A Practical Manual for Grassroots Organizing and Simple Approaches to Neighborhood Improvements

By Elton Gatewood, Ph.D.

The manual is prepared to assist citizens, community activists, neighborhood groups, students, planners, government officials, and any person interested in grassroots organizing and planning neighborhood improvements by maximizing human resources through the concept of self-help. It offer two elements that are interrelated:
"Grassroots Organizing," and "Simple Approaches to Neighborhood Improvements.

Regardless of what stage of development neighborhood organizations are, this manual provides a wealth of information, ideas, and suggestions on organizing for success.

Once residential organization is functional, it time to get busy making improvements. The manual is a general guide for total neighborhood improvement programs. You may want to use the simple approaches and suggestions in the manual, or you may want to change them to fit your need. You may also have a specific issued you need to address, but you can still use these steps and techniques to find workable solutions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elton Gatewood, Ph.D.
• Release date: Dec 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310558221

Elton Gatewood, Ph.D.

Elton Gatewood holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration, and has over 40 years of experience in state and municipal government administration. He specializes in Urban Planning, Community Development, Program and Organization Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economic Development, Capacity Building, and Civic Engagement and Public Participation.He has also worked as a Consultant and Urban Strategist with cities, national and international organizations and governments to assit them in developing programs and innovative approaches in participatory democracy and governance.Dr. Gatewood is an adjunct professor and lecturer at various colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest, and has spoken and presented at workshops, conferences, and seminars nationally and internationally on a variety of issues, processes, and subjects relating to democarcy, governance, citizen involvement, capacity building, and community mobilization.

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EDITORIAL REVIEW

AND COMMENTS

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL IS INVALUABLE AND OFFERS GREAT IDEAS AND STEPS FOR ORGANIZING AND MAKING NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS.

- KAREN HARBER

THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND MANUAL. IT IS IDEAL FOR USE BY GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS, PRACTITIONERS, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS.

- JUDY MARTINSON

WHAT A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH … IT EXPLAINS NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING IN EVERYDAY WORDS.

- ROBERT GIBBONS

YOU CAN REALLY DO IT YOURSELF BY USING THIS MANUAL AS A GUIDE.

- MILTON DOHONEY, JR.

THE MANUAL IS VERY COMMON SENSE, EASY TO COMPREHEND, AND HELPFUL.

- TONI AZZOLA

A GREAT GUIDE …….. INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE ---- EVERY CITIZEN, NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVIST, AND PROFESSIONAL SHOULD HAVE A COPY.

-RICHARD WHIPPLE.

WHAT A MAGNIFICENT MANUAL! IT’S SIMPLE, CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY ANY NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP OR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION.

- KAYE RISSER

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING

And Simple Approaches to Neighborhood Improvements

Elton Gatewood Ph.D

Copyright © 2013 by Elton Gatewood Ph.D

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

DEDICATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS,

AND SPECIAL THANKS!

This book is dedicated to my wife Vicki, and our sons, Justin and Jordan, for their support and encouragement. Justin and Jordan, thanks for the kindness, respect, and joy that you have brought to our family. Thank you, Vicki, for the support you have given to our family throughout my career, especially during my many absences due to evening meetings, and weekend events in the neighborhoods. Your words of encouragement and wisdom kept me focused on being the best that I could be.

This manual acknowledges the early pioneers of the neighborhood movement who laid the groundwork for a new generation of neighborhood and grassroots activism. Their dedication and commitment to participatory government helped bridge the divide and brought under- and un-represented citizens into the mainstream of government decision-making.

A special thanks to the many individuals and organizations that believed in me, and shared my vision and commitment to grassroots organizing and collaborative partnerships to improve the quality of neighborhoods and the lives of their residents. Thanks for encouraging me to share my knowledge and experiences in this manual so that others may benefit.

THANK YOU!

TONI AZZOLA, NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR, KENT, WA MILTON DOHONEY,JR., CITY MANAGER, CINCINNATI, OH ROBERT GIBBONS, NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVIST, MADISON, WI, JUDY MARTINSON, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION MANAGER, DAYTON, OH RICHARD WHIPPLE, CITY STAFF, HOLLYWOOD, FL KAREN HARBER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASST., NUSA KAYE RISSER, EDITOR, NUSA NEWSLETTER, LITTLE ROCK, AR KORBETT MOSESLY PUBLISHER, TACOMA,WA

CITIZENS OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

Part I: Grassroots Organizing

II. Organization

lll. Publicity

IV. Fund Raising/Funding

V. Resources

VI. Neighborhood Self-Help Projects

Part II: Simple Approaches to Neighborhood Improvements

VII. Steps for Developing Neighborhood Improvements

Step 1: Assess Problem

Step 2: Gather Information

Step 3: Set Goals and Priorities

Step 4: Discuss Solutions

Step 5: Choose the Best Solution

Step 6: Develop Action Steps

Step 7: Arrange Funding/Self-Help

Step 8: Carry Out Activities

VIII. Neighborhood Characteristics Collecting Information

VIIII. Resources Information Resources Funding Resources Manpower Resources

Appendix

Sample Bylaws

Articles of Incorporation

Some Tips for Effective Community Meetings

Working With Men and Women in Meetings

Sample Flyer

Sample News Release/Public Service Announcement (PSA)

INTRODUCTION

Over the last few decades, citizens have shown an increasing awareness of issues that affect their cities, especially the challenges facing their neighborhoods. This awareness has given rise to the formation of many groups and organizations that