Is Neighborhood Alliance Culturally Sensitive?
The mission of Neighborhood Alliance is simple: to help create safe, attractive and healthy neighborhoods throughout OKC. However, one neighborhood might view cars driving 30 MPH through the neighborhood as their biggest safety factor, where others might have nightly visits from drug dealers and prostitutes.
Because of this, Neighborhood Alliance is challenged to assure our city-wide programs and workshops truly fit the needs of ALL citizens and not just a few. We need to make sure we are sensitive to the needs of different wards, different ethnic groups, different socio-economic backgrounds, and the unique needs these groups encounter while trying to create stronger neighborhoods.
To help with this task we hosted a focus group made up of 14 OKC citizens from diverse backgrounds. This group represented residents from the all 4 quadrants of OKC, men and women, Hispanics, African Americans, Caucasians, gays and straights, reps from both voluntary associations and mandatory associations, wealthy and low income neighborhoods. In order to help them feel comfortable to speak freely, we held the meeting at our non-profit neighbor, OKC Beautiful’s office, and we asked 2 outside facilitators to lead the discussion. Neighborhood Alliance staff was not even in attendance.
Safari McDoulette from Commissioner Brian Maughn’s office and Sgt. W. Cubit from the OKC Police Department led the group in what they said was a lively, informative disucssion on some very sensitive topics. Later this week the facilitators will meet with Neighborhood Alliance staff to go over what they gleaned from the conversation. We will publish a report and post it to our website (www.nacok.org) and print it in our bi-monthly newsletter, The Cornerpost.
This exercise was for more than just a nice report. We will incorporate the ideas, learn from the critique, and continue to listen to our clients as to what they need from us in order to accomplish their job…creating safer, more attractive and healthier neighborhoods for all.
Great neighborhoods is one huge element in making OKC a great City. Diverse neighborhoods makes us all happy…some like living in rural settings surrounded by trees and green space where others want a more urban feel where they can walk to restaurants and shopping. Each comes with its own set of issues…albeit very different ones. Because of the volunteers who participated in our focus group on cultural sensitivity, we know we are going to be better equipped to support all neighborhoods in thier unique goals.
We are interested in knowing if you have ideas, thoughts, complaints or compliments on ways we can better serve you and your neighborhood. Please respond to this post or contact us at our office…528-6322 and talk to Jennifer or Georgie.
Application deadlines approaching, volunteer initiatives available
The University of Oklahoma “Big Event”
(405) 325-7912
bigevent@ou.edu
bigevent.ou.edu
The University of Oklahoma holds a Big Event day when over 5,000 student volunteers descend on Oklahoma City area communities to carry out neighborhood beautification projects. See website for application and details, bigevent.ou.edu.
Jobsite Application Deadline:1/28/2012
Volunteer Schedule: 4/14/2012
Chesapeake Energy
Brooke Coe, Community Relations Specialist
(405) 935-3049
brooke.coe@chk.com
www.chk.com/community
During the months of June & July, nearly 1000 Chesapeake Energy employees roll up their sleeves to volunteer in the community for the annual Operation Blue volunteer program.
Jobsite Application Deadline: Call 935-3049
Volunteer Schedule: June-July
The University of Central Oklahoma “Big Event”
Brandt Smith, Assist. Director of Volunteer & Service Learning Center
(405) 974-2621
bsmith101@uco.edu
www.uco.edu/volunteer
UCO hosts a Big Event day when over 500 students perform community service jobs in Edmond and OKC areas.See website for application and details, www.uco.edu/volunteer
Jobsite Application Deadline: 2/10/2012
Volunteer Schedule: 03/10/2012
Oklahoma State University
JoElla Flinton, Assistant Vice President of Student Services OSU-OKC
(405) 945-9106
fjo@osuokc.edu
Individual students and faculty carry out community improvement projects throughout the school year.
Jobsite Application Deadline: Call (405) 945-9106
Volunteer Schedule: Throughout the School Year
Oklahoma Christian University
Gary Jones, Multicultural & Service Learning Coordinator
(405) 425-5904
gary.jones@oc.edu
During the school year, smaller groups of students carry out community improvement projects in the Greater OKC area.
Jobsite Application Deadline: Call 425-5904
Volunteer Schedule: Throughout the School Year
Contact Ashley Dickson with questions, 528-6322.
