A neighborhood association is an organization that is comprised of members of the community with at least one elected officer, joined together for the purpose of problem solving and the betterment of the neighborhood, with the following guidelines: 1. A Neighborhood Association should have at least one official representative elected by a minimum of five residents. 2. There is no minimum or maximum size, but the Neighborhood Association shall have defined boundaries. 3. The Neighborhood Association shall meet at least once a year. 4. All affected residents within the association boundaries shall be notified of neighborhood meetings. 5. Neighborhood Connections shall be provided with the name of the official representative for the neighborhood. 6. Dues are not mandatory. What does a neighborhood organization do? A neighborhood organization establishes a unified voice. While one person can take a complaint to City Hall, the voice of a whole neighborhood can accomplish more. Its efforts not only work to get needed city services like street lights, traffic control and graffiti removal, but also to help City Hall better understand and represent that neighborhood's unique needs. A neighborhood organization also allows residents to work together to prevent burglaries, vandalism, drug dealing and other crimes that threaten the stability of their neighborhood. And, a neighborhood organization can work to improve the image of a neighborhood, thereby increasing property values. Neighborhood Connections can help you find sources of information & assistance... In the Neighborhood Connections office, you will find a Neighborhood Resources file with current information for your council district, your neighborhood association, and about city-wide issues. Neighborhood Connections can help keep the lines of communication open... They can give you the name and phone number of the right city staff person to help solve your neighborhood problems. in addition, Neighborhood Connections can connect you with other neighborhood groups that are working on similar issues to yours. Neighborhood Connections can help you start a successful neighborhood organization... In the Neighborhood Connections office, you'll find samples of by-laws from other neighborhood organizations. You can get free photocopying for your neighborhood newsletter. You can even get coffee pots and name tags to use at your neighborhood organization meeting.