Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association president Todd Woodson sent this email today:

Dear Neighbors

The November meeting will take place this coming Tuesday,Nov 24 at 7pm in Pleasants Park. We will be holding elections for the upcoming year and considering two proposed changes to the bylaws (see below). Tuesday’s forecast is clear and 52. Not ideal but doable. Please dress accordingly! We will try to keep things on track so the meeting will be as short as possible.

It has been brought to my attention that some statements I never made were included in a post on the community facebook page by a person in the neighborhood. This is regarding the meeting format for the association upcoming meetings. This Tuesdays meeting will be in weather that is not overly harsh so meeting outside is the plan. OHNA traditionally does not meet in December. I made NO statements regarding format after the first of the year because I might not even be re elected so it wouldnt be my decision to make. I respectfully request that you do due diligence if this person or someone else releases official statements i “have made”. Sending out emails to you with the agenda was first started 3 years ago when I was elected president. I do it to be courteous, transparent and to encourage neighbor participation in the meetings.

Here is my REAL take on format options that are POSSIBLE during the new year:

1. Virtual through Zoom. Not ideal but available through City channels at no cost. Volunteer Jenny Friar will be setting that up should that be the desired format in the coming year.
2. Meeting in person during colder months at a Parks Dept venue such as Randolph Community Center or Byrd Park Roundhouse. It is my understanding that Business Meetings are exempt from the 25 person limit. Strict distancing with masks should always be observed.
3. January and February are not usually busy months for neighborhood business so a cancellation could be a possibility should there be nothing to discussed.

We do what we have to to get through this pandemic and I wish you all good health and blessings for the new year.

Hopefully, after December 14, we will have the Richmond 300 issue behind us.

Thanks,

Todd.

Proposed bylaw change to membership requirements: two amendments addressing membership were introduced.
As per bylaws, as a bylaw change, can be voted on at the next scheduled OHNA meeting, 24 November 2020.

Current
Article III- Membership
Section 1: Eligibility. All residents of Oregon Hill at least 18 years of age, and only such residents, shall be eligible to become members of OHNA.

Section 2: Members. Those eligible for membership shall become members of OHNA by attending at least two OHNA meetings within one year and then registering their membership with the Association’s Secretary.

Proposed bylaw change I
ARTICLE III- Membership
SECTION 1: Membership in the association shall be granted to any person 18 years of age or older, residing in the designated Oregon Hill boundaries. Additionally, membership is extended to one vote for each business, school or church within the designated Oregon Hill boundary.

SECTION 2: Membership shall be granted to a resident or a business, school or place of worship in Oregon Hill. Each business, school or place of worship shall designate a sole representative to vote in all matters presented to the association voting membership. Members can register with the association secretary.

Proposed bylaw change II
ARTICLE III- Membership
Section 1: ELIGIBILITY. All residents of Oregon Hill at least 18 years of age, residing within designated Oregon Hill boundaries shall be eligible to become members of OHNA.

Section 2: MEMBERS. Membership in the association shall be granted to any person 18 years of age or older, residing in the designated Oregon Hill boundaries who has attended at least one ONNA meeting out of the previous twelve meetings held. This change is for the year 2020 only, in recognition of the impact of the pandemic.

During 2021, the Bylaws should undergo a systematic revision and update, and membership requirements should be evaluated comprehensively at that time.