Bylaws Article II - Who is a Member?

Bylaws Subcommittee meets Thursday Nights at 8pm. Contact Elle at fitellieburger@gmail.com for location information.

When people hear “bylaws,” it can sound technical or abstract.

The membership section is actually very personal.

It answers basic questions like:

Who gets to vote? 

Who can run for the board? 

Who is officially a member of the association?

That’s why we’re taking our time with it.

Membership Is Tied to Ownership — But Real Life Is Messy

Under Washington law, HOA membership is tied to property ownership. If your name is on the recorded deed, you’re a member.

Simple in theory.

But in practice, things aren’t always so simple.

Many homes here have been in the same families for decades. We don’t want outdated paperwork patterns to accidentally narrow civic participation today.

At the same time, we can’t ignore how ownership is legally defined. If we detach membership from recorded ownership, we create confusion and legal risk.

So we’re working on language that:

• Keeps membership tied to ownership by identifying what documentation can and cannot be used to prove membership

• Builds in predictable processes to cure membership if necessary

• Allows time to fix documentation if needed 

• Protects member rights by preventing sudden exclusion 

The goal is stability, not gatekeeping.

Separating Membership from Enforcement

One principle we’re reinforcing:

Membership shouldn’t depend on whether someone is in a disagreement with the association.

Enforcement and membership are different systems.

Belonging to the community shouldn’t rise and fall with appeals or disputes.

Why This Matters

Clear membership rules reduce stress. They make board transitions smoother. They reduce misunderstandings. They support long-term participation.

Most importantly, they prevent surprises.

We’re still refining the draft language and will share it once it’s ready. In the meantime, if you have thoughts about how membership should work in a volunteer-run community, we welcome that input - join the conversation in the comments below.