Every year, the Beltrami Neighborhood Council hosts an annual meeting where we give the neighborhood and surrounding community an update on what the BNC has achieved over the last 12 months. We will also have guest speakers that will give updates on the goings-on in our Ward, parks, and police precinct.
The Annual Meeting is also when the BNC elects new Directors for our Board of Directors. Because several of our Directors have reached the BNC’s term limit or are otherwise leaving our Board, we will have several spots open for new Directors. Anyone who lives or works in the Beltrami Neighborhood can run for a Director position.
Board of Directors FAQ
What is the Board of Directors?
Because the BNC is a 501c3 nonprofit, we have a Board of Directors who help make decisions for the Neighborhood Council at monthly meetings. The BNC has 11 seats which can be filled by any resident of the neighborhood, anyone who works in the neighborhood, or is a landlord who owns property in but does not live in the neighborhood (limited to one seat).
What is the time commitment for a BNC Director?
Members are required to attend Board Meetings that are held on the first Monday of every Month. Directors are also encouraged to join a committee and check email at least weekly to stay updated on Board events and projects. On average you will attend two meetings per month and three to four events per year. On average the hourly commitment per month is approximately 5-6 hours per month.
What topics does the BNC discuss and vote on?
The Board covers a wide variety of topics at meetings. These range from projects and issues in housing, events, fundraising, inter-neighborhood coalitions, community safety, neighborhood engagement, and community services. Projects we’re currently working on include:
-Welcome Packets for new residents
-Lobbying for structural improvements to the Spring Street viaduct area
-Planning our annual Halloween event: BeltramiScare
-Surveying residents and owners of rental housing in the neighborhood to better determine how the BNC can serve their needs.
-Business outreach and engagement
-Revamping our housing loan and grant programs to better serve the needs of the neighborhood.
I still don’t know if I want to join the Board. How can I learn more?
Attending one of our committee meetings or events is a great way to learn more about what we do in a more casual setting. If you cannot make one of the meetings but want to ask specific questions about the Board, please contact our Neighborhood Coordinator, Mike Ferrin. He’s happy to answer questions via email, phone, or in person. Email him at office@discoverbeltrami.org or call 612-229-8480.
If I don’t want to join the Board but still be involved with the BNC, how can I do that?
Residents have many options as to how they can be involved with our organization. Committees are working groups that address specific topics and make recommendations to the Board. You do not have to be a Board member to be on one of our committees. The total time commitment for committees is one 1-hour meeting per month and 1-2 hours of outside work on projects. We also have several events throughout the year where volunteers are needed to help with set up, activities, and projects. The best way to stay involved with events is to let our staff know that you’d like to be updated on volunteer opportunities. You can email office@discoverbeltrami.org to do so. Finally, the BNC will often do surveys and community outreach efforts throughout the year. Taking a survey to give your feedback on what you think should be happening in our community is a huge help to our Board, staff, and committees when they’re making decisions about our programs and services. To stay updated on all of these things, please subscribe to our monthly email newsletter, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.