Over 200 people came out to our Annual Meeting at the Providence Hmong Church to enjoy a review of what WBNA accomplished with neighbors in 2017. We also celebrated the WBNA Award winners, met our 2018 Board of Directors, and got a look at what's to come in 2018.
After an introduction from our host Pastor G, Executive Director Kari Lang walked us through the many achievements of our last year with a standout presentation created by neighbor Suzanne Perry of Excellent Point.
For WBNA, 2017 was a year marked by important work for both people and place. The year-in-review report celebrated the completion of infrastructure projects and WBNA-owned properties such as 1192 and 1326 Westminster Street, but also the tackling of tough issues such as inclusivity and maintaining neighborhood diversity through our Community/Comunidad 1 Committee's Engagement Series.
Neighbor and Board Vice President Jenica Reed Conley presented the 2018 WBNA Awards, which honor outstanding service to our west side community and those who lead initiatives and projects that support the WBNA's mission. Congratulations to our WBNA Award winners!
2018 Award Recipients
Municipal Service Award
Bocce Builders: Providence Parks Department
Fueling Community Award
Bocce Builders (neighbors leading the charge with WBNA West Side Parks Committee):
Ben Guglielmi, Melinda Stylos-Allan, Peter Van Noppen, Seth Zeren
Fueling Community Award
Bill Black, West Broadway Middle School Principal
Neighborhood Action Award
House of Hope CDC & Armory Citizens Enabling Shelter (ACES)
Outgoing board members (whom we will miss) were recognized for their work and commitment by Nomination Committee Chair David Stuebe, followed by a welcome and voting in of our 2018 Board of Directors. WBNA board members are neighbors who volunteer their time and talents to help guide the organization according to its mission and goals. A public nomination period for board, committee, and award candidates is held in November of each year.
Before the meeting's close, Board President Matt Gabor set the stage for 2018. WBNA strives to continue its work of shaping the west side as place for people, all people, and asks for neighbors to engage and get involved in our committees, attend our new Neighborhood Nights, and help contribute to WBNA's strategic plan which will guide our goals for the next five years.
We thank our wonderful neighbors at Providence Hmong Church for hosting us, Sin Bakery for our cake reception, Suzanne Perry for the streamlined yet content-rich slideshow, and all the neighbors who came out to celebrate with us.
To continue the great energy of this event, we encourage all neighbors to join us at Neighborhood Nights, our monthly gathering of neighbors that includes a WBNA General Meeting from 6-7pm followed by all WBNA Committee meetings. Free food, childcare, Spanish translation and open gym make it easy to get involved. Learn more here.