Spring 2016 Newsletter

The Spicewood Neighborhood Association Spring Newsletter is available by clicking here.

You can also find more information about Spicewood on our Facebook page –  and the Spicewood Nextdoor page. A Facebook account is not needed to see the Facebook page but Nextdoor requires an account to verify that you are a resident of Spicewood.

Winter Meeting Agenda

Spicewood Neighborhood Association Meeting
December 8, 7:00 PM
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Rm 362

To reach Rm 362, enter door #3 and go upstairs.  Door 3 is on the southwest corner of the building. The stairs and an elevator are on the right just past the foyer. (http://newmedia.socc.org.s3.amazonaws.com/uploaded/c/0e1937037_church-map.pdf)

Meeting Agenda:

1. Introduction of the executive committee
2. A short presentation by ReStore about their services
3. Update on Spicewood entrance signs
4. Update on Little Free Library
5. Update on The Lakes neighborhood (http://lakesneighborhood.com/)
6. Discussion of online communications – email list use, Nextdoor, others
7. Spicewood Neighborhood Association finances – checking account and CONA services
8. Selection of the executive committee for next year

The main topics for the meeting are online communications for Spicewood residents and the association finances including the financial services provided by CONA to assist neighborhood associations.

Online Communications

Currently, Spicewood has a website (https://spicewoodneighborhood.wordpress.com/), a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SpicewoodNeighborhoodAssociation) and an email list. The website is primarily for Association documents. The Facebook is used for limited neighborhood communications. About 30 residents have “liked” the page and see updates posted on it. The page is open for any residents to post on it. The email list is used for communications about meetings and important information. About 70 residents are in the email list.

Nextdoor is a private neighborhood website – https://spicewood.nextdoor.com/about_us/.  A Spicewood Nextdoor site was created but no invitations have been sent to Spicewood residents. If enough interest is shown for Nextdoor, invitations can be sent. If you want to join, click on this link: https://nextdoor.com/invite/txaswcajnwxgcjsbxtnn.

The following is part of an article from the HT about Nextdoor:

Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Bloomington Police Department is now communicating online with local neighborhoods in an effort to improve safety and strengthen neighborhood watch efforts.

Using a private social network for neighborhoods called Nextdoor, Bloomington residents can join private neighborhood websites to share information, including neighborhood public safety issues, events, activities and local services. The Bloomington Police Department will be able to post information, such as safety tips and crime alerts, to Nextdoor websites within the city.

Each Bloomington neighborhood has its own private Nextdoor neighborhood website accessible only to residents who verify that they live in the neighborhood. Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor websites. Police will not be able to access residents’ websites, contact information or content. Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by search engines. Nextdoor is free for residents and the police department.

In addition, we received an invitation to join Nextdoor from Sgt. Pam Gladish who is the Bloomington Police Department’s officer assigned to help neighborhoods.

Sergeant Pam Gladish from the Bloomington Police Department would like to invite you to join your neighborhood’s private website on Nextdoor.  Neighbors are using Nextdoor to:

• Track down a trustworthy babysitter
• Get the word out about a break-in
• Organize a neighborhood garage sale
• Ask for help finding a lost pet
• Plan for an emergency

 Financial Opportunities through CONA 

The Spicewood Neighborhood Association is part of CONA (Council of Neighborhood Associations – http://conabloomington.org/). CONA is an umbrella organization that helps neighborhoods interact with local governments and provides services for neighborhood associations. All neighborhood associations recognized by the City are members of CONA.

Two services provided by CONA can be useful to Spicewood.

1. CONA is a 501c3 organization which allows us to use their nonprofit status to purchase materials without paying taxes and CONA can accept tax deductible gifts for Spicewood.
2. CONA is working with an IU class to develop a new CONA website. The development also includes templates for neighborhoods to host their websites on the CONA site. CONA will also provide training to help neighborhoods start and maintain their websites.

CONA currently does not charge dues to the associations but is considering requesting neighborhoods pay dues to support CONA activities. Spicewood would pay $50 each year.

Picnic Announcement and Summer Newsletter

The Second Annual Spicewood Picnic announcement and the Spicewood Newsletter can be accessed at the links below.

• Picnic Announcement
• Summer Newsletter

Send questions to SNA47401@outlook.com