dgb Farms update

I was checking on my garden last week and I have tomatoes!  This is the first time I have attempted to grow vegetables!  I still am not fond of digging in the dirt but seeing my tomatoes, makes it worth while.  Check out these pics!

Tomatoes!

Let's Go Fishing!

Lets Go Fishing Flyer

                                                click the link to view the full flyer

Decide on a Governing Style

How can we work together to identify why the neighborhood has halted,  prevent the stagnation from continuing, and take steps to continue the growth the board experienced in 2012.

It is felt that if the neighborhood organizes more effectively then the neighborhood has increased chances to being capable of existence and development as an independent unit and it may increase the neighborhood's chances of succeeding.

As I have stated before, my time on the 2012 board has shown me that there is some fundamental weaknesses that are occurring which may be causing the insufficiencies the neighborhood is experiencing at this time.    

So I am suggesting the neighborhood adopt a governing style to help build a solid foundation to make our neighborhood viable.   There are many non profit governing styles out there.  Please check out this site:  Board Governing Styles

I am suggesting that the neighborhood work toward establishing a firm foundation so we can begin building and growing.  This includes clarifying the responsibilities of board members.

What do you think?

If there are other forms of non profit governing styles not listed on this site, share that information so it can be posted for all our neighbors to consider.

Based on my experience with the 2012 board I feel that the  Management Team Model may work well in our neighborhood?  What do you neighbors think?  How do you want your neighborhood governed?  Is this a reason to hold a meeting?

dgb

Building Relationship with Our Elected Officials

How can we work together to identify why the neighborhood has halted,  prevent the stagnation from continuing, and take steps to continue the growth the board experienced in 2012?

This is the neighborhood's mission statement.

Hartman Avenue Neighborhood Association Mission Statement

THE HARTMAN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED TO BUILD COMMUNITY SPIRIT, TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND TO PRESERVE THE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY OF THIS NORTH OMAHA AREA THROUGH COMMUNICATION WITH IT’S NEIGHBORS AND CITY LEADERS

A couple of questions on this one.

Is this mission statement still relevant?  Does it need to updated by our neighbors?  Is the neighborhood fulfilling its mission statement?  If not how can we help our neighborhood fulfill its mission statement?

Describe the communication between the neighborhood association and our neighbors?

Describe the neighborhood's relationship with our elected officials.  We are fortunate to have  Omaha City Council District #2 Councilman reside in our neighborhood.   What is the neighborhood's relationship with Councilman Gray?  How do we build a relationship with Councilman Gray and other elected officials in our district?

How do we get our elected officials involved in improving and maintaining the quality of our neighborhood?

Part of the neighborhood's missions states maintaining a relationship with elected officials.   How can we use them as a resource? 

Neighbors we need our elected officials involved in helping the neighborhood thrive.  They are a resource for our neighborhood.

What do you think?  Is this a reason to hold a meeting?  Let's hear your suggestions!

In order for our neighborhood to become viable we need neighbors who are willing and able to think outside the box.  Our neighborhood would benefit from forward thinking neighbors, who when faced with challenges, persistently look for ways to keep moving forward to improve the quality of the neighborhood.  Your neighborhood needs your thoughts, ideas and action!  

dgb

Improving Our Neighborhood

Is this a reason to hold a meeting?
As I was out distributing flyers to advertise my blog last week, I had the opportunity to visit with a couple of our neighbors.  Anyway, the one neighbor, who lives near 56th & Fort shared his concern about the condition of 56th Street from Fort to Browne.  He shared that this patch of 56th Street is in need of replacement. Take a look at the pictures I included.  Did you know that  56th Street is the only straight shot from Sorenson Parkway to Ames Street?

56th & Fort Looking to the South

56th & Camden Looking North

I also spoke with a neighbor who lives on 51st St between Hartman and Fort.  This neighbor also pointed out how this road needs to be replaced.

51st & Fort looking North

51st & Hartman looking South

Please read my post titled "Goals for the Neighborhood?"  Neighbors we have the power to direct the change in our neighborhood.  Lets be proactive!  If we work together we can begin improving our neighborhood.  This cant be done by one person.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Ms. Lorraine and her board responsible for getting 56th Street from Hartman to Crownpoint a replaced few years back?  Long term neighbors may recall that 56th Street from Hartman to  Crownpoint looked liked these roads a few years ago.

dgb

Expanding to Ames Street

The 2012 neighborhood board discussed the option of expanding our neighborhood association boundaries to Ames Street as part of our capacity building goals.  Our funding sources and neighbor participation may increase if we have larger numbers in our association.  This idea was tabled.  Also having more businesses in the neighborhood my increase sponsorship and donation sources.

What are your thoughts neighbors?   What would be some of the benefits of expanding our association to Ames Street?   What would be some of the drawbacks?    Lets hear you!  Because what ever decision is made, you WILL be effected by it!!

Is this a reason to meet?

dgb

Increased membership base
More businesses can be involved
More Churches involved
More neighbors to help carry the neighborhood forward

While up at the community garden I noticed that the community garden sign is in need of repair and/or replacement.  

C'mon neighbors, can this be a project for one of the church youth groups in our neighborhood?  Does anyone have a youth group, scout group, or is in need of a community service project who could complete this project? 
Can this be a way for your group to Get connected~Get results and contribute to the neighborhood?

This sign looks bad.

dgb