Historical April–May 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Community Engagement Committee of The SDCC met on February 14, 2023, at 1:00 P. M. at the home of June Vaughan. Present were Arline Webb, Cecilia Nadal, Peter Lukasiewicz, and June Vaughan.
This informal meeting included getting acquainted and general discussion of what the committee might achieve. Consensus was that improved communication within in the neighborhood and between the board and the residents is a primary need to address in order to facilitate other activities.
When June Vaughan volunteered in November, 2022, to chair the committee, the main task of the committee was described as responsibility for encouraging strong communications throughout the neighborhood, which meshes with the goals of attendees. Since objectives put forward by the board in the new year appear to separate the roles of engagement and communication, which we see as intrinsically linked, we need clarification from the board on this issue before we can go forward.
The theme of inclusion ran throughout the discussions of engagement. For example, we can work to restore the Block Captain system and see it become a channel through which community concerns are communicated to committees and on to the board. New residents can be welcomed, and interest in the history of Skinker-DeBaliviere and the Community Council, encouraged.
We can bring Block Captains together on a regular basis, seeking input on development of activities and goals.
An assessment of current needs and concerns of residents similar to the one conducted a few years ago by Washington University students relative to older residents would be valuable.
In late January/early February, 32 emails were sent to persons listed by the SDCC as either Block Captains or Flyer Distributors, and one was contacted by phone.
We queried whether they currently performed this service and planned to continue.
All but five have replied, some after a follow-up message sent in late February.
A letter will be handdelivered to those who have not yet responded in case there was a problem with e-mails.
We need 31 Block Captains. Currently we have eight committed Captains with several others possible. Persons have committed to deliver newspapers/flyers on 18 blocks.
After allowing time for responses from hand delivery of letters to current non-responders, we will begin working to fill in the empty positions, assuming the board decides that this falls within the scope of this committee. Some
responders expressed enthusiasm for the revitalization of the Block Captain system.
We believe it is important to continue this process in a timely fashion before the enthusiasm is replaced by apathy.
During the meeting attendees specifically said they wanted a commitment of support from the SDCC Board for the committee’s activities.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2023.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Heading March thirteenth reports meeting February fourteenth; preserve distinction.
Original source: SD_Times2023_04.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
