The Neighborhood Partnership Network
Spotlight Issues
Zoning 101
The terminology used in city planning measures can many times be exclusive and hard to understand. However, the City Planning Commission (CPC) has simplified the most frequent terms that community members should be familiar with in order to get involved… read more
2012 Trumpet Award Winners
This year we had some incredibly stiff competition for all categories, especially the Model Citizen category- so much so, that we decided to award two of the nominees this year! Congratulations to ALL the award winners. Thank you for all… read more
Planning, Zoning, and Preservation Glossary
*Accessory Use:* An accessory use is the use of land that is subordinate, incidental to, and customarily found in connection with the principal use allowed on a lot by the zoning law. A garage is incidental to the principal use… read more
Transparency and Accountability
Committee For A Better New Orleans, Neighborhoods Partnership Network, and PUENTES recently partnered to conduct a series of focus group with Orleans parish residents to gather opinions and insights related to their experiences working with City Hall, accountability and transparency,… read more
City Council Recognizes Melia Subdivision Neighborhood Leaders!
On Thursday, November 1, New Orleans City Council honored longtime neighborhood activists and leaders, Mr. Ben Diggins and Mrs. Cheryl Diggins. As District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "Benjamin and Cheryl Diggins have taken on important responsibilities for their community. Leading… read more
Education Glossary
*Accountability:* the idea that individuals or institutions (ie: schools) should be held responsible for student achievement by means of rewards for success and penalties for those that do not meet acceptable standards. *Achievement test:* a tool used to measure a… read more
Housing Glossary
*adjudicated:* refers to a property that has been transferred to the local or state government due to unpaid taxes and/or safety liens. The government obtains the tax title for the property once the property goes unpurchased at tax sale. *Adjustable… read more
Update your NPN membership!
Did you know that your NPN membership does not automatically renew? It's true- an important aspect of NPN membership is a COMMITTED membership. We need to know every year that you are still an engaged part of the network. So… read more
NPN Best Practices Binder -- Now Online!
The NPN Best Practices Binder -- referred to by NENA as the "bible" of neighborhood organizing -- is now online! Find information about organizing, blight, zoning, neighborhood improvement, creating partnerships, housing finance, contractor guidelines, and much more. The PDF version… read more
Moving Towards A Smoke-Free New Orleans
The "Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act":http://tobaccofreeliving.org/home5/section/3-45/louisiana-smoke-free-air-act has served as a cornerstone for creating a cleaner, healthier New Orleans. It protects ourselves, our family, and our friends from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke exposure. It allows us to eat in restaurants… read more
Road Home
Nearly three years after the storms, many New Orleanians are still having difficulty rebuilding their lives due the many roadblocks that Louisiana's Road Home has imposed on applicants. Residents tend to face one of two problems with their Road Home… read more
Getting your Neighbors Out
Neighborhood organizations around the city have been wondering, "how can I get more people to our meetings?" Some neighborhood associations have successfully outreached to neighbors. Here are some ideas for how to bring out your neighbors and build your organization:… read more
NPN + New Orleans Rising Partnership
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with "New Orleans Rising":http://neworleansrising.com/! In the coming months, NPN and New Orleans Rising will be joining forces to further connect and engage our city's neighborhoods and residents through video interviews and spotlights.… read more
Master Planning for Neighborhoods in New Orleans
A master plan can be simply defined as a tool to guide the future development in an area. The State of Louisiana requires that a master plan shall be adopted to guide the physical development of a municipality or parish… read more
Hip Scene. Historic Setting :: The French Market District
If you think you know the "French Market":http://www.frenchmarket.org/, think again. The French Market District is a "neighborhood within a neighborhood" in the French Quarter, home to over "30 retail shops":http://www.frenchmarket.org/shopping/, "7 restaurants":http://www.frenchmarket.org/shopping/colonnade-shops/, and "9 Farmers Market eateries":http://www.frenchmarket.org/farmers-market/eateries/, plus plenty of… read more
Office of Neighborhoods Across the Country
In many cities across the country, an Office of Neighborhoods coordinates information delivery and helps neighborhoods help themselves, through a variety of programs, from small-scale grants to technical assistance. Through this office, citizen input is directed to the people who… read more
How to Use & Update Your NPN Profile
Don't forget to update your profile on npnnola.com! Keep the New Orleans community updated on your group's latest news; ensure a great turn-out at your next event; or find volunteers for your next project! "In my first week [of posting]… read more
New Orleans Citizen Participation Project (CPP)
What is the CPP? A Citizen Participation Program is a vehicle for individuals, communities and neighborhoods to have greater access and impact on the policies and actions of our city government. It is a way for people and city government… read more
Community Gardens
This is a critical moment in the history of New Orleans' food production. As citizens continue their work in revitalizing our city they should consider creating a resource for fresh, healthy food in their own neighborhoods. Establishing a community garden… read more
Helping Your Neighbors by Connecting Them to Resources
Case management at it's most basic is defined as "people connecting other people with resources." Social workers are case managers, helping people identify the steps they need to take in their recovery, whatever kind of recovery that is. Neighborhood organizations… read more
Save New Orleans Homes
The title clearing collaborative, formed by "Louisiana Appleseed":http://louisiana.appleseednetwork.org/, "Southeast La. Legal Services":http://www.slls.org/, "The Pro Bono Project":http://www.probono-no.org/, and the "Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law":http://www.lawyerscommittee.org/, and funded by "GNOF":http://www.gnof.org/, has been working hard for over a year to help 400… read more
NPN's Neighbor 2 Neighbor Initiative
The revitalization of New Orleans will take all of her citizens working together, not only in their own homes and neighborhoods but across the city. The Neighbor 2 Neighbor Initiative (N2N) is about sharing in each other's work: sharing the… read more
The "Lot Next Door" Program
The Lot Next Door (LND) is the first phase for the disposition of "Road Home Properties." It only applies to properties that the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority owns. This represents so far 100 houses and lots all over New Orleans… read more
Congratulations to NPN Team member, Nora McGunnigle!
On Wednesday, June 6, NPN Director of Operations Nora McGunnigle earned a Certificate of Completion from the Nonprofit Strategy Institute (NSI) at "Tulane University’s Center for Public Service":http://tulane.edu/cps/. The Institute was designed for executive directors and other top leaders of… read more
Not a nonprofit? Get a fiscal sponsor!
Many organizations active in New Orleans are not 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits. Some are in the process of applying, and some are simply not interested. It is still possible for these organizations to apply for the same grants as nonprofits. To… read more
NPN's Timolynn Sams on WYLD-FM
Hear WYLD-FM's Theresa Sanchez speak with Timolynn about NPN's work, including the recent release of our LSU-NPN partnership survey results, on "Sunday Journal." read more
Writing a Mission Statement
A mission statement sums up your organization's reason for being. It explains your intentions, priorities, and values to people both inside and outside the group. It can guide you and help you stay focused on the things that are most… read more
Understanding the City's Budget
Following the City's budget meetings and community forums throughout 2011, NPN compiled this helpful guide to "Understanding the City's Budget":https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7eePSJwudApMy1vdk4wMVZZX0U. Using this guide can help all New Orleanians advocate for budget transparency with the goal of making ALL New Orleans… read more
