WHAT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND WHY ORGANIZE ONE?
A neighborhood association is a voluntary organization of residents who work together to improve and maintain the quality of life in their neighborhood. Associations can form out of concern over a particular issue or as a means of enhancing a sense of community.
Features of a Neighborhood Association:
*Membership is open to all residents and property owners in the neighborhood, but participation is optional; the association (usually 40-400 households) establishes boundaries
*Dues are voluntary
*There is no legal authority to enact or enforce maintenance or design requirements beyond those established by City ordinances
*To ensure a visibly democratic process, the organization establishes formal or informal bylaws to provide for at least one general membership meeting per year and to require an annual election of officers
*Associations create their own meeting notices and newsletters (NO advertising or political campaigning) which the Neighborhood Services Division duplicates and mails to all households in the area
*Association position statements are reached through consensus; any dissenting statements are also attached and sent to the City
Why should a neighborhood organize?
*To create and/or enhance a sense of neighborhood and community
*To encourage neighbors to combine resources and focus their time and talents in pursuit of commonly shared goals
*To establish a link that improves communication among neighbors and with the City of Tempe
*To develop neighborhood pride
*To solve problems
*To improve/preserve the neighborhood
*To turn diverse interests into assets
Last updated: 4/30/2012 8:36:04 AM