The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor. -- Hubert H. Humphrey
A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's. -- Richard Whately
We are a voluntary organization run by unpaid volunteers. There is no formal homeowners' association for the Greenbrier neighborhood, but we have elected officers and an Executive Committee ("EC") which is made up of: the officers, up to 8 elected "At Large" members, and ex officio positions for -- Newsletter Editor(s), Webmaster(s), and the Immediate Past President). As a result of the fact that we are not a homeowners' association, there are no required dues to pay and no association-imposed neighborhood rules -- nor do we even have the power to impose dues or rules.
GNA Purpose - The purpose of the Association shall be to work to try to preserve and enhance the Greenbrier neighborhood, to make it a safe, healthful, enjoyable, and attractive place for its residents and property owners, through: (1) cultivation of good community spirit and communications; (2) promotion of projects and programs that will enhance the neighborhood and the quality of life of its residents; and (3) representation to, and monitoring of, relevant governing bodies and other associations, organizations, and corporations of all sorts, regarding any of their actions or decisions that may affect the neighborhood or its residents.
Officers
Co-Presidents Aven Hormel Kinley -- (Joined EC 2018; Elected Co-Pres. June 2022; Current Term Ends 2024) Holly Robertson -- (June 2020; Elected Co-Pres June 2022; Current Term Ends 2024)
VP -- Mary Ropka --(Joined EC 2017; Elected V.P. June 2022; Term Ends 2024)
Secretary -- Jake Mooney (Joined EC as Sec. May 2021; Current Term Ends 2024) Treasurer -- Jane Tirrell -- (Joined EC 2017; Treasurer since Dec 2018; Current Term 2020-2024)
Immediate Past President- Ned Michie -- (Joined EC 2000)
Other Executive Committee Members (Bylaws provide for 8 At Large members with 2 Year Terms; No Term Limits)
Donna Arehart -- (Joined EC April 2019; Term 2021-2023) Julia Brown -- (Joined EC June 2022; Current Term 2022-2024) Brian Casterline-- (Joined EC June 2022; Current Term 2022-2024) Claire Cronmiller -- (Joined E.C. 2021; Current Term 2021 - 2023) Andy Jaspen -- (Joined E.C. July 2022 by appointment to fill vacancy; Current term end 2023) Leah Puryear -- (Joined EC 2022: Current Term ends 2023) Cate Robbins -- (Joined EC June 2022: Current Term 2022-2024) Eve Solomon -- (Joined E.C. 2014; Current Term 2022-2024)
Web "Master" -- Holly Robertson -- (Appointed EC to fill vacancy June 2020; Appointed Webmaster April 2021); Web Worker -- Ned Michie (Webmaster 2017 - Current). This Web Page Launched Spring 2017
Newsletter Editor -- EC Team Effort Newsletter Distribution Director --Eve Solomon To Email the Executive Committee Members use: [email protected]
Main GNA Activities:
Advocacy for Neighborhood Issues We are fortunate to live in a well-established, lovely, low-crime neighborhood that is essentially fully built out. Consequently, the GNA has been a fairly laid-back organization, given the lack of significant problems and development pressures.
Nevertheless, we are a politically active neighborhood that turns out in high numbers at the polls on election day, and we should not let complacency allow the City to ignore our issues when they develop. As a result, the GNA Executive Committee tries to keep current on neighborhood and City issues, and we appreciate our neighbors helping us in this regard. Email List -- We maintain a group email list, which is the best way to stay informed on events and issues in the neighborhood. As of January 2021 we a little over 500 individuals who have subscribed. There is no cost to join; just send a request to the managers, at [email protected]
Those on the list are able to post requests to the group on a variety of subjects: e.g., seeking recommendations for handymen, sending alerts or questions about utility service or notices of upcoming City events potentially directly affecting the neighborhood, lost and found pets and items, and offers to give away significant items. To post an e-mail to the group once you are a member simply use the group e-mail address which is [email protected]. Once you join the list you can access our Groups.io web pages that can only be viewed by our members (Unlike this one).
On our Groups.io web page - among other features we have listings of neighbors and their kids who are offering professional services. Listing are free. We have also created a subgroup email list for Greenbrier parents and others actively involved in raising children so that they email each other freely about all things child related without concern of over burdening the inboxes of our large main group email lists. Once you become a member of the subgroup for parents/guardians you use [email protected] to send an email to the subgroup.
