The NRP model works with the neighborhood association as a integral part of the decision making process. However, it is not the final stamp of approval.
In the planning effort the NRP policies encourage broad neighborhood input at several levels of the planning process. Broad neighborhood support is required when the neighborhood develops it's participation agreement. The participation agreement defines the neighborhood decision-making process as it relates to the NRP plan. It also defines how outreach will be conducted and talks about the populations the neighborhood will attempt to reach. Final approval of this agreement by the NRP policy board and city council requires that a full neighborhood vote be taken to approve the participation agreement. Notice must be given 30 days in advance to the full neighborhood through flyers, newspaper advertisements or other methods of notice. The NRP encourages broad neighborhood support when a neighborhood establishes its goals and objectives for the plan as well as defines the strategies to accomplish the goals and objectives. NRP policy requires broad neighborhood approval of the final plan before it is submitted for NRP policy board and city council approval. Once a plan is approved, minor changes to a plan may be decided by the neighborhood board as long as the people who will be affected by that decision are notified. Major changes to the plan require a full neighborhood meeting with 30 day notice and in some cases require NRP Policy Board and city council approval. I work in 22 different neighborhoods in Minneapolis. I see volunteers working countless hours in attempts to increase participation in the neighborhood association and in neighborhood activities. I truly believe that all of the neighborhoods I am assigned to make a great deal of effort to reach out to all the populations in the neighborhood. There has been limited success in gaining participation from some of the populations. It is not due to lack of effort on the part of the volunteers. I have always said that we need to measure participation with a broader ruler. Not everyone does meetings. Some participate by completing a survey or focus group. Some by attending a pot luck dinner, festival or event. Some are block club captains who disseminate information. That sort of participation is harder to measure but it should not be discounted. Neighborhoods have used very creative methods of outreach. Family day at a local movie theater to survey on family issues. A giant cow billboard on different corners to advertise a strategy prioritization survey. There has been a great deal of work accomplished. There is always room for improvement in how we do outreach. Speaking on behalf of all the volunteers I work with, I can say they need and want your help. If you feel your neighborhood association or NRP planning process is missing a voice then help them reach that voice. Get involved and become a part of the effort. Help the other volunteers organize people and get them included. If you think your neighborhood association board is exclusive then organize and run for the board and help change it from within. It all boils down to a government for the people by the people. Neighborhood work is the most basic form or grassroots democracy. Barb Lickness Whittier ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
