2022 RNeighbors Organization Priorities

In the summer and fall of 2019 the RNeighbors Board took deliberate action to listen, learn, and identify feedback from the Board, neighborhood leaders, and city-affiliated members. An Organizational Assessment was developed (City Council reviewed) from this effort, including the following Driving Strategies which we are using as a framework for future efforts.

• Cultivate the organization’s internal capacity and leverage resources needed to grow as a dynamic resource in an increasingly diverse city.
• Expand awareness and access to neighborhood-related resources, specifically underrepresented populations, through expanded collaboration with city departments.

2022 RNeighbors Organization Priorities (Board approved 1.27.2022)

• Part-time Staff Addition
  • Pursue hiring part time staff as was identified as an organizational need in 2019.
• Tree Grants and Plantings
  • Working with the Forestry Department on both spring and fall events.
• Neighborhood Leader Survey
  • We have surveyed neighborhood leaders in the past to better understand how we can support them and what their priorities are. Starting in 2020 we have had significant neighborhood leader turnover and declines in engagement. RNeighbors intends to shape this survey to better understand how we may support neighborhoods to bounce back from the isolating impacts of the Pandemic.
• Neighborhood Project Grants
  • Due to only one neighborhood grant being awarded in 2021, we propose offering larger grants in 2022 and other mini-grant opportunities throughout the year.
• Commitment to Racial Justice
  • We received a grant through United Way to invest in racial equity. Grant funds will allow our organization to embed equity practices in upcoming strategic planning, by reenergizing and educating our board, staff, and several key neighborhood leaders on racial justice, equity, and inclusion.
  • Moving forward we will use key pieces from this process to create a training module for neighborhood leaders that will be shared with the Council on Neighborhoods.
• Continued Work with City Departments and Mayor
  • Neighborhood-related City initiatives will be prioritized for support. For example, RNeighbors will lead communication to neighborhoods to support our partners and enhance communication to community members. Will participate on the leadership team for the city-wide Litter Bit Better effort.

RNeighbors appreciates the patience and continued support of our partners during this challenging time. We look forward to growing stronger in 2022, while providing neighborhood building-efforts on an equitable basis. You can look forward to our next annual update when we’ll share with you the positive community impacts of our efforts.

Sincerely,

RNeighbors Board Members

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