August Newsletter

“Never tell me the odds.”
– Han Solo

NECN News From the Office

We’ve been working hard to serve the North and Northeast community since 1974. We made this video to highlight a little bit of our work.

The summer edition of our newspaper Hey Neighbor is out! This issue’s theme is Youth and it’s filled with the voices and perspectives of young people from around the North and Northeast area. Read it here!

Code Change

There’s a lot of talk recently about “code change” in the City of Portland and many people are wondering what exactly it’s all about.

Long story short: the “code” it refers to is the way that the City, through the Office of Community and Civic Life, funds the neighborhood coalitions (that’s us!) which, among many other things, support neighborhood associations. The “change” is about OCCL’s efforts to de-emphasize neighborhood associations in code.

It’s a controversial subject to say the least, so instead of trying to explain it all, we rounded up some links to catch you up to speed:

Comprehensive view (Mercury)

View from Northeast (Skanner)

WHAT THE CODE ACTUALLY SAYS – includes feedback survey (Civic Life)

What Civic Life wants (Oregonian)

View from the neighborhoods (Oregonian)

FAQ about Code Change (Commisioner Eudaly)

Our view (not that anyone asked):

The neighborhood system was put in place to fill the gap left open by our archaic, at-large commissioner form of government that deprives Portlanders of a truly representative democracy (we are the only city in the country who still uses it).

A representative city council is the real change that needs to happen.

Until we can elect leaders who are accountable to specific geographical districts, communities across the city will continue to struggle to have their voice heard.

Okay, bunny gonna step off the soap box now.

Community News & Events

National Nights Out

It’s August, which means it’s time for National Night Out. Find your neighborhood’s NNO information here.

Illamette Hip Hop River Festival

Join our friends at the Portland Harbor Community Coalition and others for a day of music and celebration of our rivers. RSVP here.

Seeking Volunteer Grant Reviewers

The Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) is a city property tax that raises funds to support children and families. PCL is recruiting volunteers to review and score grant applications. PCL will provide stipends to volunteer reviewers who complete grant reviews and scoring outside of paid work time. Sign up here.

Morning Moving Meditation at Alberta Park

Build energy, balance and community by practicing Qigong forms in Alberta Park. All ages, levels welcome. By donation. Fridays 8 to 9 a.m. July through September. SW corner of the Park. More info here.

Alberta Abbey Open House

Get to know the community art space Alberta Abbey during their open house, featuring food, music and activities. More here.

Volunteer at the Alberta Street Fair

Many volunteers are needed to help run the annual Alberta Street fair on Saturday August 10th. Food, music and family-friendly fun down the street from our office. Details here.