SGNA - Emergency Meeting June 17, 2014, Minutes

Emergency Board Meeting Minutes

Publication Date:  June 18, 2014, not yet approved by the Board.

Meeting Day, Date & Time, Duration: Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 1:40 PM - 2:40 PM

Board Members Present: Andrew Alvis, Carol Gossett, John Frewing, Stephen Chase, Kari LaForge

Board Members Excused Absence: Craig Nyschens, Brad Lopez, Adam Capage

Board Members Unexcused Absence:  Dan Lerch-Walters

Thank you to the neighbors who attended, particularly to those who contributed to our conversation.

1. Problem Statement from the call for the Emergency Meeting - there have been numerous reports from Board members and neighbors of comments and remarks misrepresenting the intent and work of the Board and maligning specific Board Members and the Board as a whole. Further, the reports, whether by direct statement or implication potentially do damage to the reputation of the Board and the neighborhood, and as such interfere with the business of the Board and of the neighborhood. The good name and intentions of the Board and the neighborhood are essential to the work and all we really have to count on as we work together. The Board must take action, before the next Regular Board Meeting to understand the circumstances and act immediately to protect the name and work of the Board and the neighborhood.
2. Board members recounted the conduct and comments they have personally witnessed and/or have learned from neighbors and other Board members regarding conduct that is non-productive and ultimately destructive to the neighborhood as a whole. Board Member Dan Lerch-Walters was noted as the source of the conduct and comments and it is his conduct and comments against the Board and against individuals on the Board that necessitated this meeting.
3. The Chairperson stated and the Board members agreed that it is the good work the Board has been doing that makes and maintains the reputation of the Board, individual Board members and the neighborhood as whole. Continuing to do that good work and improving our performance along with good  communication will and should override malicious rumors and misrepresentations. That should be our focus. A later comment by a neighbor echoed this statement with encouragement to the Board to leave the ill-behaved and negative behind.
4. The SGNA will continue to conduct its business pursuant to its By-Laws and Practices and Procedures.
5. The SGNA will continue to improve its communication with the neighborhood and will continue to pursue a volunteer to hold the position of Chair of Communications.
6. Our efforts to achieve financial transparency, begun in February of 2013 with the adoption of the financial standards of the Non-Profit Corporation Handbook of Oregon, as penned by the attorney Cynthia Cumfer will continue. Our current Treasurer and Secretary will continue to provide service to the Board pursuant to this document.
   
7. Land Use and Transportation Committee efforts continue to build and maintain strong relationships with the City agencies, surrounding neighborhoods, public and private stakeholders and to work within an open and professional atmosphere that respects and accounts for the City's land use planning and permitting process. This past April the Committee held the third annual charrette bringing representatives from the State and local agencies, adjacent neighborhoods and businesses to learn and work together. The Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association and its Land use and Transportation Committee have recently received acknowledgment in a published interview with the Director of Planning at Metro. In the article, Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association and its Land Use and Transportation Committee were named as one of four grass-roots organizations within the City making notable contributions to the City and contributions to the regional planning efforts. We all look forward to having a New Seasons within walking distance by November of this year, a result of the Land Use and Transportation Committee's good work.
8. The Board unanimously approved a motion directing the SGNA Chair to:  A. Seek input and advise regarding the history and methodology used by other neighborhoods in similar circumstances, B. invite any party(ies) with a complaint(s) to reserve time on the board meeting agenda to air that complaint(s) and to discuss their issue(s) openly and publicly pursuant to SGNA By-Laws, C. Or, in the event the party(ies) do not come forth to openly and publicly discuss their issues, the SGNA Chair will seek counsel from the Office of Involvement to engage the party(ies) in discussions in an effort to mediate of their issues through the ONI grievance procedures, now adopted and incorporated as part of the SGNA By-Laws.
9. The Board welcomes all neighbors to bring their concerns to the Board, to join and to contribute.  We do not represent a particular group or ideology. It has been agreed the SGNA represents all who live within the boundaries of Sullivan's Gulch, in accordance with the By-Laws.

This concludes the minutes of the meeting.  Board Members and neighbors are welcome to contact me with any comments and or questions.

Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association
Board Chair
Brittain Brewer

E bbrewer@me.com
T 503 309 1675