As home builders in Omaha, we know how important community is. We see first hand how important it is to get to know your neighbors and build a strong community. In this digital age, where we spend more time indoor online than we do outside, it’s crucial that we make the time to get out and meet our neighbors. National Night Out is the perfect way to just that.
National Night Out
National Night Out (NNO), is held annually on the first Tuesday in August. This year that is August 7th. The event is a national community-building campaign to encourage police-community partnerships. The goal is to promote neighborhood camaraderie which in turn will make neighborhoods more safe. Most neighborhoods host block parties where neighbors gather in the street (that has been blocked off) to grill, play games and get to know one another. Often emergency personnel will stop by with their fire truck or ambulance for residents to tour.
Hosting a Block Party
It’s not too late to host a block party! You can download this free block party flyer template and edit it to reflect your party’s information and then print it out. If holding a party in the middle of the week doesn’t work it’s perfectly okay to host the block party on the weekend.
Delegate
Congratulations if you’ve decided to take on the task of planning your block party for National Night Out, now gather some close neighbors and start delegating the work. Put someone in charge of food, beverages and entertainment.
Choose a Date
National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August, but that doesn’t mean you have to have it that night. If a weekend works better for your neighbors, by all means have it on the weekend. Have a backup date in case of bad weather.
Promotional Considerations
Across the nation, many businesses will provide meat for grilling, entertainment and other items to the neighborhood event. For instance a local real estate company is providing meat to any block parties that sign up. The ask that their business name be included on any flyers and that they can swing by the event and introduce themselves. Check your neighborhood Facebook page or NextDoor page to see if any businesses in your area are offering anything.
Sign Up Sheet
Be sure to have a signup sheet at the event. This is a great way to capture everyone’s email address and/or phone numbers.
Neighborhood Page
Another great way to keep in touch before the event and after is to create a Facebook page for your block or neighborhood, or a NextDoor page. You can put the web address on the flyer and have people sign up for the page and RSVP if needed. It’s also a great way to communicate who is bringing what for the potluck.
Encourage Networking
You may have a neighbor who provides the exact service you’ve been looking for. Find out what people do and let them promote their businesses.
A Few Things to Consider
You may want to have a bathroom policy of “everyone uses their own bathroom” to maintain home security. Encourage children to help clean up by providing a prize for those who help. Provide name tags.
Having a block party is a great way to meet new neighbors and keep in touch with old friends. As home builders in Omaha, we see each day how strong communities are formed by the simple act of getting to know one another.
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