Southeast Community Organization
Board of Director Applicants, 2020
1. Melissa Alexson
Eastview Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I manage Ridgewood Apartments and am concerned with the growing violence in this area and want things to change for my residents and all residents of St. Paul.
2. Michaela Jones (incumbent)
Conway neighborhood
I'm interested in serving on the board because it gives me a platform to express my passion which is serving whether in the community or on the board. I would love to share knowledge, insights, networks, and resources. Serving the board allows me to share opportunities and ideas that support and encourage our mission. Changes needed to better service our community would be on the lines of uplifting and creating more valued relationships through events and gatherings influenced by neighbors, friends and families of District 1.We may meet doctors, photographers, inventors, scientist, etc where we can become interns of, or lawyers, teachers, journalist where we can become mentors of, or just someone who enjoys cooking, gardening, creating games, making music, or playing sport like you do, like minded people. We have the ability to create and accomplish ideas that we may think is impossible now, but with participation person by person, constancy, commitment, and dedication we are able to make this community like no other(:
Other info
I am 23 years old, who has a passion of learning, studying, and helping people. Seeing people happy makes me happy, I believe life is worth making the most of it, and I have all absolute confidence that we are able to make that happen. It's scientifically proven that people with strong and broad social relationships are happier, and are even able to live longer. If we are able to create an environment and community that actual puts that to work, we are able to do exceedingly great things.
3. Frances McAfee
Battle Creek Neighborhood
What changes do we need to better serve our residents?
Learning and helping provide information about people that are living in our community for 11 years. Living and working and living in community. Housing, streets, health and jobs, also homeless and kids staying in school.
What else would you like the community to know?
More eyes for seniors and who’s moving in to our community.
Previous experience?
Active at Progressive Baptist Church
4. Paul Sawyer (incumbent)
Highwood Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I'm proud to have served on the D1/SECO board since 2012. My focus has been on making sure all voices of our neighborhoods are heard within our organization and that our collective voice is heard at the City and County. I have advocated for increased transit investments (including taking a leadership role representing our community on the Gold Line project), ensuring that our community has a range of housing types that are affordable, and for the protection and enhancement of our parks and natural spaces as community assets. My professional background has given me skills in nonprofit finance and land use policy which I have used to strengthen the work our organization does. I'd be proud to continue representing the community that I love for another term on the district council board.
What else would you like the community to know?
My wife and I have lived in our home in Highwood since 2011. We are active gardeners and love spending time in the parks in the area.
5. Therese Scherbel (incumbent)
Conway neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
My role at the library has been in communications, and I have experience writing news releases, newsletters, blogs, and ad copy; and I've done a lot of page layout work in InDesign. I've also managed promotional campaigns and have experience with event planning and project management. I am one of a team of managers for the library's and the City's social media accounts and I'm a lead on Nextdoor.
Other
I'm not on the board of any other organizations. I volunteer occasionally at the Animal Humane Society, and I'm a member of the Conway Community Garden, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, MN Public Radio, White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, the YMCA, and the DFL (this year will be my first serving as a delegate).
I'm an avid gardener, and I have a strong interest in preserving the vitality of local flora and fauna.
6. Erika Tayler
Eastview Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I'm interested in serving on the board because I see the need in our community surrounding education, employment, financial literacy and safe affordable housing. I have lived in the community for 8 years and I know from experience there are a lack of resources in general. Although there are many issues in our community that are equally important to me however bridging the gap in education, safe affordable housing and financial literacy is most important to me. The changes I would like to see in our community is additional resources, more community involvement and moral support for our children and parents. If selected as one of the community board members I will bring diversity, interpersonal communication skills both orally and written, commitment, dedication, and my drive for change.
Other Info
I am a single mom of three (daughter 23 yrs & 2 sons 17 yrs, 13 yrs), and I've lived in the area for 8 years. I am excited to be given the opportunity to sit as a board member for our community because our voices need to be heard so that change take place. In the words of Frederick Douglass "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" and as a community mother, sister, aunt, friend I want to help build our youth support our parents and change our community. My hobbies include reading, crafting and going on adventures. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Previous experience?
