Eugene’s JWN neighborhood newsletters garner top national awards

from Jefferson Westside Neighbors and Neighborhoods USA

Jefferson Westside Neighbors collected two national awards in 2025, winning first place, electronic newsletter, and third place, print newsletter. The awards were presented by Neighborhoods USA, a national organization supporting neighborhood associations, during its convention May 20-23 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Community newsletters are an effective communication tool to share news about your city, community and neighborhood. A well-designed newsletter can spark an interest in neighborhood involvement, increase neighborhood association membership, and spur volunteerism.

The NUSA Neighborhood Newsletter Competition rewards excellence in community newsletters. A panel of judges awards first, second, and third place in two categories: print format newsletters and electronic format newsletters. Neighborhood Newsletter Competition applications are evaluated on the following five criteria:

• Branding (0-10 points)
• Aesthetics & Design (0-20 points)
• Technical Layout (0-20 points)
• Content-Informational (0-25 points)
• Content-Outreach & Involvement (0-25 points)

The first-place winner for electronic newsletter, the Jefferson Westside Neighbors eNews/eVents, is created and edited by Ted M. Coopman and copy-edited by Stephanie Coopman, with contributions from neighbors.

The third-place winner for print newsletter, the JWN newsletter that is physically mailed to each neighborhood address, is designed and edited by Stephanie Coopman, with contributions from neighbors. Dave Hurst contributes his significant graphic design and layout expertise. Dave also designed the JWN logos, banners, and yard signs.

To read the award-winning newsletters, see the JWN website jwneugene.org.

NUSA also conducts a “Neighborhood of the Year” contest, recognizing exceptional accomplishments by neighborhood organizations in three categories:

• Physical Revitalization / Beautification in a Single Neighborhood. Projects that focus on physical aspects of improving your neighborhood such as parks, lighting, litter control, traffic management, housing improvements, green spaces, and business district enhancements.
• Social Revitalization / Neighborliness in a Single Neighborhood. Projects focusing on the social or cultural aspects of a neighborhood like safety, youth and/or senior programs, and activities that make neighbors feel connected and foster neighbors working together like an ice cream social, holiday celebration or festival.
• Multi-Neighborhood Project Partnerships. Projects that are jointly produced by at least two neighborhoods or community organizations in a partnership effort, addressing either physical or social concerns.

Each award application will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the following criteria:

• Self Help/Financial Capability (0-20 points) – The extent of self-help is evident with minimal reliance on outside funding sources; the budget was well documented and realistic.
• Grassroots Involvement (0-20 points) – The project/activity included significant neighborhood and/or business involvement and cooperation; diversity of participants.
• Innovativeness (0-10 points) – The project/activity was a creative and unique way to address the neighborhood(s) issue.
• Community Benefit (0-10 points) – The project/activity benefited the neighborhood as a whole and addressed a need; it improved the health, safety and/or appearance of the neighborhood.
• Sustainability (0-10 points) – The project/activity illustrated opportunities for self-sufficiency; project/activity included a low maintenance design and an ongoing maintenance plan.
• Leadership Development (0-10 points) – The project/activity provided opportunities for volunteers to take on leadership roles and develop new skills.
• Partnership Building (0-10 points) – The project/activity created partnerships with public and/or private entities; and/or with other neighborhoods and community-based groups.
• Volunteerism (0-5 points) – The extent of volunteer contributions to the project.
• Replicable (0-5 points) – The potential for the project/activity to be replicated in other neighborhoods.

A third award category is open to governmental entities, businesses, and corporations in the United States who work to improve the quality of life in their communities and neighborhoods.