Community Compass library
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Plain-language explanations and real questions from residents, volunteers, and local officials about zoning, codes, housing, neighborhoods, organizations, and local economies. Laws and programs change and vary by place, so confirm anything time-sensitive with your local office or the current official source.
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Guide · Organizations & leadership
13 Spring Newsletter Ideas to Keep Your Communications Fresh
These spring newsletter ideas are clustered into thirteen themes to make your neighborhood e-mail composition chores easier.Guide · Organizations & leadership
A Good Homeowners Association Solves Problems Quickly and Calmly
When a homeowners association board is chosen carefully, receives training, and treats residents respectfully, all HOA members benefit.Guide · Organizations & leadership
A Rural Neighborhood Should Involve Everyone
Learn how a rural neighborhood can achieve important results through organizing, mobilizing, and resolving conflicts.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Asset-Based Community Development Focuses on the Strengths
Asset-based community development emphasizes identifying neighborhood strengths and talents instead of problems. This creates energy for change.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Autumn Newsletter Ideas for Your Neighborhood
Many HOA or neighborhood association editors struggle to come up with new autumn newsletter ideas every year. This page gives some thought starters.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Block Units Help Build Community or Solve Problems in the Neighborhood
Block units organize residents of a very small area into a simple structure to address problems or head them off. We tell you how.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Careful Project Selection for Neighborhood Associations Really Pays Off
Many neighborhood associations should limit their activities to sharpen their focus. But some community organizations need projects to add excitement.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Clear Neighborhood Boundaries Build Reputation
Clearly defined neighborhood boundaries are essential to keeping your community's needs and assets in front of the people who can make it happen.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Community Anti Drug Coalitions Are Effective in Many Types of Settings
Community anti drug coalitions encompass representatives from prevention organizations, education, law enforcement, business, and others. Learn how one works.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Community Development Evaluation Needed in Your Organization
Community development evaluation can energize your organization in new directions as you suddenly see your next challenge come into focus.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Community Development Grant Narratives Must Be Specific and Carefully Written
To strengthen your community development grant narratives, you must engage both the heart and the brain if you want to receive funding for your non-profit.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Community Organizations Are Vital Forces for Change
Learn how to form temporary or permanent community organizations to tackle a problem or situation in your community. The trick is focus on achievable goals, not trivia.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Conflict Resolution in and for Neighborhood Associations
This page explores conflict resolution for neighborhood associations, which benefits both the organization and the entire community.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Emphasize Good Local Government Relations
A program of positive local government relations helps neighborhoods or community organizations increase the likelihood of a responsive city hall. Here’s how.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Five Big Ideas for Sister Cities
Here we explore the five big ideas for sister cities, pairs of towns across international boundaries agreeing to myriad types of exchanges.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Give a Neighborhood Tour To Increase Awareness or Even Raise Money
Organizing a neighborhood tour is no small feat. Depending on your goal for the tour, we give you some pointers.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Helping Neighborhood Associations Thrive
Neighborhood associations solve problems while building a sense of community. Plus they are just plain fun if leaders provide a hospitable space. Learn how.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How A Faith Based Community Development Corporation Differs from Other CDCs
Faith based community development corporations usually operate similarly to other CDCs, but often have a different vision, mission, and ethics lens.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How Power Mapping for Neighborhoods Can Be Helpful
We explain power mapping for neighborhoods, including when, why, and how to use this tool to help your community reach policy objectives.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Fight City Hall, or a Village or Town Board
Learning how to fight city hall is a skill that community organizations must master. Respectfully challenge local government with both facts and emotion.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Fundraise for Your Neighborhood Organization
Discovering how to fundraise for a neighborhood association while having fun together and supporting your mission will keep your group strong.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Organize a Neighborhood Parade Without Irritating Lots of People
Understanding how to organize a neighborhood parade will save you lots of aggravation. We share our experience about what you need to consider.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Organize Your Neighborhood Association Structure
Figuring out how to organize your neighborhood association may take several meetings. This discussion will flow naturally into your legal structure and bylaws.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Start a Neighborhood Association: First Steps
When you decide to start a neighborhood association, give the community a picture of what the membership of such a group might accomplish.Guide · Organizations & leadership
How to Start a Petition That Will Make the Right Impact
This page gives 7 tips on how to start a petition and reveals 5 techniques to avoid.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Learning How to Promote Your Neighborhood: An Essential Skill
When you think hard about how to promote your neighborhood, take advantage of the many possible initiatives explored here.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Local Community Action Agencies Offer Poverty Aid
Community action agencies are private organizations relying on Community Service Block Grant funds to craft poverty programs. Learn how to evaluate them.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Neighborhood Advocacy Can Advance Your Agenda
Position your organization for effective neighborhood advocacy for new legislation and programs that you need from your city or state government.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Nonprofit Board Development Trains, Equips Community Leaders
Nonprofit board development for community organizations can improve the capacity of leaders to work together, produce results, and increase inclusiveness.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Plan the First Meetings of a Neighborhood Association
When you start to plan the first meetings of a neighborhood association, you might be baffled. Here are some ideas on the initial, second, and third meetings.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Rural Community Development Builds Capacity
Rural community development focuses on increasing problem-solving capacity, a sound economic base and school system, essential businesses, and clean-up.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Selecting and Supervising City Planning Consultants
Hiring and supervising city planning consultants properly is an art you should master if your community needs professional expertise.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Senior Citizen Volunteers Offer Reliability and Maturity
In the face of budget cuts, neighborhoods, community organizations, and governments can continue to provide essential services through wise use of senior citizen volunteers.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Summer Newsletter Ideas for Your Neighborhood's Editor
The best summer newsletter ideas often come by taking a walk. If you are stuck, we give you our best suggestions on spicing up your publications.Guide · Organizations & leadership
SWOT Analysis Suggestions for Communities
SWOT analysis for communities helps them spot and decide what to do about their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. We show you how.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Tailor Volunteer Appreciation in Community Organizations to the Audience
This page details some ideas for volunteer appreciation in community organizations, which may differ from recognition initiatives in other nonprofits.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Volunteerism Fulfills Community, Individual Needs
Volunteerism meets many community service and service learning needs, while also fitting goals of teens, senior citizens, scholarship seekers, and job seekers.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Why Start a Community Development Corporation
Start a community development corporation (CDC) to advance vital work in housing, economic development, social programs, and clean-up.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Winter Newsletter Ideas and Social Media Tips
For fresh winter newsletter ideas or prompts for your social media during colder months, this page provides some useful cues.Guide · Organizations & leadership
Writing a Homeowner Newsletter or E-Mail
A sharp homeowner newsletter or e-mail keeps your organization "top of mind" for residents and businesses. These pointers help you start.
Original guidance from A Good Community: How to Make and Keep It, owned and edited by Nancy Thompson (formerly Useful Community Development), shared with permission. Community Compass notes and updates are our own and have not been reviewed by Nancy Thompson.