Short Term Assistance Funding via MNA
I often see neighbors in a tough spot reaching out for assistance via Facebook groups or personal pages, the Neighborhood Association board oversees a fairly substantial account that has been accrued with neighbor donations and fundraising.
Typically this is used to cover event costs and services used by the board to maintain the enterprise, but I would like to see the utility of these funds expand to short-term assistance funding for members of the General Membership.
I've not fleshed out the legality, but there are a number of options for a 501c3 to be able to disperse funds, so I'm sure with the proper legal oversight it could be accomplished in some way (whether through donation or "employee payment".
This would also facilitate the push for all of the financial records of the MNA board transactions to be publicly available online (I believe this is happening soon if not already on the main site). All data would be available to the membership, i.e. available funds, costs, and current applications/purposes (priority could be given through proof of circumstances, i.e. SNAP or other low income programs).
The idea would be that an online platform or similar (like this one) would be used to seek a percentage approval for the dispersal of the funds where the general membership would democratically vote as to whether they think the dispersal is legitimate. Obviously this may need to have a special circumstance for emergency funding, but this can be addressed after the concept has gained approval.
The intent of this kind of program would be to help prevent displacement and houselessness at its source, which is often the result of too many bills too quickly (sudden sickness, injury, death in the family, etc.).
Is this something that would be feasible with this Association?
Kevin Provost Mon 12 Mar 2018 9:59PM
I'm always up for more data. I'd caution, though, that framing it as "what the purpose ought to be" is likely to return data that can't be analyzed as a poll. Instead, I'd recommend asking whether members agree or disagree with the purpose that is currently spelled out in the MNA bylaws (and allow for comments).
Jonathan Ogden Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:00PM
I agree with that, the purpose is just written to mirror the ambiguous interpretation that ONI would give also (since it's easier to allow self-definition).
Jonathan Ogden Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:01PM
Reference the current purpose in the bylaws:
Jonathan Ogden Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:03PM
I personally feel that we're fulfilling that purpose right now, and I'm seeking to eventually get board approval for a project like this. So I fail to see how @benjaminkerensa is interpreting this article, I'm open to learning though.
Kevin Provost Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:13PM
I'll say that I do like that purpose definition. I don't see how it can be interpreted to allow for setting up an assistance funds-disbursement program.
The purpose described is scalable. Even if we're fulfilling it now, it's possible to do still more within that same framework (more participating members, better communication). What you're suggesting would be a fundamental change to the framework -- from communication & facilitation to execution.
Kevin Provost Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:14PM
How are you seeing the initiative you're raising as fitting within the existing Purpose? I don't see it there at all.
Jonathan Ogden Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:15PM
I'm O.K. with that, but I do believe item "f" would allow me to get approval for this to be included in the purpose, if it had support.
A common thing in these types of bylaws I've seen has been leaving determination up to the board (self-definition of purpose). Is that incorrect?
Benjamin Kerensa Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:16PM
Boards vote on projects that align with the purpose. Membership decides purpose.
Kevin Provost Mon 12 Mar 2018 10:16PM
I don't think the Board could legitimately decide that "other" means "something entirely different."
Jonathan Ogden · Mon 12 Mar 2018 9:46PM
Excellent content, so your point of "something other than a neighborhood association" is an interesting one also.
This often seems to come up in these conversations, at least in a way that seems like people are assigning a definition that's very close to a home-owners association. Given the history of their development in Portland, I think this actually is not exactly an accurate definition/understanding.
Also the ONI definition paints them as a bit more broad and focused on neighborhood needs as defined by the membership: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/28380
Additionally the history is helpful in framing their original purpose: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/109944
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/320345
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/38585
I think I'll make an open poll to get a temp check on what the engaged neighbors feel the purpose ought to be, seems to fit our bylaws, the ONI definition, and the history.
What do you think?
I feel that setting the scope first and foremost is required since there are so many debates about what people think an NA should be doing.