Laborers Union, Local 563
Board of Director Applicants, 2020
1. Melissa Alexson
Eastview Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I manage Ridgewood Apartments and am concerned with the growing violence in this area and want things to change for my residents and all residents of St. Paul.
2. Michaela Jones (incumbent)
Conway neighborhood
I'm interested in serving on the board because it gives me a platform to express my passion which is serving whether in the community or on the board. I would love to share knowledge, insights, networks, and resources. Serving the board allows me to share opportunities and ideas that support and encourage our mission. Changes needed to better service our community would be on the lines of uplifting and creating more valued relationships through events and gatherings influenced by neighbors, friends and families of District 1.We may meet doctors, photographers, inventors, scientist, etc where we can become interns of, or lawyers, teachers, journalist where we can become mentors of, or just someone who enjoys cooking, gardening, creating games, making music, or playing sport like you do, like minded people. We have the ability to create and accomplish ideas that we may think is impossible now, but with participation person by person, constancy, commitment, and dedication we are able to make this community like no other(:
Other info
I am 23 years old, who has a passion of learning, studying, and helping people. Seeing people happy makes me happy, I believe life is worth making the most of it, and I have all absolute confidence that we are able to make that happen. It's scientifically proven that people with strong and broad social relationships are happier, and are even able to live longer. If we are able to create an environment and community that actual puts that to work, we are able to do exceedingly great things.
3. Frances McAfee
Battle Creek Neighborhood
What changes do we need to better serve our residents?
Learning and helping provide information about people that are living in our community for 11 years. Living and working and living in community. Housing, streets, health and jobs, also homeless and kids staying in school.
What else would you like the community to know?
More eyes for seniors and who’s moving in to our community.
Previous experience?
Active at Progressive Baptist Church
4. Paul Sawyer (incumbent)
Highwood Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I'm proud to have served on the D1/SECO board since 2012. My focus has been on making sure all voices of our neighborhoods are heard within our organization and that our collective voice is heard at the City and County. I have advocated for increased transit investments (including taking a leadership role representing our community on the Gold Line project), ensuring that our community has a range of housing types that are affordable, and for the protection and enhancement of our parks and natural spaces as community assets. My professional background has given me skills in nonprofit finance and land use policy which I have used to strengthen the work our organization does. I'd be proud to continue representing the community that I love for another term on the district council board.
What else would you like the community to know?
My wife and I have lived in our home in Highwood since 2011. We are active gardeners and love spending time in the parks in the area.
5. Therese Scherbel (incumbent)
Conway neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
My role at the library has been in communications, and I have experience writing news releases, newsletters, blogs, and ad copy; and I've done a lot of page layout work in InDesign. I've also managed promotional campaigns and have experience with event planning and project management. I am one of a team of managers for the library's and the City's social media accounts and I'm a lead on Nextdoor.
Other
I'm not on the board of any other organizations. I volunteer occasionally at the Animal Humane Society, and I'm a member of the Conway Community Garden, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, MN Public Radio, White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, the YMCA, and the DFL (this year will be my first serving as a delegate).
I'm an avid gardener, and I have a strong interest in preserving the vitality of local flora and fauna.
6. Erika Tayler
Eastview Neighborhood
Why are you interested in serving on the board?
I'm interested in serving on the board because I see the need in our community surrounding education, employment, financial literacy and safe affordable housing. I have lived in the community for 8 years and I know from experience there are a lack of resources in general. Although there are many issues in our community that are equally important to me however bridging the gap in education, safe affordable housing and financial literacy is most important to me. The changes I would like to see in our community is additional resources, more community involvement and moral support for our children and parents. If selected as one of the community board members I will bring diversity, interpersonal communication skills both orally and written, commitment, dedication, and my drive for change.
Other Info
I am a single mom of three (daughter 23 yrs & 2 sons 17 yrs, 13 yrs), and I've lived in the area for 8 years. I am excited to be given the opportunity to sit as a board member for our community because our voices need to be heard so that change take place. In the words of Frederick Douglass "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" and as a community mother, sister, aunt, friend I want to help build our youth support our parents and change our community. My hobbies include reading, crafting and going on adventures. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Previous experience?
Laborers Union, Local 563