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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 NUSA Events Program - Lacross presentationL A C R O S S E NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS PROGRAM WELCOME TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD! GENE COULON BEACH PARK SEAHAWK TRAINING FACILITY NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM Our first event was a 2001 holiday season progressive dinner LaCrosse applied for the City of Renton ’s “Recognized Neighborhood Program ” in 2005 That success lead to a neighborhood picnic in 2003, which required to formation of an Event Committee We ’ve worked with the City of Renton on our Events since The relationship has become strong, and we have an excellent mutual working knowledge of how we each operate The City of Renton Neighborhood Program is a key enabler of our events Our events lead to the community benefits we listed in our slides at the NUSA Conference DEMOGRAPHICS ASIAN 59% WHITE 31% INDIAN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN & OTHER 10% MIRROR CITY OF RENTON ORIGINS & GROWTH Our Events Program organically grew from an enthusiastic homeowner An event committee formed, & in the summer of 2003 the first neighborhood picnic was held The first event was a 2001 holiday season progressive dinner The intent was to bring not only new neighbors, but an entirely new neighborhood together It was a huge success & attended by over 40 residents We now host several free-of-charge events annually The Event Management Process is key to our independent Financial Capability & our ability to replicate our events The Event Management Process is also critical now that more than 100 residents attend. . . Event Management Process Sandy Taylor Event Coordinator Financial Capability & Replication Processes Event Management Process – Some Details Follow-up tool Assign action items to volunteers & establish due dates Energetic use of this tool = SUCCESS!!! Project Planning Spreadsheet is key Event Budget Process Budgets developed from quotes & estimates Food, supplies, miscellaneous In-kind donations & services Grant application & equipment request submittals Volunteer hours Budget & Post Event Reporting Number of attendees Volunteer hours Expense & budget reconciliation Lessons learned Was it fun?! Template for next year EVENTS & VOLUNTEERS Annual Spring Egg Hunt  SPECIAL EVENT VOLUNTEER  RESPONSIBILITY FILLS OVER 600 EGGS!  LEADERSHIP Game Night & BBQ Ga m e N i g h t Chalk Drawing Contest  Responsibility  Leadership  Confidence  Creativity Movie Night & Food Drive EVENT VOLUNTEER ⧫ Confidence ⧫ Sense of Pride Grassroots Proof of Success & Innovation ≫ Our event success is driven by a passion for our neighborhood and the energy of our volunteers ≫ The proof is in our grassroots participation ≫ Our events routinely draw 120 - 140 attendees in a neighborhood of 123 homes ≫ Annual volunteer hours have exceeded 400 over the last 10 years, divided among 40 - 50 individual volunteers ≫ The attendee & volunteer numbers have remained high even though many neighbors have moved in and out & the HOA Board has entirely turned over ≫ Further proof – The momentum has become self sustaining ≫ Residents have brought forward new, innovative events, like the Paint and Sip . . . More Proof - Grassroots Self-Sustaining Success Innovation! We’ve had a number of informal events not officially held by the neighborhood, but they are open to all: DIWALI CELEBRATION BOOK SWAPS GARDEN CONSTRUCTION, PLANTING & MAINTENANCE PARTIES The larger events have led to more events where we can get together Diwali Garden Events COMMUNITY BENEFITS Most of the 123 homes have participated in at least one event over the last year or two, with many participating in every event  Since we know each other, there’s a sense of community that is reflected in the high rate of volunteerism and participation  Other strong benefits: ❖Great condition of the neighborhood & homes validated by the walk-though required in the CC&Rs ❖Little, if any, crime – Renton Police Department provides positive feedback about our very low call activity ❖It’s a safe place for our kids to play ❖Opportunities for kids to volunteer and retain responsibilities beyond school and home as the testimonial videos convey ❖Health benefits due to working in the community garden, growing organic vegetables, and being active and social ❖Helping each other in times of crisis: extreme weather, pandemic, etc. COMMUNITY OUTREACH ♡ Since the inception of the neighborhood, LaCrosse has participated in outreach & charitable programs ♡ The neighborhood directly contributed funds for recovery from the Tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004 ♡ Foodbank donations ♡ Contributions to Communities In Schools, an organization devoted to assisting students at risk of dropping out ♡ Cookie fundraiser for the Maui fire ♡ Coat drives PARTNERSHIP BUILDING And here’s one more volunteer. . .  Believe in Self  Leadership  Accomplishment  Organizational  Problem Solving  Communication  LaCrosse budgets, tracks & audits our Events while making sure they are fun  Strong grassroots involvement is evidenced by our high event participation rate & volunteer hours – WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING THE BOARD !  The togetherness & fun nature of our major events has led to new, innovative events  Community benefits – Almost zero crime, safe for kids, volunteer opportunities for all ages, higher home values, healthy activities in the garden  Strong processes + volunteer energy + fun events = Sustainability !  Leadership development opportunities for all ages  Partnership building – City of Renton, other neighborhoods, service providers  We’ve successfully shared our replicable project management tools with other neighborhoods  Emphasis on the behind the scenes planning & post event reporting is in our culture  We ’ve found that these details result in well-executed events that are fun and well attended – so much so that residents look forward to our impending events THANK YOU!! WE ENJOYED TELLING OUR STORY 1942 ~ 1970 “Little Wing” Jimi Hendrix Q U E S T I O N S ?