Planning a Neighborhood Social or Block Party

 

If you are planning a neighborhood get-together, perhaps a block party, or coffee social, fear is unnecessary. This should be an event that encourages connections and is easy to repeat!

There is tremendous value in a small and short gathering of neighbors if a connection is made. Too often, big events become about entertainment, and connections do not happen.

It is also okay to fail. If things do not turn out how you wanted, that probably means there are valuable lessons to learn and important changes to make before the next event.

Either way, the goal is to keep moving forward and building connections among neighbors.

Let’s talk about the steps involved in planning a neighborhood gathering.

Step 1: Start By Finding a Co-Host

When do things alone we sometimes go fast, but we will not go far. Discovering at least one other person to help with the event will help things go more smoothly. You will have the benefit of at least two creative minds. This also expands your connections.

You get bonus points if the get-together takes advantage of the interests and assets of your neighborhood. 

I recommend keeping your party simple. This makes it easier for the host to be more accessible to neighbors. Plus the goal of the gathering is building connections among neighbors, not entertainment.

Step 2: Create a block map

Who to invite? One approach is creating a block map that can serve as a directory for your attendees. 

At a minimum, your map should include the eight households closest to you. You could expand the map depending on how well you know your neighbors. 

Write down everything you know about each home on your block. If you do not know complete names or contact information, get that filled in at the party for a block directory.

Another approach is to identify the neighbors on your street as a stranger, acquaintances or a connection and to invite a good mix of those.

There are times when inviting eight households is perfect. With other gatherings, you may want to invite the entire street. 

Step 3: Invite the neighbors.

Invitations do not have to be formal or have special graphics. An informal invitation lets neighbors know your gathering is simple and casual. Print out a simple flier. or write out the invitation on a card.

Your invitation should include your name, address, and contact information. By sharing your information first, you set the expectation for others to share.

Hand-deliver your invitations. Knocking on doors can be intimidating but face-to-face communication is the best way to engage neighbors and ensure they get your invitation.

If providing food, ask for RSVPs from your neighbors. This helps with planning (especially for food), but it also gives you contact information for your neighbors.

Be sure your invitation tells people how long the party will be and if it is come and go. People who are introverts appreciate knowing this ahead of time. It is fine to keep things to one hour.

Step 4: Hosting the Party

Failure to plan is the same as planning to fail. 

Consider seating, tables, and an alternative in case the weather changes.

Setting an agenda for your event can help keep things moving. Having structure can help people connect, gives you purpose and helps you remember special goals.

Have guests sign in and update, correct or add their information on the neighborhood map that you created in step 1.

Step 5: Agenda for Block Party

Gathering Activity: Knowing people’s names helps move connections along. It is also fun to add color codes to those nametags. Maybe the year the person moved to the neighborhood. 

Introduce Yourself: Begin the party by introducing yourself. Share some details about yourself and explain why you are hosting the gathering. 

Conversation: A good icebreaker would be to have neighbors introduce themselves and share how or why they ended up in this neighborhood. Other good questions help people share about a gift. For example: What do you in your free time? What is something you do so well you could teach others?

Closing: When it is time to close the gathering, let your attendees know you will get them all a copy of the neighborhood directory that they added information to during sign-in. 

STEP 6: Planning the Next One

Before making plans for the next gathering, send a thank you note to those who attended your gathering. 

Ask your neighbors if anyone is interested in helping plan another get-together or hosting the next event.

Ideas for Successful Gatherings

There are many ways to gather your neighbors. Here are a few that can be done outside and that I have seen work as first-time gatherings.

• Coffee social in your garage or driveway with a Keurig and different coffee, tea and hot chocolate flavors. Be sure to provide chairs so people stay and visit. This is my favorite because it is simple, it can be low cost, it gives people a chance to visit, and it can be a come-and-go format.

• Donuts on the driveway. Drinks are needed with this one too, but the title is fun and if you have young families, donuts will draw a good attendance.

• Ice cream social. Homemade ice cream is fun if you know your neighbors well and several will make ice cream for you. But store-bought ice cream sandwiches are easier to store, leftovers keep, and kids love them.

• Driveway chat. Ask your neighbors to bring their lawn chairs and a snack. You can provide the drinks. Or make it BYOB and you provide a few snacks. Chatting with neighbors is the goal with this type of gathering, not the food.

• Front-yard cookout. Move the grill and chairs to the front yard and serve hotdogs and hamburgers. Invite your neighbors to bring their own meat and veggies to grill.

• Ethnic Potluck. One street realized they had six different ethnic groups on their street so inviting neighbors to bring their favorite family food was a fun way to celebrate it.

• Front yard game night. Set up corn-hole and washer games for fun and conversation. Make it a tournament if your group is competitive. Other yard games work well too.

• Pancakes on the porch. If you have more cooking experience, this title catches people’s attention. And what kid doesn’t love pancakes and syrup?

• Holiday gathering. Pick any holiday and host a gathering on the drive, on the front yard or in the garage. Stick with the theme of that holiday to help create a tradition.

It is important to remember that these gatherings are about building connections, not entertaining everyone. Take the worry of entertaining off the table!

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Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.