- 2010-2011 -
GOALS & PRIORITIES
(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 5th 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 5th and New York Avenue green space from Metropolitan Police Department.
- Organize workgroup to address 5th 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).