Forming a community group - how to get started

This may be simply two or more residents, who feel that the formation of a community association would benefit their neighbourhood, coming together to discuss local issues.

Get in touch with us and with Supporting Communities NI. Select a steering group of 7-15 residents (depending on the size of the area or estate). The steering group should carry out a community profile or survey of the area. The members of the steering group should be representative of the area in terms of tenants, owner-occupiers and all parts of the area. This will help in sharing the work when it comes to carrying out the survey.

You don't have to elect a chairperson or any other office bearers at this stage. However, it's easier if one or two members of the group act as leaders or spokespersons.

Doing a local survey may seem like a huge job but it is very important.  It will give the steering group a clearer picture of the problems and issues in the area. It will also provide plenty of statistical information about the area, which will be important when it comes to approaching statutory and other agencies.

Once you have completed the survey and drafted the results, send a draft copy of the survey report to the statutory bodies and ask for written comments. These can then be included in the final document.

The final document should normally include the following chapter headings:

• Introduction
• Reasons for survey and methodology
• Survey analysis
• Action plan
• Appendices

The most important section of the report is the action plan. This highlights the main issues and concerns identified through the survey, and outlines how the community group will work with the relevant agences to find a solution. The action plan should have short, medium and long term objectives, with the primary focus being on tackling the short term objectives first.

When you elect a committee you can review these objectives on a regular basis. It is their job to monitor their progress and reprioritise them as necessary.

The steering group should also draft a constitution for Step 5.

Once you have completed the final survey report it is very important to communicate its results to the community. After all, it is their survey document.

This can be done in two ways:

• launching the document formally, involving local press coverage, or
• holding a public meeting to publicise the survey's results

The work of the steering group is now almost complete. The public meeting is the perfect opportunity to set up a fully recognised and constituted community association to represent the area.

Those involved with the steering group may well be elected to form the first committee. However, it is important to make sure that the committee is representative of the whole area and that everyone, who wishes to do so, has the opportunity to be elected on to the committee.

It is not necessary to elect the office bearers at this stage, as this can be done at the first committee meeting.

Immediately following, or as soon as possible after, the public meeting, the newly formed community association should hold its first committee meeting where the following should be discussed and agreed:

• election of office bearers
• bank account and signatories
• role of support agencies, such as the Housing Executive and Supporting Communities NI
• guidelines for conduct