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Boise Neighborhood Update

Boise Neighborhood Association is always involved and active. If you live in or around Boise and want to see whats going on, click below and read on!

Boise Community Announcements-11/20/07





Boise Neighborhood Announcements:

1. Boise Neighborhood Leadership for 2007-2008
2. Alternatives to the Buying Frenzy this Holiday Season
3. Street Trees in Boise- give a gift to you or your neighbor
4. Mittens and More- Clothing Drive for Boise-Eliot Elementary School
5. Give the gift of volunteer time-- to your community (or make a tax-deductible donation)
6. Somali & Latino Neighbors' Cultural Awareness Workshop-11/28/07- Free at NECN
7. Mississippi Street Fair 2008- Paid Coordinator Position Open - Apply Now
8. NECN Job Opportunities: Office Manager, Communications Coordinator, Cross-Cultural Neighborhood Organizer
9. Upcoming Boise Neighborhood Community Meeting: December 10th

1. Boise Neighborhood Leadership for 2007-2008
At the November Boise Neighborhood Association's Community Meeting, the votes were cast and counted to elect the leadership for the next term.
Chairperson- Paige Coleman
Treasurer- Karis Stoudamire
Secretary- open, to be filled
Communications- Laura Parisi
Grievance- Lorraine Ferron
Land Use- Ellen Cusick, Christopher Sahli
Safety- Martha Wright
Seniors- Pamela Peterson
Youth- Dennis Harris
Representatives to the NECN Board- Kay Newell, Asa Hunt


2. Alternatives to the Buying Frenzy of the Holiday Season

For those who celebrate Christmas, this time of year can feel frantic and stressful. Here's a friendly reminder that what our kids really want from us is us- our love and attention- relaxed and present. So if scaling down this holiday season helps you to be more present and playful, then by all means, scale back.

Bill Kibben of Hundred Dollar Holiday: People "wanted so much more out of Christmas:more music, more companionship, more contemplation, more time outdoors, more love. And they realized that to get it, they needed less of some other things: not so many gifts, not so many obligatory parties, not so much hustle. http://www.newdream.org/newsletter/100holiday.php

There are a myriad of ways to gift that don't involve major consumption, stressing the planet and straining the bank account. Ie. Re-gifting, coupons for time together, tickets for a special performance...

Adbusters' Buy Nothing Christmas puts attention on the craze and consumption offering this: "The to-do lists and sales hype? The spiritless hours trapped in malls? This year, why not gather together your loved ones and decide to do things differently? With the simplest of plans you can create a new rhythm, purpose and meaning for the holidays. Why not try a Buy Nothing Christmas?

Buy Nothing Christmas is not really about refusing to spend a dime over the holiday season. It's about taking a deep breath and deciding to opt out of the hype‚ the overcrowded malls‚ and the stressful to–do lists. It's about reminding ourselves to really think about what we are buying‚ why we are buying it‚ and whether we really need it at all."

http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/

The Grinch: "Maybe Christmas, perhaps, doesn't come from a store."


3. Affordable Street Trees: Friends of Trees- Boise Tree Planting Project

Think about giving your neighbor or yourself the gift of a street tree!

With sponsorship provided from Boise Neighborhood Association, Friends of Trees will be able to subsidize tree cost for homeowners wanting to plant trees. Please contact Andrew Land, a Boise neighbor, at 503-679-9796. Boise residents can also sign up online at www.friendsoftrees.org.

Friends of Trees inspires community stewardship by bringing people in the Portland-Vancouver area together to plant, care for, and learn about city trees. FOT works with neighborhood and business associations, government agencies, schools, churches, and other community groups to implement local projects. Since 1989, Friends of Trees has trained and organized more than 2,000 volunteers per year to plant more than 284,000 trees and seedlings in parks, neighborhoods, natural areas, and school grounds throughout the Portland metropolitan region.


4. Mittens and More- Clothing Drive for Boise-Eliot Elementary School

Thank you very much for your assistance and support of our neighboring children in need! This year we are involved with Boise-Eliot Elementary School and there coat drive for under privileged children. The name of the coat drive being: "Mittens and More"!

In this, we will are looking for assistance in providing coats, hats, mittens and scarfs too, 450 student. The goal is to acquire either a financial in kind donation(s) to purchase the items or have the that person purchase the items and we will work out picking up what is gathered by one of our support staff or dropped of at one the drop off locations in NE Portland.

