The City Club of Eugene opens its 2026-27 season Friday, Sept. 11, highlighting the role that Eugene neighborhood associations play in emergency preparedness.

The meeting begins at noon at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Club meetings are open to the public; there is no cost to attend.

At Friday’s meeting, two speakers, Fabio Andrade from the city of Eugene and Jensina Hawkins, co-chair of the Neighborhood Leaders Council, will outline the successes neighborhood associations have had involving residents in efforts ranging from storm and wildfire preparedness to health initiatives, such as a project that won a $750,000 grant from the Oregon Health Authority.

The program also will feature specific projects such as radio communication networks and other rapid response disaster preparedness strategies. Neighborhood association board members and emergency prep volunteers in the audience will be introduced to encourage audience members and others to connect with their local neighborhood group.

Andrade manages the Office of Equity & Community Engagement for the city of Eugene. His work includes supporting engagement through neighborhood associations, coordinating planning, training city staff, supporting the Human Rights Commission and organizing community events.

Hawkins began her healthcare career in Eugene in 2006, and in 2017, she founded Mocodile Medical LLC, a medical software consulting practice. Locally, she serves with many community efforts, including the Neighborhood Leaders Council, the Asian American Council of Oregon, the Neighborhood Leaders Council and Churchill Area Neighbors. 

The meeting will be livestreamed and will be available on the club’s Eugene’s YouTube channel. Rebroadcasts of club meetings can be heard at 7 p.m. Mondays on KLCC 89.7 FM and as a club podcast.

The City Club of Eugene explores significant local, state and national issues and helps formulate solutions.