Bend’s neighborhood associations are a true success story says Justin Finestone with the City. The whole concept of neighborhood associations was created about 10 years ago has become so successful, the City will officially dissolve the Office of Neighborhood Associations at their next meeting. Cheryl Howard, a board member with the Orchard District Neighborhood Association says the office served its' purpose to help them get established. "Most of the associations are operating at very high functioning levels. Most of us understand how were supposed to operate. We have an excellent repoire with our City Councilors and city staff. And so the Office of Neighborhood Associations is really kind of past it's prime. We no longer utilize it in the ways that we used to." Howard says the associations will still receive funding they need to help keep residents informed about what is happening and other operations.  They are all staffed by volunteers.