East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership

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Approved by the SECIA board on August 21, 2024, a merger vote of three neighborhood associations will be before the Como community from September 28 – October 1, 2024.

Merging Organizations, Not Neighborhoods

The boards of the Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA), the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA), and the Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) have recognized that as their neighborhoods continue to evolve, the effectiveness and sustainability of neighborhood organizations has become increasingly critical. These three associations have long served their neighborhoods well; however, the time has come to merge into a single, more robust organization. The East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership will enhance resource allocation, strengthen advocacy, streamline operations, and ultimately result in a more unified and effective voice for the communities they represent.

The East Bank Neighborhood Partnership would provide a platform for residents from all its neighborhoods to collaborate more effectively on community-building initiatives. Whether organizing neighborhood festivals, launching beautification projects, or advocating for social justice issues, a merged organization could create a sense of shared purpose and pride among residents. This, in turn, would strengthen the social fabric of the neighborhoods and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community. Moreover, a single organization could better represent the diverse voices within these neighborhoods, ensuring that the perspectives of all residents are heard and valued. By fostering greater inclusivity and collaboration, the merged entity could help bridge divides and promote a stronger sense of belonging among all community members.

The merger of the SECIA, MHNA, and NIEBNA into a single non-profit organization presents a unique opportunity to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of neighborhood advocacy in Minneapolis. By pooling resources, strengthening advocacy efforts, streamlining operations, and fostering a stronger sense of community, the merged entity would be better positioned to address the challenges and opportunities facing these neighborhoods in the years to come. As Minneapolis continues to grow and evolve, a unified neighborhood association would serve as a powerful force for positive change, ensuring that the voices of East Bank Neighborhoods are heard, and their needs are met.

Key Documents

What’s Next?

In August 2024, NIEBNA, SECIA, and MHNA approved the proposed Plan of Merger at their respective board meetings:

  • MHNA – Tuesday, August 20, 2024
  • SECIA – Wednesday, August 21, 2024
  • NIEBNA – Thursday, August 22, 2024

The vote is now before each organization’s membership. Each association will use the online service Election Runner to conduct electronic voting by their membership in September / October 2024. Voters will have 72 hours to review and submit their ballot.

To receive a ballot, please fill out this form. Eligible voters in Southeast Como will receive this ballot via email on Saturday, September 28th.

QR Code Option You may also request a ballot by using your phone’s camera to scan this code:

  • NIEBNA members will begin voting on the night of Thursday, September 19, 2024. This voting period will conclude at on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
  • SECIA members will begin voting on Saturday, September 28, 2024, the date of their annual Como Cookout. Their voting period will conclude on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
  • MHNA will begin voting on the night of Tuesday, October 1, 2024; their voting period will end at on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Summary of Merger Plan

East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership

Minneapolis’ support for its neighborhoods is shrinking.

We want to assure a sustainable and stable administrative structure to support the volunteer community-building projects and events, current and future, throughout our neighborhoods.

Three associations on the East Bank propose to merge:

  • Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA)
  • Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA)
  • Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA)

These associations represent the city-defined neighborhoods of Nicollet Island-East Bank, Southeast Como, Mid-City Industrial, Marcy-Holmes and the University Neighborhood.

New Non-Profit

East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership will be the name of the non-profit that will replace the three merging associations.

Resources and obligations of the three associations including all property, money, accounts, and offices will be consolidated. All current fund restrictions will be honored.

Membership will include all residents of the merged area plus non-resident representatives of area businesses and non-profits.

New Board of Directors, with 15 members, will be established by the fall of 2025. Each of 3 geographic areas will elect 3 directors, and 6 directors from the entire merged area will be elected at large. Bylaws will assure fair representation of renters and owner-occupants. Non-residents representing area businesses and non-profits may be elected as directors, but not as officers.

Transition

Establishment of the new non-profit will be on or before 12/31/2024, when we file paperwork with the State of MN. Until then, the three associations will work to assure a smooth transition and create an interim board.

Interim Board will consist of 4 interim directors appointed by each of the three merging associations. Those 12 will appoint 3 more directors to represent the interests of the University Neighborhood. These 15 interim directors will implement the Merger Plan, adopting bylaws, establishing committees as needed, hiring staff, and setting up elections for the new Board. They will serve until the general election in the fall of 2025.

Administrative tasks will include setting up an accounting system, closing unnecessary bank accounts, filing returns for retired tax IDs, archiving corporate records, creating a new website, and setting up a new office.

Due diligence is in the best interests of the neighborhoods. The three neighborhood associations worked with a financial consultant, discussed the proposal at multiple public meetings, and hired an attorney to review the legal documents. Neighborhood & Community Relations and the U of M’s Good Neighbor Fund paid all costs.

Questions or Comments

To see a PDF version of the presentation made to the SECIA community on August 14, 2024, please Click Here.

Please direct all questions and/or comments to the SECIA office: [email protected].