Neighborhood Organizations & Meetings

Neighborhood organizations help shape the future of Kendall-Whittier. They work with City officials, influence zoning and development, manage funds, and make decisions about public spaces.

Some took part in developing the 2016 Kendall-Whittier Sector Plan. Others were formed later but now help shape neighborhood projects and policies.

Residents have the most at stake in their neighborhood's future. They should know who serves on these boards, who has voting power, and whether the boards reflect the people who live here.

Representation is about more than having neighborhood residents on a board. It matters whether those residents reflect different incomes, ages, backgrounds, abilities, and parts of the neighborhood.

It also matters whether people who live near a project have a say in decisions that affect their homes and streets.

Kendall-Whittier Residents Association (KWRA)

Meets: Second Saturday of each month at noon
Where: Kendall-Whittier Library, 21 S. Lewis Ave.

The Residents Association gives people who live in Kendall-Whittier a place to discuss neighborhood concerns, review City plans, and work together on issues affecting their homes and streets.

The association also gives residents a way to speak together on zoning, development, public services, and neighborhood policy.

Renters and homeowners are welcome. Meetings are free, and no membership dues are required.

Email: kdubtulsa@gmail.com
Text or voicemail: 918-973-3364

Kendall-Whittier Improvement District (KWID)

Meets: Usually the second Wednesday, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Where: Crosstown Learning Center, 2501 E. Archer St.

The Improvement District collects money through special assessments paid by property owners within its boundaries.

Its board decides how assessment money is spent. It also makes spending decisions involving funds left over from earlier improvement districts.

Much of its work takes place on public rights-of-way and publicly owned property, including streets, sidewalks, public parking areas, landscaping, lighting, and other improvements.

Its work includes decisions about public trees, landscaping, and other shared spaces. These choices affect residents, businesses, property owners, and visitors.

The current district was formed after the 2016 Sector Plan, but its work now influences neighborhood projects and improvements.

Meeting dates sometimes change. The November 2026 meeting is scheduled for November 18.

Meeting schedules, board members, and records

Email: KWImprovementDistrict@gmail.com

Kendall-Whittier Main Street (KWMS)

Advertised meeting: Third Monday of each month, noon–1 p.m.
Where: Crosstown Learning Center, 2501 E. Archer St.

Main Street works with businesses, property owners, City officials, and other groups on business growth and neighborhood improvements.

Its activities include public art, signs, historic buildings, business promotion, and events.

Some of its art, signage, and improvement projects extend beyond the commercial area it identifies as its district. These projects can affect public spaces and the appearance of the wider neighborhood.

Main Street was also a partner in the 2016 Kendall-Whittier Sector Plan. Its work continues to influence neighborhood planning and development.

Website

Phone: 918-633-1934

Please confirm meeting details before attending.

Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Association

Advertised meeting: Third Monday of each month, in the afternoon.

The Neighborhood Association has advertised regular meetings. However, past visits to the advertised location have found no meeting taking place.

Its current meeting time and location have not been confirmed.

Residents interested in attending should contact the association for updated information.

Kendall-Whittier, Inc. (KWI)

Board meetings: Second Tuesday of every other month at 6 p.m.
Where: Meeting location not publicly listed.

Kendall-Whittier, Inc. is a long-standing neighborhood organization known for its emergency food pantry and community gardens.

Its work has also included broader neighborhood planning and partnerships. The organization works with churches, schools, nonprofits, and other groups on issues affecting neighborhood residents.

Its role goes beyond food assistance and includes work on neighborhood needs, services, and future improvements.

KWI publishes a board meeting schedule but does not list a location. Residents can contact the organization to ask about attending or serving on its board.

Website

Email: admin@kendallwhittierinc.org

Growing Together Tulsa

Meeting schedule: Not publicly confirmed.
Where: Not publicly confirmed.

Growing Together plays a major role in neighborhood planning, housing, education, and development.

It works with City officials, developers, schools, funders, and other organizations. Its activities include land use, housing projects, planning, and policies that guide neighborhood growth.

Growing Together was named as a partner in the 2016 Kendall-Whittier Sector Plan.

It also helped establish the Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Trust.

Its work can influence what gets built, where development takes place, and who benefits from neighborhood growth.

Residents can contact Growing Together to ask about board meetings, planning work, and ways to take part in decisions.

