Home » Departments » Planning » Long Range Planning » Neighborhood Planning » Neighborhood Associations » Getting Started

All that you need to start a neighborhood association is a core group of three or four interested people.  This group is often several neighbors with a common interest but remember that churches, businesses and schools are all part of your neighborhood too!  What then? Host a meeting of this core group in a comfortable setting such as someone's home or the local church. One good way to start the meeting is to ask the committee members to respond to a few basic questions: Why do you think you should organize? What are the issues that need to be addressed? How do you want to improve the neighborhood? What resources are available in the neighborhood? At this meeting, you should also define the boundaries of the neighborhood and name your group.   Once, the steering committee has established the purpose of the association and issues to focus on, it is time to prepare for the first General Membership meeting. First General Membership Meeting This first meeting is an opportunity to announce the formation of your association, solicit members and discuss specific issues on which the group would like to focus. Some tips for hosting a successful meeting follow: Choose a convenient location for your meeting and reserve a room. Rooms are available in the City of Plano Municipal Center as well as in many churches, schools, libraries, and recreation centers.  Select a room just large enough to accommodate the group you expect - a room that is too large can make people feel lost. Arrange the seats so that people can get to know each other. A circle or horseshoe where people can see each other, is most effective. Schedule the meeting at a time when most people are free - early evening or Saturday mornings often work well. Consider providing a babysitting service or other activities to keep children amused. Promoting the meeting Prepare a colorful flier that states the time, place, date, and purpose of the meeting.  Include a map that clearly shows the building where the meeting is to be held and the surrounding streets. The core group should distribute the flyers door-to-door in the neighborhood at least a few days in advance but no more than a week (people tend to forget). Also: Check with the principal of the elementary school in your area about sending fliers home with students. Ask local merchants to display fliers in shop windows. Contact local churches and ask that the meeting be announced or listed in their bulletins. Place yard signs out a couple of days before the meeting as a reminder.   At the meeting Have hosts at the door to greet people as they arrive. Ask people to sign in and wear a nametag. Give people a sticker dot and ask them to locate their home on a neighborhood map. Serve refreshments and reserve some time to get to know people. Remember to have fun! Agenda: Introduce the core group. Introduce any guest speakers. Discuss issues, concerns and any group projects. Announce the next meeting.