Session I - Connecting your neighborhood 101 - A Panel of Neighbors
Last night, we heard from neighbors who have been working to build relationships in their neighborhood, identify shared interests and values, and create a great place to live for all.
Keeping in mind those areas where you want to sharpen your leadership skills, what most resonated with you from last night's panel as you consider the challenges in your neighborhood? Please leave your one paragraph response in the comments section below.
Community organization is a concept that I have heard a lot about but have not put much personal thought into. I am at a point in my life that I feel it is important to put down roots. As a new resident of the Mesa Springs neighborhood, I am just now learning what already exists and how to plug in. Through the first orientation last Saturday, I met several active members in this neighborhood and am now aware of the association’s meeting schedule.
ReplyDeleteFrom this first Zoom session, the main takeaway for me is to meet people. Neighborhoods start with relationships. I am considering the suggestions given by others: throw a block party or a driveway party, pass out cookies, walk the dog. I’m excited to get to know people by starting with the houses on my street.
This is Andrew Hoskins
DeleteThank you for this comment, Andrew!
DeleteHaving been on our neighborhood board for the past two years and in the COVID era, I could identify with a lot of the comments and issues raised in the meeting. I think the balance of issues-driven activism and local collaboration/fun events is key. The issue of recruiting board members is also one that we are experiencing in Ivywild, in keeping with the guest speakers. Social media helps but we need to get out there and meet new neighbors in person too.
ReplyDeleteJo Lucey
Thank you, Jo!
DeleteIt was amazing to see so many community members involved with this community initiative program.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the selection of speakers who shared a vast amount of different community involved experiences.
Some things that stood out:
1. The need for younger ages involvement in community residents
2. Q&A: Answer to Woody question, look at the deed for possible info
3. Greats ways to meet your neighbors( door to door -cookies, get to know your neighbors parties
I live in a HOA and there is definitely a need for more involvement from residents. I hope to bring back info to motivate them.
Lelia
Awesome thoughts, Lelia!
DeleteGreat discussion. Call-outs for me include:
ReplyDelete1. Communications important, consider an avenue for the 4 c’s: comments, concerns, compliments, complaints
2. Neighborhood means neighbors getting together…start with the people relationships (e.g., driveway get togethers, block parties)
3. Expand volunteer support to integrate individual lifestyles into the community (e.g., biking, art)
Dianne
The underlying theme of good communication came through last night in all of the panelists. Whether they were a loosely organized neighborhood group, a board governance group, HOA, or a one-person activist they all showed that the greater the level of reaching out, involving others, speaking out, informing and clarifying, brought understanding, clarity and even change. One key point that was music to my ears was the benefit of being organized, not in official organizational processes but in intentional efforts. I appreciated all the ideas, comments and suggestions to my specific question about how to go beyond the distant wave from my my neighbors. That again brought out that communication was the key, however, the intentionality of how to go beyond the initial communication needs to happen. As a professional event planner my wheels started turning last night! Wildflower neighbors need a wild-flower party! Well let's see where that goes...
ReplyDeleteDeby
Let the wildflowers grow! Thank you, Deby!
DeleteLast night's meeting was very helpful and being able to use many
ReplyDeleteof the tools to create greater community should benefit our
neighborhood and the community. Having open communications
with our neighbors, doing our homework to gain trust, and being
organized were some of the topics I plan on using and sharing
with my HOA
Such a great way to kick off Neighborhood U - it was awesome to hear from experts from four very different organizations. A great reminder that you can activate in your community not just through an HOA but also a park supporter group, perhaps a larger entity that supports neighbors where you live, or maybe even take advantage of an opportunity to revive an HOA in your neighborhood by checking your deed. I really appreciated that all of the panels reiterated through most of their answers the value of trust, authenticity, and research/knowledge and its importance in their work. Just so inspiring to hear from everyone!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were inspired, Mary Alice!
DeleteI enjoyed listening to the experience of other neighborhood organizations, especially HOA's since I don't know much about them. I didn't realize HOA's can disappear and there is no formal mechanism the city uses to keep track of them even though they are legal entities. Some of the learnings I picked up are: There is definitely strength in numbers and learning OWN covers 8500 homes WOW! If you are going to advocate, do your homework for which I agree! Be the Change. Communication and clarity is important, especially for an HOA. Covenant enforcement and hiring a lawyer, there is definitely a level of complexity involved that doesn't exist with volunteer organizations. Recruitment -- the struggle is real. I enjoyed the Q&A at the end and hearing the other class attendees. What a wonderful way to bring people together who really care about their neighborhoods!
