The General Meeting was held in the Bowie Cafeteria on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, with around 80 attendees.

Members voted to elect the 2020 board: 

• Lily Spencer President
• Kate Rutherford Vice President 
• Frank Elam Membership Chair
• Joe Dorfmeister Chair of Code/Zoning/Safety 
• Katie Mudd Media Chair
• Patti Troupe Events Chair
• Travis Swindle Treasurer 
• Sandra McKimmey Secretary
• Vacant Beautification Chair – We are still looking for a volunteer to head the Chair of Beautification! Is it you? 

Members voted to change the following bylaws at the request of the board:

• The General Meeting may now be scheduled anytime during the first quarter vs. strictly in January
• Board members may now hold office longer than two consecutive years if there are no other candidates

2019 Financial Report – click here.

Association Accomplishments in 2019:

BEAUTIFICATION: 

• Repaired the sprinklers to the Arapaho Strip entrance sign and rigged another solution to the rest of the strip (saving thousands) until we come up with a permanent solution
• Secured a new landscaper to mow the Arapaho Strip bi-weekly and trim the hedges twice a year at a very reasonable cost
• Took over (temporarily) the organization of the holiday decorations on stop signs and entrance signs

MEMBERSHIP: 

• Conducted a survey to see how we could best serve our neighborhood
• Began planning a 2020 membership drive 
• Began redesigning the welcome packets for new homeowners
• Began reorganizing the welcome packet delivery process
• Began looking into online membership directory possibilities

VIP (Volunteers in Patrol/Crime Watch) : 

• Chair of Code/Zoning/Safety  took over as leader of Crime Watch (VIP) group
• Met with VIP volunteers the 4^th Thursday of each month
• Created new online sign-up capability for VIP members
• Obtained new magnets & patrol light for vehicles
• Maintained close communications with Cara Mendhelson (city councilwoman), and Officer Lutz of the DPD
• Attended neighborhood meetings such as NDNA & Coffee with Cara

MEDIA: 

• Created new digital newsletters 
• sent out 10 digital & hardcopy newsletters
• Secured over $1000 of in-kind donations from local businesses
• Regularly updated Estates West Facebook page and Nextdoor with relevant information and events
• Updated the website with current information and redirected traffic to the site for all events
• Created a Google Docs for the Association to keep track of documents in a centralized location
• Redirected all emails connected with the Association to [email protected], [email protected] & [email protected]

EVENTS: 

• Hosted an Easter hunt/potluck party in partnership with Prestonwood East
• Hosted the 4^th of July Parade & party in partnership with Prestonwood East & Highlands North
• Hosted National Night Out 
  • Each of these events was very successful with much more participation than in previous years. 
• Hosted NEW events: Halloween & Christmas house decorating contests
• Passed out many gift cards and prizes
• Created new signage for the membership drive

FINANCIALS:

• Voted to move the board towards an official non-profit in order request more donations from local businesses
• Started a financial approvals list for board members and their volunteers
• Created an easy online reimbursement system for Association costs
• Created profit & loss, cash flow & balance statements for 2019
• Began looking into automatic renewal notifications for Association members to renew their membership easily

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:

• Kanette Grasse for serving as Chair of Beautification. She had to step down in January due to a new full time job 
• Arapaho Strip volunteers for keeping weeds and ants at bay. (Note that none of these volunteers even live by the strip, they just love our neighborhood!) 
• Amy Spencer for serving as Secretary, she had to step down in November due to an increased workload. 
• Sylvia Urech and her volunteers for bringing Welcome Packets to new neighbors. Sylvia is stepping down as the organizer.
• Cathy Ignatin and all the volunteers for decorating the stop signs during the holidays! Cathy has stepped down from her role as organizer. 
• Sunshine Mossa & her team of door to door newsletter and invitation deliverers for hand delivering newsletters door to door. (They had an increased workload this year with all their deliveries!)
• VIP volunteers for patrolling our neighborhood each month, keeping eyes on anything unusual and staying connected with our police department.
• Ann Murphy and her volunteers for decorating our neighborhood with flags during certain holidays.
• Monique Kursner and her volunteers who helped organize Easter in the past and ALL the volunteers who helped with the Easter potluck party in 2019!
• Mr. Hugo Sanchez – Code Inspector from the City of Dallas for attending our General Meeting and being available to answer questions from residents.
• OUR SPONSORS FOR THE EVENING!
  • DALLAS ARBORETUM for providing 4 entrance tickets for our giveaway
  • COUSINS PAINTBALL for providing gift certificates for our giveaway AND our water bottles for the evening!
  • GRANDMA’S BAKERY for providing delicious homemade cookies
  • THE NATIONAL VIDEO GAME MUSEUM for providing entrance tickets for our giveaway
  • RAISING CANES CHICKEN for providing tea, lemonade for the evening & a gift basket for our giveaway
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS for providing UTD branded t-shirts & cups for our giveaway

Criminals probably won’t be inclined to follow the shelter-in-place guidelines set forth by the City of Dallas from 3/24/20 – 4/4/20. The following tips can help keep our neighborhood safe, especially during the next few weeks as you are around the house!

