2014 Annual Meeting What is a Civic? A civic association is a type - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Berwick Civic Association 2014 Annual Meeting

What is a Civic?  A civic association is a type of organization whose official goal is to improve neighborhoods through volunteer work by its members.

Berwick Civic Association  Not-for-profit, 501c3 organization  Merged with Berwyn West in 2014  Strives to improve our neighborhood through community volunteering and partnerships  A volunteer driven organization  Open to all Berwick residents  Meetings held the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm, Redeemer Lutheran Church basement

Berwick Civic Association Boundaries

Blockwatch - Berwick has lower crime compared to surrounding neighborhoods

Blockwatch - But we are not immune to crime and it does happen in our neighborhood

Blockwatch  Crime is the #1 concern for residents  Berwick has a low crime rate  We are not immune to crime  Burglary and theft are the number one crimes in Berwick Crimes By Type, 2014 Year to Date

Blockwatch  Proactive way to reduce crime  Connects neighbors together to: ◦ Watch out for each other and property ◦ Report crime ◦ Keep each other informed ◦ Share best practice for reducing crime  Requires neighborhood participation  Join Blockwatch to be part of the email and phone communication channel

Blockwatch  Partnership with City of Columbus Police is a key to success  Call the Columbus Police non-emergency number if you seen ANYTHING that looks suspicious ◦ (614) 645-4545 ◦ Call the police first, then you neighbor  Civic partners with Columbus Police Community Liaison Officers  Precinct #9 – Officer Garey Scott ◦ 20 year veteran of the Division

Beautification

Beautification  Goal is to keep Berwick clean and make improvement to the appearance of the community  A clean neighborhood reduces crime ◦ “Broken window” theory  4 neighborhood cleanups held in 2014  You can participate! ◦ Keep Columbus Beautiful provides all of the supplies ◦ Only a two hour commitment ◦ Great opportunity for group volunteer project

Community Partnerships • Goal is to form positive, collaborative and lasting partnerships with community organizations • Eastside planning commission and City of Columbus • Berwick organization partnerships • Redeemer Lutheran Church • Brookwood Presbyterian • Vineyard Church • Raven’s Farmer’s Market • City of Columbus Partnership is a key partnership • For any City issues, call the 311 call center to report the problem • (614) 645-3111

National Night Out  Community Partnership and Blockwatch program  Goal is to: ◦ Develop relationships with each other ◦ Strengthen blockwatch programs ◦ Strengthen policy and community interaction  2014 program had over 100 attendees  City and community leaders attended  Costs reduced and held to an all time low

Communication  www.614berwick.com  Primary source for Berwick news and updates  Contact information for Trustees  614-Berwick (614-237-9425)  Voicemail number to leave important messages  Newsletters  Mass communication to share important stories  2 per year  Welcome committee  Proactive means to welcome new neighbors to our community

Membership  1,600 residences can become members of the Civic  350 residences are 2014 members  22% membership rate  2015 membership  Membership runs from 2014 annual meeting until 2015 annual meeting  Payment today counts towards 2015  Tax deductible  $20 annual membership fee per residence

Finances  Membership fees the primary source of funds for the Civic  Finance report provided at every meeting  Primary use of funds:  Annual Night Out  Blockwatch support  Newsletter production and mailing  Website fees and maintenance

2014 Board of Trustees Terence Carter, Communications  Bruce Black, President and Block Watch  Chair Chair Shirley Harper  Andy Dorr, Vice President and  Beautification Co-Chair Kelly Heiby, National Night Out Chair  Dottie Odrosky, Treasurer Wess Miller   Carolyn Petty, Secretary Matt Mowry, Webmaster and   Communications Committee Sal Piazza, Membership Chair  Valerie Banks, Welcome Committee  Mary Ann Rollins, Blockwatch  Angie Black  Committee Fred Buttle, Beatification Committee Co-  Renee Weldy, Communications  Chair Committee

2015 Goals  Strengthen the Blockwatch program through more community participation  Work with Bexely, Columbus and community partners to improve Livingston  Finish the installation of neighborhood signs  Complete 4 or more community cleanups  Hold a successful National Night Out  Form positive community relationships  Publish 2 newsletters  Increase the use of the Berwick website  Improve membership numbers  Spend community funds responsibility

What is your part in the Civic?  Join the Civic  Read the newsletter  Visit the website (www.614berwick.com)  Join the Blockwatch  Participate in National Night Out  Help with the cleanups  Attend monthly meetings  Serve as a Trustee

Thank you for attending!!  Your attendance shows you care about your neighborhood!