Raising a glass to 2020 accomplishments and to the year ahead during WBNA’s 38th Annual Meeting
Over two hundred neighbors joined us via Zoom and Facebook Live for our 2021 Annual Meeting, which, while held virtually this year, may have been our most personal to date according to neighbor feedback.
This swift-moving event saw many faces from board members past and present to local business owners and neighbors new and old. It was heartwarming to see so many people from the WBNA community onscreen, to celebrate our community Award Winners and board nominees, and to highlight our 2020 accomplishments and what’s to come in 2021. Watch below.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Executive Director Kari Lang walked us through the achievements of our last year and our goals for 2021 with the annual Director’s Report and Year-in-Review presentation (see above at 7:14).
While it was a year like no other, WBNA was able to respond to 2020’s challenges with the help of many neighbors and the generous support of sponsors. Throughout the lockdown and beyond, we continued to show up for our community, with compassion and support – however neighbors needed it – and with a flexibility that this year required as we collectively navigated the pandemic.
We shared information, delivered food and grocery gift cards, worked with elected officials and state agencies, organized a record-breaking neighborhood giving campaign, and supported businesses. And initiatives led by staff, board members and neighbors brought us – and continue to bring us – through a trying time with grace and generosity. We are grateful to everyone who did their part this year to hold us together as a caring community.
Learn more in the above video about how WBNA refocused in 2020 to meet new challenges, and continued and expanded our advocacy and community-building work this past year!
AWARD WINNERS
WBNA staff and board members, with neighbors past and current, warmly presented this year’s WBNA Awards (21:57 in above video), which honor outstanding service to our community and those who lead initiatives and projects that support WBNA's mission.
Certificate of Recognition
Frank Martinez, UPS Driver (02909)
Fueling Community Award
Kaitlyn Alyece Event Architects
Local Business Award
Seven Stars Bakery ~ Bread Donation Program
Superlative Steward Award
David Haller (posthumous)
Ken & Rebecca Phillips Award
Ken Phillips
Neighborhood Public School Hero Awards
Sherri Mooney, West Broadway Middle School
Maureen Bradley, Carl G. Lauro Elementary School
Lori Williams, Asa Messer Elementary School
Our Board
Retiring board members Caleb Borchers, Emily Koo, Cynthia Langlykke, and Nancy Worthen were recognized for their work and dedication by Nominating Committee member Obed Papp.
Obed then led the welcome and voting in of our 2021 Board of Directors. WBNA board members are neighbors who volunteer their time and talents to help guide the organization according to its mission and goals. A public nomination period for board, committee, and award candidates is held in November of each year.
Check out a new website feature that compares our 2020 board and staff demographics with that of the neighborhood. And meet our new 2021 officers and board members here.
The Year Ahead
In 2021, WBNA will continue its advocacy for affordable housing, as we continue to work with Homes RI as an organizational partner, show up at city and state hearings on housing related issues, and plan for expanding and building affordable housing units on WBNA properties such as 1192 Westminster (already containing affordable housing and office units).
WBNA events and programs, Neighborhood Nights, advocating for the Cranston Street Armory’s future, and our role as a watchdog for people-centered and human scale development in our urban neighborhood are ongoing, and we invite you to join us in any of this work! We are people powered, and strive to shape our neighborhood as a place for all people, guided by community voice, advocacy, and equity.
Finally, WBNA’s Annual Meeting typically not only celebrates community by coming together to interact with our neighbors, but it also kicks off our annual member campaign. Neighbors often bring their membership checks with them to the meeting. Because this year’s meeting was virtual, we ask neighbors to join online or renew your membership TODAY!
WBNA is most appreciative of our Annual Meeting team that made this year’s event possible: Caleb Borchers, Rebecca Atwood, Terry Snook, Obed Papp, and WBNA staff. We also thank our sponsors Residential Properties and The Providence Real Estate Guy for their support, and all neighbors who came out to celebrate with us.