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My name is ________________________ My neighborhood is _________________
This is my workbook for embedding myself in my neighborhood by producing my own culture based on the principles of create, flex, embed and champion.
The Neighbor’s Workbook
Place your photo here.
© Neighbors Project 2006
Neighbors Project
neighborsproject.org
Based on A Neighbor’s Manifesto
Table of Contents
Section I: What Can I Do? p. 3 Step 1: Engaging Ideas p. 4 Step 2: My Action Plan p. 36 Section II: How can I get other people to help me? p. 40 Step 1: Recruit your team p. 41 Step 2: Make a date p. 42 Step 3: Create a plan p. 44 Step 4: Make it happen p. 49 Step 5: Celebrate p. 50 Step 6: Spread the knowledge p. 51
Section I: Me & My Neighborhood
© 2006 Neighbors Project neighborsproject.org
Our mission is to activate and organize members of the urban generation in cities across the nation to strengthen and invigo-rate city neighborhoods one neighbor at a time throughout our lives. We will make diverse cities with a healthy grassroots cul-ture rooted in public streets and institutions the preferred place to live for Americans of every kind.
Place a photo of your favorite neighborhood spot here.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 2 neighborsproject.org 3
The Neighbor’s Workbook 4 neighborsproject.org 5
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
Write your answers for each item, skipping over the ones that don’t apply to you at this time. TIP: Leave the check boxes blank for now; you will use them in Step 2 (p. 36).
Say hi to my neighbors. • Why should I? • When and how often do I smile at or speak to my
neighbors? • Do I respond to my neighbors when they smile at or speak
to me? • What can I say or do to get a conversation started next time
I see my neighbors?
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Do people have a hard time walking in front of my home
when it snows? • Is there trash in front of my home? • When was the last time I picked up trash or shoveled snow
in front of my place?
Pick up trash and shovel snow in front of my home.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Neighborhood and/or block association(s) of which I am a
member: • Neighborhood and/or block association(s) I could join: • Does my block and/or neighborhood need a new group?
Join my neighborhood or block association. If I don’t have one, start one.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Who has proposed what effective policies for my
neighborhood? • How have I supported them? • If no one has proposed anything, what have I done to
advance the issue?
Actively support intelligent policies that increase the number of affordable homes in my neighborhood.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 6 neighborsproject.org 7
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • How often do I do the following per week?
• Walk • Bike • Take the train or bus • Take cabs • Drive
• If I own one, what are the pros and cons of keeping it?
Which list is more compelling? Pros Cons
Walk, bike and take public transit (cabs qualify). Get rid of my car if I have one, unless I have a very good reason for keeping it.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Can I rehab my building instead of tearing it down? • Will I be proud of the design of my building? • Will my neighbors be proud to live next to my building?
Rehab, don’t demo, unless it’s an abomination. Whatever I build, make my neighbors proud to live next to my building.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 8 neighborsproject.org 9
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What am I buying elsewhere that I could be buying in my
neighborhood? • Are good stores in my neighborhood being forced to close? • What are the names of the people who run my favorite
stores in my neighborhood?
Shop locally.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Do my elected officials represent my views? • I have discussed my ideas with the following people:
• City representative Y N • County rep/borough president/etc. Y N • State representative Y N • State senator Y N • U.S. congressperson Y N • U.S. senator Y N • U.S. President Y N
• Have I voted, with reasonably full knowledge of the voting records and promises of all of the candidates, in every possible election?
• Have I volunteered for candidates and/or elected officials I
believe in?
Get to know all of my elected officials — in person. Vote, volunteer and hold them accountable as my representatives.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 10 neighborsproject.org 11
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Have I visited prospective public schools in my
neighborhood and met the teachers, principal and parents? • If the school needs help, have I convinced other parents in
my neighborhood with kids of a similar age to work with the school to improve it?
• If my kids are already in public school, do I volunteer at the
school and urge other parents to do the same?
Send my children to public schools in my city, work to improve them, and stay involved.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Does my neighborhood need any or all of the following?
• Wider sidewalks Y N • A bench for the bus stop Y N • More play space for kids Y N • Bike parking Y N • Gardens Y N • Outdoor café seating Y N • Other: Y N
• Have I spoken up for the items I’ve circled above when
people in my community have pushed for more free private parking?
Reclaim public real estate lost to personal parking.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 12 neighborsproject.org 13
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What buildings are available in my neighborhood with
commercial space on the ground floor that I could buy?
• Building: • Building: • Building:
• What sort of business could my neighborhood use that
could go in this space?
If I buy a building, try to buy a mixed-use building and rent the commercial space to a neighborhood-positive business.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • When was the last community meeting that I attended? • Did I speak about my views at the meeting ? • Did I persevere in advocating for my views even if other
people disagreed? • When and where are the next community meetings in my
neighborhood that I will attend?
Speak up at community meetings.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 14 neighborsproject.org 15
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Do my cab drivers usually do the following?
