A neighborhood profile, when complete, should be the most accurate and relevant resource available for use by neighborhood organizations. Fact gathering can get out of hand, so the key to success is to be selective and gather only the facts that will be relevant resources to those groups in your neighborhood.
Recruitment
The resources should identify sources of prospects for leadership, membership, committees, short-term volunteer positions and nominees for the board of directors and other positions.
Sponsorship and Meeting Places
The profile should uncover new sources of sponsorship and new meeting places for neighborhood groups.
Technology
The profile will help identify ways in which technology could be used with neighborhood organizations, i.e. engaging members and promoting association meetings and activities.
Fund Raising
The profile can help identify contacts for fundraising campaigns, as well as possible business partners for such campaigns.
Events or Projects
Sources, both material and personnel, are readily pointed out in a complete profile.
To facilitate the information gathering process, it is suggested that different sections of the neighborhood profile be distributed to different members of the association. When completed, the sections of the profile should be collected and reassembled. It will be necessary to update the information as needed.
The completed profiles from all of the geographic areas offer valuable input for planning, member recruitment, fundraising and major neighborhood projects.
Neighborhood Resource Map
Utilize a map of your neighborhood that is divided into units of workable size. Indicate the following resources with appropriate symbols: schools; hospitals; libraries; museums; houses of worship; housing developments/apartment complexes; recreational facilities; public transportation lines; parks and others.
The resulting map will yield a ready reference for neighborhood resources in a geographic perspective and support services can be more easily and logically organized. Some portions of the map could be reproduced for leaders as a resource guide. If a standard scale and selection of symbols are used, the maps can be used for group-wide planning or planning with a specific group of neighborhoods. Use markers to pinpoint businesses, schools, faith based organizations, etc.
By following the steps below, it will allow your neighborhood to have a full picture of all the groups that serve the neighborhood. Spend time collecting these resources. Do not allow it to become overwhelming. Collect as many or as little as will best serve your area.
1. Who are the Neighborhood Leaders?
List the individuals/organizations who makes things happen in the neighborhood. Include merchants, business and union leaders, neighborhood club presidents, religious leaders, educators, military personnel and residents who are generally admired by the neighborhood.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
2. What are the businesses that serve your neighborhood?
Businesses can provide resources to neighborhoods such as meeting place locations and special event donations. They are also a great resource for board members and consultants. Chart those businesses in the neighborhood and indicate how they can be part of the association. Invite them to a meeting.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
3. What are the government resources that serve your neighborhood? Do you know your elected officials?
Local, state and federal officials can provide information, support and potential collaborations for neighborhood organizations.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
4. What are the communication/media resources that serve your neighborhood?
Most newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations receive information about neighborhood happenings through the association.
Examples of communication resources:
- Local newspapers or radio stations
- Special events flyers (block parties, parades, county fairs, ethnic celebrations, etc.)
- Newsletters of faith based/PTA groups
- Neighborhood bulletin boards
List those media resources in and around your neighborhood:
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
5. What are the educational resources that serve your neighborhood?
List all the public and private schools in the neighborhood and their contact person. Include college and universities, technical and vocational and adult learning centers.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
6. What are the voluntary membership groups that serve your neighborhood?
These groups include fraternal and civic organizations; sororities and university/college organizations, religious groups and congregations and special-interest groups. Examples of voluntary membership groups include: senior citizens; cultural organizations; professional organizations; grass roots and self-help groups.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
7. What are the non-profit organizations that serve your neighborhood?
List other non-profit organizations, both national and local, and special local programs that are active in the neighborhood who can be potential partners.
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
8. Who are the additional adult volunteers that can serve your neighborhood?
Include:
- Name of person
- Organization affiliation
- Contact information (phone, email, address)
- How can they help your neighborhood?
Demographics are used to identify those areas needing concentrated efforts and help determine how effective these efforts have been. Some of this information is provided by the Office of Communications and Neighborhood Relations by request. Some information can be found through the U.S. Census Bureau. In the following sections, describe characteristics that affect the development in the neighborhood.
Age composition:
Race composition:
Economic composition:
Resident composition:
Total number of neighborhood residents
Total number of residents that are members of the organization
Once all of this information is collected it will give a full overview of the neighborhood and allow board members to form relationships, recruit new members and reach out to potential volunteers and partners.