Creating an Efficient Introduction

Why do you need one?

Whether you call it an elevator pitch, a spiel, or an introduction, being able to articulate who you are, how you’re connected to MNN, and why you’re engaging with someone is critical to the growth of your LNN. You want your neighbors to participate in your LNN, and your neighbors need to know you and your intentions enough to give out their contact information.

Talking Points and Key Phrases

What is Montpelier Neighbor Net?

• A collective of small, neighborhood-based groups

• 3 goals:

  • Improved communications

  • Social connection

  • Emergency preparedness and response

• Separate from the City

In one sentence: Montpelier Neighbor Net is the city-wide organization that supports

hyper-local groups coming together for better communication, social connections, and

emergency preparedness.

What does this look like in practice?

• One or more neighbors who coordinate their street/neighborhood

• Distribute messages, news, organize social gatherings, etc., hyper-locally

• Ground-up organization

  • Providing support and structure to what already exists

  • Building new from the ground up

  • You define your neighborhood and its needs

FAQ’s

Who will have my contact information?

Only the local coordinator(s) of each LNN will have access to the LNN Contact List.

Neither MNN Central, nor the city, nor any other public or private organization will have

access to it.

Is this CAN?

No, but CAN’s legacy has informed this new organization. Key distinctions:

○ Separate from the City

○ MNN is not imposing neighborhood boundaries upon the community. Coordinators define the boundaries of their LNN.

○ MNN will not hold a central list of everyone’s contact information.

Fill-in-the-blank Introductions...

• Hi, I’m Jillian. I live in the yellow house on the corner. I am working with Montpelier Neighbor Net, the organization working to connect neighbors for better communication, social connections, and emergency preparedness. I am taking the lead in organizing for our neighbors, and it’s my intention to gather a group of us to discuss the wants and needs that our Local Neighbor Net might address. I’d love to loop you in. Would you feel comfortable providing your contact information?

• Hi there, my name is Paul. I live on this street, just past the bend, on the left. I am working with our neighbors to organize a Local Neighbor Net in our area. Have you heard of Montpelier Neighbor Net? Montpelier Neighbor Net is a new collective of small neighborhood-based groups working to build social connection, improve communications, and grow emergency preparedness & response throughout the city. For our Local Neighbor Net, I envision quarterly gatherings and a focus on mutual aid. I’d love to keep you in the loop and connect more down the road. Would you feel comfortable providing your contact information so we can stay in touch?