Quick Links
Neighborhood Alliance
Volunteers Information Packet
http://nacok.org/Downloads/Volunteerism_Insert.pdf
Neighborhood Alliance likes to keep you up-to-date with news and items we think are of interest to our OKC-Metro Neighbors. You always have the option to update your contact information or unsubscribe using the links below.
Neighborhood Alliance
Ashley Dickson
Neighborhood Capacity Builder
Citizen Advisory Team members selected
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett received more than 100 applications from citizens to fill a limited number of positions on the planokc Citizen Advisory Team.
Thank you to all who applied! Members have been selected and letters of appointment have been mailed.
Our website now includes a Citizen Advisory Team page where you can find the names of all appointed members. Meetings will begin in February and are open to the public.
planokc goals drafted
Planning staff drafted goals based on the responses submitted online and at the fall workshops and confirmed that they addressed the issues identified in Phase 1 of the public outreach process.
The Citizen Advisory Team will review the draft goals, and then we will post a final draft online for public comment. Thank you for your participation in this important step of the planning process.
We look forward to a productive year as we continue our work together on planokc.
Still time to sign up for leadership course
You still have time to participate in Neighborhood Leaders for Today classes in February and March.
This one-of-a-kind leadership program is designed to give citizens the confidence and tools they need to create, promote and sustain productive citizen-based neighborhood associations and to help develop sustainable community improvement projects.
The class runs seven weeks and includes over 30 different speakers all geared toward creating educated, well-equipped neighborhood leaders throughout Oklahoma City.
This class will include 35 hours of classroom study through which participants will learn how to organize successful neighborhood groups, access City services, develop successful grant projects, organize neighborhood specific programs, navigate City Hall, establish membership drives, communicate effectively, and much more.
Classes are consecutive Thursdays from 6-9 p.m., Feb. 16 through March 29, and Saturdays, March 3 and March 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Class size is limited to 30 participants.
To sign up online, go to
Application deadline is Jan. 26.
OKC councilors hosting special events
WARD 5
Wednesday, Jan. 18 – Economic Development Forum
An Economic Development Forum for Ward 5 will be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, 701 W I-240 Service Road. Presenters include Roy Williams and Alison Oshel with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Cathy O’Connor, president of the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City and South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce president Elaine Lyons.
Thursday, Jan. 19 – Ward 5 Community Meeting
A Ward 5 community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Emmaus Baptist Church, 16001 S Western. Topics to be included are; the widening of Western Avenue and the continued development of far South Oklahoma City. Presenters include Development Center Director Bob Tener, Planning Director Russell Claus, Public Works Director Eric Wenger and Police Major Brian Jennings.
Saturday, Jan. 21 – Ward 5 Community Meeting
A Ward 5 community meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 in rooms 2 and 3 at Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S May Ave. Topics to be included are issues affecting more mature neighborhoods. Speakers include housing rehab coordinator Bob Dailey, Community Action Agency executive director Jim Sconzo, Police Major Brian Jennings, Public Works Director Eric Wenger and Bob Tener and Charles Locke with code enforcement.
Call 297-2569 for more information.
WARD 7
Tuesday, Jan. 31- Ward 7 Community Meeting
A Ward 7 Community Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Metro Tech, Auditorium, 1700 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
(Use the parking lot on the north side of the facility, enter through the main entrance). Presentations include: Eric Wenger (Public Works), Cathy O’Connor(President, Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City), Major Willard Paige(OKC Police),Bob Dailey (OKC Planning Department), Charles Locke (Development Services). Presenters will be followed by a Q&A session and closing remarks by Councilman Kelly.
Information will be provided on the following topics: code enforcement, public safety, infrastructure /traffic, economic development, NE Post Office relocation, and public safety.
Should you have questions, you may contact Councilman Kelly at 297-2569.
WARD 2/City-Wide
Thursday, Feb. 16 – Town Hall Meeting and Health Fair
A city-wide Town Hall Meeting and Health Fair hosted by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid will be 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the OKC Marriott, 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
Health Organizations are invited to set up booths in the hotel Entry Foyer. Confirmed Speakers include: David Blatt Ph.D. (Director, OK Policy Institute), Terry L. Cline, PhD (Oklahoma Commissioner of Health), Gary Cox, JD (Director, OKC-County Health Dep’t [OCCD]), Ed Shadid MD(OKC Councilor, Ward 2), Ray Vaughn JD(Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 3),
Terri White MSW (Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse).
Contact Councilman Shadid with any questions at 297-2402 or view the Facebook Event.