Website

Email: contact@gttulsa.org
Phone: 918-322-1054

Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Trust (KWNT)

Meeting schedule: Not publicly confirmed.
Where: Not publicly confirmed.

The Neighborhood Trust buys, repairs, builds, and manages housing in Kendall-Whittier.

Its work affects rental housing, homeownership, property development, and the future use of residential land.

Housing projects can involve zoning changes, City approvals, and decisions about what kinds of buildings are allowed.

The Trust works closely with Growing Together. Their work can have lasting effects on housing costs and neighborhood growth.

Residents can contact Growing Together to ask who serves on the Trust's board, how decisions are made, and how residents can take part.

Learn about the Neighborhood Trust

Understanding How Boards Make Decisions

A board is a group of people who help guide an organization and make decisions about its work.

But not everyone on a board has the same role or influence.

Who Does What?

Board officers are usually the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. They help lead the organization and manage its work.

Voting members can vote on decisions about money, projects, and policies.

Advisory members share advice and information but usually do not vote.

Ex officio members serve because of another job or position they hold. Whether they can vote depends on the organization's rules.

Executive committees are smaller groups of board leaders. Some have the power to make decisions between full board meetings.

Staff and executive directors often manage daily work. They may prepare plans, budgets, and projects for the board to consider.

Who Really Has the Power?

Job titles do not tell the whole story.

Some board members have more influence because of their experience, connections, or role in making plans.

To better understand who shapes decisions, pay attention to:

Who sets the agenda? Who decides what the board will discuss?
Who makes motions? Who proposes actions for the board to approve?
Whose ideas get approved? Who regularly gains support from other members?
Who makes spending proposals? Who decides which projects receive money?
Who works with staff? Who helps plan projects before they reach the board?
Who leads committees? Where are important plans worked out before a vote?
Who follows through? Who directs the work after a decision is made?

A motion is a formal proposal for the board to take action. Another member may second it so the board can consider it. After discussion, members may vote to approve or reject the proposal.

Reading meeting minutes over time can help show which members take the lead and whose proposals become board decisions.

A person does not have to be board president to have great influence over what the board does.

Who Does the Board Represent?

Residents should also ask:

How many voting members actually live in Kendall-Whittier?
Are renters and homeowners both represented?
Are working-class residents and people at different income levels represented?
Do members reflect different ages, backgrounds, and abilities?
Which parts of the neighborhood do members come from?
Do people who live closest to major projects have a voice?
Who chooses new members, and how can residents apply?

A board may have neighborhood residents serving on it without reflecting the full range of people who live here.

Attending a Meeting and Speaking Up

Residents do not need to be experts to attend meetings, ask questions, or share concerns.

Before the Meeting

Check the meeting details. Find out when and where the meeting takes place, whether visitors may attend, and how public comments are handled.

Read the agenda. An agenda lists the topics planned for discussion.

Prepare a few notes. Write down the issue, why it matters to you, and what you want the board to do.

You do not need a long speech. A few clear points are often enough.

During the Meeting

Listen carefully to what board members say and what actions they propose.

If public comments are allowed, speak clearly and stay focused on your main concern.

Try to explain:

What the issue is.
How it affects you or your neighborhood.
What question you want answered or what action you are asking the board to take.

You can ask where to find documents, who is responsible for a project, or when a decision will be made.

You can also ask that your comments be included in the meeting record.

After the Meeting

Keep notes about what happened.

Record important motions, votes, promises, and follow-up dates.

If you did not get an answer, you can send a written question or ask for meeting records.

Following what happens after a meeting can be just as important as attending it.

Public Meetings and Resident Representation

Neighborhood policy affects everyone who lives here.

Decisions about housing, zoning, streets, trees, public money, and development can shape Kendall-Whittier for years to come.

Residents deserve to know who makes those decisions, whose interests are represented, and how they can take part.

Public meeting schedules, agendas, board lists, budgets, meeting minutes, and voting records help make that possible.

A meaningful voice means more than being allowed to speak. It means having a real chance to influence decisions.

Meeting Information and Corrections

Meeting dates and locations may change. Organizations are welcome to share updated schedules, agendas, board information, and meeting records.

Email: kdubtulsa@gmail.com
Text or voicemail: 918-973-3364