Benefits of Neighboring 101, 201, 301, 401 and Student Expectations

 


Welcome to the Engaged Neighbor Program, powered by the University of Missouri Extension. Our mission is to strengthen Missouri communities by connecting neighbors, building social capital, and creating a deeper sense of belonging in both rural and urban areas. 

Or as I like to say, I want to make being an engaged and connected neighbor normal and appreciated.

Enroll in any of these classes on the MU Extension website.

Neighboring 101 (first enrollment)

What You Receive

  • Exclusive access to monthly Zoom classes with nationally recognized guests.

  • By attending Neighboring 101 live at 12 noon (CST) on the third Thursday of most months, you can ask questions of guest speakers and network with other members in real time.

  • Class members receive a bi-weekly digital newsletter focused on neighboring, including access to videos of classes they may have missed.

  • Resources for Missouri Good Neighbor Week or National Good Neighbor Day.

  • The joy of joining a statewide network of engaged neighbors.

To Complete

  • Attend at least 12 live Zoom sessions (self report and document).

  • Watch 3 past Neighboring 101 recordings and leave a reflection in YouTube comments about your lessons learned. There are over 5 years of videos to select from.

  • Write a short review of your key takeaways from Neighboring 101 overall to share on social media.

  • Complete the Missouri Community Development survey.


For residents of Missouri, I highly recommend enrolling in the Neighborhood Leadership Academy after Neighboring 101. For Missourians, this is the text step toward becoming more engaged in their neighborhood and community.

For those outside of Missouri, we are talking about the addition of classes (like 201, 301 and 401) to earn final certification.

At this point, this is just an idea, a work in progress.

Neighboring 201

What You Receive

  • Continued access to special newsletters.

  • One-on-one coaching opportunities with David Burton upon request.

  • Ongoing access to Neighboring 101 sessions and new guest speakers.

To Complete

  • Attend 12 additional live sessions or watch 12 recordings on YouTube and leave comments on each one.

  • Share one social media post about the Engaged Neighbor Program.

  • Participate in Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28–Oct. 4) or National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) and write a report about lessons learned from your experience.

  • Sign the Engaged Neighbor Pledge.

  • Read the following book and discuss it with cohort leader and members via Zoom: Melody Warnick, "This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live."

  • Lead a discussion about a neighboring book on Zoom and invite other members of the Engaged Neighbor network (and your neighbors) to attend.

Neighboring 301

What You Receive

  • Ongoing special newsletters.

  • Coaching opportunities with David Burton upon request.

  • Continued access to Neighboring 101 sessions and guest speakers.

To Complete

  • Attend 12 additional live sessions or watch 12 recordings and leave comments on for all 12 on YouTube.

  • Lead and document a neighborhood project (during Good Neighbor Week, National Good Neighbor Day, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week or for Mister Rogers birthday on March 20).

  • Read the following book and discuss it with cohort leader and members: Pinker, Susan. "The Village Effect: How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier and Happier."

  • Facilitate a discussion about a neighboring book within the network on Zoom with David Burton.

  • Give a community presentation on the power of neighboring and social capital (at a civic group, church, workplace, or school).

  • Attend or present at either the annual Neighborhoods USA conference or MU Extension's Creating Entrepreneur Communities (CEC) Conference.

Neighboring 401

What You Receive

  • Ongoing newsletters.

  • Coaching opportunities with David Burton upon request.

  • Continued access to Neighboring 101 sessions and guest speakers.

To Complete

  • Co-host or moderate a Neighboring 101 session on Zoom with a guest of your choosing (must schedule at least three months ahead).

  • Read and discuss the book "The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods" by John McKnight and Peter Block with cohort leaders and other members when possible.. 

  • Attend 12 additional live sessions or watch 12 recordings and leave comments on three.

  • Throw a driveway gathering or some other neighborhood event for your neighbors and document it.

  • Give a community presentation on the power of neighboring and social capital (at a civic group, church, workplace, or school).

  • Attend or present at either the annual Neighborhoods USA conference or MU Extension's Creating Entrepreneur Communities (CEC) Conference.

  • Mentor at least one new participant in the Engaged Neighbor Program

Individuals who complete all four classes will receive a frameable certificate celebrating them completing the courses. This will be a signed document. And they will carry the designation of "certified Engaged Neighbor." Some future events will be planned for program graduates.

To enroll in these various courses see the MU Extension website for events and courses online.


Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.


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