The break down by degree is: 60 Pre-k Students, 25 Kindergartner's and the balance of 365 items are 1st grade through 7th. The fluctuation in size(s) for the 1st Thur 8th graders range as such; 25% small too medium, and all else size 7 to extra large with a few gift certificates for children that might move above the extra large range(10 too 15 children).

Your support is very critical! As a team we are attempting to fulfill this project by Nov. 28th and give the items out over the first week of December at Boise-Eliot Elementary School.

In the event that there is items left over we will be donating them to one of the other under privilege group in the region. What items do we want to see made available - NEW: Coats, Hats, Mittens and Scarfs. In selection a child will be able to select either 1 coat or a 1 set of a hat, gloves and/or scarf; either/or.

If you will be in need of a tax deduction letter, please provide us with a copy of your receipt, name/business and the form in which you would like to receive your document.. Your donation(s) at the level you are capable, is truly and sincerely appreciated!

Please note: Any dollars to be received should come in check/cashiers check form addressed too:
Boise-Eliot Elementary School/PTO
620 N Fremont St.
Portland, Oregon 97227

For further information, contact:
Calvin Kyles 503-975-2769 for further information..
Boise-Eliot Elementary School/PTO Chairman
cdiezel@gmail.com


5. Give the gift of volunteer time- to our community ... Or, make a tax-deductible donation to Boise Neighborhood Association!

This season, there are many ways in which you can contribute to the Boise Community. Below is a wish-list:

* Design a Boise Neighborhood Logo
* Write a poem or article for the Boise Voice
* Research and list free events for community members of all ages and interests
* Offer to help a neighbor with a project- raking leaves, cleaning gutters- holding the ladder, etc
* Invite a neighbor for a cup of tea or coffee and talk about what you like in the neighborhood and what you hope for. Bring these ideas to the BNA and we'll help you figure out how to get started.
* Join the Action Committee for the 2008 Mississippi Street Fair!
* Offer to tutor a student at Boise-Eliot Elementary, Albina Youth Opportunity School or Self-Enhancement Inc.
* Visit the Marie Smith Community Center for Seniors and play a game with an elder or listen to their stories!
* Help on the different committees and the projects they are actively work ing on- Communications, Land Use, Seniors, Youth, Events, Transportation.
* Redesign the BoiseVoice website and help make it user friendly.
* Offer a free or low-cost training in something you know how to do and others could enjoy or benefit from learning too.

Email boisena@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved or come to the next Boise Community Meeting on December 10th from 7-9pm at Albina Youth Opportunity School on N. Mississippi at Beech.

And, if you are unable to donate time, feel free to place an ad in the Boise Voice or donate a small tax-deductible contribution to support our emerging neighborhood programs by sending a donation to the "Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods", the BNA's fiscal agent, and be sure to indicate that you are donating funds to the Boise Neighborhood Association to ensure that it supports our events and efforts. You will get a tax-deductible receipt and the money will get to the BNA!


6. Somali & Latino Neighbors' Cultural Awareness Workshop - 11/28/07

The Somali community is the fastest growing refugee population in Portland while Latinos are the largest immigrant population. Learn about Portland's Somali & Latino Community. This cultural awareness workshop is lead by Lul Abdulle of the Somali Women's Association (SWA) and Marco Mejia of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). These community leaders will each lead a presentation on aspects of Somali & Latino culture. There will be time for question & answers.

When: Wednesday, November 28th from 7-9pm
Where: Central NE Neighbors, 4415 NE 87th near Sandy Blvd.

RSVP required space is limited. Please e-mail Sandra Lefrancois at cnnoutreach@teleport.com or call 503-823-2780. Refreshments provided.
This workshop is a collaboration of Central NE Neighbors (CNN) and the NE Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN).

7. Mississippi Street Fair 2008- Paid Coordinator Position Open- Apply Now

The 2008 Mississippi Avenue Street Fair, in the Boise Neighborhood, will be on Saturday, July 12, 2008.

This year, the Mississippi Street Fair (MSF) will be organized by a paid independent contractor with the support of a MSF Action Committee and overseen by a MSF Advisory Committee. Community members in the Boise Neighborhood have formed the MSF Advisory Committee to plan and strategize the 2008 Mississippi Avenue Street Fair. One of our first tasks is to find and hire an independent contractor to be the MSF 2007 Coordinator.

