Free Meeting Space Available for Neighborhood Associations

Neighborhood associations are invited to request free meeting space through a new partnership from the City of Corvallis and the Corvallis School District. The initiative is intended to remove barriers to participation and encourage local involvement in neighborhoods throughout Corvallis. The program started on July 1, when the City of Corvallis and Corvallis School District began their new fiscal years.

The program is open to recognized neighborhood associations that have registered with the City and meet the following basic requirements:

• Allow all community members, including renters and property owners, within the defined geographic boundary to participate.
• Provide contact information for two people who will help build communication between neighbors and with the City.
• Define geographic boundaries and provide a map.
• Develop an organizing document, such as bylaws or a neighborhood agreement, that includes an association or group name, purpose, officer or representative positions, a method of communication, and boundaries.
• Conduct a minimum of one annual meeting per year.

Resources for starting a new neighborhood association are available online at https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/neighborhood-services.

Free meeting space at facilities owned by the City and the School District will initially be limited to once per year for each recognized neighborhood association. Meeting space is subject to availability. Scheduling will be accomplished through an online form at www.corvallisoregon.gov/meetingspace.

The idea for this initiative came from the Community Involvement and Diversity Advisory Board, which voted in 2017 to recommend that the City Council provide free meeting space as a way improve transparency and encourage public involvement.

The topic of free meeting space has been discussed by public officials and neighborhood leaders for many years. The Corvallis School District, with 13 school locations, sees this as a community-building opportunity between neighborhoods and schools.

The new program officially launched on July 1. Organizers at the City and School District plan to review the program after the first year and, if needed, propose changes.