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| President's Message |
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Over the past year, I have had the
opportunity to work with both neighbors and the Astor Neighborhood Association
(ANA) board to help create a three-year strategic plan. Our goals have been
multifold: 1. To become more relevant to the needs of a changing community, 2.
To help give future boards direction, and 3. To allow the ANA board to
continually progress as an organization. The process of creating this plan was
initially slated to take just a few months. It has, however, expanded to where
the board is just now winnowing the ideas down to a strategy that will meet our
goals of social involvement, historic preservation, safety and physical
improvement of the neighborhood. These ideas range from reviving Project
Porchlight -- a program that encourages residents to keep their exterior lights
lit during the night -- to introducing a program series that will educate
residents on a variety of home repair and preservation topics. We expect the
completed document will be finished within the next few months. If you would
like to view a copy of this document, do not hesitate to contact me. I would be
happy to share that with you.
Some of our initiatives have already begun. We have been working with the City
of Green Bay to acquire a piece of artwork to be placed at the corner of Adams
and Porlier Streets in what is often referred to as the Fox River Parkway. Along
with plantings initially created by a group of Astor neighbors, this functional
piece of art will be another step toward developing the parkway in a manner
equal to that of St. James or other established parks in the city. We have also
partnered with Hazelwood Historic House to sponsor historic Green Bay bus tours,
and have created an ANA Facebook page to give residents an additional way to
connect. Here you will be able to find and share photographs, discuss
neighborhood issues, and find postings about upcoming events. It will not be a
replacement for our website, newsletter, or email list, but a supplement that
will help our neighborhood community better communicate. You can find us by
looking for Astor Neighborhood Association, Green Bay, WI next time you visit
Facebook.
With all our plans, the ANA board cannot do it alone. The dozens of people who
volunteer to assist with events each year have been vital, and their help has
truly been appreciated. Over the last year our neighbors have done a wide
variety of things, including donating the use of their home for the wine
tasting, helping sell popcorn during concerts, hiding Easter eggs, designing the
newsletter, cleaning up the Fox River Trail, and so much more. I personally want
to thank everyone who has taken the time to help over the past year. You are
truly what make the neighborhood as wonderful as it is. As different activities
are added, the board will continue to need volunteers to help with events, to
sit on the board, and to assist on committees. Everyone within our neighborhood
has talents and expertise that can benefit our community as a whole, regardless
of whether you chose to share these during set meetings and events or as you
have time at home. Take a look at our strategic plan, attend a meeting, or lend
a hand at an event. You may find something that uses your skills -- or teaches
you something new -- while helping others too. And if you do want to volunteer,
please feel free to contact any one of the board members by calling, emailing,
messaging on Facebook, or giving any board member your name at an upcoming
neighborhood event.Sincerely,
Jacqueline Frank
Jacqueline_d_frank[AT]hotmail.com
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