Neighbors for Neighbors introduces new website and flagship Organizing Network

On Sunday, March 9, 2008, Neighbors for Neighbors, the non profit in Jamaica Plain, MA, I founded and serve as the Executive Director, launched it's new website and flagship Neighborhood Organizing Network.

Over the last year we’ve worked hard to formalize our operation. We’ve incorporated and are recognized as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. In the last six months we surveyed our membership and responded to their input by creating the new website and the Neighbors for Neighbors, Jamaica Plain, MA Organizing Network.

The following is what we’ve extrapolated from the Survey:

· Our members want help meeting actual neighbors on your actual streets
· Our members smaller, more intimate events in your neighborhood
· Our members want more activity-based events
· Our members want to help (and they’re a very talented and nice bunch of people!), and we’re excited that they are willing to help

Some who took the survey left comments. What stood out from the comments is that participating in groups and trying to participate in groups has not always been the best experience. The reasons given were that members never heard back from group leaders, it was hard to find groups on our website, and groups that members may have been interested in did not have any recent activity. On our end, we found it challenging to manage and support the many groups spread out all over the web in Yahoo groups, Google groups, and the like. Our blog also proved challenging as it required more time and support that we could offer. With that said, we come up with what we believe are some great solutions.

Here’s how we’ve responded to the feedback:

We’ve created the Neighbors for Neighbors, Jamaica Plain, MA Organizing Network. On this network members can post their ideas, events, and knowledge to the forums; join or start a group in the groups section, and find out about volunteer opportunities with local non-profits and community groups. All members have to do is create a profile and off they go! In the next month or so we hope to incorporate a “Talent Bank” and “JP Wiki” into the network.

COMING SOON ! - Members will be able to "Meet their neighbors" on the Jamaica Plain Neighbors Network! Each street, (and we are still building this out) will have a group where you can meet your neighbors online, discuss happenings on your street, plan face-to-face gatherings such as potlucks, block parties, and yard sales, and get important information from the Police about what is happening on your street and find out what they can do to address crime.