JCA Board members and volunteers feel a strong connection to Jenkintown and the Old York Road Corridor. Since starting as President a few weeks ago, I've appreciated so many people reaching out and asking, "How can I help?" Others are waiting to see what happens with the JCA now that it is not a Business Improvement District.

Jenkintown Community Alliance has changed.  

Until the end of 2011, JCA had a Main Street Model with committees like Economic Restructuring, Design, Organization, and Promotions.  Our operational funding came from property assessments and from the Borough.  Volunteer committees worked hard and accomplished some things that Cindy Wollman mentioned in a previous post on this website.

Today, Jenkintown Community Alliance continues to promote Jenkintown's strengths and opportunities through the following activities:

• Jenkintown Sunset Run, June 19th (In partnership with the Jenkintown Kiwanis Club)
• Jenkintown Arts Festival, September 23rd
• Ongoing email blasts, calendar and web outreach
• Using our 501c3 tax deductible non-profit status to support community initiatives that fall within our bylaws
• Planning for 2013

What JCA is not doing:

• Economic Restructuring:  Instead, we have board members, who on their own, bring capital to invest in Jenkintown. 
• Design Committee:  Instead, the Design Committee Chair, a LEED Certified Architect, will contribute to the website.
• Borough Coordination - JCA no longer receives borough funding and will function independently of the Borough.  Instead, JCA will be open to having the Borough Liaison attend meetings. And JCA Board members will attend Council Meetings and meet with Borough staff as it relates to our mission.
• Gift Certificates - JCA does not plan to issue gift certificates in the immediate future.  It will, however, continue to reimburse any that have yet to be redeemed.

How we operate:

Our board has 10 members, all of whom have been board members in the past. Future board members will come from people who volunteer.  We meet as necessary to accomplish our mission.  We have a business plan.  We have dramatically reduced our expenses by using internet phone service, rent-free office space, and outside consultants as needed instead of staff.  We welcome donations and will publicly recognize contributors (if desired).  Our revenues will go towards programs outlined above.

"What role do I play?"

We need your help to "Find the good, and praise it."  You can do this through the contact page at jenkintown.net.   We want to use this information to develop feature stories for our website.  If you or your organization is doing something, please let us know so that we can promote it on our calendar, email blasts or website.

Secondly, JCA is receptive to written proposals, that raise funds for community oriented projects that fit within our bylaws and mission.  These can come from residents, businesses, and governments in Jenkintown and adjacent communities along the Old York Road Corridor.  We would like to lend our support in the same way that JCA supports the Jenkintown Playground Project (a dedicated bank account with a point person and documentation procedure) and the Hiway Theatre (now its own non-profit).

Volunteers:  We are looking for volunteers to help out with any of our activities.  Maybe you have two hours to give to an event.  Or maybe you have a skillset that would be very helpful.  You can reach us via our website, and we will call or email you.

Sponsors:  We are developing a sponsor sheet for each of our activities, and JCA will recognize our financial sponsors.

Stay in touch:  Our phone number is (215) 517-5507.  You will likely get voicemail, but we check it.  Our address is 305 York Rd, Suite 310.  You can contact us via the website contact form.

Sincerely,

Steve Spindler
JCA President