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When my neighborhood organization, People of Phillips (POP), collapsed amid
allegations of fiscal mismanangement it was history repeating itself, too.
The earlier Phillips Neighborhood Improvement Assoc. (PNIA) went the same
way. At the time of the demise of POP I was active in the neihgborhood in the
more local District level. Since moving to Phillips in 1982, I had always
believed that the neighborhood was too large with too many challenges to be
effective. Our own bureaucracy to implement NRP programs separated the
decision making power from the community. Many in my District felt left out
of the process.
Phillips District 1 (now Phillips West) spent almost two years as an
unfunded, unstaffed organization. A core of dedicated volunteers held our
group together by our energy, time and love of our neighborhood. We moved
forward with respect for each other and for those we knew would come if we
did our work well. We made a choice not to make money our priority, but to
focus on creating an inclusive and strong organization. We acknowledged that
our work was really for those who would come after us. Please let me stress
our primary objectives; we moved forward with RESPECT; and LOVE of our
neighborhood; and we did not make MONEY the priority.
When POP collapsed there was very little help or support from other
neighborhoods or City Hall. Phillips was criticized for "not being able to
get along". 8th Ward staff asked, "If so few people are involved, what's the
point of having an organization at all?" Our devoted volunteers persevered
(an important part of any success) and today our membership grows with each
meeting. Our goal for attendance at our recent, inaugural Annual Meeting was
50 names on the sign in. We got 47, an effort I can live with and be proud
of. At last months Regular Meeting we had three new neighbors attending
(including one person of color and one senior). We are just now starting on
our first programs and we are confident that we are strong enough as a group
not to let financial conflicts tear us apart.
I am sympathic to your situation. Please let me know if there is any way I
can help.
Yours,
Robert Lilligren
Candidate for City Council
Ward 8, Phillips West
www.VoteRobert.com
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