A Publication of Neighborhoods, USA Spring 2013

Minneapolis Looks Forward To Your Arrival!The snow is melting in Minneapolis as final preparations for the 38th Annual Neighborhoods, USA Conference heats up.

The conference is expected to attended by 800 people from across the nation and Minneapolis. Minneapolis’ “Better

Together – Strong Neighborhoods, Strong City” will showcase successful collaborations between neighborhoods, cultural communities, residents, and government. The region has a long-established culture of community engagement and the conference will provide helpful tools for strengthening neighborhoods by exploring unique challenges, possibilities and practical applications of successful engagement and community building strategies. The themes of this years’ conference - collaboration, equity and innovation - will provide attendees opportunities for: • Networking with neighborhood, community and cultural

organizations across the nation • Neighborhoods and organizations to share, tour, exhibit,

present and discuss projects, ideas and initiatives, government collaborations, projects and partnerships

• Multiple learning experiences representing nine tracks and more than 50 workshops in the areas of sustainability, collaboration models, economy, forging safe communities, healthy lifestyles, community media, youth leadership and organizing for social justice

• Showcasing local talent, art, business and foods, • And,most of all, to have fun and celebrate our good work.

Minneapolis organizers are excited to share its work toward building equitable neighborhoods and communities on a national level. Conference participants will leave the conference having learned effective ways to: communicate the value of an equity agenda within their communities and to incorporate it into their organization and work; strengthen the work of their neighborhood organization and build supportive networks with community partners; and support the successful operations of their neighborhood and community organizations.

Travel to MinneapolisThe Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP), voted “Best Airport in America” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, is the country’s 14th busiest travel hub with 34 million passengers passing through each year. Be on the look-out for friends from Meet Minneapolis, the City’s Visitor and Convention Bureau, who will be stationed near the central baggage claim area to assist you with your arrival.

Getting from the Airport to the HotelGetting around is easy and environmentally friendly. Just 20 minutes and 12 miles from downtown Minneapolis, affordable

light rail delivers riders directly to the Mall of America and just about any other stop within the metro area. A range of services offering travelers transportation to and from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

(MSP) is available. Taxi, limousine, van and shuttle services, and car rental companies all operate at MSP.

Conference Hotel - The Hyatt RegencyA total of 300 Rooms have been blocked for our Conference at a rate of $129 per night. Boasting an on-site restaurant and indoor pool, this modern hotel is connected via skyway to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Prairie Kitchen & Bar Restaurant is located on site and serves Scandinavian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Locally-grown food options and an extensive wine list are also offered. The StayFIt fitness centre at Minneapolis Hyatt Regency is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and flat-screen TVs. Guests can also take advantage of the business centre and room service. https://resweb.passkey.com/go/NUSA2013

A Minnesota Welcome! On Wednesday, May 22, Lorenz bus services will transport attendees to Nicollet Island Pavillion for the conference’s Welcome Reception. The event features a spring evening of buffet-style foods and appetizers while musical entertainments

is provided by Grammy Award-winning group The Steeles. Hosted by Nicollet Island and Saint Anthony Main, the Minneapolis Riverfront with its Main Street cobblestone street, will be alive with restaurants and shopping. Other “special” features to tihs event will be added and announced later, so stay tuned!

NUSA Neighborhood Pride ToursNeighborhood PRIDE Tours on Thursday, May 23 will provide an opportunity for neighbors from across the nation to see and visit with community leaders, showcase Minneapolis projects, and pick up ideas and strategies to take home. We will bring you from your workshop seat to the street!

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Eleven candidates have submitted applications and met eligibility requirements to run for the seven seats on the Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) Board of Directors. The term of office for each seat is three years. Of those candidates, four are running for re-election and seven are new contenders.

Andre Bernard - Little Rock, Arkansas“I believe that my experience in working with neighborhood groups at the grass route level, as well as on a professional level, provides valued insight as the to the real needs of the community and the limited resources in meeting those needs. I believe this greater understanding and willingness to learn from the experiences of others throughout the country will help all communities make better inroads to improving their quality of life in each of their perspective neighborhoods.”

