Richmond October 2018

 

By Susan Beal

Richmond Neighborhood Association held its monthly meeting Monday, September 10 at Waverly Heights Church at SE 33rd and SE Woodward St.

Vice Chair Kat West started the meeting by asking everyone attending to introduce themselves and share their favorite Richmond watering hole for coffee, beer, or any other favorites. Chrystal Brim shared that the Richmond Tree Team will be rebooted, with more info to come, and Treasurer Jonathan King announced that the May 2018 Clean-Up event was a big success, with outstanding neighbor participation, volunteer help, and near-record profits.

Susan Beal shared an update on Richmond Ready, including the plan to put together “supply sets” for neighbors to use, free of charge, to set up water storage and other emergency kit necessities. Susan and Sharon Hatch passed out handouts and information about the Diesel Pollution Town Hall event for September 26, hosted by concerned activists representing many of the SE neighborhood associations, and RNA.

West then announced that the six female RNA board members wanted to share an inclusive, united statement with positive steps for growth and success working together as a board and as a larger community. Each board member shared her personal perspective on re-setting and improving the often difficult and contentious atmosphere that has marked many RNA meetings and communications recently.

Goals shared included creating a safe space for women, and others who have been marginalized by the recently hostile environment, to fully participate on the board; treating others with respect and compassion; an end to power struggles and “winning” on difficult issues; and a call to others to work to become allies to women.

If these conditions are not met, the united female board members, and their allies, will strike until an effective path forward is established. Many neighbors and other board members shared their feedback and thoughts, and a very productive discussion resulted, with common goals of doing good work for the neighborhood.

The next RNA meeting will be Monday, October 8 at Waverly Heights Congregational Church in the church basement, 3300 SE Woodward St., from 7-9 pm, enter from the east-side door.  The website is richmondpdx.org.

Richmond October 2018

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