Neighborhood Association ToolkitCopyrighted
February 5, 2024
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 06.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Neighborhood Association Toolkit
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the Neighborhood Association Toolkit.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Toolkit Supporting Documentation
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Y DE TO STARTING AND SUSTAINING A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
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WHAT IS A
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION?
A neighborhood association is a group of residents that come together to improve
neighborhood amenities, organize activities, and advocate for the neighborhood's best
interest. Neighborhood associations are formed by people who live near each other and
want to take action to make their neighborhood a great place to live.
WHY FORM A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION?
Creating a neighborhood association and getting to know your Wondering if there's already
neighbors through meetings, projects, and events brings about many
an association nearby?
benefits:
•
You make friends. Seeing familiar faces on your walk and chatting Go to www.cityofdubuque.org/ with a neighbor over the fence creates happiness and long-lasting neighborhoodsupport
to view a map of current/active
friendships. neighborhood associations.
• You have someone who has your back. Your neighbor may be able
to lend you a tool for your yardwork, and you may be able to bring them some vegetables
harvested from your garden.
• You get access to information and resources. You can find out what's happening on your
street and in your city.
• Your neighborhood becomes safer. if a neighbor knows you and can get in contact with you,
they can let you know if you left your garage door open or that someone was lurking around
your car. Many times, neighbors are the first responders and the first to report incidents.
• You get the neighborhood you want. Many hands make light work when planning a block
party or cleaning up trash in your neighborhood. Neighbors can have a shared interest in an
idea you have to make the neighborhood even better.
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Most neighborhood associations start with one small goal in mind. Maybe you'd like
to see more art in your neighborhood and are wondering about the possibility of
painting a mural somewhere for everyone to enjoy. Chances are, someone else in your
neighborhood would also love to see a mural go up and is totally on board! Having a
clear goal and getting others engaged are the first steps of starting a neighborhood
association. Strike up a conversation with the couple across the street, or chat with the
neighbor you see on your evening walk to get their input and agreement to join in.
With a goal in mind and a small group of people ready
to achieve it, the City of Dubuque's Office of Shared
Prosperity &t Neighborhood Support can help you create
a neighborhood association.
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DEFINE THE ASSOCIATION'S GOAL St PURPOSE
Having a defined goal for the neighborhood association helps guide what actions the group takes.
With a small group of neighbors who are interested in founding a neighborhood association, you can
brainstorm top priorities. Think about what would make your neighborhood a better place to live and
what you love about your neighborhood that you want to keep up. From this list, summarize the goal of
the neighborhood association into a couple sentences that can be explained to other neighbors.
NOTES:
PURPOSE:
GOALS:
SET THE ASSOCIATION'S BOUNDARIEF
Having a neighborhood boundary helps determine where projects and events should take place and
who is impacted. When setting boundaries, think of public locations that neighbors gather and share
together. Setting boundaries around a park or community business helps attract neighbors who use that
area and want to see it thrive. If you start with an idea of where your neighbor association's boundaries
could lie, the City of Dubuque's Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support can help you
solidify them. If you set your boundaries small and start with the neighbors you know on your block, you
can always change or expand the boundaries to include new neighbors you meet and are interested in
joining!
NOTES:
NORTH:
SOUTH:
EAST:
WEST:
DESIGNATE ROLES
Leadership roles should be designated between the initial group of neighbors interested in starting
the association. This helps keep the group organized by knowing who is doing what. At minimum, a
president should be chosen to lead the group. If there is enough interest, and as the group expands, a
vice president, secretary, and treasurer can be selected. Each role can contribute to the association by
accepting certain tasks that are needed to be completed by the group.
NOTES:
PRESIDENT:
SECRETARY:
DETERMINE MEETING DETAILS
In order to achieve your neighborhood associations goals, meetings should be held regularly toplan
projects and events and update members. Determine a time, date, and location that is accommodating
to all. Meetings can occur once a month, or as needed - especially more frequently if the association has
planned an upcoming event.
DATE:
TIME:
LOCATION:
AGENDA:
ESTABLISH BYLAWS
Having all the details of your neighborhood association determined, bylaws can be established to
make the group an official neighborhood association. Bylaws detail the goals, boundaries, and rules of
neighborhood association for record keeping. With the information you provide, the City of Dubuque's
Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support can help you create official bylaws for your
neighborhood association to operate under.
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PROJECTS & EVENTS
Now that your neighborhood association is officially established, and your group is eligible
for funding from the City of Dubuque's Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support,
projects and events are a great way to help achieve your association's goals. Beautifying a
neighborhood park creates a sense of pride in the community. Hosting a block party allows
you to meet other neighbors and feel connected to your neighborhood. Projects and events
are also a great way to recruit members; when you see something great happening in your
neighborhood, you want to be a part of it. The City of Dubuque's Office of Shared Prosperity &
Neighborhood Support has compiled ideas and tips for neighborhood association projects and
events and is here to help.
