First steps towards reviving the Trinidad Neighborhood Association
The Trinidad Neighborhood Association, or TNA, was started in 2009, after a moment of violence and unconstitutional lockdowns in the neighborhood. It was a fully-fledged 501(c)3 nonprofit, with dues, officers and bylaws. At its height, the TNA organized garden tours, fundraisers for students, and monthly cleanups. There were special events, such as tours of Atlas Brew Works and even a pontoon boat trip on the Anacostia. The group had monthly public meetings, and was a focal point for organizing neighborhood events like block parties and outdoor movie nights. But now it is dormant, and the last post on the website was four years ago.
Now, new ANC commissioners are spearheading an effort to revive the organization. Salvador Sauceda-Guzman, commissioner for 5D02, created a survey on his own website and invited neighbors to a preliminary organizing meeting over Zoom this past Sunday. He shared a chart (below) showing some of the shared concerns of survey respondents. Commissioner Zachary Hoffman was in attendance, as well as current TNA board member Danielle Bays and Jaime Fearer, a former Secretary of the board who helped the group create its website amongst other duties.
About two dozen neighbors spoke about issues of concern in the Trinidad, from illegal dumping to sex workers. Both Sauceda-Guzman and Hoffman said they were hoping to assist in reestablishing the TNA but would not be serving as officers or board members because of their responsibilities to the ANC. As some speakers noted, the original TNA had an adversarial relationship with some previous ANC commissioners, and the organization took on some responsibilities that it felt the ANC was neglecting. Perhaps, with the current ANC, a new TNA would be focused on different issues.
To keep the ball rolling, Sauceda-Guzman has created a form for neighbors to signup to join a new Action Committee that would work to relaunch the TNA in about three months.
Commentary: My friend and I looked at doing something like this last year and concluded that handling the money (dues and existing funds) is daunting and overly complicated. In my opinion, what we really need at this moment is a basic support network. With a few opportunities to get to know each other, we can assist neighbors during the pandemic and communicate about all sorts of neighborhood issues and improvements more effectively. I welcome efforts to flyer and reach out to neighbors without internet access or digital literacy. I urge the Action Committee to prioritize simple steps over more formal, complicated administration, which can be addressed soon. Also, for the sake of transparency, make all meetings public and open to all. I'm happy to donate some graphic design work.
Now, new ANC commissioners are spearheading an effort to revive the organization. Salvador Sauceda-Guzman, commissioner for 5D02, created a survey on his own website and invited neighbors to a preliminary organizing meeting over Zoom this past Sunday. He shared a chart (below) showing some of the shared concerns of survey respondents. Commissioner Zachary Hoffman was in attendance, as well as current TNA board member Danielle Bays and Jaime Fearer, a former Secretary of the board who helped the group create its website amongst other duties.
About two dozen neighbors spoke about issues of concern in the Trinidad, from illegal dumping to sex workers. Both Sauceda-Guzman and Hoffman said they were hoping to assist in reestablishing the TNA but would not be serving as officers or board members because of their responsibilities to the ANC. As some speakers noted, the original TNA had an adversarial relationship with some previous ANC commissioners, and the organization took on some responsibilities that it felt the ANC was neglecting. Perhaps, with the current ANC, a new TNA would be focused on different issues.
To keep the ball rolling, Sauceda-Guzman has created a form for neighbors to signup to join a new Action Committee that would work to relaunch the TNA in about three months.
Commentary: My friend and I looked at doing something like this last year and concluded that handling the money (dues and existing funds) is daunting and overly complicated. In my opinion, what we really need at this moment is a basic support network. With a few opportunities to get to know each other, we can assist neighbors during the pandemic and communicate about all sorts of neighborhood issues and improvements more effectively. I welcome efforts to flyer and reach out to neighbors without internet access or digital literacy. I urge the Action Committee to prioritize simple steps over more formal, complicated administration, which can be addressed soon. Also, for the sake of transparency, make all meetings public and open to all. I'm happy to donate some graphic design work.
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