SW Neighborhoods, Inc. Empowering Citizens since 1978

Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. serve's member neighborhood associations in southwest Portland by providing the following resources:

Block Parties

• Assistance in registering neighborhood block parties and provision of party supplies; Event Checklist of Supplies (Submit online HERE or download the PDF below))

Communication Tools

• Website hosting
• Constant Contact email marketing for neighborhood newsletters
• Space each month for a neighborhood article and meeting announcement in the printed SW News newspaper
• Use of overhead projector and laptop for meeting presentations
• Large laminated neighborhood map
• Event announcements printed in the SW News newspaper and posted to the SWNI and City of Portland online calendars
• Neighborhood mailings to all households

Crime Prevention

• Assistance with community organizing for citizen participation and crime prevention
• National Night Out - registration assistance, party promotion, supplies

Events

• Event Checklist of Supplies (Submit online HERE or download the PDF below)
• Administration of projects requested by citizens such as neighborhood cleanups, candidate fairs, neighborhood picnics, fund-raisers for playground structures, open space parks, etc.

Financial Srevices

• View the SWNI Fiscal Administration Policy (PDF, revised April 25, 2012)
• View the SWNI Fiscal Sponsorship Policy, including an Application (PDF, revised April 25, 2012)

Office Support

• Design and printing of event publicity flyers
• Use of copier for meeting agendas, minutes and other handouts
• Electronic archival of documents
• A c/o mailing address and mailbox in the SWNI office

Training

• Patty Lee Leadership training - The Patty Lee Leadership Fund provides training opportunities where volunteers can learn to use their passion effectively for the improvement of southwest Portland neighborhoods and city government. Training topics include Roberts Rules of Order, conflict resolution, how to advocate for your neighborhood to the City of Portland, neighborhood association governance, fundraising and communications services available from southwest Neighborhoods, Inc., financial management and grants for neighborhood groups.

  If you have suggestions for future trainings, contact Sylvia (503) 823-4592, sylvia@swni.org. Here are some handouts from Patty Lee Leadership trainings:

  • Robert Rules of Order (PDF)
  • When controversy comes to your neighborhood (PDF)
  • Testimony Tips from Commissioner Fritz (PDF)
• For one-on-one or small group training to get started with a neighborhood website or email newsletter, contact Sharon (503) 823-4592, sharon@swni.org.

Watershed Resource Center

Technical assistance, technical reference links, tool checkout, funding, native plants, natural gardening, referrals, workshops and training programs are all available on the Watershed Restoration Resources webpage: http://swni.org/watershed/resources