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How to Organize a Neighborhood Group

 

What is a Neighborhood Resources Program? 

The program is centered on creating neighborhood groups that bring neighbors together to create a sense of belonging for neighbors, their neighborhoods and the Englewood community. With Englewood’s rich history and all the positive changes occurring in the community, the city wants to ensure neighborhoods in Englewood continue to be vibrant and connected, which is why the city is launching the new Neighborhood Resources Program. 

What is a Neighborhood Group? 

A neighborhood group is a group of neighbors that voluntarily get together regularly to collaborate, support one another, share ideas and work to make their neighborhood a better place to live. Forming a neighborhood group can be a fun way to get to know your neighbors! 

Role of the Neighborhood Group Leader 

The neighborhood group leaders will work with neighbors to kick-start the group in their neighborhood and determine neighborhood boundaries. The group leader/s will also organize neighborhood gatherings and/or meetings. The Neighborhood Group Leader/s serves as the liaison/s between the neighborhood group and the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator. 

Role of the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, Madeline Hinkfuss  

The role of the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator is to collaborate with residents and community members to build and organize neighborhood groups and to help the groups identify and resolve neighborhood issues. The coordinator will encourage residents to become active residents and help determine the future of their neighborhood.  

The Neighborhood Resources Coordinator also serves as a resource for residents. The Neighborhood Resources Coordinator can help plan events to bring neighborhood residents together. The coordinator also collaborates with city departments and answers any questions or concerns. Relationships between Englewood and neighborhood groups will strengthen the city. Local government works best when residents participate, and when government responds to needs, wants and concerns of its residents.  

Benefits of Neighborhood Groups 

Organizing or being a part of a neighborhood group can make neighborhoods stronger and neighbors feel like they are a part of a community. As residents organize their neighborhoods, residents can expect the opportunity to get to know their neighbors. These opportunities may be through social gatherings, service days, block parties, education events with police officers or council members and other events the neighborhood would like to organize. Neighborhoods will also be given assistance to access community resources and programs. Other quality of life benefits include: 

  • Establish connection among neighbors 

  • Enhance neighborhood pride and identity  

  • Work together to identify and achieve goals  

  • Create vision for neighborhood  

  • Neighborhood has a collective voice when communicating with city government  

  • Neighborhood safety improves because neighbors look out for one another  

How to Organize your Neighborhood Group 

  1. Volunteer to be a Neighborhood Group Leader and put together a core group of neighbors that are also interested in forming a Neighborhood Group in your neighborhood. 

  2. Meet with your core group and discuss the reasons you want to form a neighborhood group and determine the neighborhood boundaries. The reason can be as simple as you want to get to know your neighbors or you can mobilize behind an issue in your neighborhood that you would like city to address. The core group will also form a communications plan for how to connect with neighbors and set a date and time for a gathering. 

  3. Contact the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov, for assistance organizing your initial meetings. The coordinator will provide the various resources available to your group. See appendix.

  4. Hold a gathering and invite your neighbors to get to know one another. Talk to one another to prioritize goals as to why a neighborhood group needs to exist. See Gathering Ideas in the Appendix. 

  5. Continue to hold regular gatherings to get to know your neighbors and maintain communication

  6. Register your neighborhood group with the City of Englewood 

How to plan the first neighborhood group gathering: 

  1. Publicize the gathering. 

  2. Contact Neighborhood Resources Coordinator at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov to create a postcard that will be mailed to all residents in your neighborhood boundaries. See postcard in Appendix. 

  3. Contact Neighborhood Resources Coordinator at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov to create and print a door knocker that can be distributed throughout your neighborhood 

  4. If you have neighbor’s email, send them an email. 

  5. Post meeting on social meeting like Facebook or NextDoor 

  6. Encourage neighbors to attend! 

  7. Pick a date, time and location that works well for your neighborhood.

  8. The gathering should be held at a location in your neighborhood so neighbors can easily attend. 

  9. Collect contact information at the neighborhood gathering so you can directly contact neighbors in the future about gatherings and meetings.

  10. Contact information can include resident name, address, phone, email, etc. 

  11. If you are holding a formal meeting, create an agenda. 

How do you build your neighborhood group? 

  • Invite your neighbors to the gatherings when you see them! 

  • Create door knocker and distribute throughout neighborhood. See appendix 

  • Advertise on social media like Facebook or NextDoor.com 

  • Create a neighborhood identity  

  • Communicate regularly in person, email, flyers, etc.  

Does your neighborhood have an established neighborhood group? 

Please contact the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator at 720-926-2154 to see if there is an active neighborhood group in your neighborhood. If there is an active group, the Neighborhood Group Leader’s contact information will be provided. If there is not have an established neighborhood group, use this ‘how-to’ guide to start a neighborhood group in your neighborhood! 

Why should you register your group with the City of Englewood?  

When you register your group with the City of Englewood your group will see the benefits below. To register your neighborhood group fill out the registration form.  

  1. Neighborhood group is posted on englewoodco.gov 

  2. Ability to apply for grants

  3. City of Englewood recognizes registered neighborhoods 

  4. Access to city facilities free of charge for neighborhood gatherings 

  5. Receive neighborhood group monthly newsletter 

If you have any questions please reach out to Madeline Hinkfuss, Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov or call 720.926.2154 

Appendix 

Social Gathering Ideas 

Consider applying for the ‘Get to Know Your Neighbor’ Grant to help cover costs  

  • Potluck  

  • Happy Hour at local establishment   

  • Neighborhood BBQ  

  • Host a regular monthly gathering  

  • Host a neighborhood picnic at a park in your neighborhood   

  • Start a Neighborhood Watch Program  

  • National Night Out  

  • Block Party   

  • Neighborhood Clean Up   

  • Welcome baskets for new neighbors  

Education Focused Gathering Ideas 

  • Invite council members to gathering to answer your questions   

  • Invite police officer can educate neighborhood on safety, crime prevention and answer other questions  

  • Plan tour of the Waste Water Treatment Facility  

  • Plan tour of the Police Station    

Meeting Agenda 

  1. Neighborhood Group Leader calls meeting to order

  2. Resident introductions 

  3. Discussion of new ideas 

  4. Create list of next steps 

  5. Neighborhood Group leader adjourns meeting  

Neighborhood Postcard  

Madeline Hinkfuss, the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, can coordinate a postcard that is mailed to all residents in your neighborhood to let them know when and where the first neighborhood gathering will be held. That way you do not have to mail or drop off an invitation for the first neighborhood gathering. Your neighborhood is based on the informal boundary neighborhood lines. Below you will find a copy of the postcard.  

To get started please contact Madeline Hinkfuss at mhinkfuss@englewoodco.gov or 720-926-2154.

Neighborhood Door Hanger

Madeline Hinkfuss, the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator, can create and print a door hanger that can be used to let all residents in your neighborhood know when and where a neighborhood gathering will be held.