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NEIGHBORHOOD
SUPPORT GRANTS
What could your neighborhood
invest in with $750?
The Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood
Support provides grants of up to $750 for
neighborhood events, programs, and more!
Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/neighborhoodsupport
or scan the QR Code below to learn more about this
grant opportunity.
IDEAS FOR YOU NEXT
PROJECTOR EVENT
• Neighborhood beautification day
• Community garden planting, tree planting, or
flower planting
• Leaf rake-a-thon for elderly neighbors
• Murals or neighborhood art project
• Neighborhood cook -out, picnic, or potluck
• Block party or festival
• Holiday celebration
• Back -to -school party and school supply drive
• Tool lending libraries
• Little free food pantry
• Little free book library
■ i �, ■
Scan to watch a video from the Jackson
Pork eeoutipcotion Project, funded by a
Neighborhood Support Grant!
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• Select the date of the projector event. Then,
work backwards thinking what needs to be done
ahead of time.
• Square away logistics of where you will
complete the project or host the event such as
reserving the location, obtaining any permits
needed, or paying any associated fees. Consider
what time the project and event will take place
so as many people as possible can attend.
• Recruit volunteers to help organize the project
or event, and help with efforts on the day of.
Making this happen is a collective effort!
Need help making sure your
first project or event is a
success? No problem! Contact
the Office of Shared Prosperity
& Neighborhood Support,
staff will be able to wall(
you through the resources
available and the steps you
should take.
Pictured left to right: Anderson Sainci,
Liz Martin, and Temwa Phiri.
Gather materials needed to m a ke your
project or event a success. Shovels will
be needed for a park cleanup, food will
be needed for a block party. Determine
what is needed and who will be
responsible for getting the items needed
to make your project or event a success.
• Promote your project or event weeks
in advance so people know how they
can get involved. Create posters, post to
social media, ask other neighbors if they
want to join in.
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RECRUITING & RETAINING MEMBERS
Or
Doing good has a ripple effect and the word on the street will be all about
how awesome your project or event was. Now is your chance to invite neighbors
who may be interested to the association and help make even more good
happen in the neighborhood.
When you see something great happening in your neighborhood, you
want to be a part of it.
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
• Social media is a great tool to use when recruiting potential members. You can send
a friend request or messaize to that neighbor who lives down the street but you don't
see often. Maybe there is already a Facebook group that shares things happening on
your block that you can post to. One great option is Nextdoor, a social media platform
designed specifically for networking with neighbors through entering your address.
Building connections on-line can bring neighbors to your next project, event, or
meeting off-line.
• Invitations that invite neighbors to your next project, event, or meeting can be a great
way to welcome potential new members. A flyer with the details of your next project
or event, a letter explaining what the association does and inviting neighbors to get
involved, or a'welcome to the neighborhood' care package are all great ways to start
the conversation and make someone feel included.
Go to -door sounds uncomfortable, but you're sure to end up with a rewarding
feeling.ljockin on a neighbors door and simply introducing yourself is a great
way s versation. You'll learn more abo t our.: ei h.bor and build a real
ingto know them, ju'll likel et: ut their i
of how ne' p t, event e
Retaining Members
Each neighbor will have a different reason for why they're interested in joining your
neighborhood association. Some will be excited for the events and the opportunity
to socialize with new neighbors. Some will be invested in the condition of the
neighborhood and want to hold meetings regularly to devise a plan for improvement.
No matter what their level of interest is, you can keep neighbors involved in a few
different ways:
• offering social events or opportunities after meetings so everyone can really get to
know their neighbors and feel like they have friends on their block.
• Making sure you share information and resources so neighbors can find out what's
happening on their block and feel welcomed.
• Constantly communicating so neighbors feel like things are being accomplished and
they are a part of the progress.
• Holding projects and events that make a real impact in the neighborhood, bringing
about pride.
Above all remember to listen to your neighbors! Ask them what they want to see when it
comes to meetings, projects, and events.
WE'RE HERETO HELP
You're not alone. The City of Dubuque's Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood
Support is here to help whether you're just getting started or need to bring new life back
into your neighborhood association.
LET'S GET IN CONTACT
Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support
Engine House #1
1805 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001
www.cityofdubuque.org/neighborhoodsupport
tphiri@cityofdubuque.org
563-564-5644
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STAY IN THE KNOW!
Engaged residents are empowered residents.
The City of Dubuque uses many communication methods to keep residents informed.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Linkedln, and Nextdoor
() tj (0 El nextdoor
2 Watch CityChannel Dubuque (Mediacom channel 8 or digital 117.2 and
I ImOn channel 5) or stream live on our website at www.cityofdubuque.org/video
31
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