From the May 2008 Newsletter:

Re-energizing our membership through active participation is job ONE!
By Noni Richen, President

Recently, one of our members renewed his membership at a lower level than last year and noted on the response form that he had not found his SPOSFI membership of sufficient value. Remembering how many issues we on the Board of Directors and a few very active members grapple with daily, I realized that we need to broaden our circle of activists, to energize our members to create the beehive of activity that will move us toward our goal of achieving fairness for San Francisco’s small property owners. This election year gives us a perfect opportunity to create that “buzz,” because a bit of activity from each of us is all it takes, and SPOSF, our lobbying organization, is the only property owners group in San Francisco supporting Proposition 98. Many of you have begun the work. To spread the word, we offered postcards for you to send to acquaintances outside San Francisco, hoping to distribute the 1,500 we had printed. We’ve already had to reprint the cards twice after receiving dozens of requests for them. The Berkeley Property Owners Association has asked to reprint our “Call to Action” page on our website for distribution. We are joining as sponsors of a fundraiser for one of our endorsed candidates. As you read our endorsements, pledge to call the campaign office of a candidate and say that as a member of SPOSF, you want to volunteer in some capacity. Write checks to candidates you support. Continue to talk up Proposition 98 as a protective measure for property owners and the renters who live on the property and to reveal Proposition 99 as a stealth measure sponsored by redevelopment agencies to allow them to continue to seize property for other private uses.

We must show those outside the organization that we are a group of smart, active citizens. At our last general meeting, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd chided us about the small turnout of members; he was offering sage advice. While we’re watching our speakers, they’re watching us: it is essential that people in positions of influence see us as involved participants, so that they will listen to us when we express our views. PLEASE make the effort to attend meetings, particularly when elected officials are speaking to us. Our meetings also offer you a opportunity for some free legal advice, informative speakers, and not least of all, camaraderie. Calendar the second Tuesday evening of the month for SPOSFI.

The November local election offers voters a rare and tantalizing opportunity to change the anti-property attitude that prevails on our Board of Supervisors by replacing termed-out nemeses with reasonable moderates. We will all be active in at least one campaign office, and we will all write checks to candidates, even if we can only spare a few dollars.

We are your advocates, so do please let us know how we can help you. We will respond to your calls, letters, and e-mails. We all appreciate the thoughtful words of encouragement you send us, but we really need the criticism to keep us on track. Thank you, and see you at the May meeting.

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