HIGHWAY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION & ENHANCE DIST INC

TYPE OF CHARITY: 501c3 & Category: S20 (Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement); C50 (Environmental Beautification); W99 (Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.). Based on current By-Laws, all Board members give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits. Board is responsible for the fiduciary and programmatic strength of the agency.

GOVERNANCE: Five-member, non-governmental Board of Directors selected by Highway Park residents & property owners. Board members serve for a renewable term of three-years. Advisory Board (no residency or ownership required) consists of business owners, educators, retired government officials, and interested persons.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The five-member board consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and one voting member. The Executive Director is a non-voting staff member responsible for operational management, fundraising, and program development. This position reports to the president. The Board of Director's performance is reviewed annually by the President and Board of Directors.

MEETINGS: Held every 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30PM at 106 Washington Street, Lake Placid, FL or via ZOOM. Quorum is required prior to any voting or motions to accept meeting minutes and motions.

TRAINING: Board required to attend Board Training as provided. A strategy retreat is held annually.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY: Bylaws include conflict of interest policy which defines our purpose, definitions, procedures (including duty to disclose), conflict mitigation procedures, periodic reviews, and use of outside experts.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: The agency does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment or services based on race, age, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, religion or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law.

ADDITIONAL GOVERNANCE: HPNC partners with the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Highlands County Sheriff’s ADAPT/COPS, Division of Parks & Recreation, US Department of Agriculture, and other entities. We are members of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce & Heartland Cultural Alliance. Agency developed and partners with Hicoria Pines Homes (an independent entity responsible for Affordable Housing programs).

An annual report is used to ensure performance, budget and targeted projects align with the mission of the organization. Marginalized communities are faced with fractured and/or lack of leadership, a lack of vision, lack of opportunity, lack of funding, and lack of political will for sustained change. As a result, apathy, acceptance of the status quo, and lack of trust of those in authority, handicaps low-income communities like Highway Park. Our mission statement was created as a result of numerous community meetings outlining the goals and desires of residents. Gaining the buy-in and trust of the community was integral to any future success. Our mission statement defines the "true issue" (generational poverty), the "how" (the various programs/approaches) and "what" (advocacy). The mission statement serves as a guide to ensure that we focus on issues that are important to the community, identifies some of the tactics we use to achieve goals/objectives and defines our purpose. We are an IRS recognized 501c3 authorized to accept charitable donations. The majority of our services are provided at little to no cost to the clients and communities we serve.

All projects are measured against the pillars of success as defined in our mission statement. Programs are not undertaken that do not meet the goal to end generational poverty, improve the health and quality of life of citizens, restore the community to prosperity, and provide opportunities to advocate on behalf of the community. Our services expanded in 2021 to include Highlands County.