Update on Old Southwest, Inc Neighborhood Programs

[Josh Shields]

Hi Everybody!

It's been a while since the organization sent out a "mass email" update about news in OSW and the things that the board and wonderful volunteers in the organization are doing with your membership money!

Here's a quick update on OSW happenings from my personal point of view as an OSW Board Member:

1) Highland Park Off-leash Dog Park: While ARB approval has come, there is still a lot of coordinating and fundraising left to ensure that the dog park is properly installed and meets the criteria that we want as a neighborhood. Above and beyond that, most importantly is mending some possibly hurt feelings and neighborhood relationships that may have taken a bit of a beating during the often emotional public hearing process.

We are working with Steve Buschor, and representatives from NewVAConnects to develop fundraisers. Additional events such as "Cocktails for a Cause" and possibly a block party hosted by Wildflour Restaurant have been discussed. There is also potential planning in the works to possibly hold some sort of event/concert at the location of the new park and the performance stage off of park drive.

In addition, we are continuing to work with the Parks and Recreation department to address other issues in Highland Park, both that relate to the Dog Park and those that don't. These include addressing the condition/repaving the park road, redirecting traffic through the park to 1-way movement only, repair of brick sidewalks throughout the park, and installation of additional lighting and security/crime deterring improvements.

2) Spruce up your Historic Home Grant Project: For over a year now, our Grants Chair, Jan Keister has been working on acquiring funds for financially-challenged homeowners to conduct needed repairs and improvements on their historic homes. I am excited to report that this program is coming to fruition, albeit slowly.

The "Spruce Up Committee", consisting of myself, Jan, Jeff Campbell, and several other volunteers whom I won't mention right now to ensure their privacy (but thank profusely!), have been working diligently. For about the past 6 months, we have met every other week to create documents and procedures for distributing grant funds to homeowners who may otherwise not be able to accomplish these repairs.

This is an unprecedented program for Old Southwest and an all volunteer neighborhood organization in the City of Roanoke. To date, the city has committed $30,000 to the program, and an additional $3,000 has been raised through private contribution.

We are in the final phases of the approval and planning process, and hope to enact this program within the next month. Please stay tuned for additional information!

3) Additional Neighborhood Improvements: Jan Keister is also working diligently to acquire funds for additional improvements. This year saw the installation of permanently installed trash cans throughout the neighborhood using over $5500 of city paid grant funds.

This year OSW was awarded additional funds of approximately $40,000 towards the installation of historic style "lamp post" lighting along the Franklin and/or Elm Avenue corridors!

4) 29th Holiday Parlor Tour of Homes: Before you know it, December will be here! Tim Taylor and Wendy Nave have once again taken up the torch and are planning another wonderful and record-breaking tour, leading up to the 30th tour in 2009.

This year's tour is scheduled to feature 10 different properties. Tim is once again working with local artist/designer John Reburn for our Tour Brochures, as well as with local florists to showcase their work over homeowner mantles. In addition, we are coordinating with various organizations to provide transportation (in some form) along the tour route.

Rose Hill Bed and Breakfast owner Wendy Blair, who has considerable fundraising experience has generously volunteered to direct this year's silent auction and she is working on some wonderful prizes.

More details will follow! In the meantime, we are still looking for sponsors and volunteers for the tour! I have no doubt that this year's tour will again raise the bar! If you would like additional info, please contact Tim Taylor: tim.taylor@oldsouthwestinc.com.

5) Alexander-Gish House: Multiple improvement projects at the Gish House have been completed this year, although you might not be able to see them! A majority of the work went into renovating the upstairs apartment earlier this summer. The apartment was recarpeted and repainted, in addition to the installation of new light fixtures, electrical outlets, and faucets. Additional cabinets were installed in the bathroom and the overall feel of the apartment was modernized and cleaned up. Finally a new refrigerator was installed.

All of these improvements have allowed us to sign a lease with our tenant for over $200 more per month in income, which will pay off the cost of renovations in less than 9 months.

Improvements and repairs to the lighting around the Gish House, the landscaping and grassy areas, as well as the parking area are in the works. Additionally, a lofty goal of complete renovation of the main level storage room/library is set, with hope of opening that room to the public on the 2009 Parlor Tour.

6) Newsletter: As you've probably noticed, the OSW newsletter is bigger and better. (At least we hope that's what you think!) The board of directors and membership ratified a new set of bylaws that allows us to send out quarterly newsletters (as opposed to bi-monthly). While we still plan to send out updates as necessary, this allows us to put together a nicer newsletter, and also helps save us money in the long run by reducing our mailing costs.

As always, we are looking for interesting articles, editorials, pictures and additions to the newsletter! If you are interested in writing your own feature (or being a guest reporter), please contact us! newsletter@oldsouthwestinc.com

7) Administrative and General Improvements: We are still working on improving our own processes. This year we have implemented in internal auditing process and conducted a through overhaul of how we account for our finances and membership recordkeeping.

A new membership database has been established and renewal notices are now being sent out to members who do not renew their membership. These efforts have increased our dues paying membership by almost 75% in the past 9 months.

In addition, the Board of Directors is slowly evaluating the organizations bylaws to allow us to operate in the most efficient manner by utilizing modern technologies (such as email and the internet), which weren't accounted for in years past. We are also slowly creating "Corporate Officer/Director Policy Manuals" which will ensure that the organization remains consistent from year to year regardless of the turnover within key positions.

Overall, we hope that you are happy with the direction that we're headed. It's my personal goal that we continue to remain true to our historic roots and beauty, but also remain progressive and adaptive to the needs of the neighborhood and the diverse demographics in the community, in order to continue to attract the new residents and families that will ensure our success in the years to come!

Old Southwest - A Past with a PROMISING Future!

~Josh