Invite your neighbors to create a Cool Block

We've developed a simple neighbor-to-neighbor process to invite those on your block to attend a (virtual) Cool Block information meeting, hosted by you. Below, learn about the process and find both a customizable invitation flyer you can distribute, and an email template for sending followup details to those who respond.

 

The Invitation Process

Follow these planning steps.
 

  • Define the block or building.
    The power of the Cool Block program is based on engaging with neighbors whose homes you pass by every day, even if by elevator. Here are some simple rule-of-thumb guidelines for how to define your block or building. A block is typically both sides of the street up to the corners. A cul-de-sac is all the homes. A multifamily building is all the apartments or coops, or if very large, your section. Define your block another way if that makes the most sense for your situation. The important thing is that the homes are contiguous and logically connected in some way.
     
  • Prepare the invitation.
    • Schedule your information meeting to occur 10-14 days after your invitation walk.
    • Copy and update the invitation flier (see below) with that date and time, the meeting location (e.g. zoom), and your contact information. Make any other customizations you want.
    • Print a copy of the invitation flier for every household on your block, and fold/tape each or put into an envelope. Make it out to "Neighbor at [street address]", from [your name at your street address]..
  • Do your neighborhood invitation walk
    • Walk door to door to every neighbor on your block to make the invitation face-to-face. This will likely take about three tries. Do your best to invite every household on your block or in your building. 
    • Depending on current public health guidance, wear a mask to protect yourself and others. 
    • Knock on each neighbor's door. If appropriate, step back and stay several feet away.
    • If a neighbor answers, introduce yourself as a neighbor and point to your home. Hold out the invitation flier, and hand it to them.
    • Describe the invitation using the Invitation script (see below).
    • If the neighbor does not answer the door, place the invitation in or near their mailbox, mail slot or doormat. Try again another time.
    • For neighbors you could not reach, but you already have contact information for, call or email them to be sure they received the invitation. Ask them to check with neighbors they know to be sure they received it as well.
    • Take it Further: Use NextDoor or other neighborhood contact platforms to reach out to neighbors as well.
      • For those who live on your block - tell them about the invitation flier you left and repeat the invitation. 
      • For those who live further away, encourage them to consider starting a Cool Block, and point them to the method that got you started.
  • Followup to any RSVPs you receive.
    Use the invitation followup email template provided. 
     
  • Create a tracking system.
    To keep track of your invitation process, create a tracking system in a notebook, tablet, or smart phone, with the following information: neighbor’s information (name, address, e-mail), date and response to the invitation, and a space for anything noteworthy from your communication. 
     
  • Make it fun!
    Think of ways to make the inviting process fun for you. If it is fun for you, it will likely be fun for your neighbors as well. If you do this with a friend, partner or your children, you can co-create it as an adventure. 

The Invitation Script

Practice your invitation script.

Customize this script as you wish so it feels natural; just keep to the main points to make sure you get the full benefits. Then practice it with someone until it rolls off your tongue naturally.  

  • Hi!   
    (If not already known): I’m your neighbor (your name), and I live (describe or point to where you live on the block or building.)
     
  • I would like to invite you to a gathering in my home (or zoom room) to learn about a new city-wide challenge (or characterize your city's campaign, if any).
     
  • Its purpose is to help us to... 
    • get to know each other better as neighbors;
    • create a healthier, safer and more livable block;
    • help us live a more planet-friendly lifestyle;
    • and prepare for emergencies - large and small.
  • The meeting is at (location, day, and time.) Can you or someone from your household come?

(If you already have many attendants signed up, mention the name of others on the block who said that they’d be attending.) 

The Invitation Flier and Tracker

This customizable flier and some tracking sheets are all you need.

Flier:

  • Find a customizable invitation flier HERE.
  • Alternatively, there may be a localized flier available for you - check your city's MEMBERS ONLY section.
     
  • Download a copy and edit this document, to add in your information.
  • Print enough to give to your neighbors. Don't have a printer? Ask a neighbor or your local copy shop to print them for you. Feel free to print in black-and-white, if color copies will be too expensive.
  • No safe place to put the flier to ensure your neighbor will see it? Tape with with blue painter's tape onto their door. No access to their door? Put it into an envelope, and mail it to Neighbor" at their street address, from you at yours.

