It’s that time again, folks! The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) is seeking qualified candidates for elected positions on its board of directors. This year’s elections will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. outside of Safeway by the Waterfront metro station. This is your chance to give back to Southwest through a respected voice in our unique neighborhood, and to help continue the Southwest tradition of community!
SWNA is Southwest’s 40-year-old civic association that has done a tremendous amount even during the last year to achieve its mission. Working with DC agencies and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, SWNA “creates…social, economic, and educational opportunities for Southwesters.” SWNA has been a leader in providing young people living in Southwest access to important educational programs and computer training. One of the signature initiatives focuses on Lansburgh Park, where we are looking forward to a community garden and dog park. SWNA. In collaboration with Councilmember Wells’ office and other community organizations, SWNA organizes public events like the Titanic 100 commemoration, movie nights at the park and Town Halls on issues of common concern. The organization promotes Southwest’s heritage; among other activities, it’s spearheading the nomination of several Southwest properties to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to these efforts, SWNA has provided critical support to emergent Southwest community organizations like Southwest Duck Pond and the Amidon-Bowen Parents-Teachers Organization. And of course, SWNA is also the publisher of our own community newspaper, The Southwester.
As it does during each biennial election, SWNA is looking for candidates for its President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions, as well as eight district representatives. SWNA board members are community volunteers overseeing a variety of task forces within the neighborhood, on issues such as youth activities, emergency preparedness, and technology issues. Two district representatives will be elected from each of the four districts in Near Southwest (with zip code 20024), with two representatives per neighborhood. (District 1 is the area north of M Street and west of 4th Street. District 2 is the area north of M Street and east of 4th Street. District 3 is the area south of M Street and west of Delaware Avenue. District 4 is the area south of M Street and east of Delaware Avenue.)
All residents aged 18 or older living in zip code 20024 are eligible to nominate and to vote in the election. To nominate yourself or someone else, and for more information on the positions and organization, please contact Morgan Gable, Nominating Chairperson, at SWNAElection@thesouthwester.com by the morning of election day, March 9. The Nominations Committee will also entertain nominations from the floor during SWNA’s general meeting on Monday, February 25. Ballots will list all nominated persons as long as those nominations are received by Friday, March 8.
All candidates are also invited to send a 100-word statement and a photo of themselves for publication in the March issue of The Southwester. Please email them to editor@thesouthwester.com no later than February 14.
Certain positions at The Southwester will also become open in March. On the production side, these include editor-in-chief, copy editor, and production editor, while on the finance side the positions of advertising manager and business manager will be open. The Southwester depends on volunteers from the community to sustain its operations. If you are interested in volunteering in these or other capacities, contact the current staff at editor@thesouthwester.com.
Courtesy of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly