A neighborhood association’s core purpose is to enhance livability for its residents. To fulfill that role, participation and input from neighbors is essential. Key to encouraging neighbor involvement is an effective community outreach strategy. No surprise, then, that a longtime priority for the city bureau that oversees Portland’s 90-plus neighborhood associations—the Office of Community & Civic Life—has been to broaden participation through outreach. To that end, BWNA provides several conduits:
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Newsletter: Distributed bimonthly to roughly 2,700 households and area businesses, it’s also online at BWNApdx.org. The BWNA newsletter is not only a vehicle for information about neighborhood and BWNA board and committee activity, but also for generating participation by over 70 neighbors who volunteer their time and talent as route distributors, content contributors, or production staff.
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Website: Over a two-year period, the revamped website has enjoyed increased traffic and a tripling of residents subscribing via the BWNA homepage to receive important email updates.
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Virtual BWNA Board Meetings: Residents join via Zoom when meetings are held virtually. Visit the BWNA website’s Upcoming Events page for dates, times, and Zoom links.
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Board Positions and Committees: Participation is just an e-mail or phone call away. See “Our Organization” on page 2 for contact info.
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New Neighbor Welcoming Project: B-W newcomers receive hand-delivered welcome packets containing discounts from local businesses and welcome letters from BWNA and Beaumont Business Association presidents. Tip off BWNA to a new homeowner or renter by emailing coordinator Al Ellis at aje0280@gmail.com.
A San Francisco native, Al Ellis and his wife have been B-W residents since 1990. He’s a current and longtime BWNA board member, past president, and served as editor of this newsletter for 12 years. He taught Russian and social studies in Portland schools for over 30 years and served as president of the Portland-Khabarovsk Sister City Association.