• Leadership Manual
• Strategic Plan

Leadership Manual

Defining the Neighborhood

   Neighborhood Asset Inventory
   Recruiting Your Neighbors To Participate
   Tips For Doorknocking
   Block Watchers

TIPS FOR DOORKNOCKING

• Be casual and informal. This is not a government survey but a friendly visit.
• Go between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. weekdays, or Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Most people are not home during weekdays. Experiment with times given the population in your neighborhood.
• Be brief. If you spend too long at each door, you will not be able to reach enough people.
• Listen. This is how you will learn what problems exist, what people care about, and how interested they are in working with you and the community council. If you do all the talking, you will not be allowing the opportunity to find out how this person may be involved with you.
• Make careful notes after you leave the door about the resident's interests and potential. Do not write too many things down in front of the person; that can be intimidating.
• Aim to leave with their phone number and names of others who might be interested.
• Always ask if you can use their name with other people as a reference.
• Leave a flyer or brochure about your community council that has a number for further information.
• Keep careful track of where you have doorknocked so you will not go to the same family twice (especially important if you have teams of people doorknocking). Use maps and codes to track this information.
• Make doorknocking fun and simple! If you are coordinating other people's efforts, give them all they will need before they start out: maps, rap sheet, clipboards, pens. Offer sodas at the end of the day, or some doughnuts before heading out in the morning.
• If more than one language is spoken in your neighborhood, provide leaflets in these languages which can be left with families to make sure information is passed on.
• Look out for dogs! Do not open gates without calling out first -- dogs will usually respond to your voice even if you do not have them in sight.
• Be safe. Let the neighborhood know who you are and what you are doing. If a situation feels unsure, a volunteer should feel free to leave. Someone else can follow up later and help address any misunderstandings which may have arisen.

Materials & Supplies Needed for Doorknocking

• A good map of the area with specific houses to approach.
• A list of people you already know. Go there first, and use their names to get into other doors.
• A fact sheet, flyer, or brochure with a phone number to leave with the family.
• A clipboard to keep organized.
• A sheet or index card to write down where you have been, names and numbers, and information about each neighbor you visit.
• An organizational button to wear or something that might help identify you and your group.
• Rap sheet. This will insure that you identify yourself and the organization and that you provide the same information to everyone.

Expected Outcomes from Doorknocking

• Determination of interests of the residents who live in the neighborhood.
• Identification of skills that might be of use to the group.
• Sorting of neighborhood problems that the group could work on.
• Determination of neighborhood assets that can be of use to the group.
• Enlisted support of existing leaders in the neighborhood (people perceived as leaders and/or truly effective leaders).
• Enthusiasm for your group and interest in participation.
• Ideas as to who might be good in emerging leadership roles.

Doorknocking: Sample Rap Sheet

Hi. I am Jane Smith from ABC Community Council. I am working with some of your neighbors. We are going around today to talk with people to find out your concerns about the neighborhood and what you would like to see change here. Do you have a moment?

What do you think about living in this neighborhood? Do you have any concerns? Some of your neighbors mentioned to us that they are worried about the gangs that seem to be gathering at the corner. Is this a concern for you? I have heard that the abandoned house across the street is a real problem -- with rats and garbage . . . .

Our community council meeting is next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. to talk about the community. It is going to be over at the community center and we thought you might be interested. Do you think you might be able to come? Who else in the neighborhood do you think might be interested? Will you ask them to come? (Would you like to go with me to invite them?) Can I mention your name to other neighbors as someone who is interested in this problem?

We are trying to keep track of everyone we talk to and want a way to get back to you and let you know about other meetings we might have concerning this problem. Would you be willing to give me your phone number? What is a good time to reach you?

Here is some information on our group and a number where you can reach me. I hope to see you next Tuesday at 6:30. Thanks!

---»BLOCK WATCHERS

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