HOW TO ORGANIZE OR REACTIVATE A BLOCK CLUB

The November 5, 2005 Block President Luncheon generated a valuable list of actions for Block Clubs.
Thanks to Dick O'Malley for seeing that they are shared here for all and be sure to see the full meeting report. 

1. How do residents know whether or not that they have an "active" block club?

An active block club can be one of two kinds:
a. Residents may favor a formal block club structure wiith elected officers(for example, President (traditionlly known as block captains), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) and regular meetings and regular block clean-ups or
b. Residents (often on smaller blocks) may favor an informal block club structure, with no officers, but with one or two residents who are looked upon as block leaders, with meetings or petitions only as needed, and occasional parties or cookouts.

2. How does a block organize a block club?

Talk with your neighbors to find out whether there is support for a block club. Then call the Wynnefield Residents Association (WRA) at 215-878-0571 for assistance. The WRA will help prepare a flyer for distribution on the block and send a block organizer to a block meeting. At the meeting, residents will decide whether to have a formal or informal block club structure. When a block president or block leader is chosen, the block should contact the WRA and register with the City More Beautiful Committee (215-685-3984) which assists blocks with block clean-ups.

3. Where can a block club hold meetings?

Ideally, residents should meet in a house on the block because of the convenience. Meetings (especially larger ones)may also to take place in a community center, such as a church or the John C. Anderson Cultural Center(call 215-878-0571 or 215-685-0297).

4. What are the different kinds of block activities?

a. Block clean-up. This activity is probably the most common activity of a block club and can be arranged through the City More Beautiful Committee (215-685-3984).
b. Youth activities. Blocks can organize BBQs, Easter Egg Hunts, holiday parties (for example, at Halloween) or trips to the Zoo, etc.
c. Townwatch. Block clubs can make their blocks safer by encouraging residents to keep an eye on each other's homes and cars, by sending a representative to the monthly 19th Police District Townwatch meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., and by encouraging block volunteers to participate in the WRA neighborhood Townwatch committee.
d. Zoning. Residents should try to help keep Wynnefield a single-family residential community by reporting zoning violations (such as the conversion of a home into a duplex or apartments) to the WRA (215-878-0571). The WRA will arrange a block meeting and/or petition and represent the community before the City's Zoning Board of Adjustment.
e. Fight Blight. Block clubs can fight blight by informing the WRA of abandoned houses or cars.
f. Emergencies. Blocks can organize volunteers to deal with emergencies, such as clearing snow from the common driveway so that neighbors can get fuel oil.

5. What are the ways to communicate with residents on the block?

The most effective way to communicate is to go door-to-door, person-to-person, up and down the block. Distributing flyers to every household is less time consuming and guarantees that no house is overlooked. If no one on the block volunteers to make copies of a flyer, call the WRA Office for help. A combination of flyers and phone calls will usually result in a good turnout for meetings and activities (phone calls also help to find out if a neighbor is ill or is going away on a vacation). To improve communications, a block club should attempt to compile a list of names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for each household. Some residents who, due to a disability, cannot attend meetings may be willing to serve on a phone squad on the block. The block club can also inform residents of block activities by way of a newsletter which can be sent by way of email and/or a printed flyer.

6. How to get speakers for block meetings?

If crime is problem on the block, invite the Police Community Relations Officer of the 19th District (215-686-3190) to a block meeting, or invite a volunteer from the WRA neighborhood Townwatch (call the WRA Office at 215-878-0571). For problems involving city services, call Councilman Michael Nutter's Office (215-685-0295) for a speaker, or call the City More Beautiful Committee. When in doubt, call the WRA Office for possible speakers.

7. How a block club can help make a block safer?

Encourage residents on the block to always report a crime both to the police and the block club. Crimes often occur in a certain pattern and notifying your neighbors helps them to be prepared. Senior citizens are good observers; encourage them to be "busy-bodies" and to keep an eye on what goes on in the block. Recruit volunteers for the WRA neighborhood Townwatch as well as for a block Townwatch (for example, walking the dog is one way of keeping watch on a block). Block representatives are welcome to attend the 19th District Townwatch meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month, at 6 p.m., at 61st & Thompson Streets. They can report back to a block meeting any criminal activity occurring in the community and in neighboring communities. What happens in one neighborhood often spills over into another. If the block is located near an apartment house, which lacks a tenant organization, please call the WRA Office. Tenants may be experiencing the same problems as homeowners.

8. What kind of youth activities can a block club sponsor?

A successful block club needs to involve young people. Properly motivated, they can be a great asset to a block, involving youth in block activities is a great investment in everyone's future. Block clubs can sponsor trips to the zoo, amusement parks, and sporting events. A block BBQ can help to raise money for these outings. A block club might give a young person an opportunity to gain journalistic experience by helping to edit the block newsletter. One or more block clubs might get together to sponsor a drill team. Youth can also be involved in block clean-ups and block beautification projects. The City More Beautiful Committee encourages youth to form a junior block captain's group. A block club might offer young people rewards for good grades in the form of a gift certificate (the intention is more important than the amount). A block party could be held to recognize young people who are graduating from high school or college. Also, keep in touch with the John C. Anderson Cultural Center (215-685-0297) for classes being offered to youth as well as adults. Take advantage of the summer day camp sponsored by the WRA (215-878-0571).