The Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, is two square miles in size. the official boundary description from SMILE's bylaws, as revised in April of 2002, are as follows:
?¢???œFrom the intersection of McLoughlin Boulevard and the Portland city limits northerly along McLoughlin Boulevard to a point due west of the southwest corner of the Eastmoreland Golf Course; then mostly northerly along the western edge of the golf course to an intersection of the extended midline of S.E. Reedway; then due west along this line to its intersection with McLoughlin Boulevard; then along this street to its intersection with S.E. Holgate Boulevard; then westerly along this street to its intersection with the midline of the Holgate Slough; then southwesterly along this line to the intersection of the midline of the Willamette River; then southerly along this line to the intersection with the Portland city limits; then easterly along the city limits to the starting point.?¢????
Inasmuch as Garthwick, although within Clackamas County, is also within the city limits of Portland, it is also included in the above description.
Sellwood-Moreland is located three miles "up-river" from downtown Portland, and the history of the neighborhood stretches back to the late 1840's, before Oregon was a state, when the area was part of four donation land claims. One of those first claimants, Henderson Luelling, brought nursery stock with him via the Oregon Trail, and established the first commercial fruit nursery in what was then simply the Oregon Country.
The neighborhood had no name until 1882, when 321 acres were purchased and subdivided for house lots by the Sellwood Real Estate Company. The independent City of Sellwood, named after early civic leader Reverend Sellwood, was incorporated in 1887, and had its own city council and sheriff until 1893, when it became a part of the growing City of Portland.
The Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood was well-served by water transportation between 1851 and 1925--via ferry, steamboat, and launches. In 1925, the Sellwood Bridge opened and remains open today. By 1892, an electric streetcar line provided service down Milwaukie Avenue to Bybee Boulevard, turning west on Bybee and then south on 13th Street (today's "Antique Row") to the end of the line. After 1904, streetcar riders could transfer at the end of 13th (at the "Golf Junction Station", named after the nearby Waverley Country Club golf course, and today refurbished into a "pocket park" by members of SMILE) onto the railroad which passed through Oaks Bottom -- which today is a protected wildlife refuge along the Willamette River, but one with rail access and a walking trail (the "Springwater Corridor" trail, as well as the local Oaks Bottom Bluff Trail.
From Golf Junction, passengers could ride to Milwaukie and Oregon City, or catch the Cazadero Line, which went all the way to Estacada in those days. That railroad right of way is today remade into part of the Springwater Corridor Trail, a walking and biking trail.
Today, the historic Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood has a variety of attractions:
1) Several city parks: Johnson Creek Park, Westmoreland Park, Sellwood Park, and Sellwood Riverfront Park (plus the new Golf Junction "pocket park").
2) The oldest continuously-operated amusement park in the western United States, and possibly the whole country -- OAKS AMUSEMENT PARK. The Oaks was opened in 1904, and today is operated in perpetuity by a nonprofit organization set up for the purpose. There's the wooden-floor roller rink, the million-dollar imported roller coaster, the historic merry-go-round, and many other rides and attractions. Picnic areas and food service may be reserved for private parties, and The Oaks is the new home each summer of the Multnomah County Fair, as well as other regional concerts and events. (For more information, call the Oaks Amusement Park office at 503/236-5722.)
3) Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge -- great for birding and hiking. It's administered by the Portland Parks Department.
4) Varied and notable restaurants.
5) The oldest remaining single-screen movie house in Portland -- the restored Moreland Theater, at S.E. Bybee Street and Milwaukie Avenue.
6) Possibly the best-known "antique district" in the Pacific Northwest -- concentrated on 13th Street, but with recent additions near the intersection of Bybee and Milwaukie as well.
7) Oaks Pioneer Church, whose orgins trace back to 1851, and which was constructed in the community of Milwaukie to the south of Portland, was relocated more than once in that community, and then was ultimately brought by Willamette River Barge to its current location just north of the east end of the Sellwood Bridge in 1961. The Church is now administered by the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League and is available as a quaint, intimate wedding chapel. Call 503/233-1497 for rental information, and explore the church and its history further at its own website: http://www.oakspioneerchurch.org/ .