1. Keep garage doors closed – this can be a little daunting, especially if you’re working outside or your children are out playing. Just remember that individuals looking to steal love to cruise down alleyways to see what’s easily accessible.
2. Stay alert while walking – many of us are outside right now, getting some much needed fresh air! Let your walk/jog be even more beneficial by staying aware and reporting any suspicious activity to 911.  Remember to walk down alleyways and side streets too – staying vigilant deters crime and helps the police to catch suspects faster! 
3. Keep 6ft away from neighbors – Obviously this is just during the next few weeks as we try to flatten the curve. Keep in mind that seniors and those with compromised immune systems also need to get out and walk. If you see someone coming your way, move 6ft + away from them. Hopefully they will understand and not take offense! 
4. Get or give assistance – Sign-up online at www.Estateswest.org if you are homebound and need assistance or if you would like to volunteer to help those in need during this time. If you know a neighbor not online who may need support, please call them or drop a note in their mailbox to see if there is anything they need.

Dear Neighbors of Estates West,

In light of recent recommendations for social distancing and mandatory limits on social gatherings due to the Covid-19 virus, the Estates West Neighborhood Association (in partnership with our neighbors, Prestonwood East) will be canceling the annual Easter Egg Hunt/Potluck party at Bowie Elementary scheduled for Sunday, April 5th. It is our sincere hope that, after this has passed us by, we can create a new event for us to gather and celebrate the season together before summertime. Otherwise, we will soon be gearing up to work towards the 4th of July parade!

Just a reminder that if you are homebound and need assistance, or would like to volunteer to help those in need during this time, please visit our website www.EstatesWest.org to find out more and sign-up.

Sincerely,

Lily Spencer / President Estates West Neighborhood Association

Dear Neighbors of Estates West,

We hope this note finds you in good spirits, enjoying this lovely, rainy day!

As you are all WELL aware, we are currently experiencing a major event, the Covid-19 virus. Information is pouring in via every media source and Dallas is on high alert as schools extend their Spring Break and other large events cancel. The temptation to horde supplies such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer is rampant and we are all being encouraged to practice “social distancing.” 

Let’s take a moment to consider those at the highest risk for complications due to this virus – senior citizens and those with immune deficiencies.

I know there are many loving hearts in Estates West, eager to do what they can to help a neighbor in need, whether that means picking up prescriptions, going to the grocery store or offering some extra toilet paper! So let’s show our love by stepping up and doing what communities (should!) do best – BE THERE for one another! 

If you are either in need of some assistance or would like to volunteer to help a neighbor, please complete this form and we will connect with you soon.

If you know of a neighbor in need that may not receive these emails, please send us their address or speak with them directly to see if they would like help. 

I pray that while keeping smart, any fears you may have about this situation begin to subside knowing that together we will come out of this stronger and more connected as a neighborhood…and the world!

For additional information and assistance from the City of Dallas please, visit: https://dallascityhall.com/Pages/Corona-Virus.aspx

Sincerely,
Lily Spencer / President
Estates West Neighborhood Association

You are invited to the Estates West’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, March 10 in the Bowie Elementary cafeteria from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Thanks to our sponsors!

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SIGN UP HERE TODAY.

The University of Texas at Dallas is opening its doors to its neighbors for a Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, Feb. 8. RSVP by Feb. 4 to [email protected] to attend.

Calling all Estates West residents – we need to hear from you! Please complete this quick 9 question survey about our neighborhood. We will use this data as we continue to revitalize the neighborhood’s Association and plan for a 2020 Membership Drive! 

Need a little motivation? Each email associated with a survey will be entered into a drawing for  1 of 10 gift cards! Click here: https://bit.ly/2QLnydQ

Estates West Homeowners Board is introducing our first-ever Holiday decorating contest! Decorate your home to be the most festive in the neighborhood. Winning entries will be listed in the Estates West Newsletter, on the website and Facebook Page. Prizes from Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and Ace Hardware to the top three decorated homes in the neighborhood.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
                                                                                           – Winston Churchill

Calling all Estates West Neighbors – are you looking for a way to volunteer in our community? Here are 3 positions and their descriptions we currently have available. If you are interested, please send an email to [email protected] and we will connect with you soon! 

Sign Master(s)– this position needs a detailed oriented person(s)  to store,  place and pick-up the Estates West metal signs we use for events like bulk trash pickup (once a month), Easter Party, 4^th of July Parade, General Meeting &  Membership Drive. It takes about 45 minutes to place all 6 signs. Time commitments each month vary but are generally 2 – 4hrs. This is a great opportunity for a family who wants to get outside and support the neighborhood! 

Chair of Beautification – We are looking for the next board member to join our team in January! As we are in the middle of revitalizing the Association, the job description is still in flux but generally will be asked to oversee:  the Arapaho Strip beautification volunteers, the holiday decoration volunteers, and the entrance sign decoration volunteers. Opportunities to join other revitalization committees will be available! This is a leadership/voting position that meets at monthly board meetings (currently the 3rd Thursday from 7:00-8:00 pm). Time commitments vary but are generally 3-5 hours each month including the meeting. Not sure if this is a good fit for you? Come try it out for 3 months before our General Election in March! 

Secretary – We are looking for our next Secretary to serve on the Association’s board starting in January! Job description includes being able to take detailed notes during each month’s board meeting (currently the 3^rdThursday from 7:00-8:00 pm) and uploading them to our Google Drive. The secretary will also be responsible for checking a P.O. box twice monthly, recording and distributing mail as necessary. Opportunities to join other revitalization committees will be available. Time commitments vary but are generally 2 – 4 hours each month including the meeting.  Not sure if this is a good fit for you? Come try it out for 3 months before our General Election in March!