• Speed Y N • Drive aggressively Y N • Menace pedestrians or bicyclists Y N • Talk on their cell phones Y N
• Have I reminded my cab drivers to drive safely? Did I reward
them with a larger tip for safe driving?
Tip my cab driver extra for driving safely.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What local organizations have I volunteered for?
• Organization: • Organization: • Organization:
• What volunteer opportunity will I participate in next?
Volunteer locally.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 16 neighborsproject.org 17
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What private projects have I done that have been both per-
sonally gratifying and neighborhood-positive? • How can I use the private projects I’m currently working on
to improve my neighborhood? • What other private projects do I want to pursue?
• Project: • Project: • Project:
Use my private projects to contribute to the culture of my neighborhood.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
Join or start a community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
• Why should I? • Which CSA do I participate in? • Which CSA will I join for the next season? • If no CSA exists, who should I contact about starting one?
The Neighbor’s Workbook 18 neighborsproject.org 19
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • When was the last block party on my street? Who organized
it? • When was the last block party I helped organize? • Are my neighbors interested in having a block party?
Organize a block party.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • How did I react to the two most recent development propos-
als in my neighborhood?
• Proposal: • Proposal:
• Did I investigate the developer’s track record? • Did I think through the implications of my stance on the
proposals for the short- and long-term health of my neighborhood and city?
Work with developers, not automatically against them.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 20 neighborsproject.org 21
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • When was the last time I called someone on an ignorant or
meanspirited comment? • When was the last time I stayed silent when someone I
know made an ignorant or meanspirited comment? • Which neighbor will I speak to next about rethinking their
offensive statements or behavior?
Call out my neighbors for comments or behavior that perpetuate limiting stereotypes.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • When was the last time I worked with my elected officials
and the developer to ensure that any new development in my neighborhood was people, and not car, scale?
• What proposed development(s) in my neighborhood do I
need to address to make sure it’s designed for people?
Advocate for people-scale development and design.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 22 neighborsproject.org 23
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • When was the last time I helped or schooled a stranger on
the street? • Who and where are the vulnerable people in my
neighborhood who especially need me to look out for them? What can I do to help them?
Regulate — be eyes on the street.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What was the last job I filled with a neighbor? • What jobs will I be hiring for that could use someone from
my neighborhood? • How should I attract my neighbors to work at my business?
If I start my own business, employ local folks.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 24 neighborsproject.org 25
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • What are my local papers and blogs? • When was the last time I sent a letter/e-mail or comment to
a local paper or blog? • When was the last time I got angry about something I read
in a local paper or blog, but didn’t respond to it? • Which paper/blog do I especially want to interact with?
Read and engage with my local papers and blogs (as well as the national and international ones), or start my own.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Where are the community gardens in my neighborhood? • Do my neighborhood community gardens need volunteers
or other support? • When was the last time I volunteered in my community
garden?
Cultivate my community garden.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 26 neighborsproject.org 27
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Do my neighborhood parks need local folks to volunteer,
raise money or otherwise improve the park? • To which organizations that support my neighborhood parks
do I belong? • What organization will I join or start to help my
neighborhood park?
Be a friend of the park.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Do I have a library card? • What was the last item I checked out of the library? • Of the books, films and CDs that I am planning on buying,
which could I check out from the library instead? • What is the next event I want to attend or run at my library?
Use the public library.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 28 neighborsproject.org 29
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • How does the proposed facility fit into the overall strategy
for that service in the city? Do I agree with that strategy? • Does my neighborhood shoulder its share of the social
service or waste facilities in my city? • What was the last proposal for a facility in my neighborhood
and how did I contribute to an informed and fair discussion?
Don’t automatically fight against the opening of a social service or waste facility in my neighborhood.
Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • Does my dog scare my neighbors away from talking to me or
does s/he help start conversation? • When was the last time I neglected to pick up my dog’s
waste or allowed her/him to pee on someone’s valued property?
Curb my dog.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 30 neighborsproject.org 31
Step 1 Engaging Ideas Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • How have I reacted to past plans for modern designs for
proposed developments? • What are good examples of new architectural styles
juxtaposed with older buildings that I can use to inspire and guide my neighborhood?
• Example: • Example: • Example:
Be open to new architecture.
• Why should I? • If I own a building, have I ever violated the building code? • If I rent or bought from a developer, have I checked to make
sure that the property owner/developer has followed the building code?
Follow the building code.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 32 neighborsproject.org 33
Step 1 Engaging Ideas Step 1 Engaging Ideas
• Why should I? • How often do I use my stoop/porch/balcony? • What activities can I do on my stoop/porch/balcony (that
doesn’t annoy my neighbors) that I’m currently doing inside?
Use my stoop or porch.
• What is my vision for my community? • What are three things I could work on right now to help my
vision become a reality? • 1. • 2. • 3.
My ideas!