8) SMILE Station, is a 1926 firehouse now converted into the headquarters of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League, at 8210 S.E. 13th Street, a block south of Tacoma Avenue, at the corner of Tenino Street. SMILE Station is available for meetings, workshops, wedding receptions, and other events. Call 503/234-3570 for more information.
From the residents of the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood, welcome: We hope you enjoy your visit! Please return to enjoy a picnic, a concert, shopping, or a great dining experience and a first-run movie!
And don't fail to visit Sellwood Park, overlooking the Willamette River, on the first Sunday each August, for the unique SUNDAE IN THE PARK -- a civic event presented by SMILE which features ice cream sundaes for a fifty cents, inexpensive hot dogs, old- fashioned live entertainment, and displays and booths featuring historic topics related to the neighborhood. All of it, on the most unfailingly sunny weekend of the year, according Oregon weather statistics!
See you here soon!
SELLWOOD - WESTMORELAND
"You're Welcome!" Be sure to visit the other, complementary, website of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League at: www.SellwoodMoreland.org
SMILE Bylaws
BYLAWS OF THE SELLWOOD-MORELAND IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE (SMILE)
The Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE) is a Portland neighborhood association, dedicated to the improvement of the neighborhoods of Sellwood and Westmoreland, while maintaining their quality of life -- and acting as liaison between the neighborhood and the city government of Portland, Oregon. SMILE is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.
ARTICLE 1
DECLARATION
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES, BOUNDARIES
1. Membership. Any person shall be eligible for membership in the Sellwood?‚?Moreland Improvement League (SMILE) by meeting any one of the criteria listed below. No person or business shall be entitled to more than one vote on matters concerning SMILE by virtue of qualifying under more than one criterion. A SMILE member must have attained the legal age of 18 in order to be a voting member of SMILE.
(a) Residing within the boundaries of SMILE.
(b) Owning real property within the boundaries of SMILE but unable to qualify under (a) above. Voting representation by one person is allowed in instances where property, irrespective of the number of parcels, is held by multiple owners, none of whom is able to qualify under (a) above (such as through joint tenancy, tenancy in common, a corporation, land trust or other legal entity).
(c) Being a representative of a business with at least one business address within the boundaries of SMILE, and whose owner(s) cannot qualify under (a) or (b) above. Such businesses are entitled to voting representation by one person.
(d) To qualify to vote as a SMILE member at a SMILE meeting, one must meet the above requirements and have signed a membership list provided by the Board of Directors or affirm their membership status on a meeting sign-in sheet.
Beginning at the intersection of McLoughlin Boulevard and the Portland city limits northerly along McLoughlin Boulevard to a point due west of the southwest corner of the Eastmoreland Golf Course, then easterly along this line to its intersection with the golf course; then northerly along the western edge of the golf course to an intersection with the extended midline of SE Reedway; then due west along this line to its intersection with McLoughlin Boulevard; then along this street to its intersection with SE Holgate; then westerly along this street to its intersection with the midline of the Holgate Slough; then southwesterly along this line to the intersection with the midline of the Willamette River; then southerly along this line to the intersection with the Portland city limits; then easterly along the city limits to the starting point.
ARTICLE 3
MEETINGS
may reschedule the Board meeting, provided that notice is given in accordance with paragraph 7 below.
4. Special Board of Directors Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President. The President shall cause at least seven days?¢???™ prior notice to be given to the public, specifying the time and place of the meeting and the items to be discussed. A special meeting shall be called only when matters before the Board cannot be delayed until the next regular Board meeting for consideration or action.
5. Emergency Board of Director Meetings. In cases requiring emergency action by the Board, the President may call an emergency meeting. The President shall cause at least 24 hour prior notice to be given to the public, specifying the time and place of the meeting and items to be discussed. An emergency meeting shall be called only when an urgent matter cannot be delayed until the next regular Board meeting or cannot wait until a special meeting can be called. For example, a land use review may require Board action before the next scheduled Board meeting.
