The Neighborhood and Civic Engagement Committee of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition is available to help you organize a new association, revive an old one, or connect you with an active association. Here are some tips for getting started:
- Start with a small group (3-10) and form a planning committee
- Determine the boundaries of the neighborhood (Click Here for Neighborhood Association Map )
- Develop a complete list of neighborhood residents
- Determine neighborhood interests and issues that need addressing
- Plan the initial meeting (“pot luck”, barbecue, an informal coffee or an issue-oriented meeting) and invite neighbors
- Divide responsibilities like creating an invitation, delivering fliers, tracking responses and food coordination to encourage broad participation
- Neighbors are about sharing, so ask for contributions of food and beverages
- Keep records of participants and their contact information, money spent and minutes of meetings
- Regularly communicate information about your new association through a newsletter (printed or electronic), e-blast or a simple web page
- Ask the Community Coalition to host a web page for your group (click here to see some sample web pages)
- If your event is a Block Party, visit the Township Clerk’s office at least one month before the event to register for a permit to close the street
- Read here about some Neighborhood Association success stories!