Ever wonder what it takes for a neighborhood to thrive? Residents can create a neighborhood association to improve their community through an ongoing collaborative effort. This takes a team of dedicated residents who can plan, organize meetings, plus execute next steps.
A neighborhood association can organize annual and special events like neighborhood clean-up, community tree-planting, neighborhood cookout, and holiday celebrations. These events can serve as an opportunity to build a sense of pride and belonging within the defined constraints of the neighborhood.
Goal + vision
- Create emergency preparedness plans,
- Upgrade park equipment
- Build and foster positive relationships with elected officials
- Host volunteering opportunities like yard cleaning for a disabled neighbor or a food drive
- Identify important projects for the neighborhood to undertake, like a community garden or installing stop signs to slow down drivers on residential streets
How to start one
- Gather a group of neighbors to join you in this pursuit + host an interest meeting to determine interest — a group of 5-10 core members should get the job done.
- Write a mission statement that explains what purpose the group serves.
- Determine the boundaries of what streets are involved in the organization.
- Develop a structure + identify goals and objectives.
- Build a support circle to legitimize your association.
- Register the organization with the city.
While local government makes decisions that affect constituents’ lives, residents can have a say in what they’d like to see happen. Take a look at Ardmore Neighborhood Association, West End Neighborhood Association, and Washington Park Neighborhood Association.
