Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)

Have you experienced resistance from neighbors who view your presence as a threat to the community? This age-old issue has been labeled “Not In My Back Yard” or “NIMBY,” and has caused legal and ethical problems for providers of all types of community-based services in Minnesota. Join ARRM for a two-part webinar as we discuss how to handle current and potential NIMBY issues and build better relationships with neighbors and decision-makers in our communities.

PART ONE: Learn about your legal rights
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 1 to 2 pm

Attorney Sarah Duniway (Gray Plant Mooty) will tell you about the legal issues and barriers that typically accompany NIMBY issues. Sarah will provide her invaluable legal perspective as she answers the following questions: What are the rights of people with disabilities to be able to live in the neighborhood of their choosing? What scenarios or practices typically lead to adverse legal ramifications? And what protections does the Federal Fair Housing Act allow in the face of NIMBY issues?

In addition, ARRM members Maria Runyan (At Home Living Facilities) and John Everett (Community Involvement Programs) will walk you through their agencies’ recent NIMBY experiences, sharing their outcomes and key takeaways.

PART TWO: Building Positive Community Relationships
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 1 to 2 pm

ARRM members Rhonda King (CCRI), Mari Runyan (At Home Living Facilities), and Michelle Wilmot (Lutheran Social Service) will share practical tips on how to be a good neighbor, including best practices to employ when moving into a neighborhood and what to do when NIMBY issues occur. They’ll discuss move in “musts,” different approaches agencies use, and the critical role your website plays in how welcoming—or unwelcoming—the neighborhood is.

Each segment will allow ample time for questions, and both segments feature a Web and an audio component. Before each segment, you will receive instructions on how to access this webinar using your computer and phone.

Afterwards, participants will receive a packet of useful tools and resources to fortify your NIMBY toolbox.

Registration

Cost for ARRM members -
$40 for both webinars or $25 for one webinar

Cost for Non ARRM members -
$80 for both webinars or $50 for one webinar

To register, click here. There is no refund for cancellations, regardless of reason.

About the Presenters

PART ONE: John Everett
John has served as the Executive Director of Community Involvement Programs (CIP) for the past seventeen years. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of a local Arc chapter in Maryland, where he was instrumental in developing residential and housing programs for persons with disabilities. Since coming to CIP, John has focused on developing a person centered organization and expanding its range of supports and services to over 1400 persons with disabilities. CIP recently dealt with a rental registration issue that had the potential to become a NIMBY issue.

PART ONE: Sarah Duniway
Sarah is an attorney for Gray Plant Mooty and chairs the firm’s Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organization practice team. She regularly advises providers of community-based services on a variety of nonprofit, finance and regulatory issues, including NIMBY issues. Sarah also has a background in governmental relations and community organizing.

PART ONE & TWO: Maria Runyan
Maria is the Executive Director for At Home Living, which provides residential supports to people with brain injury and mental illness in St. Louis, Lake and Anoka counties. Maria has over 17 years experience working with people with disabilities and currently serves on the ARRM board. She co-chairs the Ports Area Brain Injury Roundtable (PABIR) in Duluth, and helped co-found Lakes Area Foster Care Provider Group. Her agency recently opened five sites in the metro area, including one that was greatly opposed by neighbors.

PART TWO: Rhonda King and Michelle Wilmot
Rhonda King (CCRI) and Michelle Wilmot (Lutheran Social Service) will join Maria Runyan in proferring their practical tips on how to mitigate NIMBY issues. Both have had considerable experience heading off potentially explosive NIMBY issues while cultivating good relationships with neighbors.

Questions?

Contact an ARRM Staff: Barb Brynstad
Email: bbrynstad@arrm.org
Phone: 651-291-1086, ext. 4
Toll-free: 800-551-2211, ext. 4
Fax: 651-293-9389