Click here for full use rules for the GNA Email list.
Be aware that there is also a national social media web page and App called Nextdoorthat is aimed at neighborhood communications. It has a Greenbrier neighborhood set up in the system that closely but not perfectly matches our neighborhood boundaries. It has much looser rules of use and indeed we have no control of it's use. With Nextdoor one can also connect to other Charlottesville and Albemarle neighborhoods for posting messages and receiving posts. In fact, fact the default is you are open to all the neighborhoods and get lots of posts. Nextdoor is free to join but is chock full of advertising and like all free social media Apps has the whole algorithm thing "watching" what interests you.
Web Page -- We intend for the page to be an actively-used resource for the neighborhood, as well as a gateway introduction for those considering moving here. If you have any ideas for the page or pictures to add to the gallery, please send them for consideration to GNA Web Worker -- Ned Michie ([email protected]) or any or all members of the Exec Committee - [email protected].
We even allow neighbors who offer personal services of any sort to list themselves with a web page link, so that people who like the idea of getting a service directly from a neighbor can do so. (No, we don't warrant our neighbors' work -- but, hey, "you know where they live"). Click here for the listing page; if you want to be listed, send the request to our web master. We also allow these listings on our email group list web pages which are viewable only by our neighborhood group email list. Contact our webmaster to be listed on either or both.
Click here for full use rules for the GNA Web page, and Newsletter.
Facebook -- So far we have not set up a neighborhood Facebook Page, mostly because no one currently on the Executive Committee is up for doing it, but also because we have some concern that it would create yet another digital platform neighbors would need to join to feel like they are catching all the news. There is, however, a an active Greenbrier Parent Facebook Group that is not run by the EC. If you would like more information about it please look up the page on Facebook and send a message to the managers.
Newsletter -- About twice a year (generally Fall and Spring), we distribute a physical newsletter to all ∼900 homes in our neighborhood. It is a volunteer and labor-intensive project (contact us if you would like to help). As a result, it is not a good way to spread pressing news, but it's still the only way to reach the full neighborhood for more long-term news items. We allow some advertising, space permitting.
Click here for full use rules for the GNA Newsletter and web page.
Association Meetings -- We also try to have a full neighborhood meeting twice a year (generally timed with written notice in the newsletter). Each meeting focuses on a topic or two of general interest to the neighborhood. For instance, a meeting might feature a City Council candidate forum or other City officials presenting information and taking questions. Per our Bylaws, the Spring meeting is designated as our annual business meeting where officers and Executive Committee members are elected.
Other Activities -- On occasion we have had neighborhood picnics and ice cream socials. We have often sponsored advertising for an annual neighborhood-wide yard sale. We have also used funds a few times over the years to contribute toward capital improvement projects in the neighborhood.
Social Gatherings Organized by Residents - The GNA Executive Committee wants to continue to use some of our GNA funds for the most important purpose we can think of – building a sense of community. To that end, starting in 2018 we began offering about 10 grants a year for up to $100 to reimburse anyone in the neighborhood who will host/organize a social gathering for your block or just some immediate neighbors around you. You can invite known neighbors, but the main point is to also invite others around you whom you don’t know or don’t know well. The money can be used for booze, tea, soda, food, table/chair rentals, party hats, or any other communal offering/amenity for the party. A member or two of the Executive Committee will also attend to meet people and further spread the good will, in addition to making sure you didn’t just buy steak, lobster and fine wine for your family dinner. In order to apply for such a grant, please contact or Treasurer or any member of the Exec Committee [email protected],
The Executive Committee is always open to ideas and volunteer energy in pursuit of such events and improvements.
"Dues"-- We ask all our neighborhood residents to voluntarily contribute at least $10.00 every calendar year. It is not too much to ask, is it?
Please make checks payable to "Greenbrier Neighborhood Association" and mail to
Jane Tirrell GNA Treasurer ([email protected]) 1715 Meadowbrook Heights Rd Charlottesville, VA 22901
To pay through the App widely adopted by banks - Zelle, contact our Treasurer.
To pay through Venmo, contact our Treasurer.
To pay by Credit card press the blue "Donate" button on the Groups.io homepage which can be reached by clicking on any link at the bottom of any GNA Groups.io email sent to the neighborhood list. GNA Bylaws -- Current Version click here (Archive -- Bylaw Amendments Adopted Spring 2018 - click here)