There’s a natural desire for people to be in tribes. No, we’re not talking tribes in the traditional sense, but rather groups of like-minded people who share common interests and passions. Tribes can be formed around sports teams, political groups, workout preferences, and even clubs.
Clubs are an excellent way to get residents who might not know one another together working towards a shared goal. They can help residents work through issues facing the community, and more importantly, build strong bonds that can carry over into building a more tight-knit community. If you’re interested in finding ways to get residents together and working with one another, consider facilitating the creation of the following clubs.
The Green Team
From documentaries to new articles, there’s increased coverage across the board on the importance of sustainability and how our “throwawayculture is having extremely negative impacts on our environment, health, and future. As the population becomes more educated on these issues, there’s an increased focus on sustainability at the individual level. Consider launching a Green Team in your community for individuals interested in creating a more sustainable community. From holding frequent community-wide recycling events to frequently sharing tips on how residents can cut back on water and food waste, the Green Team can get passionate people together to start making a a difference on the local level.
The Philanthropic Club
Similar to the Green Team, look to form a club focused on giving back to the local community. Whether it’s volunteering at local schools or packing lunches for the homeless, giving back has a positive impact on the community and those participating. Aim to form quarterly Give Back days, and if there’s a strong turnout, consider bumping these days up to once per month.
Community Gardeners
Many master-planned and gated communities have restrictions about what can be planted in residents’ yards. Alternatively, many residents would love to have a garden but simply don’t have the time to tend to it on their own. This presents the perfect opportunity to set aside space for a community garden. To ensure the garden is tended to, we recommend that you first:
- Send out a survey to residents to gauge interest in participating in a community garden
- If there’s enough interest, encourage residents to sign up for the community garden club in order to participate
- Consider setting aside budget in the upcoming year to kick start the garden, or hosting a small fundraiser
The biggest risk you face with launching a community garden is setting up the space and irrigation only to realize not enough people are interested in maintaining it. Consider creating a calendar for people to sign up for dates to tend to the garden, ensuring it doesn’t go long without proper TLC.
The Party People
Every great community needs events that bring neighbors together. Consider launching a party/event planning club so this job doesn’t fall strictly on your plate. Events can include everything from 4th of July parades and pool parties to community garage sales and clean up events. By encouraging free events like garage sales and parades, you can still get neighbors out and about without a huge cost burden.
Looking for additional ways to improve resident experience in your communities? Download our free six-step guide!
