Useful Past Tips: ADVOCACY: Advocacy - Making neighborhood groups a success

1. Making neighborhood groups a success

Neighborhood organizations are set up in a variety of forms and structures. Some local groups have formal budgets, are supported by a municipality and are a part of a community-wide network. Others are informal or strictly volunteer driven.

According to Suzanne W. Morse in her book Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use Strategic Thinking to build a Brighter Future , block clubs, crime watch councils or various types of booster groups are typical of neighborhood organizations.

Some neighborhood groups have formed strong partnerships and collaborations with civic groups and have evolved into city-wide systems. Some have functioned to maintain exclusivity whereas others are built on inclusivity and representation.

Regardless of their individual makeup or method of operation, neighborhood associations that have shown staying power have demonstrated five general characteristics. They are:

• They cover all neighborhoods, not just ones that are poor.
• They are nonpartisan.
• They have clear communication channels with city hall.
• They have found their niche related to issues of influence.
• They encourage a wide range of other forms of civic participation and connections.

Finally, successful neighborhood organizations are seen as open and trustworthy and as community builders with citizens of all income levels.

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