​The SCNA third Thursday public/board meeting scheduled for  May 17, 2018, is canceled. Please join us third Thursday next month, June 21st. We are hoping to host the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID), for an engaging conversation. The COID is perhaps the oldest and strongest political entity in Central Oregon. 

Our public board meetings are regularly held third Thursdays of each month. All are welcome!

Time, location, and agenda to be announced.

Meeting Minutes

Here’s the link to check out last month’s meeting minutes.

Land Use Notices

Click here to see April and May notices.

Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association (SCNA) Communications GrantCheck out the latest draft our new neighborhood association leave behind brochure:

Inside
Outside

Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA)

It’s been on the agenda for months, its been in the news. What is the NLA? Here are the questions and answers about the NLA. 
 
If chartered, the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA), will become a City Council recognized Advisory Committee, comprised of one representative nominated by each of the 13 City-chartered Neighborhood Associations appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. Its purpose will be to provide a direct and continuing means for Neighborhood Association constituent participation and input to the City Council from a neighborhood and community perspective. To facilitate this purpose, the NLA will foster communication and awareness of quality of life issues affecting the neighborhoods among the Neighborhood Associations, the City and appropriate entities. NLA will be an effective, collegial voice for the neighborhoods and a valued resource for the City.
 
Who does the NLA represent?
 
The NLA will represent the constituents of all 13 Neighborhood Associations through resident and business membership in the Neighborhood Associations.  Each Neighborhood Association is inclusive and welcoming to all its constituents, and all are working to build membership. The NLA will serve as the voice for any issue that affects multiple Neighborhood Associations. It is intended to be a two-way communications channel between Bend residents and the City Council and staff.
 
How are NLA members appointed?
 
Each of the 13 charted Neighborhood Associations, under their own set of bylaws, will nominate a representative for the NLA from their Board. The nominated representatives will follow the same process as is stipulated in the City Code for committee membership. Each will submit a formal application (available on the Bend City website), be examined and appointed by the Mayor. Appointees will then require the approval of the City Council. This is the process by which every member of each Advisory Committee, both permanent and ad hoc, is appointed.
 
Does the NLA lessen our individual neighborhood concerns?
 
Not at all.  The following quote is from the proposed enabling Code (1.20.100) for the NLA:
“The creation of the NLA is not intended to change or diminish the autonomy or roles of Neighborhood Associations, or impact board of director duties, Neighborhood Association articles of incorporation, bylaws or the legal structure of a particular Neighborhood Association. Any decisions made by a Neighborhood Association are under its own rules and procedures and are not governed by the City or this advisory committee.”

Click here to read the latest Editorial published in the Bend Bulletin supporting the NLA and neighborhood associations.

Civic Equity Project (CEP)

Here is the calendar of upcoming CEP spring dates and times:

• May 18th = City Panel (Update and How to Engage) from 1-3pm -location TBD
• June 6th = City Council presentation at City Council meeting
• June 15th = Debrief and Social from 4-6pm – location TBD
• July/August = break
• Fall 2018 = Save the third Fridays from 1-3pm for training and action planning

The Civic Equity Project (CEP) is a two-year program focusing on building the capacity of under-represented organizations to participate in civic dialogue and decision-making in Bend. The project is funded through a $100,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust, a Portland-based foundation supporting equity-advancement projects in Oregon.

We want you!

We could use help on all kinds of projects. The sky is the limit! We are expanding membership. We are filling board and chair positions. We have an upcoming neighborhood picnic and trash pick-up. We have lots of opportunities to build relationships with businesses. In the long short, we are growing and could use your help!

Background of Neighborhood Associations

Neighborhood associations provide opportunities for shaping the future of your neighborhood. Membership is open to all citizens who live, own property or operate a business within the association’s boundaries. Membership is free! The work we do is voluntary. 

Membership Benefits

Neighborhood Associations draw people closer to their city government and closer still to their fellow neighbors. Neighborhood participation gives residents a stronger, united voice in civic life and joins them in shared neighborhood projects. 

Neighborhood associations are inclusive, reflecting the diversity which enriches a community. Members include families, singles, retirees, youths, business owners, faith-based organizations, schools, homeowners, renters, and many more people from every background.  Formally recognized and well-developed Neighborhood Associations can provide recommendations to the local government on a variety of topics, including:

• Neighborhood streets, traffic control, and patterns
• City services
• Budget
• Crime prevention
• Capital improvements
• Land use (zone changes, variances, subdivisions, and zoning ordinances)
• Transportation

We look forward to seeing you Thursday, June 21, 2018.