6. Board Executive Sessions. The President or Board may close meetings or parts of meetings to public attendance when in executive session. An executive session is limited to members of the Board or others reporting to the Board on the subject of the executive session. The President may include others at his or her discretion. Any information revealed in an executive session is considered privileged and may not be reported. Voting to render a decision, including a decision on matters considered in executive session, must be done in a meeting open to public attendance. Minutes must be kept during executive sessions but they can be filed in a separate location from regular minutes. Executive sessions may be held only to deliberate toward a decision on the following matters:
7. Subject Matter of Meetings. Limitation on Subject Matter of Special or Emergency Meetings. Any matter may be discussed or acted on at a regular
general membership meeting or regular Board meeting, except that the Bylaws may be amended only in compliance with Article 11. For special general membership meetings and special Board meetings topics announced in the notice may be discussed as well as additional topics which may arise during discussion. For emergency meetings, only those matters listed in the public notice required in Paragraph 8 below may be discussed or acted on at the meeting.
8. Notice of Meetings.
(a) The President shall cause a notice of each regular general membership meeting, special general membership meeting and regular meeting of the Board to be both published in a newspaper of general circulation, on electronic mailing lists or web sites as determined by the Board, and posted at the SMILE Station at least seven days prior to the meeting. Actual (direct) notice must be provided to specifically interested persons who have requested notification in writing, applicants for land use reviews or liquor licenses whose applications are scheduled to be discussed at the meeting, and any media, at least 24 hours before the meeting.
(b) The President shall cause a notice of any special meeting of the Board to be posted at the SMILE Station and on electronic mailing lists or web sites as determined by the Board at least seven days prior to the meeting. Actual (direct) notice must be provided to specifically interested persons who have requested notification in writing, applicants for land use reviews or liquor licenses whose applications are scheduled to be discussed at the meeting, and any media, at least 24 hours before the meeting.
(c) All notices posted at the SMILE Station must be located where they can be readily observed from the public sidewalk and approached and read by the public on paved surfaces without entering the building.
(d) Notices of regular general membership meetings and regular Board meetings will include a description of subject matter expected to be discussed, reported on, or voted on at the meeting.
(e) Notices of special general membership meetings and special Board meetings will include a description of subject matter to be discussed, reported on, or voted on at the meeting.
(f) The President shall make reasonable efforts to notify as many SMILE members as possible of any special general membership meeting. Action taken at a special general membership meeting or special Board meeting is void if notice of the proposed action is not given as set forth in this Paragraph 8, Notice of Meetings.
(g) Notice of any proposed amendment to the Bylaws must be posted at the SMILE Station at least one month prior to the general membership meeting at which the proposed amendment is scheduled for action by the general membership.
9. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the general membership of SMILE shall be held at the regular general membership in May. The purpose of the annual meeting is to elect Officers of SMILE and Directors of the Board and to hear and consider the report of the President regarding the financial condition of SMILE, and activities of the past and coming year.
ARTICLE 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(a) To manage and control the business and property of SMILE.
(b) To make policies and procedures consistent with Oregon laws and the Bylaws regarding the transaction of business of SMILE and the execution of the duties of the Officers and committees.
(c) To generally exercise all powers necessary for the transaction of the business of SMILE, except those reserved to the membership which are electing the Board, approving changes to the bylaws, dissolution of the organization, disposal of the assets, and removal of an Officer or Director as set out under the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 4.
(4) Functions. As part of the powers set forth above, the Board shall have the following functions:
(a) To present to the membership goals and priorities for SMILE.
(b) To prepare the annual budget, and determine the expenditure of funds.
(c) To expend funds as approved under the annual budget, and to control and supervise the funds of SMILE as set forth in Article 9.
(d) To review and make grants of funds as set forth in Article 10.
(e) To operate the Oaks Pioneer Church under contract with the City of Portland unless and until ownership is transferred to SMILE.
