The City of Memphis Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program

Transcription

1 The City of Memphis Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program Session Facilitator: Tim Harris Community Outreach Specialist Office of Community Affairs Division of Parks and Neighborhoods City of Memphis

2 The City of Memphis Taking office in 2009, Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. has focused specifically on new initiatives to dramatically increase jobs and capital investments, bolster public education, reduce crime, as well as improving government efficiency and transparency. In 2010 Mayor Wharton s plan to build over fifty miles of bicycle lanes and associated facilities was completed. The program resulted in the Memphis Greenline, a 50-mile designation of bike lanes throughout the city of Memphis. In September of 2013, a U.S. Chamber of commerce Foundation report recognized Memphis as a paradigm for government focused on job creation, crime reduction, and economic growth. Memphis was one of only seven communities nationwide to be invited by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to take part in a national povertyreduction initiative co-funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Social Innovation Fund.

3 The City of Memphis Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., was among 16 mayors to meet with President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at The White House, where they discussed strategies for reducing youth violence.

4 The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs The Office of Community Affairs strives to create networks that touch every facet of Memphis life. The Mayor s Multicultural Coalition The Mayor s Faith Leader s Council Joint efforts with citizenship and naturalization for local immigrants There are also fundamental services that our office provides to our citizenry. A prime function of our office is facilitating a local grant for: Rental and Mortgage Assistance Utility Assistance Homeless Shelter Placement Assistance

5 The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs The Office of Community Affairs is a department under the Division of Parks and Neighborhoods. This four person office is tasked with engaging the various members of the Memphis community by serving as city government's liaison to key constituent groups, i.e., 400+ Neighborhood and Homeowner s Associations 25+ Multicultural and Immigrant Populations 500+ Churches and Faith-based groups Civic and Human Service Organizations

6 The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs The Office of Community Affairs also facilitates and maintains an active database of all HOA s, Neighborhood Associations, community groups, faith organizations, and multicultural groups who wish to be recognized by the city. This process is done by voluntarily registering with our office. The database is a source of community information that is utilized by multiple divisions within city government.

7 The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs Our operational platform is community outreach, advocacy, and engagement to any of the aforementioned groups through training events, city-sponsored activities, technical assistance, capacity building, and grassroots partnerships with our community s leaders. As we constantly connect with our citizens, the Office of Community Affairs is able to perform critical needs assessments surveys on a community level.

8 The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs In Memphis, we realize that our most important asset is our citizens. The combination of resident participation and active neighborhoods is the cornerstone for the continued improvement of the quality of life in our great city! Consequently, the need for a vehicle through which quality neighborhood leadership has never been more evident. We strive to help our residents and neighborhoods play an active role in preserving and improving what is best about our city.

9 The Office of Community Affairs Presents: The Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program

10 Program Objectives 1. To build upon and broaden neighborhood leaders experience and understanding of how to energize their neighborhoods. 2. To create innovative solutions for improving neighborhoods, and enable emerging leaders to serve as advocates for their families and communities. 3. To encourage and enhance the ability of citizen-leaders to seek constructive resolutions, and be the driving forces in determining the future of their communities. 4. To introduce participants to government, institutional, and business resources, while assisting and encouraging emerging neighborhood leaders in the establishment of effective community networks.

11 Purpose The overall purpose of the Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program (CNLTP) is to offer systematic programming to any resident of the Greater Memphis, TN area, who is interested in learning more about the various city services available to their community. Participants can also develop the skill sets needed to become effective leaders in their neighborhoods. The CNLTP programming is designed to help established and emerging neighborhood leaders create positive change and mobilize their neighborhoods in an effective and productive manner.

12 Purpose (cont.) Through the Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program (CNLTP), participants receive tangible tools to take back into their neighborhoods, with an understanding that the City is a partner and not an adversary to making their communities stronger. Participants begin the program with a limited understanding of available city services; but graduate with a solid grasp of city services, and a mindset of What can we do ourselves to build up OUR community?

13 Program Goal The end result will be that the participants are able contribute to the quality of life in their neighborhoods by assisting in the planning and implementation of neighborhood improvement strategies.

14 Program Design The Certified Neighborhood Leader Training Program (CNLTP) is a series of monthly class sessions offered over a four month period. The sessions are only offered once a year, and are completely free and open to City of Memphis residents. The 2.5 hour classes are lecture-style, interactive sessions designed to engage the participants, the facilitators, and their fellow cohort members in a productive dialogue. Session facilitators are selected from every aspect of city government that interacts with, or provides services to, residents, communities, and neighborhoods. (i.e., Code Enforcement, Police Services, Public Works, City Council, etc.)

