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Neighborhood Networks!

Welcome to Neighborhood Networks!  What is a 'neighborhood network'?  It's an informal association of neighbors who get together periodically, maybe once a month, to get acquainted, share information, form interest groups, perhaps learn new skills, be better prepared for emergencies, keep track of local events and civic affairs, and hopefully have fun in the process! (See sample flyer below) 

Although a neighborhood network should certainly be nonpartisan, it is also an opportunity to share our political viewpoints, lobby for various causes, and debate the issues, as long as we do so with civility.

Wouldn't it be great if 'neighborhood networks' existed all over the world?  So that no matter where you live or move, you can join your local neighborhood network and automatically become part of an active and engaged community.  Online social media and large organizations are great for bringing people together, but they can also be exclusive, as well as vulnerable to disruptions and other hazards. That's what makes local 'neighborhood networks' for everyone so necessary to our general well-being.

You may want to limit your neighborhood network to 150 people, approximately. Many researchers of Dunbar's number suggest that any group is best kept to about 150 members for peak cohesion and effectiveness.  Which means that every time a group grows significantly beyond 150 members they should start a new group, of which they can eventually become part of a larger coalition of 150 groups, and so on. It's an interesting concept that appears to work under many diverse circumstances.

This webpage is to provide you and your neighbors with encouragement to start your own 'neighborhood network'. Please send in any comments or questions. Learn more below. And thanks for reading this.

Lynn Landes

LynnLandes.com
LynnLandes@gmail.com
714-204-2690
Philadelphia, PA

 


(sample handout)

 

PLEASE JOIN US

(date, time, & address)

For the 1st 'Neighborhood Network' Planning Meeting of (neighborhood location/boundaries)

 


Hi neighbor,

Please join us for our 1st planning meeting of a 'Neighborhood Network' for (neighborhood boundaries). 

What's a 'neighborhood network'?  It’s a way for us to get better acquainted, share helpful information, be prepared for emergencies, keep track of civic and government affairs, maybe learn some new skills, perhaps find walking buddies, and hopefully have fun in the process.

It's an informal gathering of neighbors to help each other out - no board or officers - just a few volunteer schedulers to keep the ball rolling.  It would supplement our local civic association, not replace it.  We'd meet periodically (or monthly) in-person at neighbors' houses or elsewhere, depending on the number of people attending. We could also provide a zoom option for those who can’t make it.  

The idea is to keep the group to no more than 150 people approximately.  Why 150?  According to Robin Dunbar, it’s a really good number for maximum group effectiveness. That said, we won't know what will work for us until we get our 'neighborhood network' up and running. 

Please RSVP via email or drop a note in our mailbox, also include any comments or questions you may have.  If we get a lot of attendees we may have to move the meeting to a bigger place. 

Thank you for reading this and hope to see you at our 1st Neighborhood Network planning meeting. 

name
address
cell
email

 


Helpful info your Neighborhood Network could provide + Suggested Clubs people could start
 


GENERAL INFORMATION:

- Public Safety Information: police number, etc.
- Emergency Preparedness: link or info page
- Fire Safety document: link or info page
- First Aid: link or info page
___________________________________

-  Events Calendar: Neighborhood, Civic, City, State
-  Referral List of service people & professionals
___________________________________

-  Gov’t contact for potholes, street lights, traffic lights, missing garbage pick-up, illegal dumping, abandoned property, etc..
-  Gov’t representatives' info & meeting schedules for city, state, & federal reps
___________________________________

-  Neighborhood & Civic associations
-  Local Schools
-  Grocery stores
-  Repair shops
-  Hospitals
-  Veterinarians

 
SIGN-UP LISTS:

List of neighbors who want to be checked-up on due to age and/or medical condition.

Suggested clubs within a 'neighborhood network':

-   A civics group to discuss government affairs
-   First Aide & Emergency Preparedness Club
-  Public Safety Club
-  Streets Club - clean, green, pot-hole free, etc.
-  Buddies Club (walking, running, hiking, biking, etc.)
-  Stitchers Circle (knitting, crochet, sewing, etc.)
-  Cooking Club
-  Camping Club
-  Foraging Club
-  Hunting Club
-  Farm Club
-  Garden Club
-  Social Clubs
-  Dinners Club
-  Theatre Club
-  Travel Club
-  Book Club
-  Dance Group
-  Wood Workers Club
-  Home Repair Club
-  Computer Club
-  Car Club
-  Choir
-  Band
-  Health Club... etc!