Group lets neighborhoods speak as once voice

The Wichita Independent Neighborhoods came to be because of the vision of two men: James Van Milligan and Bill Fox.

Their vision was to organize Wichita neighborhoods into an umbrella group to speak as one voice. In early 1990, they recruited four others to help organize Wichita Neighborhoods. Two years later, the name was changed to Wichita Independent Neighborhoods. WIN was incorporated in 1993 by 12 existing neighborhood associations. That grew to 82 by June 2008.

Together, these longstanding neighborhood associations, spurred by the momentum of the neighborhood initiative, offered a concrete example of how neighborhood residents can dramatically improve their quality of life.

WIN’s mission and vision statements best sum up what the organization is about.

The mission statement: Wichita Independent Neighborhoods Inc. provides education, resources and an effective voice to and for current and potential members of WIN on quality-of-life issues in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

The vision statement: WIN envisions citizens, families and neighborhoods in Wichita and Sedgwick County that participate fully in their governance to attain a safe, healthy and vibrant community.

The promise and power of neighborhood associations have been heard by many Wichita-area citizens. Since WIN’s inception, board members and members of neighborhood associations have served on almost every board or task force in the city and some in the county. Past WIN board members and neighborhood presidents have gone on to be state representatives and to serve on the City Council, the school board, district advisory boards and even as mayor.

WIN has helped neighborhoods resolve problems and issues with zoning, flooding, street maintenance and vicious dogs and has helped write city ordinances, such as the vicious-dog and nightclub ordinances.

Over the years, WIN has formed partnerships with Wichita State University, the Wichita school district, nonprofit agencies, private enterprise, neighborhoods, churches and citizens at large to help the community identify and solve problems.

WIN’s Neighborhood University has trained hundreds from across Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma on how to establish by-laws, interact with government officials at all levels, use resources in the community and be effective neighborhood leaders.

WIN has been involved with, and won awards from, the Neighborhoods USA organization. WIN has gained the respect of many U.S. and international cities because of its unique approach.

Individuals can become involved with WIN by organizing and establishing a neighborhood association or by working to revise an association that needs new life or visions. WIN is a 501(c) 3 organization. Anyone can provide financial support or help improve the physical appearance, safety and design of residential areas.

Whether your neighborhood is historic or just being built, there are issues that will affect your quality of life and the enjoyment of your home. Many neighborhoods will come together over a perceived crisis: crime, business exodus, zoning changes, noncompatible land uses. A neighborhood association can be a long-term representation for you in the larger community.

A composition of people living in the neighborhoods has a better understanding of common problems, keeping abreast of developments that can affect neighborhoods and be available to voice neighborhood concerns when issues arise.

This story was originally published March 3, 2015 at 3:09 PM.