How to Create Neighborhood Associations
A neighborhood association is a group of concerned citizens who meet and discuss topics relevant to the neighborhood. Common activities organized by neighborhood associations include block parties, neighborhood watch programs, holiday decoration contests and litter removal. Some neighborhood associations also create rules about how homes are maintained such as acceptable grass height and the need for a new coat of paint on a home's facade. Use the help of neighbors and knowledge of the community's needs to create a neighborhood association.
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Instructions
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Meet with three to four neighbors who are interested in starting a neighborhood association. Select neighbors who have demonstrated more than a passing interest in neighborhood improvement. Discuss the possibility of starting a neighborhood association.
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Create a list of concerns and potential projects. Brainstorm with the selected neighbors to create a list of all complaints, improvements and activities for the neighborhood.
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Assign tasks to each person. Tasks such as researching inflatable slide rentals for a block party or creating an agenda for the first general meeting of the proposed neighborhood association require a person to take charge of the task. Write down each task and assign a person and a due date.
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Contact the local government's neighborhood association agency. Many municipalities have an agency responsible for certifying and monitoring neighborhood associations. The city of Seattle, Washington, has a division called the Department of Neighborhoods.
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Host the first general meeting of all the neighbors. Knock on doors, make phone calls and hand out fliers to advertise the meeting. During the meeting, follow an agenda and introduce the intention of creating a neighborhood association.
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Elect officers and create bylaws at the second meeting. Conduct neighborhood association business by popular vote. Decide matters such as officers, the mission statement and neighborhood projects. The Spring Lake Neighborhood Association in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana, posts officer election results on its website.
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Follow necessary procedures to be recognized by the city as a neighborhood association. The city of Tucson, Arizona, has an application for recognition as an official neighborhood association. In addition to other information, the application requires the boundaries of the neighborhood and a statement of goals.
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Tips & Warnings
Some cities---such as Bloomington, Indiana---offer grants to neighborhood associations for special projects.
