Organize a Neighborhood Association

1. Define your neighborhood boundaries: This is an important step. Get the leader to think about these questions:

   • Where does the neighborhood end and adjacent areas begin?

   • What are the major streets, waterways, highways, etc. that define the boundaries of the neighborhood?

   • What are the boundaries of nearby neighborhood associations?

2. Become familiar with your neighborhood: Look around the neighborhood and talk to people. Find out:

   • What issues exist?

   • What resources exist?

   • What people like about the neighborhood?

   It helps to look at the neighborhood in terms of it needs and its resources. This helps to develop a list of things to do and people who can help.

3. Conduct an assessment: An informal or formal assessment of the neighborhood can help decide what issues need attention. Encourage the individual/group to conduct a door to door survey, this is a good way of meeting the neighbors.

4. Identify the neighborhood resources:

   • Who are the neighborhood leaders? Get their names, addresses and telephone numbers. REMEMBER: Leaders are people who are outspoken, concerned or involved. This includes clergy, bankers, PTA members, businesspeople, or people who have never before led yet are respected.

   • What institutions and business groups exist in your neighborhood?

   • What similar issues concern the businesses as well as the residents of your area?

5. Talk to your neighbors: For many people this is a difficult step. Don't be afraid or embarrassed. Most people would love the opportunity to talk about the concerns they see in their neighborhood. Every now and then you come across someone who is not interested in talking. Thank them anyway and find someone else who is eager to talk to you. Talk to people:

   • on your block

   • at your neighborhood school

   • at the shopping center

   • at the corner store

   • at the church located in the neighborhood

   • at the little league games

   • at the basketball courts

   • anywhere people gather

6. Get a small group together to discuss your concerns: You can't organize or reactivate a neighborhood organizetion alone. Bring together a core group of people who can serve as the organizing committee with this group and decide on the most pressing, the most extensive and the most easily solved issues. Discuss the need for an organized group to deal with these issues. Also talk about how to get others involved. Once you have a small group set a date to get together. At this time begin to plan for a first general meeting of neighbors.

7. Hold an organizing Committee meeting. Now that you have a core group together, plan for a first meeting:

   • Plan a strategy for getting people to come to the first meeting.

   • Plan how to present the issues as this group sees them.

   • Tell why you see the need to organize a neighborhood group.

   • Tell what your group hopes to accomplish.
     *Remember this is just a planning group - at the first general meting there will be people with different ideas. To be a successful neighborhood organization you should be open to all people and their concerns.

8. Planning your first meeting: As a facilitator, you may have to give some assistance to the leader/group with the planning of their first meeting. You can use the "Planning your first Meeting" outline as a guide. It is important that the first meeting be well organized and run smoothly. A well run meeting is the beginning of a successful neighborhood organization.

   Set up the next meeting: Don't let people leave one meeting without knowing about the next meeting: Decide:

   • when it will be held?

   • where?

   • how it will be advertised?

   • who will be responsible

9. Develop Your Organization: Over time steps will need to be taken to build the organization. This includes electing officers and developing a work-plan. (The Neighborhood Office can provide technical resources from its library, as well as training opportunities in the area of organizational development). CALL 727-6460.

10. Coalition Building: A successful neighborhood organization should build relationships with existing organizations. This can avoid duplication of services and provide the organization with a broad base of support.

    • Many issues that the neighborhood is experiencing may have been addressed by other neighborhoods as well.

    • Neighborhood groups should be encouraged to form alliances with the businesses in their areas. It would be a good idea to invite the businesses to join the neighborhood organization.

*Note: Newly formed organizations should be encouraged to attend the Neighborhood College, apply for matching grants & participate in Neighborhood Month as opportunities to exchange ideas with others, work on projects that bring people together and celebrate their neighborhoods.

DECIDE WHAT KINDS OF THINGS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS WITH THE LARGER GROUP:

1. At the planning meeting discuss with the group your ideas for starting a neighborhood organization.

2. Allow time for all neighbors at this meeting to share their thoughts.

3. Discuss how you will present your ideas to the larger group at your first general meeting.

4. Discuss how you will get people to give input and share ideas at the general meeting.

5. Be prepared to address some of these questions:

   • Why do you want /need to organize.

   • What are some of the common issues that you think the organization can help address.

What are some of the things each person want the organization to accomplish?