March 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes
SWONA Quarterly Meeting – March 20, 2025
Attendance: 32 Neighbors Present
Visioning for the Future of SWONA
Grace Fletcher, SWONA Treasurer, emphasized the importance of community building and connecting with neighbors. SWONA represents about 5,000 households in South West Olympia, making it one of the largest Neighborhood Associations in the area. The goal is to foster a stronger, more connected community.
Emergency Preparedness
Secretary Taylor Werner provided an overview of how we can better organize the neighborhood on a block-by-block basis to create emergency response teams. The discussion highlighted the need for localized coordination and planning to respond to emergencies more effectively. A working group is currently forming to help organize and implement these plans. Anyone interested in being involved is encouraged to reach out.
Coalition of Neighborhood Associations Update
Vice President Stuart shared highlights from the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) meeting. Key topics included:
- West Bay Yards Project: A proposed 480-unit complex at the former Hardell Lumber Facility.
- Middle Housing Initiative: Efforts to increase high-density, affordable housing to reduce sprawl.
- Intercity Transit Redesign: Focus on more stops and better service for Olympia’s east-west corridor.
Neighborhood Fund Matching Grant
SWONA applied for funding for a Neighborhood Picnic on August 24 at Decatur Woods Park. The grant would cover food, chairs, tents, and tables. The proposal also includes a community garden initiative to build stronger connections and combat food insecurity.
Gleaning Project
A new program allowing neighbors to donate excess fruits for others to harvest. There may also be a cider press available for use.
Summer Garage Sale
The SWONA Summer Garage Sale will be held on June 21 & 22. Volunteers are needed to help with logistics, marketing, and coordination. Participants will receive a map to guide neighbors to garage sale locations.
Election of an Outreach Coordinator
SWONA is seeking an Outreach Coordinator to help with social media, email communication, and online presence. Interested candidates can reach out to SWONA. UPDATE: We found one! Welcome Zach!
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held just before the garage sale in June. More details to follow.
Additional Meetings and Social Opportunities
In addition to our quarterly meetings, SWONA will be holding regular committee meetings to help accomplish our goals and allow members to actively participate in shaping the future of our neighborhood. These committee meetings will focus on various community projects and initiatives, such as emergency preparedness, neighborhood events, and outreach efforts.
There will also be informal social gatherings to foster connections between neighbors, provide a relaxed atmosphere for conversation, and allow everyone to get to know one another better. These informal meetups will be an opportunity for neighbors to share ideas, ask questions, and stay engaged in a more casual setting.
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming committee meetings and social gatherings – we’d love for you to join us!
Presentation Materials:
SWONA Quarterly Meeting - 3.20.25 v2.pptx (3714017)
Neighborhood Based Emergency Response (1).pdf (347530)