Our membership drive has been delayed due to the upgrade of the website and payment processing system not being completed yet. Our goal had been to have the new payment system in place by October. In addition, we are currently experiencing problems with email delivery, which will be resolved once we move to the new management software.
Meanwhile, to enroll or renew your membership, please use the current options, pay by PayPal or mail a check.
If you don’t get an auto-response for membership renewal, for any questions about membership status please send an email to Astrid Jaehde, .
We are in the process of transferring core functions, most importantly membership accounts and payment processing, to a new system, by EasyHoa. This will allow for easier administration and more payment options for members.
The software migration is taking longer than anticipated. Meanwhile, please use the current options to renew your membership, by PayPal or check.
Recently email addresses to mountainna.org have bounced. If you experience problems, please contact Astrid Jaehde at
The MNA will hold a virtual (Zoom) board meeting on Wednesday, January 20th at 7pm. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to and you will be emailed a meeting link on the Monday before the meeting (for security purposes).
The MNA will hold a virtual (Zoom) board meeting on Wednesday, October 14th at 7pm. If you wish to attend, please RSVP and you will be emailed a meeting link on the Monday before the meeting (for security purposes).
Today I am pleased to roll out the new MNA website at https://mountainna.org (read it as MountainNA). The goals of the redesign are to bring the website code up to date to address security issues (and make it easier to apply updates), enhance the usability, and provide a better overall solution for membership and our content.
In addition to migrating the old content, I also wanted to experiment with new features that would make the website more valuable to the members of the association. Please direct any feedback or additional ideas to me at or on the website feedback forum (this is open to everyone to read but requires logging in to post).
New features on the site include the following (some are explained in detail below):
Integrated membership payments, website login, and member directory
Automatic renewal of memberships (optional at checkout)
Ability for the MNA to sell items online (such as Christmas trees if we can get them)
MNA membership will now be associated with a website login (this will greatly simplify life for our webmasters). All Mountain residents are invited to create a new login on the site at the Membership Registration page. Once you create an account, your information will be visible in the Membership Directory, and you will be able to access the members-only pages on the site.
***Please pay via Credit Card (the PayPal link) if possible, since this greatly reduces the work to process memberships, otherwise select “Pay by Check” and follow the post-checkout instructions.***
Member Business Listings
In addition to our Recommended Businesses list (compiled from Google Groups recommendations by John Peterson), we have also introduced Member Business listings. Any resident can add their business (or their child’s, etc) for $50/year per listing. We are hoping this provides a way for us as residents to support our neighbor’s businesses while their businesses also help support the MNA.
NOTE: As a trial to see how well these are utilized, any business can create a listing for free until the September renewal. Please contact me to set one up.
Other Fun Stuff
Classifieds
Have you ever thought “I wonder if someone in the neighborhood has a [ladder, matte cutter, some other random item] I could borrow”? In addition to “for sale, “wanted”, and “free” categories, I’ve also created a “to borrow/rent” category where members can list items they would be willing to lend to others in the neighborhood. I’m sure collectively, we all have enough tools to fill a Lowes, Hobby Lobby, or Toys ‘R Us, so here is your opportunity to find a new home for old stuff, help out a neighbor, or simply find an alternative to buying things you may only need to use occasionally.
Suggestion Box
One of the issues the MNA board faces is trying to gauge the neighborhood interest in capital improvements or ideas to help bring the neighborhood together. The new website has a suggestion box where members (or the board) can submit ideas and get feedback on which ones have the backing of the neighborhood. MNA members can browse the suggestions and upvote the ones they support and the MNA board will gauge the feasibility or work towards implementing programs.
Photo Album
In addition to some newer photos, I have also scanned some really old pictures from the 1992 Tree Planting event. Log in to view them and see if you recognize anyone 🙂
Online Forums
The online forums aren’t meant to replace the Google list but instead provide an easier way to form smaller discussion groups that don’t spam the entire neighborhood. I foresee this being used to facilitate the Mountain interest groups (i.e. sign into a forum to get updates on when Pickleball is being played or look for a cycling partner) as well as facilitate other discussions (like website feedback, organize MNA events, etc).
Feedback
Please let me know of feedback that anyone has about the website. I’m always open to new ideas for things to add (most of the things I’ve added are things I thought would be useful). Also let me know if anyone encounters problems creating a login or has questions about using the site. I can also try to put together some FAQs or tutorials for common questions.
The MNA will host its 2nd quarter Board Meeting on Thursday, April 16th at 7pm. In light of the ongoing corona-virus social separation, the meeting will be held via video conference.
Agenda
Call to Order
Review of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Officer/Committee Reports
President’s Report – CodeNext/Rezoning
Treasurer’s Report
Website – migrate to WordPress, upgrades
Vote: Allocate $300 for WordPress Membership Plugin
Social:
May Social (movie): cancel or postpone?
Mountain Groups update (minimal interest to date) – plus more difficult when social distancing
Reports from any other standing committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
General Discussion
Open Forum
Adjournment – Next meeting date…
If you are interested in joining. please sign up below. You will be emailed a link for the video conference a day before the meeting. This will allow us to ensure the security and integrity of the meeting.
The park day has been cancelled this year with the recent Stay at Home notice.
In conjunction with the Austin Parks Foundation, the MNA is hosting our annual “It’s My Park Day” on Saturday, April 4th. This is your opportunity to give back to our neighborhood park by helping to plant beds, mulch trees, and clean up brush while getting to know more of your neighbors.
Please bring a reusable water bottle to help eliminate waste. Austin Parks Foundation will provide tools, but shovels and wheelbarrows are always in short supply.
The MNA is organizing several groups provide residents an opportunity to gather, discuss, or socialize around common interests. Our initial set of groups are:
Sustainability
Carpooling
Gardening
City Issues
Pickleball
Running
Cycling
Kickball
If you are interesting in finding out more, please add your name to the form and you will be contacted by the group leader.
The MNA held its first meeting of 2020 on Feb 6 and the minutes can be found here: Feb 6 2020 Meeting Minutes
The MNA is planning more social events and opportunities for residents to get together this year (see the minutes). We will be using the MNA mailing list (not the Google Group) to announce upcoming activities and encourage all Mountain residents to become members of the MNA to be more engaged with our neighborhood.
For inquries about the MNA, please contact Eric Deal at “mna @ dealfamily . net”