Mississippi Avenue 2008 Street Fair Mission: Celebrate the vibrant diversity of the Boise Neighborhood and the community at large.

MSF Advisory Committee consists of representatives from area community organizations such as Boise Neighborhood Association, Albina Youth Opportunity School, Boise Eliot Elementary School, Self Enhancement Inc., Our United Villages and the Historic Mississippi Avenue Business Association that is also the fiscal manager in 2008.

MSF Action Committee, the "can do" committee, is made up of volunteers that coordinate specific areas of the Fair such as: Neighbor Outreach, Fundraising, Prizes, Permits, Site Design, Treasurer, Volunteers, Vendors, Garage Sale, Set-up, Take-down, Entertainment, Equipment, Marketing and Activities.

MSF Street 2008 Fair Coordinator Job Description

Job Responsibilities:
§ Communication: Monthly meetings & emails with Street Fair Advisory and Action Committees.
§ Community Engagement: Engage with residents and businesses in the community surrounding Mississippi Avenue.
§ Project Manager: Arrange and manage logistics. Manage Street Fair budget.
§ Volunteer Manager: Manage and utilize Action Committee volunteers.
§ Event Planner and Organizer: Plan and orchestrate event activities.
§ Sales: Attract paying vendors that align with event's mission

Skills needed:
§ Self-motivated, creative thinker, and resourceful person,
§ Excellent written and verbal communication,
§ Excellent electronic tools proficiency: Email, Word and Excel,
§ Effective interpersonal skills,
§ Well-organized project management skills driven by deadlines,
§ Ability to manage planning of and managing event logistics,
§ Ability to produce timely press releases, updates and reports,
§ Results-oriented with a commitment to completion,
§ Willingness to do any job if help is needed or a volunteer does not show up,
§ Familiarity with the permitting process is helpful, but not required.

Celebrating our diversity and community: Women, People of Color, & Boise Neighbors are encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Schedule:
Based on experience, payment for this independent contractor position will be approximately $18-$20/hour. Invoices will be paid on receipt, monthly. Approximately 250 hours will be needed to coordinate the Mississippi Avenue 2008 Street Fair.

Estimated time spent per month:
January - 10 hrs
February - 25 hrs
March - 25 hrs
April - 30 hrs
May - 30 hrs
Jun - 50 hrs
July - 60 hrs (MSF July 12th)
August - 20 hrs

To apply: Please submit your letter of interest and/or detailed resume to the MSF Advisory Committee by 7:00pm on Thursday, December 14, 2007. Email to MSF2008@mississippiave.com or hand deliver to Salty's Dog Shop, 3741 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland, OR 97227. Fax to 503-287-7242.

Letters must be received by Thursday, December 14, 7:00pm. The MSF 2008 Advisory Committee will select a coordinator and notify all applicants by the end of December.

Please forward to any interested parties. Thank you!


8. Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods: Job Opportunities

NECN is posting 3 new positions for hire. Job descriptions and application information are available through NECN.

1) Office Manager
2) Communications Coordinator
3) Cross-Cultural Neighborhood Organizer

These are temporary positions, ending June 2008 due to the ongoing Strategic Planning Process which may change the staff structure, and some one-time funding for these positions.

For more information, please contact:
Joseph Santos-Lyons
Executive Director
Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)
King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7th, 97211
(503) 823-3151 / joseph@necoalition.org


9. Next Boise Neighborhood Association's Community Meeting
Monday, December 10th, 7:00-9:00pm
Albina Youth Opportunity School (AYOS)
Located on N. Mississippi at Beech


**Please note that the above are community announcements. They do not necessarily reflect or state the opinion or position of the BNA Board or Membership.**

Boise Neighborhood Association meets every Second Monday of the Month from 7-9pm at donated space- Albina Youth Opportunity School (AYOS). See you December 10th!

The BNA boundaries are, in general, from I-5 to parts of MLK and Skidmore to just south of Fremont. For a neighborhood map, visit www.portlandonline.com.

Be Warm. Be Well. Be Happy. :-)

boisena@gmail.com • Boise Neighorhood Association

Posted on November 20, 2007



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