Bayside Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 10125
Portland, Maine 04104

A history of the Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) is provided in their first monthly newsletter, which is now published on a regular basis.  It tells of how the BNA was formed in the summer of 1998 as a result of an open meeting held by city representatives and neighbors to discuss racial conflicts among local teenagers. Out of the first open meeting a group of people discovered they had some common interests and began to meet monthly in a local church to explore issues of concern in the neighborhood. Issues of concern raised included open space, affordable housing,
maintaining existing housing stock and community safety.

Beginnings in September of 1998 concentrated efforts to begin a membership drive were undertaken through the formation of a committee led by  Sandy Elder. Canvassing the neighborhood with surveys they were able to garner interest and spread awareness of the development of the BNA.

In August of 1999 the Bayside Neighborhood Association was able to elect officers and the twenty-two Steering Committee members. Membership is open to residents, property owners, in addition to being offered to a few institutional friends. These would include the Chestnut Street Church, Preble Street Resource Center, and the First Assembly of God Church. There are approximately eighty voting members and ???subcommittees in place. 

With the help of a Community Block Development Grant the BNA has been able to hire a community organizer, Krista Haapala (krista.haapala@ivillage.com) to help guide the group in advocating for themselves.

Part of the revised Mission statement (not yet formally approved by BNA at date of publishing) states…"BNA preserves and promotes safety, multi-cultural diversity and carefully planned social, economic, and physical development in this unique urban community".

According to Sandy Elder, president of BNA , the three priorities of BNA are: Housing, Diversity, and Safety.