By Genevieve McDowell Owen

As I finish up the last few weeks as president of the neighborhood citizens’ association, I’ve been trying to pin down the biggest reason I found it so rewarding. Was it the many accolades and constant approbation every time I stepped out my front door? Or the respectful wide-eyed gasp whenever someone spotted the “President, NWCA” on my formal calling cards? Perhaps it was the unlimited power and control over everything that happened in the neighborhood.

Although those perks were okay, I guess, they just didn’t hold a candle to the very best part of my presidency—the people. I most appreciated the opportunity to connect with new neighbors, collaborate with dedicated volunteers from all over the county, and work alongside the remarkable folks of the NWCA: the excellent committee chairs and members, the volunteers who create our beautiful Beacon and lively listserv, and especially the other board members. I regret not having enough space to acknowledge each one individually. Just glance around at the upcoming annual meeting and you’ll see many of them—serving pizza, presenting a slideshow, collecting dues, taking notes, and volunteering in various ways.

My term-limited tenure began amidst the challenges of the pandemic, requiring us to adapt our traditional neighborhood celebrations and community meetings, both small and large, to a virtual format. Despite the obstacles we did it, all while working hard to honor by-laws written largely before “virtual” existed. During that time it was so heartening to witness dedicated folks from all over the community solve pandemic-era technical challenges, from devising awesome Halloween candy chutes to orchestrating charming graduation parades that wound through neighborhood streets.

I’m so proud, as I prepare to move into the position of immediate past president three years later, that three important board initiatives are about to be realized. First, thanks to tireless expert work by current Immediate Past President David Cox, the association is on the verge (come on, IRS!) of becoming a legal nonprofit, an accomplishment that will allow us to do more great things, such as applying for beautification grants and providing tax-exempt status for annual dues.

Our new tax status will also allow us to sign up with SimpliDues, a dues-collection service created by IT whiz, North Woodside resident, and listserv moderator Chris Betti. This new service, designed specifically for modest volunteer organizations like ours, will fulfill another initiative: streamlined dues collection with a built-in payment reminder. Very soon we will no longer have to wonder if we’ve paid dues this year, every resident will be able to both check payment status and securely pay or donate via SimpliDues on the website. Finally, the creation of detailed job descriptions for each board position and committee, the third initiative, is well underway. These information-packed documents will help ensure a smooth transition for future volunteers.

On a personal note, I’m grateful to have spent my tenure serving with such good people, especially during significant life events such as my “nest” emptying, my husband’s retirement, and the loss of several family members, including a parent. Their unwavering support and understanding exemplify the genuine sense of community that defines North Woodside—a truly special place.