The Neighbor’s Workbook 34 neighborsproject.org 35
Step 2 My Action Plan
Go back through Step 1 and check the boxes of the items that you would like to work on. For each item you’ve checked, use this worksheet to figure out how you will make it happen. TIP: You may find that you can’t get past Question 4 because the action is too big for you to do alone. If so, leave the rest of the page blank and go to Section II of this workbook (p. 40).
Action:
1. Goals 2. Information I need Where I can get it 3. Things/people holding me back
4. People/organizations who can help me 5. Steps and timeline • Step 1 Timeline • Step 2 Timeline • Step 3 Timeline • Step 4 Timeline • Step 5 Timeline • Step 6 Timeline 6. How will I keep myself accountable?
Step 2 My Action Plan
The Neighbor’s Workbook 36 neighborsproject.org 37
Action:
1. Goals 2. Information I need Where I can get it 3. Things holding me back
Step 2 My Action Plan
4. People/organizations who can help me 5. Steps and timeline • Step 1 Timeline • Step 2 Timeline • Step 3 Timeline • Step 4 Timeline • Step 5 Timeline • Step 6 Timeline 6. How will I keep myself accountable?
Step 2 My Action Plan
The Neighbor’s Workbook 38 neighborsproject.org 39
Step 1 Recruit your Team
List the people and organizations you named in Section I, Step 2 (p. 37).
How many total people do you ideally need? (A core group of six people or fewer is ideal.)
List the names of additional friends who you want to involve.
Write a one-page summary of what you want to do (refer to p. 36). Share it with each person you’ve listed in Questions 1 and 3 above. Ask each person individually if s/he will help you.
Name Gave summary? Will help?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section II : My Team
Place a photo of your team here.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 40 neighborsproject.org 41
Step 2 Make a Date
Meeting date – Send out a few times and figure out which date works for the most people.
• Possible dates • Definite date
Location – Find a location that’s convenient for everyone. Your home or some other private location is best. If you choose a public location, look for a place that’s quiet and has a reasonable amount of privacy and few distractions; you’ll also need space to write. And don’t forget to arrange for food and drink; if you feed them, they will come.
• Possible locations • Definite location
Once you have positive responses from a critical mass of your invite list, set up a meeting to plan your project/campaign.
Agenda – An agenda helps structure your meeting and let the attendees—your friends—know that you’re serious about this project/campaign and value their time. It should include:
• What you want to accomplish. • A chance for everyone to explain why they’re at the
meeting. • Next steps, including next meetings and assign-
ments. • A time for you to say thank you.
Your agenda
Step 2 Make a Date
1.
2.
3.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 42 neighborsproject.org 43
Step 3 Create a Plan
Now that you’ve assembled your team, use this worksheet to plan your project/campaign together. This method may not fit for every campaign/project, so modify it to suit your needs. TIP: Use the “Task tracker” on page 48 to keep track of next steps wherever you are in the process.
Problem(s) we want to address
Our Goals
Step 3 Create a Plan
Research/information we need Targets – Who are the specific individuals who will make the ultimate decision of whether to do/approve what we want to accomplish?
1.
3.
2.
4.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 44 neighborsproject.org 45
Step 3 Create a Plan
Our strengths
Our weaknesses
Step 3 Create a Plan
Strategy – What strategy will target our pressure points, draw upon our resources and downplay our weaknesses? Keep in mind that you will likely need to modify your strategy as you learn more or the situation changes.
Talking points/elevator pitch
5. 7.
6.
8.
The Neighbor’s Workbook 46 neighborsproject.org 47
Step 3 Create a Plan
Task tracker
Task Person Timeline
Step 4 Make it Happen
Agree on how you will ensure that everyone stays energized and committed to accomplishing your goals. • How will we communicate? • How will we track our progress? • How will we make sure that everyone is following through
with their tasks? • How often will we meet in person? • How will we stay energized and committed, even if we
experience a setback? • How will we celebrate our successes?
The Neighbor’s Workbook 48 neighborsproject.org 49
Step 5
Celebrate
Step 6 Spread the Knowledge
Teach others to do what you’ve accomplished to help make it easier for anyone to do. To help other people replicate our success, our team will:
Publicize our success story on a local paper or blog, or through another media source.
Write or film a how-to manual and publish it on the Web or distribute it locally.
Hold a local training workshop.
Post a photo essay on the Web. Invite others to contribute their photos to the group as they take on similar projects.
Ask a relevant local organization to feature our story.
Have a party that also features a way to teach guests what we’ve done.
E-mail stories@neighborsproject.org with our story and our permission to allow Neighbors Project to publish it. Other:
Good Neighbor Certificate
In recognition of reaching these
project goals:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Project completed on
___________________ (date)
Awarded to
_____________________________________
for their neighborhood spirit.
____________________ ________________ ____________________ ________________ ____________________ ________________ ____________________ ________________ ____________________ ________________ ____________________ ________________ Signature of team members Date
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