Crafting Brookview’s Future: My Journey to Modernize Governance
I’m stepping down from this, too, but not before we make some critical changes.
Recently, I posted about stepping down from my precinct chair role to focus on my neighborhood association. I should explain what that involves.
I joined the Brookview Neighborhood Association board on July 1, when the term began. I will likely not return after this term ends on June 30 due to other priorities.
However, I’m proud to have transformed Brookview’s governance with free tools and updated bylaws.
A few older board members, less familiar with technology, resisted changes; they were comfortable with the status quo. So, I showed Google’s simplicity and benefits at zero cost, demonstrating features with a walkthrough. I’ll likely repeat at the next meeting.
For instance, I created a Google account to replace our scattered emails, which left records decentralized in personal inboxes for years. We now have an organized email system and Google Drive, complete with maps of Yards of the Month and potential member properties, as well as contacts, folders for photos, records, minutes, applications, waivers, and dues statuses.
Plus, we can hold virtual Google meetings and phone calls.
That helped drive us to modernize our bylaws, untouched for 25 years:
Official purpose aligned with the city website.
Members can attend virtually by phone or online, which should boost membership and attendance by 10-20%.
Removed the requirement for half the board to live in the west or east neighborhood, opening participation.
Organized previously jumbled sections into clear, comprehensible ones.
Allows removal of absent or rule-breaking directors, with a chance to reply by mail.
Specifies spending rules (permissions, receipts required) and prevents personal gain or unauthorized board representation.
Added a physical map defining boundaries for the roughly 1,500 homes, clarifying membership eligibility.
The process took six months, involving numerous drafts, edits, and votes. Some directors argued for open, no-dues membership.
I disagreed—dues foster shared commitment, with Yard of the Month waivers rewarding community effort.
If someone wants to improve Waco but lives elsewhere, they can join or start their own association. We’re not competing with neighborhoods; we exist to support ours.
From Waco City Academy (a topic for another post), I learned you must give people a reason to attend.
Beyond free food, I suggested initiatives like address curb painting for engagement.
My goal wasn’t to take over the board. I could have taken the opportunity when it arose, but instead, when the vice president role opened, I nominated a longtime director, and his joy at winning was what I sought when I joined.
Unlike precinct chair meetings, I enjoyed Brookview’s meetings.
The people are friendly, and we managed to get things done despite our disagreements. Plus, snacks!
That’s why I’ll complete my term to leave it better than I found it.
The board has approved the bylaws and now awaits approval from the general membership on June 28.
I’ve attached the original and revised versions for review.
If you live in Brookview and can attend, I’d be thrilled to see you vote to bring our neighborhood up to date.
Perhaps I will return one day.
But now, let’s ensure we bring Brookview up to date!