How to Form a Neighborhood Beautification Committee

A grassroots committee to address aesthetic conditions in a neighborhood can have an important role in the community. Almost any neighborhood can be revived by a little common interest and hard work. Read on to learn how to form a neighborhood beautification committee.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take care of some peripherals first. Determine some basic issues that need fixing or some things you or others would like to see happen. Make a few basic lists of key objectives.

2. Drum up interest. This stage can be a long, draining phase of the project or a short one, depending on your success in attracting participants. Word- of-mouth is the obvious method, but there are a host of other ways to attract people, including message boards, lectures and other networking tools.

3. Target high-profile community members. Long-time homeowners or experienced organizers in your neighborhood can pack the committee with power and really get the ball rolling. Having some of these players on your side can help with fundraising, municipal negotiations or general credibility.

4. Talk to local government. Go to municipal meetings and work with local boards to get your goals accomplished and collaborate with whatever the local government is already doing in the neighborhood. Keep local government informed, and they will likely give you substantial help as projects develop.

5. Keep committee meetings vibrant and active. Don't let the work of the committee become drudgery. Over-working a community group can send its members flying in all directions and result in an empty table. Keep interest with timely community projects or creative events that include all local residents.

Resources

• Resource for Organizing Committees