City of Little Rock Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs; Elder-St. Mark Baptist Church; Board Member-Emergency Food and Shelter Program; Board Member-Arkansas Coalition of Housing and Neighborhood Growth for Empowerment; Member-National Forum for Black Public Administrators; Member-Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Member-Leadership of Greater Little Rock

Margaret Wallace Brown - Houston, TX“I have extensive experience in organizational management and group work. I am skilled in facilitating meetings and strategic planning. I am creative, positive thinking and highly organized. In my 30 year career I have developed and implemented a number of community and neighborhood based programs, and served as the Conference Coordinator for the 2002 Neighborhoods, USA Conference in Houston. ”

City of Houston Assistant Director for Community Sustainability; Assistant Leader and Troop Treasurer-Girl Scout Troop 4219; President, Fundraising Chair and Volunteer Coordinator-St. Pius X High School Parent Association; Sustaining Member-National Charity League; Sustaining Member-Junior League of Houston; Youth Choir Coordinator and Communications-Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church; Member-City of W. University Place Parks Friends and Building Standards Commission

Deletta Dean - Kansas City, Missouri“As a member of the NUSA Board of Directors, I will have the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated grass roots leaders and professionals that understand the benefits of having a healthy community and that are committed to establishing solutions that facilitate systemic change. I lived my childhood in Kansas City’s urban core and since then I have dedicated my professional career to improving the quality of life of families in these neighborhoods. I have an unique perspective on the challenges facing our urban community and I believe these challenges can be overcome with a national collaborative and targeted community development approach”

Kansas City Deputy Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services; Board Member-Bridging the Gap; Board Member and President-Paseo Baptist Learning Center; Board Member - Black Americans for Life

Diane Freeland - South Bend, Indiana“I am a community organizer, negotiator, educator and mentor. I have volunteered and worked with many neighborhood communities. In the Westside neighborhood of South Bend, IN, I have managed neighborhood projects such as cleaning alleys and abandoned yards. I have helped create monthly informational newsletters for people in neighborhood associations. It would be an honor for me to be a part of the NUSA Board of Directors.”

South Bend Heritage Foundation Administrative Assistant; Member-Indiana Council on Educating Black Children; Troop Leader-Girl Scouts of America; St. Joseph County Election Board; Supporter/Mentor - 2012 100 Black Men, Inc.; Retired Substitute Teacher-South Bend Community Schools; Veteran-U.S. Army National Guard; Member-Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Gregory D. Jones - Birmingham, Alabama“I have a BS in Business Administration from Miles College and JD from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. I am employed in the Community Resource Division as an Assistant to the Mayor of Birmingham, AL. In my position I have had the opportunity to engage in depth with the 99 neighborhoods and 23 communities that comprise the City of Birmingham.”

Assistant to Birmingham Mayor, Member-Kappa Alplha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Deacon and former Chairman of the Trustee Board-Sixth Avenue Baptist Church; Board of Directors-Keeton Corrections (halfway house that assists in the transition of inmates to productive citizens)

NUSA Board of Directors Candidates

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Rene Kane - Eugene, Oregon“I have great, positive energy. I have both grass roots community organizing experience AND I have local government program experience, so I know the importance of shared understanding and goals to work toward mutually beneficial outcomes. I’m creative and resourceful and delight in making connections (people, places, policies, programs) that work and make the world better.”

Neighborhood Planner for the City of Eugene, Oregon; Chair and Co-Chair of my neighborhood association; participated in numerous City committees and working groups; served as an outreach and planning consultant; Managing Editor for two academic journals; managed the kitchen for local warming center (housing/feeding homeless when it’s below freezing)

George R. Lee, Jr. - Birmingham, Alabama“I believe my experience working in neighborhoods and communities, having brought neighborhood revitalization projects to NUSA, and my experience as a NUSA Board Member who is active in the committee processes will continue to be an asset to the Board. I am dedicated to actively working with different stakeholders to achieve NUSA’s mission.”

