Are you ready to grab the baton for the Parque Zaragoza neighborhood? The PZNA announces 2021 Elections for a new President

​Chief Scoop Blogger, The #PZNA Neighborhood Nose

​Every couple of years it's healthy for a community to have new leadership. Fresh approaches to old problems and new ideas keep a community engaged and relevant. And an engaged community is a healthier, happier and safer one. 
 
Neighborhood Associations have many advantages. As a community group you get a ‘seat at the table’ at City Hall, you can apply for community or other grants, you can get Land Use development notifications from the City, you can start a neighborhood watch group, scholarship program and so much more!
 
As a neighborhood association president, one responsibility you have is to help facilitate meetings to either determine the group’s goals or inform them of new neighborhood developments throughout the year.  Most meetings have a special guest, often a nonprofit or City Agency, wanting to provide helpful and timely information to the community.  
 
Since its founding in June 2018, the Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Association (PZNA) has grown to more than 100 members. Jen Massing Harris has acted as the PZNA president since its founding. During this time, she has built the communications platforms (website, email distribution, social media, press releases) for the group. She has also established relations with many city agencies, including City Council, Austin Police Department Region 3, Austin Parks and Recreation department, Austin Watershed, Austin Code, Austin Public Library, Austin Public Works and Austin Transportation’s Smart Trips Austin. 
 
Most of the Jen’s PZNA time has been concentrated in these areas:

• public safety, 
• park usability/improvements, 
• historic preservation for grant opportunities,
• advocating for social services assistance for our area’s homeless 
• various COA agencies to address homeless camps’ waste, public health and environmental impacts

---

Though the PZNA’s activities are a ‘work in progress’ – see the recent #PZNA Neighborhood Nose blog ‘East Austin Neighborhood Crime Analysis Uncovers Hotspot Area; Prompts Public Safety Concerns’ - together, we have achieved a lot. Some highlights:

• ​Coat Drive: More than 210 coats and/or outerwear in total donated
• $50K ACL Festival Parks Improvement Grant Awarded to Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Park’s Historic Pool for Canopy Shades (installed). 
• Three Austin Parks Foundation’s It’s My Park Day Events (Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2020) with over 140 volunteers 
• Co-hosted 5th Annual Bliss Bash Family Yoga Event at Parque Zaragoza
• Funded raffle prizes for 2019 Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center Cinco de Mayo
• Funded child-size gardening tools for recreation center garden beds
• New Website Tree Identification Activities Hub for Parque Zaragoza
• Launched sister park group, Amigos de Parque Zaragoza
  • 2020 Cinco de Mayo Unsung Heroes Award to 47 Austin Parks Recreation Center Staff 
  • Virtual Cinco de Mayo Activities Hub 
  • Laying of the Wreath Ceremony

 
After two years of building the PZNA’s foundation, the time has come for Jen to hand off the baton to a successor. To be more effective, the PZNA needs not only a president but a board and bylaws to sustain the group. Currently, there is not a membership fee. Some fundraising or donation structure is probably required to cover operational expenses, such as PO Box, website, flyer costs, etc. 
 
We will start with the priority of president as Jen is stepping down for personal reasons at the end of 2020. 
 
A personal note from Jen: “As a neighborhood group president you can make a difference for your community. I’ve had the honor during the past two years to win many victories for the community that no one ever hears about. I’ve had the opportunity to team up and work on social good projects that I never would have been able to otherwise. It’s been a wonderful personal growth experience. And, I’m hopeful the new president will have strengths in areas where I wasn’t able to shine to push forward much needed changes our community deserves.”

Here are short descriptions of the PZNA roles/titles and responsibilities: 
President
Set and finalize meeting agendas. Facilitate meetings. Can act as main contact for association. Follow processes and procedures outlined in bylaws. Delegate and supervise officer and member responsibilities. Ensure meetings adhere to agenda timelines. Maintain fairness and respectful behavior of meeting attendees. 
Vice-President
Serves as an alternate to the President. Assist with planning meetings. Help maintain accurate records. Respond to mail and other inquiries. Attend other meetings as needed.
Secretary
Maintain clear and accurate meeting documentation, such as minutes, attendance sheets, sign-in forms, and other relevant documentation. Ensure bylaws are maintained. Maintain an updated roster of members. Maintain records of association’s agreed-upon plans.
Treasurer
Manage and track association finances. Prepare budget reports. Report on fiscal issues at meetings. Balance bank statements. Maintain association’s tax-exempt status if necessary. File tax returns as needed.
Communications/Marketing Officer (If Not the President)
Update website and manage all social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). 

Please fill out form if you would like to volunteer for President and/or one of the other board roles.