President’s Message
Fall is upon us, which means election season is just around the corner. Pondering this, I keep coming to the first three words of our Constitution: “We the people.”
While there are many debates on political topics, I think we can all agree on the concept of “We the people.” In a country so divided, I am hopeful we can come together around “We the people” and recognize that “we” includes a diverse group of people with different histories, perspectives, and values. This requires respect for each other and a realization that we can have different opinions and yet work together for the common good.
In a country so divided, I am hopeful we can come together around “We the people”…
What is the common good? This, too, highlights differences of opinion, but informs our decision making when it comes to elections.
I raise this as a topic not only because it’s election season, but also because it relates to the way your neighborhood association provides a voice for the “we” in our neighborhood and city—we the people of the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. This fall the board will hold a retreat, at which we’ll review our Mission Statement, a constitution of sorts, which you’ll find on the front page of this newsletter. These words guide us in our work.
As we look ahead to plan our upcoming year, I ask each of you to share your thoughts on how we, the BWNA board, can represent you and your values, interests, and the common good of our community.
- What do we value?
- What makes our neighborhood livable?
- What local issues are you interested in?
- How can we improve our communications—both to you and from you?
- What can we do to build community and connect with each other?
Please share your thoughts and suggestions with me at president@bwnapdx.org so I can share them with the board at our retreat.
Remember, your voice matters, and together we can make the place we call home better.
We are here at your service.