Community Building Series Part VI

It’s nearly impossible to win with only one great player. Even megastar athletes like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tom Brady have all needed good players around them to succeed. The same is true in our neighborhoods. Experiencing a more vibrant community requires a sense of teamwork that bonds residents together and goes beyond unrelated efforts by a few individuals. Finding like-minded people who want to help your neighborhood become more connected is the key in getting things started.

How do you begin to piece together a team for the neighborhood? There is no exact science toward discovering the right people, but below are some principles to begin with. Pick and choose what will work best for your situation and don’t feel you have to do everything at once.

1. Take your time: Change won’t happen quickly and it takes time to connect with people and build trust, so pace yourself as you meet residents.
2. Ask Questions: The best way to find out what people think the neighborhood needs is to ask questions and then really listen to what people are saying.
3. Pay Attention: In your conversations with residents, who is talking about wanting to see change in the neighborhood? These are like-minded people to join forces with.
4. Tell Your Story: Share with residents your desires for the neighborhood. This can be at a formal event, but mostly occurs in the course of every day conversation.
5. Do Something: People are attracted to a sense of direction and positive vision rather than complaining. Decide to do something and make it easy for others to join in.
6. Start Small: Rather than taking on every issue that needs attention in your neighborhood or doing a huge project, think about practical goals that are doable. Build in success by meeting smaller goals and then take on larger projects as more people come along.
7. The Word on Flyers: If you pass out flyers, keep in mind that people generally don’t respond to flyers on their doorstep without personal interaction. If possible, it’s best to knock on doors and introduce yourself while handing out flyers.
8. Start with a BBQ: Do a potluck-style BBQ for your street. Make a flyer, find someone to plan it with you, and delegate details to other interested residents. While at the event, have a sign-up for a phone tree, email list, or a future community gathering.
9. Be a Chief: Many people don’t want to be a chief, so step up and be the leader for a time and then watch the domino effect as others begin to find ways to lead in the neighborhood. People are more likely to join when they realize that they are not being asked to commit their lives away or be the point person.
10. Volunteers Come and Go: Life gets busy and people come and go. Thank people for their time and don’t expect that volunteers should or want to give as much as you do. Remember too that not everyone wants to be involved.
11. Keep People’s Best Interest in Mind: Encourage people to do things that they want to do in the neighborhood. When people do things they are comfortable with or passionate about, there is a better chance of success because they feel respected and empowered.
12. Find a Simple Communication System: Consider starting a blog, newsletter, e-Group, e-mail list, phone tree, or some sort of forum where residents can begin talking more regularly. Whatever you do, first get a few people on board to launch it and then invite others to join. Be creative and do what is going to work for your neighborhood.

Our society is aching for community leaders who will find ways to bring their neighbors together. These people do not need to be experts either, but only willing to set the pace. There are likely quite a few residents around you already who are hungry to see your neighborhood come together. Many times though people are simply waiting for someone to get the ball rolling, someone to be a leading voice for your street or tract – someone like you.

What does a community leader look like? Go to the mirror.

Part VII Bringing in the Reinforcements