About The Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations

Knowledge Exchange, Networking and Empowering Neighborhoods and Residents The role of the Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations - BANA, is to bring neighborhood leaders and concerned citizens together, face to face, in order to support and strengthen our collective voice. We seek to "Work Together for a Better Community"

The regular monthly BANA meetings provide the forums for dialogues that accomplish this stated purpose. These meetings, originating in 1999 for the following reasons:

* To empower neighborhood groups and residents
* To support each other as we encounter various City issues
* To collectively influence the City Council in a positive manner
* To have a strong voice in the direction of the City's polices
* To share our collective knowledge and resources
* To be an official body for the City to communicate with so that the City can't say that they don't know whom to contact when various projects and policies are being developed. * To communicate as a collective group with City, County, State and Federal agencies regarding their practices and how they impact the City of Berkeley.
* To assist neighborhoods' legal challenges to improper City practices
* To improve the quality of life for all residents

Among the topics BANA has discussed and on which it has taken a stance include its united, successful effort to:
* Preserve of essential city services by constructive recommendations to the City of Berkeley budgetary priorities,
* Engage in discussions on residential density and how it affects Berkeley's character and viability, and the examination of ethics in city planning.
* Encourage UC Berkeley's payment of its fair share for services provided by the City
* Defeat an excessive parcel tax late in 2004 and how to defeat the unfair proposed taxes on the Nov. 2008 ballot

BANA calls for fair and diligent public process with regard to adequate notice on upcoming projects. BANA monitors City planning decisions affecting neighborhoods and commerce areas, and advocates to protect public safety. The current city political environment calls for an ongoing forum for regular and frequent collaboration. If you or your neighborhood organization are interested in being a part of BANA please join us! You may call or email Marie Bowman at the contact information below if you would like more information or would like to schedule a presentation for your neighborhood association.

BANA is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to neighborhood-oriented issues in Berkeley, California. Over the past several years the services provided by BANA, forums, community meetings and proactive dialogue with public and private entities on issues affecting Berkeley neighborhoods have made a difference and at times served as a catalyst for innovative changes and improved services from our city government. Without the BANA many significant City matters would go unnoticed.

Upcoming Events
BANA Monthly Meetings BANA meets the third Saturday of the month Remaining 2010 Meeting Dates-- 3/20, 4/17, 5/22, 9/18, 10/16 11/20, No meeting in December. First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Westminster Hall, Church Lounge, First Floor (2407 Dana Street) Click for more info Informal Coffees TBD Click for more info

We're hopeful that you'll find the BANA a benefit to yourself individually and to our community as a whole. Through BANA a Berkeley resident can make a direct, personal contribution to the improvement of our community. If we are to have government of the people, by the people and for the people we must have the continued participation of BANA as a beacon to our fellow Berkeleyans to let them know what is happening in the City or State before it becomes a fait accompli.

BANA meets monthly-the 3rd Saturday of the month--although we take time off to enjoy holidays and summer. Please email BANA at info@berkeleyana.org or call 800-XXX-XXXX, with any agenda items or questions at a minimum of 10 days prior to the meeting. Meetings are open to members of the public concerned about the welfare of Berkeley's neighborhoods, great and small. You do not need to be in a neighborhood to participate. Please mark your calendars and invite any neighborhood representatives who would benefit from joining us in an exchange of information and discussion of neighborhood and civic issues. All participants are asked to be considerate of one another and to abide with the ground rules to encourage participation in BANA meetings. Together we can make a difference. Making local government effective and responsible is everybody's responsibility.