| We are challenged by the huge size of our neighborhood. It is one of the largest neighborhood associations in the U.S., as it is bordered by 21st Avenue, South, Elmington Park/West End Middle School/West End Avenue, Blakemore/31st Avenue (Vanderbilt University), Woodlawn Avenue, and Love Circle. Our diverse residents are composed of approximately 60% property owners and 40% renters, including many students from Vanderbilt and Belmont universities. We look to include as many people in our events, activities and decision-making as possible. Dues are not required; any resident is automatically a member of HWEN. Our Board of Directors represents people from all walks of life and from every corner of our neighborhood. As a means of including everyone in all dialogue, we distribute a quarterly newsletter, send out e-blasts to anyone who signs up for them, post information on our website (www.hwen.org), and post public banners to herald public events. HWEN sponsors and coordinates public events to educate its membership as to ongoing public issues such as zoning, historic preservation efforts, community outreach, public and private education, greenspace and recreational developments such as Triangle Pocket Park, Bernard Art Park, Elmington Park, and Fannie Mae Dees Park ('Dragon Park'). HWEN promotes the arts with free and discounted opportunities to attend Dragon Music Sundays, free cinematic showings at The Belcourt, stage productions, and more. We are in constant communication about crime issues that affect our area and neighboring communities. We reach out to residents through Night Out Against Crime and a weekly crime report from the West Precinct of the MNPD. Zoning issues are monitored and made public through our newsletter and at meetings. Our Annual Meeting usually features representatives from other organizations and the MNPD as well. |