ReplyDeleteThis is Cheryl Brown
DeleteSo glad you learned some things and and felt inspired, Cheryl!
DeletePlease forgive me for the non inclusive language, however Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" aka "The Man in the Arena" best captures the essence of our inaugural class:
ReplyDelete"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Respectfully submitted,
-Fadil Lee
Thank you for this inspiring quote from TR, Fadil!
DeleteI appreciated the concept of “social capitol” being discussed, and the idea of working together around shared values- obviously an overarching theme for Neighborhood-U and why we’re all participating. Sara Vaas mentioned this idea of “growing a group”, which is what I’m trying to do in the Midland/Bott Park neighborhood. I think my neighborhood presents a unique challenge as it is located on the westside but sort of isolated by highway 24 and located a bit to the south of Old Colorado City.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the guest speakers takes on both ideas for how to develop community spirit (ahead of trying to pursue larger and challenging/divisive issues), and also how to manage the challenges of neighborhood organizing. The consumption of time and energy as a challenge is a big one for me as I start out. That goes hand in hand with the slow process of recruitment that we also discussed. So I think circling back, a good starting point for me is to host a block party once the weather is nice. It was awesome hearing about how CONO can help with the logistics of doing that. One less obstacle! :)
Courtney B.
Excellent thoughts, Courtney - and also interesting context about the location of your neighborhood and the unique challenges you are facing.
DeleteFor me, connecting my neighborhood involves not only Manel’s wonderful 4 Cs of communicating clearly via sharing comments, concerns, complaints and compliments, but also creating community through compassion, consideration, commitment and creativity. And accepting the challenge! The 12 C’s for connecting my community.
ReplyDeletePosted on behalf of Cyndi Long
Daniel, Excellent thoughts and comments - and a testament to the power of community in our work!
ReplyDeleteBy Vicki Taylor-McNally
ReplyDeleteI was surprised and inspired by all of the maps, websites, and online resources for/about our neighborhoods in Colorado Springs. Reading comments in the chat during the presentation, I heard of local grassroots neighborhood organizations that I’d never heard of before and which I hope to stay abreast of, such as the Historic Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) and NearNorthEnd.org. I’ve become very knowledgeable about the local history, but did not know how to identify my exact location since I’m near but not in the historic COS neighborhoods/former towns of Papeton, Pikeview, and Roswell. I see that according to the CONO map, my area is known as North Nevada/the Studio. Obviously this refers to the Alexander Film Company (and maybe the news channel that used to be located next to the old K-Mart, now VASA.)
I took a quick look at the SpringsView General Use Map Viewer for Colorado Springs, one of many online resources that I did not know existed until this week, and look forward in the future to explore the following interactive map layers:
–HistoricCOS; –Public Works projects; –Snow routes; –Engineering geology stuff; –and Property Viewer. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the comprehensive plan, PlanCOS.
I wish we could comment on each others posts as I enjoyed reading what others posted. I particularly resonated with the Teddy Roosevelt quote, as those issues have been very real barriers in my life the past year or so that have made me withdraw from others. There is just so much out there to learn and I love the energy of this group. I hope that I get an opportunity to get to know more of you over time.
Kind regards,
Vicki
Excellent comments, Vicki - thank you!
DeleteThe main thing that stood out to me was the power of organization. It was inspiring to hear how a group of people was able to contest the City's desire to expand Constitution Ave and protect their homes. My street was turned into a one-way, despite much opposition, because we lacked the power of an organized group.
ReplyDeleteI have a backyard farm and one of my main goals is to feed my neighborhood. Through this course, I hope to learn the leadership and community networking skills to bring the diverse group of folks together. It would be lovely to have a social gathering of some kind, however after hearing the sheer amount of time and energy involved, I'm not sure I can take on such a task at this time. Maybe next year.
Red L.
Red, Thanks for these comments - it is amazing how powerful organizing can be, and also how much energy it can take to do well.
