Annual Meeting Recap — Board Update!
Thanks to the 100+ neighbors who attended Tuesday's Annual Meeting!
Special thanks to our speakers, including Mayor Jacob Frey, MN House of Representative’s Katie Jones, Ward 7 Council Member Katie Cashman, MPRB's Elizabeth Shaffer and Meg Forney, and MPD's Insp. Novak, Lt. Hedberg, Crime Prevention Spc. Randal and their team. Extra special thanks to Kowalski's Market and Lunds & Byerlys for their generous, delicious donations, and to Grace-Trinity Community Church and the Rev. Zac Calvo, for hosting us.
All Board Members Returning!
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Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2023What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
To help East Isles continue to be a great place to live.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
10 year homeowner in East Isles.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on? Farmers Market
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Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2022What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
I initially volunteered to run in 2022 because I believed that Minneapolis was in desperate need of need of positive energy and I felt that volunteering my time for my immediate neighborhood was one way I could contribute. Since joining, I am proud to be a part of this group of volunteers who have provided new opportunities for our neighbors to connect and who have advocated for our neighbors, parks, and local businesses. I look forward to continuing to volunteer my time to support the vitality of East Isles and Minneapolis.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
I have served as secretary for EINA since 2022. In addition to volunteering for this position, I have co-sponsored the annual Summer Social in Triangle Park. I also co-sponsored the Winter Party on Lake of the Isles with Lowry Hill and Kenwood for the 2024 season and I again co-sponsored the event this year as we expanded the event to include Cedar-Isles-Dean, West Maka Ska, and East Bde Maka Ska neighborhoods. Prior to my current employment, I spent 12 years serving diverse communities in urban school districts as a bilingual teacher and principal in Philadelphia, Houston, and Dallas.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2021What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
Julia has lived in the same 119-year-old four-square for 23% of the house’s life. She and her husband Harry have raised two boys, Zander, 26, and Jonah, 24, two dogs, two cats, three finches and one rabbit. Over the years, they’ve (all) slid down the slides at Triangle Park, represented the neighborhood in the now defunct Palio Parade, played ice hockey on the north arm, T-ball in Kenwood Park, biked, sailed, kayaked, and cleaned up the lakes, often from the bow or gunwales of their aptly named canoe, Mission Impossible.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
Julia’s early careers were in advertising and journalism; she was the previous publisher and editor of The Phoenix Spirit newspaper and wrote parenting columns for various publications. A midlife career switch has Julia enjoying private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Community Safety Chair since 2023. -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Jan. 2023. Originally from the Twin Cities, moved back here in 2022 after living all over the US, Vancouver, and London.What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
I'm interested in helping improve our community and getting to know our neighbors. Through this opportunity I've met some wonderful people on the board as well as many neighbors who have volunteered for our events.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
I enjoy Lake of the Isles and walks in the neighborhood with our dog. I've always tried to 'leave it better than you found it' and after moving here quickly realized our beautiful lake had a trash pollution problem. My professional work involved leading and inspiring teams of artists and I've been proud of the great environmental work our Green Team has done in our neighborhood. With the help of grants from MWMO and Hennepin county we've made a huge difference in the water quality of our lake and neighborhood streets.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Green Team, come join us! -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Sept. 2024What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
N/AWhat unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
N/AWhich Committees would you be interested in serving on?
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2025 East Isles Volunteer Award
Judy Longbottom, owner of The UPS Store on Hennepin Ave since 2002. Judy supports promotions in East Isles (and many other nearby neighborhoods). She’s also an active board member of Uptown Assn, working to better the local business community. Stop by Isles Bun & Coffee to see the East Isles Neighborhood Association Volunteer Award plaque (near the community corkboard).