We Are Neighbors

  A coffee chat in your driveway or garage is a simple and fun way to get to know your neighbors better. In many communities, people don’t interact with each other as much as they used to, but hosting a casual gathering can bring people together.  With any event you have to ask: what is my purpose? My purpose with a coffee chat was to get neighbors attending and talking. Coffee sort of lends itself to sitting down and staying for a while. Coffee is an easy way to connect and build stronger relationships within your neighborhood. Whether you want to meet new neighbors, make friends, or just enjoy some time outside, a coffee chat is a great idea.  Here are some tips to help you plan a successful coffee chat in your driveway or garage. Choose the Right Time and Date The first step in hosting a coffee chat is picking a time and date that works for most people. I actually did early Friday morning for two years, so that can work! But as a general rule, w eekends are best sinc...

  Hosting a driveway chat for your neighbors is a simple low-stress way to build friendships and make your neighborhood feel more connected.  If you want to host this easy-to-organize event, having everyone bring their own lawn chairs and drinks is a perfect idea. This setup keeps things simple, relaxed, and low-stress for the host, while still offering everyone a chance to hang out, connect and get to know one another.  Here are some tips to make your driveway chat a fun and successful event. Pick the Right Time and Date The first thing to consider is the timing of your driveway chat. I think this depends on the culture and makeup of your  neighborhood. When I organized these for a year in my neighborhood we did Thursday nights to avoid known conflicts. We moved our event around (like the one shown on this page) to different "host" driveways. More recently, I have seen other leaders saying weekends are usually the best, since most people have time off from work....

  When representatives from 14 Republic churches met in June of 2024 at Convoy of Hope, a consensus formed over several ideas that local churches could work on together. One of those was the need to support families and promote healthy marriages. Members of the Ministerial Alliance first discussed working together but difficult l ogistics of doing one joint marriage event in Republic led to discussions about multiple churches doing a marriage conference as a way to support families and marriages in our community. Members of the ministerial alliance can show unity by promoting the other marriage events offered in the Republic community. Let David Burton know by email the details of your conference to add to this list: Here is a master list of events planned for 2025: Republic Free Will Baptist Church is hosting “Making Room For Romance” Conference April 4-5 at the church. Steve & Susan Tucker from Eagle Family Ministries in Bentonville AR help couples of all ages & stages ...

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The 100th Annual Greene County Agriculture Production Conference is 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11 in the 2nd-floor banquet room at Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 6821 West Independence, Springfield.   A catered dinner of barbeque beef will be provided free-of-charge thanks to the program sponsors: Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, Greene County MU Extension Council, Greene County Commission, University of Missouri Extension and the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. In celebration of 100 years of educational programs like this one in Greene County, organizer will recognize all Greene County Century Farm families attending and one family in attendance will receive a new personalized Century Farm sign.   The following speakers for the evening will cover topics of significant interest to local agriculture this coming year.   "Virtual Fence: Integrating Innovation on Your Farm," by Kaitlyn Dozler, MU Cent...

  Living on a farm often means being surrounded by acres of land, with neighbors sometimes miles away. Unlike city or suburban life, daily interactions with others in a rural setting may be limited. According to MU Extension's "State of Neighboring" study, most Missourians now say a good neighbor is someone who is quiet and leaves them alone. It is a recipe for isolation and loneliness along with decreases in social capital and trust.  One measure of this is how many neighbors you know by name. In that same study, 38 percent of Missourians said they know the names of all or most of their neighbors, but rural residents were much lower at 31 percent. However, knowing your neighbors is just as crucial in rural areas as it is in more populated settings. Building relationships with those around you fosters a sense of community, provides support in times of need, enhances safety, strengthens local connections, and fosters civic minded individuals. First and foremost, a strong s...

Being an engaged neighbor is about more than just knowing the people who live next door. It is about building a sense of community, helping each other, and looking out for one another. When you take the time to be an engaged neighbor, you are not only making your neighborhood a better place, but you are also becoming a more active and involved citizen.  Being involved in your community can help improve society as a whole, and it all starts with small acts of kindness and participation right where you live. One of the most important ways being an engaged neighbor helps you become a better citizen is by creating a stronger, safer community. When neighbors help each other out, it builds trust.  For example, if you notice that someone on your street needs help with their yard or groceries, offering assistance can make a big difference. When neighbors rely on each other, it creates an environment where everyone feels supported and safe. This sense of security is important because a...

  We live in a world where negativity dominates. Our brains are wired with a negativity bias because, for survival, it's important to be aware of threats. That’s why bad news sells—it grabs our attention. But as leaders, we must make a conscious choice to focus on the positive, especially in challenging times. Gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s an intentional practice that helps shift our focus from problems to possibilities. When we lead with gratitude, we inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Leaders Take Action Great leaders don’t have all the answers, but they have a bias toward action. They see challenges before others do, but instead of getting stuck in uncertainty, they start moving forward. Not moving will never solve the issue. When faced with difficulties, a leader's role is to say, "I don’t know exactly how we’re going to get through this, but I know we must keep moving." Taking the first step can be the most powerful par...

  Join us for a workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 8 at the Cox North Fountain Plaza Room,  1423 N Jefferson Ave.,  Springfield, MO 65802 , filled with speakers and topics to equip you and your neighborhood leaders for success. Our featured speaker will be author John Drake Robinson who has written about the people of Missouri, taught journalism, and even won an Emmy. He will be sharing some neighborhood related stories in order to get us focused on what stories we could be telling about our own neighborhoods! Topics include telling your neighborhood story, neighborhood association membership recruitment and retainment, fiscal procedures and best practices, board member onboarding and more. The event is free and open to any neighborhood leader who lives or works in Greene County. Breakfast and lunch are included. However, you must RSVP by calling 417-888-2020, ext 208. Written by David L. Burton MORE INFORMATION Take the  Engaged Neighbor pledge  ...

  The Hopeful Neighborhood Field Guide by Don Everts and Tony Cook is an inspiring and practical resource that encourages readers to engage in their local communities with intentionality, kindness, and a vision for the common good. This six-session guide offers thoughtful reflections and actionable steps to help individuals and groups cultivate stronger, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods. Rooted in Christian principles, the book challenges readers to rethink their role as neighbors and provides tangible ways to bring hope to their immediate surroundings. Three Lessons from the Book Every Neighborhood Has Strengths to Celebrate One of the book’s central themes is that every neighborhood, no matter how diverse or challenging, has unique strengths. The authors encourage readers to shift their perspective from seeing problems to recognizing assets. By focusing on what is good and valuable in a community, individuals can foster a sense of hope and collaboration. This approach ...