Licensed Graduate Social Worker-State of Alabama; Assistant Secretary-NUSA Board 2012-2013; NUSA Board Development Chair 2011-2013; Member-Social Workers Professional Standards Board-Birmingham VA Medical Center; President-Spring Lake Neighborhood Association 2008-2015; President-Huffman Community 2009-2015; Vice President-Citizens Advisory Board 2009-2013;

Beryl Y. McCadden - Gardena, California“I believe that my experience as a current NUSA Board Member, as well as my previous work with the community as the Director of Small Business Development for a major A and D Company, provides valued insight as to the real needs of the community. I believe that my experience in neighborhood/community grant writing, as well as establishing, updating and maintaining by-laws, is valuable to an organization such as NUSA. My professional, corporate and community affiliations offers the NUSA Board the talent necessary to improve our neighborhoods and communities.”

Pastor’s Aide, Community Outreach, Senior Villa Member, Finance Committee-Mt. Moriah Baptist Church; Member at Large-Gardena Pueblo Association; Member at Large-Melrose Rugby Neighborhood Forum; Member and Financial Support Representative-Virgina Statewide Neighborhood; Board Member-NUSA

Ron McCorkle - Roanoke, Virginia“I believe I will be an asset to the NUSA Board for the following reasons: I have skills and knowledge of organizations, marketing, facilitation, leadership, and I know how cities work; I have experience with organizational growth; I am good at communicating via social media; and I am good at providing ideas and the know how to implement them.”

Career as an Auditor for 25 years; Chairman-Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates Committee; Director-The Urbiculture Foundation; Director-Sharebike.Org; Treasurer-Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op; Treasurer-Roanoke Community Garden Association

Vatricia A. McKinney - Memphis, Tennessee“I have served on the Board of NUSA for the past three years. I will be an asset to the NUSA Board of Directors because of my ability to make wise decisions during a board meeting. I enjoy working with and meeting diverse groups of people.”

Commissioner-Memphis Housing Authority (provide leadership, advocate for public housing and adopt operating budget); Troop Leader and Recruiter-Girl Scout Heart of the South; President-Oates Manor Resident Association

Eva Yakutis - Riverside, California“I have 10 years experience in putting on a city-wide Neighborhood Conference. There is nothing more exciting than bringing together residents with passion for the neighborhood and city and provide them with the tools to go out and make good things happen.”

Community Development and Strategic Planning Consultant; former Mayor’s Liaison to Neighborhoods-Riverside, CA; former Director of the City of Riverside’s Office of Neighborhoods; Volunteer Mentor for college students involved in the Accelerate 77 project; Founding Member, former Chairman and Board Member-Riverside Neighborhood Partnership; Member-Downtown Area Neighborhood Alliance, Victoria Avenue Forever, Friends of Mt. Rubidoux and Coalition for Common Ground; Founding Member-Southern California Neighborhood Partners

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MULTI-NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPSORGANIZATION PROJECT CITY, STATE

Eugene Neighbors, Inc. SCRROL-Santa Clara River Road Outreach and Learning Project

Eugene, OR

Fairmount Neighborhood Association Back to School Fort Worth, TXPHYSICAL REVITALIZATION

ORGANIZATION PROJECT CITY, STATEElmwood Park Neighborhood Association Annual Historic Elmwood Park Tour of Homes & Gardens Columbia, SC

SOCIAL REVITALIZATIONORGANIZATION PROJECT CITY, STATE

Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association Inaugural Earth Day Citrus Heights, CAEastGate Neighbors EastGate Community Garden Fort Worth, TXHarlow Neighbors Feed Hope Eugene, ORLyndale Neighborhood Association Club de Ninos Minneapolis, MNMilpas Community Association Milpas Holiday Lights and Parade Santa Barbara, CA

ORGANIZATION PROJECT CITY, STATEThe Woman’s Club of Minneapolis 2013 National Night Out Minneapolis, MNCommerce City Community Enterprise Street Markets in Commerce City Commerce City, COCity of Green Bay Green Bay Leadership Council Green Bay, WICity of Birmingham District 8 Wall Calendar Birmingham, ALCity of Long Beach City Prosecutor Gang Prevention Strategy Long Beach, CACity of Garland Garland Neighborhood Academy Garland, TX

