Mission and Goals

– 2010-2011 –

(prepared by Board of Directors at April 8, 2010 meeting)

A Growing and Organized MVSNA

 1. Membership Meetings.

• Hold membership meetings at the Yale Laundry Lofts.

• Use alternative locations only for special events, such as forum with Mayor (MCC Church), Hero of Mt. Vernon Square Awards (Bus Boys & Poets), or informal social meetings including a picnic day in Mount Vernon Square.

• Develop agendas with issue-focused themes, such as a presentation on Mount Vernon area history, city agency roundtable, economic development forum, and candidates’ forum.

 2. Board Meetings.

• Hold quarterly Board meetings to track movement toward Association goals and adjust accordingly (July 15, 2010, October 19, 2010, and January 6, 2011).

 3. Increase Membership

• Conduct mailing to registered voter addresses in MVSNA with picnic invite and membership application.

• Make appeal for renewing membership at every meeting.

• Distribute membership applications at a table by the Safeway.

• Establish credit card capacity to take membership payments online.

• Further organize membership records and annual dues solicitations.  (TOP PRIORITY)

 4. Fundraising

• Obtain 501(c) charitable status to encourage donations.

• Raise $1,000 in Association’s 2010-2011 fiscal year.

• Reusable shopping bag with MVSNA and Safeway logo filled with new and renewing member coupons and gifts from neighborhood businesses.

• Develop list of MVSNA membership benifits and organization accomplishments.

 Relationships and Communication

 1. Inform Mount Vernon Square residents through a monthly newsletter

• Develop e-mail list of all MVSNA members, government contacts, and other neighborhood leaders to regularly send agenda/newsletter in pdf form.

• Post all newsletters on website, blog, and yahoo list.

• Continue door-to-door delivery.

 2. Maintain close relationships with government officials and neighborhood groups

• Send newsletters, meeting agendas, and minutes to DC government officials and others outside the neighborhood.

• Regularly send a representative to Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C and 6C meetings.

• Work cooperatively with other neighborhood groups, including the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Convention Center Community Association, Blagden Alley, and Chinatown Revitalization Council, as well as apartment/condo associations.

• Maintain active involvement in Federation of Citizens Associations.

 3. Electronic media

• Update MVSNA website with officer contacts/bios, recent neighborhood photos, and membership form/credit card system.

• Add crime tracker map tool.

 Infrastructure, Development & Historic Preservation

 Address vacant property

• Urge DC government to sell city-owned vacant properties, including 460 Ridge Street, 454 N Street. 
• Address Bible Way lot.

• Work with Third Street Church of God and city to develop plan for vacant New Jersey Avenue properties.

• Develop neighborhood consensus of future of the Sursum Corda library building.

 Participate in development plans

• Closely review development proposals to ensure consistency with the historic character of the Mount Vernon area and a positive impact on the neighborhood.

 Improve transportation safety

• Seek pavers or embedded LED lighting for 5^th and New York Avenue NW.

 Keep the Neighborhood Clean & Beautiful

• Continue to hold spring (April) and fall (October) clean up events, including planting of bulbs in fall.

• Conduct tree inventory of neighborhood and organize tree planting with Casey Trees.

• Reclaim 5^th and New York Avenue green space from Metropolitan Police Department.

• Organize workgroup to address 5^th and I Street NW lot and surrounding area.

• Work with the Downtown Neighborhood Association to establish memorial park for Miles Groves.

 Improve Neighborhood Safety

• Keep in close contact with PSA 101 and 308 leadership.

• Advocate for increased police resources, including foot and bike patrols.

• Continue work on relocation of McKenna’s Wagon.

 Build Community Through Neighborhood Events

• Organize fall picnic (September 2010).

• Host awards night at Bus Boys & Poets (January 2011).

 

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