Hints To Help Build Your Organization
Make Your Meetings Matter!
Start on time, end on time. Respect everyone's time; don't wait for the "important" people.
Have a clear agenda for the meeting. Also, don't meet with no real reason for meeting.
Follow up on meetings. If people make commitments to do something at a meeting, call them back before the next meeting to check their progress.
Keep simple minutes. A record of decisions and assignments made and things yet undone is much better than long and involved minutes. This helps hold each other accountable, too.
Identify Stakeholders in Your Neighborhood
Churches, businesses, schools, or other groups.
Different groups of people (renters, homeowners, public housing residents, etc.).
"Invisible" players that may have no physical presence, but that still have a "stake" (MDHA, post office, landlords, agencies that serve your area from a distant location, etc.).
Know the history of your neighborhood to understand the "stakeholders" from the past.
Don't forget your Metro Council member, school board member, and state legislators.
Listen Carefully in Order to get Others Involved
We have our own "self interests" - the things that we care deeply about. We will usually work on things that really matter to us.
Don't just talk about crime and the neighborhood. Listen to the things that other people want to achieve for themselves - to who they are.
A neighborhood survey can be a good excuse to talk to people. After you survey someone, ask if they can come to a meeting to hear what others said on the survey.
People leave groups when all the decisions are made by one or two people.
Take on "Winnable" Projects
Don't take on the "biggest need" in the neighborhood as your first project.
Take something that people care about, but that you can win easily. Then do your homework (research) and take action!
People stay with groups that achieve things - and that have some excitement!
Evaluate Your Efforts
Learn from your mistakes and successes.
"Test out" each other as leaders. Who follows through? Who doesn't?
Don't forget to celebrate! (We all need a little more fun!)
Don't Just be an Anti-Crime Group
If an anti-crime group WINS, everyone disbands, because there is no more need. If the group LOSES, everyone disbands, because they are so discouraged.
There are many other issues that touch residents in a real way and that still help respond to crime-condition of the neighborhood, need for youth activities, etc.
Always have another issue "in the bank" - or ready to go.
Develop Relationships With Your Council Member and Others Before You Need Them
"Tell me your vision for your district" works better than "Do this for me right now!
