The Montavilla Neighborhood Association (MNA) will hold Board Member elections at their October 11th meeting, starting at 6:30 PM. Candidates for the open positions will announce their intentions to run later this month at the September 13th meeting. Those announcements will follow a general vote of members on whether to accept amendments to the MNA Bylaws that will change how term limits are applied.

With many existing board members not running for reelection this year, the MNA seeks new directors for six open positions. Having a significant number of seats available, MNA sees this as an opportunity to shape the Board more equitably and with a broader perspective. All eligible members are encouraged to run for the open positions. However, this is the best time for people from historically underrepresented groups to add their experience to MNA leadership.

Interested parties can email mna-email@montavillapdx.org for more information on the process. Additionally, all candidates are welcome to self-nominate at the September 13th general meeting held online via Zoom. Participation in neighborhood associations helps drive positive change within the community and makes Portland’s government work for its citizens.

Ahead of these elections, MNA Members will vote on changing the organization’s Bylaws. The two amendments received their first public reading at the July 12th meeting. Those changes focus on term limits and try to align the Bylaws with current standards and Oregon law. The first change is in removing a three-year term limit on general membership. Most neighborhood associations do not have membership term limits but instead, rely on eligibility requirements. Removing the membership term limit from Section 6 of Article IV in the Bylaws will allow MNA to fall back to the existing requirements for membership detailed in the previous five sections of Article IV.

The second amendment to the Bylaws adds term limits for board members. MNA Board members serve two-year terms. This amendment caps each Board member at two successive terms and then requires a minimum of one year off before running again.

Portland has faced a challenging few years. Regardless the MNA has worked to improve the neighborhood and help those in need whenever possible. Participation in this group is a necessary part of maintaining the health and function of an urban community. Look for opportunities to participate at montavillapdx.org/mna-calendar.

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UPDATE – Removed text and link related to Oregon law over term limits.

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the NMA Board