Tracker:

  • Find tracking sheets HERE.
  • Alternatively, there may be a localized tracker available for you - check your city's MEMBERS ONLY section.
     
  • Print a copy, or just use a pad of paper and a pen to gather the same information.
  • Keep things casual by carrying this in a satchel to pull out as needed. 
  • After your Team Building Meeting, please send a summary of your recruiting efforts, so we know how it went for you!

 

The Invitation Followup

Customize this email template as you wish so it feels natural.

This is to use as a follow-up to anyone who says Yes, they will come to your Information Meeting. (Note: it can also be adapted for other invitational purposes.)
 

Hi [neighbor’s name], 

I’m (your name, if not already known), and I live (describe where you live on the block or building, if not already known.) Thank you for responding to my invitation to join our neighbors in creating a Cool Block together. 

A Cool Block empowers neighbors to create a social support system which can generate a higher quality of life and a better world. Together, we can feel more deeply connected as we transform our block into one that is more disaster resilient, planet friendly and community rich.

I am / we are hosting a virtual Information Meeting on [Day] at [Time].  Here is the location for joining us: [address or virtual meeting link].

[If you already have many attendants signed up, mention the name of others on the block who said that they’d be attending.]

We look forward to seeing you there!

[your preferred closing salutation],
[your name]

p.s. Please pass this along to other neighbors on our block who may wish to come. Thank you!

Responses

Here are the three primary responses you are likely to get.

  1. “Yes, I’ll come.”

    “Great! I’ll put you down as coming. Do you know other people in the neighborhood who might be interested in hearing about this?”

  2. “I’m interested but can’t make it at that time.”

    “Thank you for your interest. I am happy to contact you after the neighborhood gathering and let you know next steps."

  3. “I’m not interested” or “I’m not interested at this time.”

    “This is fine. I’ll keep you in the loop and if at some later date you wish to participate in some of the block activities, you will be most welcome.”

    Some people will not be interested, no matter how appealing the opportunity. There are many reasons for this. They are traveling all the time in their work. They are transient and are not invested in living on the block very long. They are dealing with a personal crisis. They are introverted and find it difficult to be in a group. They are infirm or disabled and it is too difficult for them to attend the meetings. They are not early adopters for something like this and want to see how it goes before they consider joining.

    Know that if a neighbor declines to participate, your effort to reach out is still very important. You are engaging in an act of neighborliness and social capital building, which is strengthening the social fabric of your block. Neighbors not involved are generally grateful that they live on a block or in a building that cares enough to do something like this. And they may very well end up engaging in block activities in the future if they deem them relevant to their situation.

Why neighbors will come

Place-based Community 

  • This intrinsic motivation is the unmet need people have for increasing their connection with neighbors. The first benefit is what people commonly share at the information meeting as to why they were interested in joining a team. At the completion of the program, the most consistent benefit shared was getting to know their neighbors. This transcended the more immediate practical benefits of being able to share resources, supporting one another in an emergency, and saving money; rather, it spoke to a basic desire for community and connection around a sense of place.

    Creating place-based community, such a universal experience in the tribal and rural evolution of humanity, has become a hole in our modern urban experience. While people did not consciously know that they wanted to fill it, when provided a purposeful means to have this experience, they were like people quenching a deep thirst.

Agency 

  • When we look at the world and observe the disorder and dysfunctional social systems, we may wonder, like Humpty Dumpty, how we can possibly put it back together again. And then there is climate change and all that it portends for humanity. The need for this much social change in the world may leave one feeling rather impotent, overwhelmed, and despairing. There is a place, however, where you can make a difference; and that difference has a remarkable amount of leverage—the block or building in which you live. At this level of scale we are able to accrue immediate quality-of-life benefits that can be sustained over time.

Report your Experience!

Let us know how it went for you!

If you received a formal training, be sure you've shared your experience at Training - Report your Experience. Then...

Why?

Your check-ins and reports empower your block, future block leaders, your city and the larger climate movement. They:

  • Help us help you.
  • Help us learn how it's going so we can improve the program for future block leaders.
  • Help your city see the interest level in the community so it is motivated to continue.
  • Help the climate movement see that people care enough to participate which gives it hope.

Thank you for doing your part! You make a difference!