LIGHTING THE PATH AHEAD

Recently, I encouraged my readers to “start your own avalanche” by initiating improvements in your own neighborhood. Today, I am excited to respond to a question on this topic.

Q: I want to organize a group of neighbors to begin making changes around my neighborhood, but where do I begin?

A: Thank you for your initiative. I wish every neighborhood in Okmulgee had someone like you who cared and who wanted to make a real difference.

Good groups begin with good planning. I suggest you begin by talking with your neighbors and getting to know their areas of interest and the talents they possess. This information will help you develop a list of neighborhood assets and resources. Ask them what they think about the condition of the neighborhood and get them talking about their ideas for how to make things better. This will help you rank the biggest challenges facing your neighborhood and may yield some great ideas for a first group project.

Once you’ve become familiar with the people around you and understand their perceptions, you have the basic ingredients for a good neighborhood meeting. But before you call a meeting, you need to plan it. Select a small core group—two or three people who you trust and respect. Tell them about your desire to organize a group of neighbors and what project(s) you envision this group working on. Then listen to their advice and counsel. If they tell you to pare back on the scope of the project so you don’t frighten off volunteers, follow their advice. It pays to do your research and to be as realistic and knowledgeable about your project as possible. If they offer insights about who might be the biggest impediment within the neighborhood (a.k.a. naysayer), use this information tactfully. Anticipating negativity and resistance might help protect your idea from being squashed before it even gets off the ground. Use this small group to hone your idea(s) and to help plan the details of a neighborhood meeting.

Now, invite your neighbors to a meeting at a convenient time and location. Have a draft agenda to share with them and be honest about what you hope to accomplish. Tell them, “We are wanting to discuss how to fix the problem of XX in our neighborhood and would really love to have you share your thoughts and insights during the meeting.” Make the meeting sound interesting and worthwhile. Get their contact information and offer to send them a reminder before the meeting.

At the meeting, seat people in a circle. Do introductions, and get people talking about why they are there. With their help, list the challenges facing your neighborhood, and explain the project you would like to initiate. Engage people, let them talk, and listen to what they have to say. Have a designated note taker capturing the conversation. Let ideas become better with discussion, and keep the conversation moving and productive. With any luck, these initial conversations will lead to assignments and snowball into action. This is how an avalanche of excitement begins.

Please continue to forward your questions to osuit-president@okstate.edu .

Dr. Bill R. Path is president of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and board member of Okmulgee Main Street Inc.