Time for Bay City to Join 23 Other State Cities in Neighborhood Association
Aims Include Beautification, Conflict Resolution, Crime Prevention, Housing
August 10, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
Saginaw and 22 other Michigan cities are part of the organization called Neighborhood Associations of Michigan.
Bay City recently changed its policies toward encouraging Citizens District Councils, an action that might be reversed and improved by associating with the Neighborhood Associations of Michigan organization.
Saginaw and 22 other Michigan cities are part of the organization called Neighborhood Associations of Michigan.
Bay Cityans interested in community development and safety might want to consider organizing and becoming part of this group.
Benton Harbor recently started a Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, with the impetus from the Benton Harbor Neighborhood Association and the blessing of the local police department.
"The Benton Harbor Police Department believes the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will enhance the delivery of municipal services and improve the overall quality of life of the community," according to a statement by BHPD.
The mission of the RSVP is to supplement police activities by performing non-confrontational tasks. Volunteers are trained to work in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with the community.
The Benton Harbor initiative is one of scores of other community benefits provided by neighborhood associations.
The Neighborhood Associations of Michigan (NAM) was formed in 1985 through the coordinating efforts of Michigan State University's Center for Urban Affairs and participating neighborhood associations leaders throughout Michigan.
The NAM definition of a neighborhood association is:
"an organization established for the purpose of improving the quality of life in a defined geographical area, in which ALL residents are eligible for membership, and the leadership of the organization is democratically elected."
NAM is a statewide organization of neighborhood associations and community based organizations. Its purposes are to educate, empower, and advocate for community members to upgrade their quality of life; and to improve their communities through neighborhood organizations throughout the state of Michigan.
NAM provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas, and to promote cooperation among neighborhood organizations.
This is done by:
Assisting in the development of neighborhood associations in areas where there are none.
Providing technical assistance to neighborhood associations, including (but not limited to) organizational management, leadership development, grant writing, and strategic planning.
Educating and advocating on behalf of neighborhood concerns via publishing a newsletter and sponsoring a state-wide conference to share ideas and information.
Cities that have organizations that are members of NAM include: Albion, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Dearborn, Detroit, Farwell, Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Lansing, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Saginaw, Southfield, St. Joseph, Traverse City.
Further information about NAM may be obtained at the website www.msu.edu/~namich/ ###