The City of Knoxville Office of Neighborhoods is now taking applications for its active neighbor workshop, “Engaging Neighbors to Create Strong Neighborhoods”.

 

The program is open to all city residents who wish to create quality neighborhood environments and who are looking for the skills and tools needed to start and sustain their efforts.  This workshop is also designed for active members in resident-led, resident-controlled neighborhood organizations, and for any city resident who may wish to start or revive a neighborhood group.

 

The program is designed to address a wide variety of questions and concerns about starting and sustaining an effective neighborhood organization.  Topics include styles of leadership, identifying and building a neighborhood’s most important asset, how to facilitate effective meetings, recruiting and retaining members, internal and external communications, decision-making, conflict resolution, and strategic planning.  Participants will also address common organizational tasks such recruiting and training new leaders.

 

Some 30 individuals representing over 20 neighborhoods have participated in this series in the past (when it was called “Building Strong Neighborhood Organizations”).

Building relationships with neighbors is both challenging and rewarding, and everyone has something to learn and share. That is why “Engaging Neighbors” is a highly interactive workshop.

 

 This workshop consists of 11 weekly sessions on Thursday evenings beginning January 18th. There will be a two-week spring break (March 15 and 22). Sessions will resume March 29 and conclude April 12 (assuming no postponements due to inclement weather).  Sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Public Works Building (3131 Morris Ave.). KAT bus 13 stops directly in front of the building.

 

Seating is limited, but neighborhood groups are encouraged to send more than one person to this training.

 

To apply, fill out the Engaging Neighbors Application. For more information or for a hard copy of the application, contact Hannah Freeman at hfreeman@knoxvilletn.gov  or 865-215-3456.

Why wait until the workshop starts?  Check Knoxville’s Neighborhood Directory and see if your neighborhood already has an active group. If so, get in touch and get engaged! A wealth of information and resources for neighbors and their organizations can be found on the City of Knoxville’s NEIGHBORHOODS page.

Posted by Monica DeVore