ORGANIZATION CITY, STATE ORGANIZATION CITY, STATECalifornia Heights Neighborhood Association

Long Beach, CA Richland Hills Homeowners Association

Albuquerque, NM

Commerce City Community Enterprise Commerce City, CO Richmond Beach Community Association Shoreline, WAFairmount Neighborhood Association Fort Worth, TX Standish & Ericsson Neighborhoods Minneapolis, MNLyndale Neighborhood Association Minneapolis, MN Westbury Civic Club Houston, TXMadison County Master Gardeners Anderson, IN Willmore City Heritage Association Long Beach, CAOakhurst Neighborhood Association Fort Worth, TX

Join Us On Facebook and Twitter!NUSA is on Facebook and Twitter. NUSA will be using both avenues to share information about our upcoming conference in Minneapolis, as well as news and information of interest to neighborhood organizations.

You can find us and “Like” us on Facebook by either searching our name there or by visiting:

www.facebook.com/pages/Neighborhoods-USA-NUSA/260105550708659

On Twitter, follow us at https://twitter.com/NUSACONFERENCE

2013 Best Neighborhood Program Finalists

2013 Neighborhood Newsletter Competition Finalists

2013 Neighborhood of the Year Finalists

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NUSA City/County MembershipsAB-CANADAEdmonton

ALABAMABirmingham

ALASKAAnchorage

ARIZONAChandlerTempe

ARKANSASLittle Rock

CALIFORNIACarlsbadChino HillsComptonDavisEscondidoLong BeachLos AngelesModestoMonroviaNorth HollywoodPalm SpringsRiverside

FLORIDACoral SpringsFt. LauderdaleHollywoodMiramarOakland ParkOrlando

GEORGIAFulton County

ILLINOISDecaturRock Island

INDIANAIndianapolis

KANSASKansas CityTopekaWichita

MARYLANDWestminister

MINNESOTAMinneapolisSaint Paul

MISSISSIPPIHattiesburg

MISSOURIGladstone

NORTH CAROLINAWinston-Salem

OREGONEugene

SOUTH CAROLINAColumbiaRichland CountySpartanburg

TENNESSEEMemphis

TEXASDesotoFort WorthRound Rock

VIRGINIAChesapeakeRoanoke

WASHINGTONKentShorelineTacoma

WISCONSINGreen BayMadison

ALABAMABirmingham:

Hands on Youth Activities Program, Inc.Montgomery:

Building our Neighborhoods for Development and Success

CALIFORNIASouthern California Neighborhood PartnersLivermore - Stop Urban Blight

FLORIDAFlorida Neighborhoods Conference, Inc. Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations, Inc.St. Petersburg-Yacht Club Estates Civic Assocation

IDAHOIdaho Crime Prevention Association

INDIANAIndianapolis Neighborhood Resource CenterSouth Bend - Neighborhood Resources Corporation

IOWAIowa Department of Economic Development/Iowa Neighborhood Resource Center

KANSASWichita Independent Neighborhoods, Inc.

MINNESOTAMinneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program

SOUTH CAROLINAColumbia Council of NeighborhoodsRichland County Neighborhood Council

VIRGINIAVirginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference, Inc.Roanoke - The Urbiculture Foundation

WISCONSINMadison Neighborhoods, Inc.

INTERNATIONALJapan Association for Community Policy

NUSA CorporateMembership

NEW YORKHome Headquarters, Inc.

DALLAS, TXRoyalyn B. Reid /Consumer & Market Insights, LLC (CMI)

Become A Member Today!There are five categories of membership in NUSA:

• Affiliate - NUSA affiliates are composed of groups of neighborhood leaders /practitioners who actively work to build and strengthen neighborhoods. There is no charge to become a NUSA affiliate.

• City/County - City/County memberships are available for $100 annually.

• Corporate - Corporate memberships are available for $150 annually.

• Individual - One year individual memberships are included in the conference registration fee or by a separate payment of $50.

• Youth- Youth memberships are available for $25 annually.

For more information on memberships visit - www.nusa.org.

NUSA Affiliate Memberships