are expected to actively participate in the work of the Council. Each Board member shall take on at least one role, duty, or area of responsibility in support of the Council’s activities, which may include serving as an officer, chairing or serving on a committee, coordinating a project, or representing the Council in community matters. Specific duties may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors."
Add a new section under ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS: "SECTION 9: PUBLIC POSITIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS The Fremont Neighborhood Council may take positions, make endorsements, or issue public statements regarding matters affecting the Fremont community only when authorized by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. All Board members must be given notice of the vote and an opportunity to participate, including by electronic means if they are unable to attend in person. The Council shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, consistent with its status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”
Agenda (meeting officially starts at 7pm)
6:15-6:45 | Board Business meeting. At our board business meeting, we will be discussing: agendas for future meetings, board vacancies and projects, and voting on potential expenditures. (Open to all)
7:00-7:10 | Opening, land acknowledgement, and who is FNC
7:10-7:15 | Meet your neighbor icebreaker
7:15-8:00 | Dan Strauss- Seattle City Council District 6
8:00-8:20 | Annual General Meeting & Board Elections
8:20-8:30 | Community announcements
8:30-8:45 | Clean-up and Community mingle
March Meeting Recap
It was a community participation night, with Know your Rights presentations, potluck, and packets of whistles and rights cards. Colleen started by nominating Kelin Christi to the Board as Grants Coordinator, approved by general vote in a preview of the upcoming Annual General Meeting! Kendra Berry of the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice gave a presentation and Colleen shared a video from OIRA and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The meeting was livestreamed on Facebook.
Paul brought hundreds of whistle packets to give. We also have FNC whistle packets and they can be picked up at our meetings.
Board Business:
Leo and Amanda from Friends of Trolls Knoll gave an update on the benches project and submitted a grant application requesting $5,000, having given notice of request at the previous meeting. Discussion of other ways to help with the project. Motion to approve, passed.
Discussion of amending Bylaws and sending membership advance notice of Annual General Meeting by April 8th.
Discussion of voting to approve Kelin to the Board as Grants Manager. Vote to be held during general meeting to let membership observe the process.
February minutes approved.
Simone provided a Treasurers report, approved.
April AGM: Dan Strauss will attend, think of questions to ask.
Discussion of Board planning retreat in May. May 30th selected.
Evgeny reported on membership and the direct mailing of postcards.
Aly reported on the Best Day Ever Scavenger Hunt and coordination with the other Fremont organizations.
John Lohse and Zac Hanson attended as guests with an interest in applying for Board positions.
Detailed minutes of past meetings can be found here!