(f) To operate the SMILE Station.
(g) To control, supervise and delegate authority to committees as set forth in Article 8.
(h) To appeal land use decisions under the City of Portland Zoning Code, to appeal any other decision of a governmental agency when appeal is available and to defend against and prosecute civil litigation.
(i) To authorize individuals to sign notes, checks, drafts, warrants, agreements, contracts and other instruments on behalf of SMILE, subject to the provisions of Article 9, Paragraph 2.
(j) To establish rules and procedures for the handling of funds by the Treasurer and any other individuals authorized by the Board.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
(a) President: The President shall set the agenda and preside at all Board and membership meetings, shall implement the decisions of the Board, shall perform such duties as authorized or required by the Board, the general membership or the Bylaws, and shall enforce rules and regulations established by the Board. The President may delegate the function of presiding over a general membership meeting or Board meeting to any person only if the Vice-President is unwilling or unable to preside but may not in so doing delegate his voting right.
(b) Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the President?¢???™s absence.
(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all membership and Board meetings, maintain the list of Board members and their terms, assist the President with correspondence, and maintain the non-financial files of SMILE.
(d) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of SMILE, shall keep and deposit such funds in the name of SMILE at a bank or banks as designated by the Board, and shall keep and maintain accurate and correct accounts of the business transactions of SMILE, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, and losses. The Treasurer shall make and present a financial report, verbally or in writing at regular Board meetings.
ARTICLE 6
MATTERS APPLICABLE TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
3. Removal by Board. Directors and Officers may be removed from directorship or office by a unanimous vote of the Board, except that the challenged Director or Officer shall not be entitled to vote on the removal action. If approved, removal shall take effect immediately. Grounds for removal are limited to the following:
(a) A Director may be removed from directorship for missing three consecutive Board meetings.
(b) An Officer may be removed from office for missing three consecutive membership meetings.
(c) A Director or Officer may be removed for failure to be qualified as set forth in Article 6, Paragraph 1.
4. Removal by General Membership. A Director or Officer may be removed by a two thirds vote of the general membership at a regular general membership meeting. The proposed action must be listed in the published meeting agenda.
5. An officer or director may resign at any time by written notice to the Board of Directors or the President and will be effective upon receipt. Once delivered, a notice of resignation is irrevocable.
6. Vacancy. Whenever a vacancy in a directorship or office shall occur, whether by death, resignation, removal or other cause, the position shall be filled by election of a successor Director or Officer. The election shall occur at a regular membership meeting as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs. Article 7 shall not apply to elections to fill a vacancy. Notice of the vacancy and scheduled election shall be given by announcement at the first SMILE general membership meeting after the vacancy arises and the election shall be held no earlier than the first general membership meeting following the announcement. An election to fill a vacancy must be held at a SMILE general membership meeting. The successor elected to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the predecessor.
ARTICLE 7
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AT LARGE AND OFFICERS
preceding the election, and may be made by any member of SMILE. The committee shall present its nominations for Directors at large and Offices at the annual meeting. Nominations from any member of SMILE will be accepted during the annual meeting prior to the vote, provided the nominee has consented to serve, if elected.
ARTICLE 8
COMMITTEES
a) Land Use -- the committee reviews land use cases and liquor licenses applications and, in certain cases, files official comments on behalf of SMILE. The committee also organizes SMILE member participation is long term planning efforts which affect the SMILE neighborhood. Because this committee exercises specified executive authority on behalf of the Board, it operates under Board approved guidelines which describe the scope of the decisions it is authorized to make, its organization, and its operating procedures. At least one member of this committee must also be a member of the SMILE Board
b) Transportation -- the committee works to improve safety and the movement of all kinds of transportation in, out, and through the neighborhood.
c) Oaks Pioneer Church -- the committee assists the church coordinator with publicity, event scheduling issues, website updating, fee proposals, and special projects.
d) SMILE Station -- the committee oversees the management of the SMILE Station including answering phone calls from those interested in renting the space, showing the space, scheduling facility use, management, and maintenance.
