Time for invitations
Dear Play, Community, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts,
In honor of National Good Neighbor Day on Monday, September 28th, and the US Chamber of Connection’s Welcome Week, starting September 26th, let’s build neighborhood connections all across America through invitations.
Of course, my first, top-of-mind neighborhood invitation idea is to organize a neighborhood block party (a micro-local neighborhood gathering) and invite 10-25 of your closest (in proximity) neighbors.
When we focus on keeping the block party simple and more old-fashioned, it helps ensure it will not be a big lift. Since we have extended Block Party USA’s American Summer Challenge through Sunday, October 4th, your gathering will still count for your state!
Many of you want some baby steps to connect with your neighbors and are looking for a lower lift before diving into organizing a block party. That’s great! The reality is that there are dozens (and dozens) of other ways that you can extend an invitation to your neighbors – and they all make a difference and matter. What’s important is that you do something – just choose what feels right for you. There is no right or wrong way to do this!
Location for Lowest Pressure: I suggest leaning into “neutral ground” versus hosting in your home. Neutral ground is a building’s common area, your front yard, driveway, porch, or road.
Local as Possible: In direct proximity to where you live is the first choice, but going together to a local coffee shop or local meeting is perfect too!
Any Size is a Win: Whether you invite one neighbor or a small or large group of neighbors, you are making an impact.
Simple Invitation: When we think of an invitation, we may think of a formal envelope or digital invite, but the truth is that an invitation is just one person being the one to move toward connection first.
Invite Familiarity: Using eye contact, a wave, and/or a smile. These small gestures make a difference in someone else’s life – and yours.
Invite to Share Contact Info: Create a small neighborhood group text or contact list so that you can stay in touch and lean on each other when needed.
Invite Conversation: Just by sitting on your porch, in a common area, or at the end of your driveway you can invite a conversation! Read a book, magazine, or some other interruptible activity!
Invite Connection: Dropping off a little note or maybe a baked good too at their front door.
Invite for a Drink or Food Ideas:
Invite your neighbor over for tea
Sip and chat
A potluck meal
Coffee and conversation
Donuts in the driveway
Pizza on the porch (doesn’t have to be an actual porch!)
Popsicles on the porch
Invite to Move and/or Play Ideas:
Go on a walk with your neighbor
Have a doggie play date
Neighborhood bike ride
Invite another family over for a play date
Lemonade and lawn games
Another Kind of Invite: Ask for Help
When we ask for help, we tend to worry about being a burden and inconveniencing our neighbor. The truth is that being asked to help, and being given the opportunity to help, can transform a person.
Shift your lens and look at it like you are providing a service! “Helper’s High” is a real thing as it triggers the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain like dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. It can also help someone feel like they have use and they matter.
So, invite a neighbor to help you with something. It’s not what we traditionally think of as an invitation, but it’s a powerful ask.
Take in your mail or a package
A ride to get your car from the shop
Let your dog out when you are away for the day
Borrow a tool or missing ingredient for a recipe
Pick up your prescription at the pharmacy
Advice on where to find something in town or a resource
And don’t forget to make your neighboring invites official by registering with the US Chamber of Connection here.
Do what works for you – just do something. It’s good for you, your kids, and your neighbors.
If you want to talk about organizing a block party or doing a smaller baby step invitation during welcome week, I’d love to support you during my Zoom Office Hours. During these calls, I help you brainstorm ideas, problem-solve, and get inspired.
My next office hours are Tuesday, September 29th from 3:00-3:30 PM ET (Meeting ID and link: 820 0975 1912.)
While you can sign up at blockpartyusa.org/office-hours for reminders, you can just show up, too!
Be brave. Be the one. Have fun.
PS: Next week I’ll be traveling to Kansas City, MO for the 2nd Annual Bridging Movement Summit, hosted by the Listen First Project and American Public Square on September 23-25. I'm looking forward to presenting "From Front Doors to Stronger Communities" with Jennifer Prophete of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project! If you would like to join, click here for more information and how to register.
