By Astrid Furstner | CNA Chair
Change is once again upon us. November is not only election time for the nation, state, county and city. It also is the election of seven board members for our association. It’s essential that you cast your vote for the board – and chair – positions that expire this year.
You don’t even have to leave home to participate in the Wednesday, Nov. 4, CNA Annual Meeting and election. It begins at 7 p.m. on Google Meet. Find log-on information at ConcordiaPDX.org/CNAMeetings.
The open positions are: chair, northwest 2, southwest 2, east 2, and at large 2, 4 and 6.
Who can serve/vote?
Any person who is a CNA member can hold an elected or appointed position and vote in CNA elections.
What does that mean?
Members include everyone located within the association’s boundaries (see CNA boundaries in map directly below) as residents and property owners, and one representative each from business licensees, government agencies, education institutions and nonprofit organizations. You must also be 14 years or older to run for election to the board and, if you’re younger than 18, have parent/guardian permission.
Geographic qualifications
To qualify for chair or an at large board position, you must meet the membership criteria described above. For a specific CNA district position – in this year’s case, northwest, east or southwest – your membership criteria must be based within the boundaries of that district. (Again, see CNA district boundaries in map directly below.)
Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings, attend CNA functions, participate in CNA committees, represent the association with partner organizations and otherwise contribute to our mission: to connect Concordia residents and businesses and to inform, educate and report on activities, issues and opportunities of the neighborhood.
As the chair, I have been tasked with drafting agendas, presiding over meetings, working with all of the committees and board members, and providing you with monthly updates.
Although I will not be seeking re-election, I highly recommend you get involved.
It has been an honor to have worked with my neighbors and to serve.
Many thanks to all who have emailed, called, or taken time to speak with me about their concerns for Concordia, this place we call home.
Astrid Furstner is a mother, a wife, an immigrant, a local artist and an artisan. She lives with her luthier husband, Brent, and her artist-in-the-making daughter, Luciana. Together, they call Concordia their home.