DeleteI apologize for the delay- working 2 jobs takes a lot of balancing of other things! The biggest takeaway I learned is the need to meet and then gather neighbors. I moved to this location just as Covid began, so I am not aware of previous efforts. I would love to get to know the names of my neighbors! I work from home with my desk facing the street- so many folks walk by! I'm inspired to do something- maybe start with cookies, then a block gathering/ open driveway event. I want to hear from neighbors- their history, the neighborhood history, their wishes and goals and then tie those into what is going on in OCC. I also plan to get involved with OWN, as I don't think my neighborhood has its own group. I look forward to future classes on effective communication and appreciated Manuel's 4 Cs and the need to provide clarity.
ReplyDeleteCathy, thank you for making time for this assignment and class amid your many other tasks. See you later tonite!
DeleteI so wish I would have been able to join you last Tuesday! It seems like a lot of energy was generated and I hope to catch a bit of it for my neighborhood. What resonated most with me was the discussion(s) regarding the importance of communication, as well as how difficult it can be, especially in a neighborhood like mine which has some young (tech-savy) families and old folks like myself who hopefully speak technology as a second language but who often don't speak it at all. I look forward to future classes where such challenges can be dissected and solutions suggested. The group of neighborhood leaders you have gathered have a wealth of expertise and different issues so the collective "brains to pick" will be very valuable. Best thought of the night for me was "compliments AND comments." Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCommunication is so important in this work - thank you so much for these comments!
DeleteThe first session was a great introduction to connecting with the neighborhood. Having the panel members share some of their tips and suggestions was also helpful and hopeful for us who are starting out at ground zero. What I appreciated most was the continued theme from different members, was that is that for "community to develop" there has be intentional efforts to create it. It does not happen on its own. And some of the recommendations here were wonderful; block parties, big and small. Random but directed acts of kindness over and over! I also liked the idea of a small welcome gift for new members. I also think that faith based groups are an underutilized resource and need to brought into the overall equation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these comments, Andy - and for helping us think about the role of faith based groups in this work!
DeleteAppreciated the diversity of types and sizes and locations of four presenters. Clearly we’d all like to feel ‘at home’ and connected in
ReplyDeleteour homes and neighborhoods. As a fan of maps, would appreciate perhaps an introductory map showing locations of presenting associations as know that there are issues related specifically to certain neighborhoods.
jrj
Judith, thanks so much for these thoughts - and for the idea about maps! See you soon.
DeleteAs a board member with Nicole at the Organization of Westside Neighbors a few key things stood out to me:
ReplyDelete- A neighborhood can be any size, I think it was Sara that said this, and with an organization as large as OWN I think it might be important for us to compartmentalize our neighborhoods a bit more by having meeting/events focused on sub-neighborhoods.
- Having a deep well of volunteers; We're working on this currently but many of the struggles I heard were that there wasn't enough time/bandwidth/energy to do what you association wanted. Attracting volunteers is one thing but once they're engaged (at whatever level they are comfortable) retaining them is the trick, this is a place I could definitely use some improvement.
- Not being focused on one issue; the powerful personalities could (and sometimes do) command the conversation, I need to work on broadening our activities so our group doesn't become pigeonholed as negative or focused on a single issue.
Thanks you for this event and I'm hopefully I'll be able to participate in the rest (or more at least) into the future.
-Cully
Cully, fantastic thoughts - thank you so much for sharing!
DeleteThe moderated and attendee questions were great and I appreciated the range of perspectives. For me, the most thought-provoking question was about how to find common ground without making it too superficial.So much emphasis on trust, and that rings true for me. I value learning about other neighborhoods and their challenges, as well as some of the solutions. -Becca
ReplyDeleteBecca, yes! Building trust and going beyond the surface - so important and often difficult to do!
DeleteThe insight that neighborhoods have a specific flavor to them was thought provoking, as well as the importance of having shared values and connecting first with these ideas to create friendly connections and building trust. The recruiting of neighbors to build a friendly and safe community and hosting activities to bring neighbors together is what resonated with me ~ Jessica Malacara
ReplyDeleteAwesome reflections, Jessica. Thank you so much!
DeleteI enjoyed hearing/learning about the various neighborhood organizations. I grew up in a small community where people made a point of looking after one another, nothing formalized- it was just the way people generally behaved. I have always valued the concept of community but never committed to investing the time and energy to contribute in any meaningful way. My takeaway from last Tuesday is that I can engage and support community at a level that I can manage.
ReplyDeletegreat thoughts - thank you, Tara!
DeleteI found the first session to be very informative. I wanted to hear more about HOAs (i.e., who polices them, is there an official database maintained by the city, Regional Building, etc.)
ReplyDelete