some thoughts about neighborhood involvement

Ok, so we had a really big meeting today, we addressed a lot of things, though with so many people and so many thoughts there is no way to express everything in a meeting.

I was thinking just now and it seems to me that one of the biggest obstacles to people in the neighborhood taking on active roles within 123 is becuase there is no clear process of doing so. I can barely keep up with what's going on outside, the mechanisms of everything going on at 123 must be really confusing for anyone who's not involved. With things like who gets keys, who comes to meetings, and who helps out around the space, the way it happens seems really random and not discussed or planned. The fact that we haven't even sat down and established what our common goals are for 123 was a sorta shocking realization at the meeting today, at least for me.

So I think we should figure out what it means for someone to be involved with 123, and what steps need to happen for neighborhood ppl to get involved. I think having a nice November calender with info about us and really getting it out there is a help. Also it occurred to me that a nice little display on the info table that says "Get involved with 123!" and has a sign up sheet, calenders, and nicely organized flyers for all the projects would make involvement visually more accessible.

But there's a lot beyond that. Anyone who comes into the space should be aware of things like the mission of 123, all the projects that are going on, and how they can get involved. I think we should have (weekly?) orientations where ppl involved in the space could sorta tour anyone who's interested and answer their questions. Having refreshments would be really nice. The orientation/info session wouldn't need more than 30 minutes, maybe we could do it before each sunday meeting? As newcomers get more involved, they can start giving the orientations.

My thinking is that we come up with a step by step process for how ppl get involved. it wouldn't be mandatory or anything like that, more like references points. I think the first step would be for someone to speak with a volunteer, maybe come to an orientation. Hopefully some will start helping out 123 and possibly attend meetings. Those who end up being really committed and develop a good relationship will become keyholders. we can bring ppl to to become keyholders at sunday meetings.

So basically I think getting more neighborhood involvement is a combination of both welcoming outreach and being organized and transparent so people don't feel overwhelmed or shut out. we have to realize that turning 123 over from the hands of outsiders who started it the people of bed stuy is a long, challenging process. We need patience and have to think both about the long term and the everyday stuff.

--sarah