By Christin Evans, HANC Board
The January 2023 general membership meeting of the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council marked its first “hybrid” meeting. In person, more than 10 neighbors attended the meeting and another 20 or so joined virtually via Zoom. HANC Board member Bruce Wolfe with assistance from Reid Coggins (Harvey Milk Club) set up a laptop with projector and screen allowing audience members to interact near seamlessly.
Panelists too joined both in person and virtually. City College Trustees Alan Wong presented in person and Susan Solomon virtually on the current challenges the educational institution faces. Members raised concerns about keeping the neighborhood John Adams campus active and accessible for students who find it difficult to travel afield to the Mission or Ocean campuses, especially for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, who are often juggling studies with work. Ways for the College to increase enrollment were also discussed.
The in person meeting was hosted by local small business Flywheel Coffee who has graciously extended its hours for HANC to hold its meetings on second Thursdays until the Library community room once again is accessible to our group. Bonus was the option to enjoy a hot beverage while discussing current neighborhood issues or to participate remotely from the comfort of home. Until Covid concerns are allayed, HANC will plan to host hybrid meetings going forward. February’s meeting will again be held at Flywheel Coffee, 672 Stanyan, and on Zoom - join us in person or virtually on Thursday, February 9th.