After all these years—nearly five decades since the inception of the neighborhood association system—challenges have never been more diverse or intense. And just as it is with the other 90-plus neighborhood associations in this city, BWNA is pushing the reset button in an effort to stay relevant amid COVID, election-year politics, and racial justice protests. But what are the parameters of this relevance? For an answer, it’s back to basics, the founding principles and purposes of BWNA as defined by governing rules embedded in Article 1 of BWNA’s bylaws:
Article 1 Name and Purpose
Section 1 Name
The name of the association shall be the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association (hereinafter BWNA). BWNA is organized under Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 65 and recognizes the rules established by the City of Portland, Office of Neighborhood Involvement.
Section 2 Purpose
The purpose of BWNA shall be:
A. To enhance the livability of the neighborhood by establishing and maintaining open lines of communication and acting as a liaison between neighbors, government agencies and officials, educational institutions, area business associations, and other neighborhoods and neighborhood groups.
B. To provide, encourage, and facilitate an open process whereby all members of BWNA may involve themselves in, and be heard on, the issues, affairs, and concerns of the neighborhood.
C. To perform all activities related to the purposes enumerated above. To have and enjoy all the powers granted, vested, or allowed BWNA by law.
D. To organize exclusively for educational, scientific, environmental, and charitable purposes as prescribed by law.
E. To be inclusive of all. BWNA may not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, legal citizenship, national origin, income, or political affiliation in any of its policies, recommendations, or actions.
Note in Section 1 that these standards were instituted by the City of Portland via the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (now Office of Community & Civic Life). Also note Section 2E, in which inclusivity and non-discrimination are integral to neighborhood association community engagement. With respect to community outreach, BWNA has made it convenient for residents to participate in monthly board and general meetings via Zoom (details posted on the “Upcoming Events” website page at www.bwnapdx.org) and enlists the help of over 60 neighborhood volunteers to deliver this bimonthly newsletter to more than 2,500 B-W households. Additionally, the BWNA board continues to attend to a broad range of livability concerns, including accountability for demolition/development best practices, pedestrian safety, complaints of “un-neighborly” behavior on the part of residents or businesses, enhancement of Wilshire Park, and support for local businesses and Beaumont Middle School, especially in this difficult time of pandemic restrictions.