Neighborino How To: Email entire neighborhood, update website in under 2 minutes

Sending email blasts in Neighborino couldn't be easier, so we wanted to highlight specifically how you would go about sending an email to your neighbors while simultaneously posting the update to your website. We think it's really valuable, and we hope you'll agree.

Check out our 2 minute video on how to do this yourself.

Meet your next door neighbors. All of them.

As a homeowner, I have become good friends with several of my neighbors. But, it has always been the neighbors within the closest proximity to me. I’m talking about right next door or across the street. Sure, I’m friendly with the rest of my neighborhood and have passing conversations, but seldom has it gone further than that. This makes me wonder what friendships I’m missing out on simply because of where I live within my neighborhood. And take it a step further, how can this fundamental issue be addressed?

Upon asking around I found this to be a common scenario, so I thought I would offer a few suggestions to help you, and the rest of your neighbors, all get to know each other a little better.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE
To most, a welcoming committee is a thing of the past. However, upon moving into my subdivision 2 years ago, my wife and I were greeted with a tray of cookies and a warm welcome. This is my third home ownership experience, but the first time I received any type of formal "welcome to the neighborhood". My and wife and I immediately felt welcome and confident that we had made the right home choice.

As a resident and/or board member, what can you do? Form block captains to welcome each new resident of your neighborhood. Create a packet that includes local utilities, your contact information and any other important information they may need to help them settle in their new community.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
This is different than your neighborhood board. Sure, they need to be involved, but the board’s main interest is to ensure covenants are met and to address issues as they arise. A social committee’s goal is to foster a sense of community, encourage socialization and neighborhood involvement. The list of possibilities for the social committee to organize are endless. From a visit from Santa in December, to block party in the summer, to a harvest festival in the fall, there are many opportunities to celebrate your neighborhood and get to know one another. Don't forget the smaller, easier to plan events as well like informal cookouts and monthly gatherings with smaller groups of people who are interested. A simple survey to your neighborhood will help gage interest and guide your events.

WEBSITE
If you have a community website, be sure it's up to date. Your website can be a great avenue to contact neighbors who participate in the directory, offer your services or search for services offered, see what's upcoming on the calendar, and stay up to date with going's on of your community. Used in conjunction with the Social Committee, your neighborhood site can be a valuable asset in inexpensively spreading the word about events and social opportunities.

Remember, the goal is to connect neighbors. Residents who feel a sense of connection and kinship to their neighborhood are more likely to be good neighbors and speak highly of their neighborhood. This goodwill can help form friendships, mend boards who may need a nudge of help, and create a happy, involved community that all are proud to call home!

Biggest snow in 13 years, brings out best (and worst) in neighbors

Image courtesy of Examiner.comCentral Indiana received a near record snowfall this week. In some places as much as 13 inches. I love everything about snow. I love the beauty it creates and I even enjoy the challenge of driving in it. I always like to brag that I’m the best driver in the snow and ice. Never encountering a situation I couldn’t maneuver out of—until yesterday, I found myself stuck.

The details aren’t exciting. I was driving in existing tracks attempting to turn around in a cul-de-sac. When the tracks turned into a driveway I failed to forge my own path.

A neighbor and her young kids spent an hour helping me free my car. Shortly into the effort, her neighbor stopped snowblowing his driveway and walked over to us. I thought he was going to offer to make a path, but instead he told me the reason I got stuck was because the front end of my car (a Ford Fusion) sat down too low. He told me to wait for the plows and walked away. My neighbor and I looked at each other and laughed with dumbfounded surprise at his thoughtlessness.

I wanted to show her family how grateful I was for their help. She had told me they just moved in, and their snow shovel got lost in the move. After I got home I walked to my brother’s house and drug his snowblower and gas can about a mile down our unplowed street and cleared her driveway. It wasn’t until I was done that we formally introduced ourselves and laughed about how our mornings had started.

About an hour ago, I noticed this on my friend’s Facebook wall: ”Collen is so grateful to a couple of kids in the neighborhood that shoveled my driveway today when we were gone!!!”

It makes me happy to hear stories of neighbors taking care of one another. Central Indiana got it bad, but not as bad as our Midwest neighbors. Help is on the way, but in the meantime, neighbors need to look past themselves and help each other.