What is Block Builders?
A group of Kingfielders who play an enhanced role in promoting community with their immediate neighbors.
Why does this matter, and why now?
Nothing can replace the connection that comes from person-to-person interaction. While Kingfield is a relatively small corner of the world, as you travel from block to block you’ll notice there are many Kingfields within Kingfield. Block connection is the atomic level of neighborhood involvement, and as a neighborhood board, we’re hoping to provide a little more support to that level of community engagement.
What are Block Builders responsible for?
In a nutshell, facilitating communication with their block. You may already have a group text, an email list, or a WhatsApp group in place. Keep using whatever is working for you, but just make sure your immediate neighbors are aware of, and have an opportunity to connect through that channel. If you don’t already have a solution in place, then step one is to start something up and get your neighbors onboard. We’ll talk more about this process in our kickoff meeting.
I’m already a Block Captain/Leader, is this the same thing?
No, this is its own thing. There are separate initiatives through the city of Minneapolis that are focused on public safety. This is just a neighborhood thing. Membership in one is not required or disqualifying for the other. Our aim is to put just enough scaffolding in place so Block Builders can survive through future pandemics, occupations, KFNA staff turnover, and any other road blocks the future may send our way.
I’m already the “Block Builder” for my block, what’s changing?
More support from the KFNA. Keep doing what you’re doing and thanks for your work! Hopefully we can provide you some additional resources and opportunities to make your existing efforts a little easier, or a little more impactful.
What’s a block?
A block is whatever group of dwellings feels like your immediate neighbors. It may not be a literal block. It could be more or less, it all just depends on how your immediate community has organically come together.
Can there be more than one Block Builder per block?
Of course, just figure out how you’re splitting the communication duties.
What are the KFNA’s goals for Block Builders this year?
- Support Block Builder coverage of the neighborhood
- The number one goal is just to ensure our neighborhood has someone whose role it is to manage communication at the hyperlocal level. Communicate in whatever way feels right for your block! The KFNA is just here to promote broad neighborhood coverage and provide Block Builders with some additional support and resources.
- Regular (but not overly frequent) communication from KFNA to Block Builders
- Six hyperlocal Kingfield eNews editions per year. Be the first to know about opportunities to engage with events, get updates to share with your block, and gain access to resources to better engage with your neighbors.
- Other timely updates where connecting directly with Block Builders better serves the needs of our neighbors than the regular Kingfield eNews.
- Distribute welcome packets to new neighbors
- A little “Welcome to Kingfield” bundle provided to you by the KFNA that you can deliver to new neighbors. These are currently being created, and any feedback you have about what we should include is welcome.
- Facilitating some sort of Block Builder Hub
- Wouldn’t it be nice to have an easy way for Block Builders to connect with other Block Builders? Let us know your thoughts and preferences for how to facilitate this technologically – there’s always a balancing act between what is easiest to use and what feels the most privacy safe.
“Hey, I think I want to do this, or I know someone who would be good at this”.
Email and/or you can fill out this form.