Finding Aid to the Communities of the Outer Mission Organization Records [1963]-1986 (bulk 1973-1978)

Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki

San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA, 94102

(415) 557-4567

info@sfpl.org

June 26, 2014

Note

Sources: Thomas Moore and Marion Aird, former board members.

Title: Communities of the Outer Mission Organization Records

Date (inclusive): [1963]-1986

Date (bulk): 1973-1978

Collection Identifier: SFH 81

Creator: Communities of the Outer Mission Organization

Physical Description: 3 boxes, 1 flat box (2.33 cubic feet)

Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 557-4567

info@sfpl.org

Abstract: Documents the organization's incorporation and activities including meetings and neighborhood actions, and publication of the Outer Mission News; through staff reports, agendas, petitions and flyers, communications with city officials, and photographs.

Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.

Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Access

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Communities of the Outer Mission Organization Records (SFH 81), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

Donated to the San Francisco Public Library, Excelsior Branch, by the COMO board following the organization's dissolution, circa 1986. Transferred to the San Francisco History Center in March, 2014.

Digitized Content

Newspaper clippings were digitized and are available online at https://www.flickr.com/photos/76275427@N05/sets/72157649270644401/.

Materials Transferred

Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection. Newspapers published by COMO, the Alemany-Mission Advertiser (1979) and Outer Mission News (1979-1984), have been cataloged.

Organizational History

Communities of the Outer Mission Organization (COMO) was established by residents, business people and Catholic church pastors in 1973 in response to deterioration of the mostly working-class, Outer Mission district. COMO was a grass-roots organization of over 150 groups including block clubs, area improvement clubs, church groups, and business associations. Aided by paid staff in the early years, members worked collectively on issues of housing, neighborhood improvement, recreation, planning and land use, and police services. Neighborhoods served included Bernal Heights, Cayuga, Crocker-Amazon, Excelsior, Portola and New Mission Terrace.

Beginning in 1974, annual Community Congresses were convened to elect COMO leadership and plan the next year’s objectives. Notably, they carried out a 44-day sit-in in 1978 at the city-run Alemany Aid Station, also known as the Alemany Hospital, which was threatened with closure. Although some service was maintained as a result, the center was eventually closed.

In 1978, COMO included 214 organizations representing 70,000 residents. City officials including Mayors George Moscone and Dianne Feinstein, supervisors and department managers addressed the organization and responded to their issues.

To keep residents informed, the organization published the Outer Mission News (originally named the Alemany-Mission Advertiser), from 1979 to 1984. By the early 1980s, the organization was all-volunteer and the board's main job was publishing the newspaper. Several summer youth employment programs were created including mural painting. The first mural, in the Excelsior playground, is still maintained by the city. With leadership aging out, the organization closed down near the end of 1986.

Scope and Contents

Collection includes the organization's business files, staff reports, meeting agendas, petitions and flyers, communications with city officials, and photographs of annual Community Congresses. Subjects include housing and zoning, mental health facilities, neighborhood improvement, recreation, planning and land use, police services, traffic, and property taxes.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into four series: 1: Business Files; 2: Member Organizations and Area Groups; 3: Issues; and 4: Photographs. Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Communities of the Outer Mission Organization. -- Archives

Community organization--California--San Francisco

Outer Mission (San Francisco, Calif.)

Processing Information

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki.

Series 1 Business Files 1972-1986 (bulk 1973-1978)

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Scope and Contents

Contains organizational papers including incorporation documents and bylaws, board minutes, staff reports, fundraising letters, and a 1972 organizing letter penned by Father Howard Rasmussen of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

Box 1, Folder 1

All Peoples' Coalition Community Congress (Visitacion Valley), 1973-1974

Board

Box 1, Folders 2-12

1972-1986

Box 1, Folder 13

Bank Statements, 1981-1984

Box 1, Folder 14

Incorporation, Bylaws and Constitution, 1973-1979

Box 1, Folder 15

Non-profit Tax Status, 1973-1980

Box 1, Folder 16

Finance Committee, 1975-1976

Box 1, Folder 17

Labor Committee, 1978

Box 1, Folder 18

Police Committee, 1975

Box 1, Folder 19

Public Works, circa 1975

Box 1, Folder 20

Taxes, 1977-1980

Box 1, Folder 21

Transportation, 1975

Box 1, Folder 22

Canvassing, 1974-1976

Box 1, Folder 23

Community Congress, 1976-1978

Box 1, Folder 24

Door Knocking, 1976-1977

Box 1, Folder 25

Enchilada Dinner, 1976

Box 1, Folder 26

Forms, [1973-1980?]

Box 1, Folder 27

Foundations and Grants, 1977-1981

Box 1, Folder 28

Catholic Social Service, 1973-1976

Box 1, Folder 29

Laras Fund, 1974

Box 1, Folder 30

Movement for Economic Justice, 1973

Box 1, Folder 31

San Francisco Foundation, 1973-1977

Box 1, Folder 32

United Way, 1975-1976

Box 1, Folder 33

Letterhead, [1973-1986?]

Box 2, folders 69-74

Newspaper Clippings, 1969-1974

Box 1, Folder 34

Outer Mission News Advertising, 1979-1984

Box 1, Folder 35

Outer Mission News Business, 1979

Box 1, Folder 36

Personnel, 1973-1983

Box 1, Folders 37-39

Phone Lists, 1975-1978

Staff Reports,

Box 1, Folders 40-41

1974-1975

Box 1, Folder 42

1978-1979

Series 2 Member Organizations and Area Groups 1968-1979 (bulk 1974-1978)

Scope and Contents

Contains mainly block club records and some area group files of meeting agendas, reports, and sign-up sheets.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Box 1, Folder 43

Alice Chalmers Block Club, 1975-1978

Box 1, Folder 44

Athens-Vienna-Moscow Block Club, 1974-1976

General note