Sept. 1, 2022, Executive Committee Meeting Notes

Attendees: Board Members: Drew Dutcher, LaMone Noles, Judy Baxter, Adam Meltzer, Greg Sorensen. Committee Chairs: Keith Meyers, Jane Potts, Maggie Price, Joel Noble

Sept. 10, 2022, Meeting

• • Send announcement of the three board resignations (president, secretary, member-at-large) along with an agenda by Sept. 4. The memo will explain that the board is also committed to developing a DEI policy and will be soliciting members’ help.
  • Vote to confirm new vice president (Keith) and secretary (Adam); request member-at-large volunteers (must be delegates)
  • Discuss future of INC
  • What is an RNO? Where are they established? Do they still have any value?
  • Why and how is INC important to RNOs? Should INC be taking positions on city issues or providing the resources and how tos for RNOs to take positions?
  • What should INC be doing to enhance the work of RNOs? Education about city processes and how to develop contacts with city agencies (e.g., Zoning, CDP, Parks, Police)?
  • Go back to holding monthly in-person meetings in neighborhoods to build a sense of community and shared purpose.
  • RNO survey to find out what RNOs want and need. (Judy)
  • Update about Paul Kashman’s proposals for changing how RNOs operate?

Future Board Actions:

• Hold a strategic planning session to articulate what INC needs to become or go back to doing:
  • INC’s goal should remain: Advocate for better, more sustainable, effective involvement of RNOs in city matters. Resident engagement in the city.
  • INC has been tracking as a political organization, as indicated by the positions it adopts. But not all neighborhood issues are addressed by INC. If INC pursues a political future, then maybe INC should mediate between RNOs when there is a dispute (e.g., Park Hill Golf Course). Would require bylaws change. (LaMone)
  • INC needs to be an umbrella organization so RNOs aren’t pitted against one another. Address citywide issues, not specific RNO issues (Drew)
  • Types of RNOs — neighborhoods, HOAs, special interest groups (e.g., a specific park), difference between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) RNO.
  • Provide resources to help RNOs — how tos for forming an RNO, websites, bookkeeping, GNAs,
  • The city seems to rely (perhaps unfairly) on INC to represent all RNOs. The city also seems to use RNOs to inform citizens about what’s happening, so individual departments don’t have to engage with residents. But this requires time and financial resources from RNOs, which are generally run by volunteers. Support from city, both financially and resources?
  • INC needs an image builder/counselor.

• • DEI
  • Recognize who is not at the table.
  • Need for professional DEI guidance.
  • Develop outreach to communities.
  • Is INC really ready to take this on? LaMone thinks not; if INC would get back to providing resources for RNOs, diversity will happen because people will want to be informed.