e) Crime Prevention -- this committee coordinates neighborhood activities which provide for crime prevention, graffiti removal, and neighborhood watch activities.
f) Nominating -- this committee is responsible for conducting the SMILE election process in an orderly, fair, and unbiased fashion. It is also responsible for recruiting new Board and Director candidates for annual and special elections.
g) Finance -- this committee is responsible for overseeing and managing the financial responsibilities of SMILE
h) History -- this committee is responsible for documenting and researching the historic background of the neighborhood and for promoting events which celebrate its history.
ARTICLE 9
FINANCE
ARTICLE 10
GRANTS
1. Approval Authority. The Board may approve expenditures in the form of grants to recipients qualified according to the criteria listed in Paragraph 2 of this Article. Such grants must be for purposes and in amounts consistent with the adopted SMILE budget. The Board may, at its discretion, refer a proposed grant approval to the general membership for discussion and comment.
2. Criteria for Approval. In order to approve a grant the Board must find that the grant meets all of the following conditions:
(a) The grant will be expended primarily for facilities or services provided within the boundaries of SMILE; however, the Board may make an exception provided the basis for the exception is clearly stated in the motion and/or meeting minutes.
(b) The grant will benefit the Sellwood-Westmoreland community.
(c) The grant is for a specific purpose.
(d) At the discretion of the Board, the grant applicant may be required to submit a letter stating that the applicant?¢???™s books and records will be available for inspection by SMILE Officers at any time and that the applicant is authorized to make the statement.
(e) There are funds available within the annual budget for the grant.
(f) There is no readily available alternative source of funds for the applicant.
3. Conditions of Approval. The Board shall attach conditions of approval to grants as necessary to assure grantee performance and the use of funds for the purposes intended by the Board. Such conditions shall be clearly stated in the motion approving a grant.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
1. Amendment. These Bylaws may be amended to add, change, or delete any provision by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present at a regular membership meeting and provided that notice of the amendment is given as set forth in Article 3, Paragraph 8.
ARTICLE 12
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
1. One-on-One Dialogue and Mediation. Individuals and groups are encouraged to reconcile differences, whether inside or outside the scope of these grievance procedures, through one-on-one dialogue or mediation.
ARTICLE 13
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
ARTICLE 14
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS BY NONMEMBERS
President shall notify the proponent of the place, date, and time of the discussion of the proposal. This notification shall be given to the proponent at least 24
hours in advance.
ARTICLE 15
INDEMNIFICATION
1. General Indemnification of Directors and Officers. SMILE may indemnify an individual made a party to a proceeding because the individual is or was a Director or Officer against liability incurred in the proceeding if:
2. Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Unless limited by the Articles of Incorporation, SMILE must indemnify a Director or Officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the Director or Officer was a party because of being a Director or Officer of SMILE, against reasonable expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
3. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. SMILE may indemnify its employees and other agents to the same extent as to a Director or Officer.
ARTICLE 16 MISCELLANEOUS
1. Definitions.
(a) Bylaws as used herein means the Bylaws of the Sellwood-Moreland
Improvement League.
(b) Director as used herein means a Director of the Board of Directors of SMILE, and includes an Officer.
(c) Director at large as used herein means a Director who is not an Officer.
2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be from October 1 of each year through
September 30 of the next year.
3. Public Meetings. Records. SMILE shall abide by all Oregon statutes relating to public meetings and public records. SMILE shall abide by all the requirements relative to public meetings and public records as outlined in Section VIII of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement Standards for Neighborhood Associations. Official actions taken by SMILE shall be on record and shall be recorded in the minutes of each meeting.
Introduced and adopted this 3rd day of August, 2011.
President
Secretary
Adopted April 7, 1993; Amended May 4, 1994; March 3, 1999; May 2, 2001; April 3rd, 2002; August 3, 2011.
Email us
eric@ericnorberg.com (Eric Norberg, Secretary of SMILE)