15 Program Design (cont.) The City of Memphis also partners with various local agencies that provide representatives who serve as session facilitators for a more comprehensive information experience. (i.e. County Government-Property Assessor s Office, County Trustee s Office, Community Building Practitioners, etc.) Questions from the participants are encouraged throughout each session either verbally or in written form. Homework is assigned after each session. The questions and scenarios given to the participants create a loop of engagement that encompasses the information given during a previous class session.

16 Program Design (cont.)

17 The caliber of session information is always a critical component of every CNLTP session. Each facilitator is a managerial level personnel member.

18 Social Media, Communications, Marketing Strategy Training for Neighborhood Leaders

19 Social media is presented as a tool used to engage various members of the participant s neighborhood.

20 Program Design (cont.) Examples of session topics include: Neighborhoods: 101 Communications/Marketing & Basic Computer Skills Training Fundraising Ethics and Accountability in Leadership Financial Management Researching/ Implementing Best Practices in Leadership Effectively Interacting With the City Council Social Media

21 Social media is also taught as a vehicle used to market and communicate their organization s activities and events to area residents.

22 Social ROI: Measurements of Success An organization s Return on Investment (ROI) is significant in that it requires an organization to account for the activities and results in which it engages. This is customarily a monetary or material measurement. For example: Our office decided to send out a 200 piece mailer to all the residents in a particular zip code. Only 20 pieces are returned. That is only a ten per cent (10%) return on investment.

23 Social ROI: Measurements of Success But if an organization decided to utilize Social Return on Investment (SROI) as their measurement vehicle, they would be able to measure more intangible categories for their desired outcomes. Asset-based Community Development (A-B-C-D). Implementing creative fundraising events based on existing members and skills. Engaging the business community as part of their organization s membership base. Communicating with local elected officials to endorse or attend their activities and events. Engaging local city services that could be advantageous during their planning or implementation stages (library meeting rooms, community centers, parks, etc.) SROI research from Roberts Enterprise Development Fund-San Francisco,CA

24 Social ROI: Measurements of Success (cont.) Why Should You Measure Your Social Impact The CNLTP program encourages neighborhood organizations to do community needs assessments, create a goal set for particular projects/ events, create a plan to reach those goals, then implement that plan. The results our participants should see are : Improved program/ activity management. More effective planning. More effective evaluation. Increased understanding of the impact of their events. Stronger communications about the value of what you do to the people that matter. Enhanced attention to the social value created by the group or organization. SROI research from Roberts Enterprise Development Fund-San Francisco,CA

25 Social ROI: Measurements of Success (cont.) The Value Added results of CNLTP sessions are two fold. 1.For the Participant The participant now has the tools necessary to start the process of positive and productive change for their neighborhood. They can communicate more effectively, plan more efficiently, and even engage area businesses as neighbors and community members.

26 Social ROI: Measurements of Success (cont.) 2. For the City of Memphis The participants are viable community leaders who have shown the commitment needed to interact with the City on behalf of their neighborhoods and communities. The City can now engage communities on a more personal level to address the root causes and issues that negatively impact the city at large. True partnership begins here!

27 Social ROI: Measurements of Success (cont.) Social Impact Calculations are necessary to see the real and potential reach of programming offered through our office. We encourage each participant to take everything they learn back to their groups and share the session information.

28 Rewarded Efforts Program participants who follow session eligibility requirements are allowed to participate in an actual Commencement Exercise sponsored by our office. They are awarded Certificates of Completion from the program, which are signed by our Mayor, Division Director, and Department Manager. The graduates also receive first-hand notice of city-sponsored events and activities, notice of any grant programs that are applicable for neighborhoods and communities, and further coaching for their groups or associations as needed.

29 The Honorable Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., addressing the CNLTP Graduates and guests.

30 2013 CNLTP Cohort

31 2014 CNLTP Cohort

32 CNLTP Graduates enjoying their Commencement Celebration.

33 CNLTP Graduates enjoying their Commencement Celebration.

34 Quotes from Our Leaders Because of what I learned in the CNLTP classes, I can go back to my neighborhood as a leader! I have been given the tools I need to help others become leaders too! ---LaShundra Robinson

35 Quotes from Our Leaders If I hadn t been a part of these classes, there would be a great deal of information that I would never know about the different services our city offers ---Paula Lutts

36 Lessons to Learn for Neighborhood Leaders You are NOT alone! You have to start SOMEWHERE! Be the change that you wish to see. It s never too late to learn something new! Celebrate the small things! Did you know that the City offers this.and it s FREE?! Grab the low-hanging fruit first. There is power in NUMBERS! Be heard! It s okay not to know everything. Just ASK! Train your successor. Network with other organizations to share best practices.

37 Stronger Leaders. Stronger Neighborhoods. Stronger MEMPHIS!

38 Connect With Us on Social Media!

39 Tim Harris Community Outreach Specialist Office of Community Affairs Division of Parks and Neighborhoods 315 S. Hollywood Street Memphis, TN Office: