Residents Welfare Association (RWA): Meaning, Role & Powers Explained

Table of Content:

1. RWA Meaning​
2. What Is RWA society?
3. Powers of The Resident Welfare Association
4. Residents Welfare Association Rules
5. RWA Officeholders And Their Role
6. Selection of Members In RWA
7. Funding of Resident Welfare Association

Do you live in a residential society in India that has an active Resident Welfare Association (RWA)? Well, you are not alone! Every residential society in India has its own RWA, whose intention is to work for the overall development and welfare of the residents. The RWA fulfils this objective in a manner that supplements the responsibilities of regulatory authorities by offering security to residents and maintaining common amenities on a daily basis. Simultaneously, there are multiple responsibilities, rules and powers in place to ensure the flawless functioning of a particular area. 

In this article, we will discuss RWA’s meaning and the powers, roles and responsibilities that the authority possesses!

RWA Meaning

The RWA’s full form is Resident Welfare Association, and it is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Every state in the country might have amendments to this Act included from time to time, and these shall apply to all RWAs in that specific state. If we talk about it in detail, the Resident Welfare Association is a Non-Governmental Organisation, that takes care of the welfare and interests of a colony or society in a city. 

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What Is RWA society?

RWA society is when a society is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860, the RWAs of that particular area are governed by certain constitutional provisions and cannot work as per their own will. These documents or provisions mainly make sure that the RWA have special roles, responsibilities and powers, but these powers are checked for the requirement. 

When you live in a residential society, there are many aspects to be taken care of, and here, the apartment’s residents welfare association comes into the picture. Yes, you read that right. It is a crucial responsibility of RWA or its President to take care of all the common facilities of a particular society. The common facilities might involve looking into the condition of internal roads, street lights, amenities, civic amenities like electricity and water etc. In bigger colonies, RWA has more work that involves looking after the commercial activities within the society in the form of bazaars, shops, transportation or even banks in the area. 

Powers of The Resident Welfare Association

The RWA of every residential society in India has the power and authority to solely decide the subscription amount for all the residents of a particular society. Although all the residents of the colony can ask for the Resident Welfare Association membership, RWA again has the power to refuse the membership of any resident by stating a proper reason. 

In case the membership is approved, the RWA has the power to terminate the membership owing to the resident's death, the failure to pay the subscription fees, misconduct or if the majority of the RWA members demand his/her termination due to a valid reason. Moreover, the  apartment’s residents welfare association is also responsible for operating and implementing all the important policies and initiatives within the society that will contribute to the welfare of the residents.

Residents Welfare Association Rules

1. Membership RWA Rules and Regulations

Below you will find residents welfare association rules and regulations.

1. RWA membership of an individual can get denied in writing.
   

2. According to the RWA Rules and Regulations if an individual is not working as per the motive of RWA, the person can be terminated.

3. Skipping three meetings continuously will result in getting terminated and this doesn't require any written notice.

The residents welfare association rules can be amended, as amendments are prevalent in the Memorandum of Association, and the rules are required to be followed as per Sections 12 and 12A of the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

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RWA Officeholders And Their Role

The RWA (resident welfare association) of every residential colony has its President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Members. Let's have a look at the roles and functions of each officeholder. 

1. President

• Have the right to vote on a draw.

• Supervise all the works completed by multiple officeholders.

• Presides over all the meetings of the governing as well as a general body.

• Might operate the bank accounts of the society, if any.

2. Vice-President

• In the absence of the Presidente place of the president., the Vice-President takes th

• Help the President in performing all his/her duties. 

3. General Secretary

• Might be responsible for operating the society's bank account.

• Responsible for representing the society in a public and private office.

• Maintaining the records of the society and its members.

4. Secretary

• Assist the General Secretary of the RWA whenever required.

• Performs the role of General Secretary in his/her absence.

5. Treasurer

• Duly maintaining all the important account records of the society's funds. These funds must be maintained in a specific bank account.

• Collecting subscriptions, gifts, grants-in-aid, donations etc. from the general public and members of the society.

• Operating the RWA's bank account.

6. Executive Members

• Helps in the daily work of the society.

• Filing the list of officeholders with the Registrar of Societies whenever necessary. All this is done as per Section 4 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860.Do you want to know how the RWA (resident welfare association) members are selected? If yes, then this section is for you! If we talk about the selection of the governing body, the society's governing body is elected for a certain period of time while in the meeting of the general body. During the selection process, the residents of the society can willingly raise their hands to elect a specific person. 

  It's important to note that the final list of RWA office bearers must not be less than 7 in any case. Besides this, the same must be attested by three outgoing bearers and once done, it must be filed with the Registrar of Societies. 

  
  

  Funding of Resident Welfare Association

  The main funds of the RWA in India come from the subscription charges that all the residents of society pay periodically. Most of the RWAs raise funds by organising inter resident matches and games. There are many innovative schemes that RWAs use that involve rent collected for the use of community halls or clubhouses for other social events. There are some common parking spaces for guests and outsiders, from which the Resident Welfare Association collects fees.

  All the money collected from these sources goes into the RWA account, and the carryover funds from previously elected bodies are handed over to the incoming RWA. The account of RWA can only be handled by the General Secretary, President or Treasurer. Also, the association is required to hire a professional and qualified auditor to audit the RWA account.