Getting Started
For those ready to establish and maintain a Local Neighbor Net
Roadmap for New Local Neighbor Nets
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Fill out the “Join Us” form. Let MNN know you’re organizing an LNN. We want to offer guidance and support.
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Your neighborhood may have an existing structure (e.g. Condo Board) that can take on the responsibility of being the LNN. If not, begin by convening a few interested neighbors to discuss, and potentially share, the organizing effort.
See more on “Assembling a Team” in the Toolkit. -
Identify geographically connected households
Consider including nearby households that may not otherwise fall within any defined neighborhood
Keep the size manageable - between 15-50 households.
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Item description
Suggested steps for organizing (or reorganizing) your neighborhood into an LNN:
1. Reach out to MNN Central:
2. Assemble a team:
● Your neighborhood may have an existing structure (e.g. Condo Board) that can
take on the responsibility of being the LNN. If not, begin by convening a few
interested neighbors to discuss, and potentially share, the organizing effort.
3. Define your LNN’s Scope:
● Identify geographically connected households
● Consider including nearby households that may not otherwise fall within any
defined neighborhood
● Keep the size manageable - around 30-50 households.
4. Identify Name and Initial Focus:
● We encourage names of the form “[your designation] Neighbor Net” - e.g. “St.
Paul St Neighbor Net,” or “Lane Shops Neighbor Net.”
○ Check with MNN Central regarding name availability
● Maintaining a contact list is a core function for every LNN, but other functions
(emergency preparedness, social events) are flexible and will evolve depending
on needs and preferences.
5. Prepare your Contact List form:
● Starting with the LNN Contact List Template or a blank, decide which household
information is most important to your LNN.
● Respect privacy concerns and contact preferences– some may prefer limited
contact or indirect contact through a trusted neighbor. You’ll need to balance
your capacity to accommodate individual preferences with maximizing neighbor
participation.
6. Reach out to the households in your proposed LNN:
○ Use a combination of methods to engage potential members:
■ Knocking on doors, flyers, street conversations, etc.
■ email/call if you already have contact information
○ Take the opportunity to:
■ describe MNN and your LNN’s purpose to your neighbors
■ answer questions
■ provide them with a way to find out more and/or sign up!
7. Consolidate and Confirm Contact Information:
● When folks have provided you their contact info, add it to the main contact list
● Within a few days, follow up via call/email/text to confirm that you have
correctly captured their info.
8. Host a Kick-Off Event
○ The form may vary, but the goal is to:
■ Build connections among the members of your LNN
■ Understand their needs and priorities
■ Discuss how your LNN might provide communication and support
9. Check in with MNN Central:
○ Share your LNN’s name and coverage area
○ If you’re struggling to get started, reach out for support.
○ We can also discuss with you possible areas of further development of your
LNN.
