Highlights and Takeaways: November 2023 Meeting Recap

President Alice Ann Clark welcomed more than 20 attendees on November 14, 2023 and began the evening with a brief business meeting, including a year in review of the 2023 successes since our re-boot in April. Here are the numbers!

• 4 successful meetings with 49 different people in attendance for those meetings since April.

• 4 plawking events with more plawkers at each subsequent event. Our new participation in this growing PLAWKING movement in Roanoke is definitely catching on!

• 3 neighborhood associations collaborated on "National Night Out." NiSR hosted the evening gathering at Fire Station #8, where NiSR, Old Southwest Inc. and I (Heart) SE joined together in a series of activities that brought together citizens, public safety personnel, plawkers, food trucks, and fun. A Fire Station #8 crew member called it "the best NNO event yet!"

• 45 officially registered members!

• 116 subscribers to our mailing list, up from 28 in April!

• 3 post-covid family-friendly picnic events: July 4th Picnic, as well as Summer Sunday picnics.

• 140 Instagram followers on our NEW account! That's in addition to our still-growing Facebook likes and followers.
  

Clark continued, "In 2024, NiSR plans to host all of the above again while adding other social events and projects including a beautification day, a neighborhood-wide tree planting event, and a yard sale event. The board welcomes any ideas from the residents for additional events."

A year-end meeting would be incomplete without a look at our current financial standing and a look forward. Treasurer Irene Malachowsky reported that "the bank account is in good standing, and all bills are current. The balance is $364.38." Looking ahead, President Clark put forward, "Our goal for 2024 is to raise $2,500 to fund planned events including purchase of materials, pay fees and cover administrative costs for all meetings, events and projects. We thank all our sponsors who donated in 2023 and invite everyone to consider supporting NiSR at some level in 2024. NiSR does NOT charge membership dues. All funds must be raised through donor sponsorship and through grants."

The guest speaker for the evening was Samantha Matson from Roanoke City's Urban Forestry Program. Ms. Matson explained the importance of creating city urban forests - trees growing within a localized urban setting. "Our urban forest includes trees in parks, yards, streets, medians, greenways, riverbanks, etc. It can improve air and water quality, reduce noise, mitigate stormwater intensity, reduce urban heat buildup, enhance quality of life, and reduce costs for homes, businesses, and city operations. It can provide food and habitat for wildlife, promoting the natural ecosystems that keep natural areas vibrant and full of life. Urban forests can also bestow beauty and elegance to the outdoors, adding economic value, promoting social activity, and reducing stress.

Matson stressed the importance of "3-30-300" as an easy way to remember the criteria for the minimum provision of urban trees in our urban communities:

• Observe 3 trees from every home

• 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighborhood

• 300 meters from the nearest public park or green space

As a Tree City USA since 1996, the City of Roanoke has demonstrated its desire to maintain a healthy urban forest. The city's goal is 40% canopy coverage, and the city is currently at 28%. While South Roanoke has a tree canopy coverage rating of 100%, the Northwest area has merely 2%. The city has an initiative to plant 1,000 trees in the area and are asking neighbors to become "tree stewards" to help these trees grow and survive by watering and caring for them. For more information, please visit https://www.playroanoke.com/arbor-day-urban-forestry-and-the-value-of-a-tree/.

Ms. Matson addressed the recent loss of many trees in our own neighborhood. These trees were old and diseased, with similar life spans. Her office is available to give suggestions for replacement trees. Please contact (540) 853-2236 for assistance.

Also present for the meeting was Molly Hunter, Coordinator of Neighborhood Services for Roanoke City. Ms. Hunter informed the residents about the Neighborhood Partnership Awards Program. It recognizes and honors neighborhood organizations' and civic individuals' outstanding contributions and accomplishments for their commitment to improving their neighborhoods and communities. The deadline for submissions is 11/18/23. More information is found at: https://www.roanokeva.gov/1113/Neighborhood-Volunteer-Leadership-Award.

Community Resource Officer Jacob Underwood reminded residents to call in suspicious activity through 911 or the non-emergency number (540) 853-2411. Reporting incidents, even if a non-emergency, is critical. "Many occurrences in South Roanoke are never reported and, therefore, are not documented." They are not included in the crime tracking database which assists the department in allocation of resources, crime-solving, and prevention efforts. Officer Underwood invited everyone to visit https://www.crimemapping.com/map/va/roanoke to understand how report data is used.

Mark Kary, member of and present as a representative of the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates, commented that "South Roanoke has many dark areas in the neighborhood." He suggested, "Creating a brighter environment makes a safer place for everyone and everything more difficult for criminals." He encouraged neighbors to "flip the switch":

• Turn on front porch lights.

• Add LED lights.

• Contact AEP to report burned-out and malfunctioning streetlamps.

President Clark thanked everyone for coming and announced the next meeting will be held on January 23, 2024 at South Roanoke United Methodist Church.

(This post is based on meeting minutes submitted by Board Secretary Stewart W. Putney.)