President’s Message
In April I completed a two-year term as BWNA president, so this will be my last President’s Message. I will miss connecting with all of you in this format but look forward to connecting in other ways.
As I transition into my new role of Immediate Past President, I will have more time to serve BWNA as its District 2 Coalition Representative and District Coalition Office (DCO) transition representative. This is necessary because effective July 1, the City of Portland has mandated that BWNA transition away from its longtime DCO Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN) to Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).
A DCO is a sort of “umbrella” organization tasked with supporting a specific group of neighborhood associations. Why is it important for BWNA to be active in this transition? Because this change may impact our neighborhood association’s funding and insurance and may affect our ability to engage with city government.
While DCOs have contracts with and funding from the city to support these services, we’ve found that each DCO uses its funds a little differently. Whereas CNN has provided its neighborhood associations with funding for communications and general liability insurance, not all DCOs do. At this time, it is unclear what support NECN will or can provide to BWNA.
… this change may impact our neighborhood association’s funding and insurance and may affect our ability to engage with city government.
Over the next few months, NECN, along with the other DCOs, will be determining what they can and cannot do with the limited allocated funds.
Transitions are part of life. Sometimes the transitions are planned, like a graduation, creating excitement as the transition gets closer. All too often, however, transitions in life come unexpectedly or are forced upon us, such as the DCO change, creating anxiety about what lies ahead.
I have learned to cope with transitions by planning for the worst and hoping for the best. This approach brings me comfort knowing I am ready if things don’t work out and allows me to see the positive in what comes to be.
As we transition to NECN, know your BWNA board will plan prudently and always hope for the best, knowing our active, vibrant community is here to get us through.