North Austin Civic Association

November, 2008

A Bittersweet Farewell
to All

by Anthony Williams

Two years ago, I was given the opportunity to lead this neighborhood association. At the time, I had no idea what I was doing, or what I was getting myself into. I had little speaking experience, and none at all running a volunteer organization. I was brand new to local neighborhood politics. I was also far different from any other previous leaders in the past. The neighborhood had (and still does have) many distressed properties and businesses, and needed a lot of work. Not too mention, there was a large cultural gap preventing many residents from getting involved with beautification and improvement of our streets and homes. Despite these formidable challenges, I did not even hesitate when the chance came my way.

You may ask why anyone in their right mind, given these circumstances, would be so willing to assign themselves to this task. It's simple: I just didn't focus on these things. Instead, I focused on the potential that I saw. I had (and still have) a vision and a dream for this neighborhood. I see tremendous possibilities for our streets, our parks, our schools, our businesses, and our homes. I decided to take action in order to do my part to make this vision a reality.

Within the first half of last year, reality began to ground me. I realized that not everyone would hold the same vision that I had. It was harder to build a genuine interest in (and consensus for) my initial grand ideas than I had anticipated. There was an atmosphere of frustration with conditions in the neighborhood. There was also frustration with certain city agencies for their policies and mechanisms for dealing with these conditions. I learned that in order to make long-term effective change in this neighborhood, it was going to take much longer, and a much different approach.

I changed my leadership and operating philosophy to a style that can be summed up in a simple phrase: "Every day in every way, just a little bit better." The idea behind this philosophy is that instead of large and ambitious projects, it is better to continually repeat smaller beautification and improvement projects over and over. Projects like the Clock Tower renovation, the Second Saturday Cleanups, The Quail Creek Park Improvement Project, Heron Hollow Cleanups, Neighborhood Rangers, etc., are all examples of this. These small, seemingly insignificant projects repeated continuously and compounded by time, will eventually lead this neighborhood to the desired state we are all seeking. No doubt about it. The key is to keep repeating them over and over. Every day in every way, a little bit better.

So as my second term comes to a close, and I prepare to hand he torch to another "keeper of the NACA flame", I ask myself, "How will. I leave the state of this neighborhood versus how I `inherited' it? Is it better now than when I first came aboard?" I like to think that it is just a little bit better. Maybe not how I would have liked to have left it, but in a small way, just a little bit better. And so now it is time for me to bid farewell to this most peculiar post of President of NACA. I must now pursue other life missions of service and callings.

As of January, 15th, 2009, NACA will elect a new Board, and I will cease to be the President of this neighborhood. I will always remain a committed member of NACA, and will begin to focus some of my time next year on building a neighborhood watch for the Galewood and Northgate area. I also plan on working with CrbanConnectionAustin.org to establish and build a community office in that same area. I also see many things that must change in this City, and I may possibly pursue these changes in the not too distant future... so keep an eye and an ear out for me!!

NACA will need to find new leadership and direction in January. We are seeking volunteers to be on the Nominating Committee for the selection of candidates for the 2009 officers. We need to have nominees by December 15th, 2008. Members who wish to submit nominations must be current in their dues. All nominated candidates must also be current on dues, and have continuously and permanently resided in NACA for at least 30 days prior to the election. To join the committee, please contact me at 1-866-531-4620, or via e-mail at: williams762@earthlink.net.

It has been a sincere privilege and a pleasure to be of service to each and every one of you'. Thank you!
   
Reprinted from
Your Neighbrhood News, Vol.6 No.11,
November. 2008

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