Start as a neighbourhood connector with Hoplr – 5 best practices

Start your Hoplr journey as a neighbourhood connector

Are you ready to make a positive impact in your neighbourhood? These first practical tips will help you successfully take on your role as a neighbourhood connector. From introducing yourself to using Hoplr’s powerful tools – this article offers you a step-by-step guide to get started right away and bring neighbours together.

1. Post your introduction

When you enter the Hoplr neighbourhoods, it is best to introduce yourself. This way, members know that you are there and what they can count on you for.

Below we share the three components of a good introduction message.

• Who are you? What is your name, your position and your responsibilities within the neighbourhood or organization? Feel free to share some light-hearted information about yourself.
• What are you going to do? What is your role on Hoplr? Will you regularly share messages about activities in the community center? Will you read along and help where possible? Briefly summarize your intention with Hoplr.
• What can a neighbour do? Can Hoplr members reach you via the Hoplr chat when they have a question, or do you prefer other channels? With what kind of questions can they approach you?

2. Post messages in the neighbourhood

These three message types are useful for neighbourhood connectors::

• General messages: Share messages with the neighbourhood. Think of highlighting fun initiatives in the neighbourhood, showing beautiful places, starting a project (e.g. a reading or walking club) and messages that highlight and strengthen the neighbourhood feeling.
  
• Activities: Place activities in Hoplr’s neighbourhood calendar. The message also appears in the neighbourhood feed with date and location. Neighbours can indicate that they are interested or will be present.
  
• Help requests (on behalf of others): As a neighbourhood connector, you can also connect non-members to the social capital that is very accessible via Hoplr. Think of people with digital disabilities, people without access to the internet, people who wish to remain anonymous or residents from another neighbourhood who have not yet found any help. With these requests for help, you not only help a potentially vulnerable person, you also set an example for other members. You show that their requests for help are welcome on Hoplr and how they can compose such a message.

Read here how to publish a neighbourhood message: https://help.hoplr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001037051-How-do-I-post-a-message

3. React on neighbourhood messages

Although it is important to be involved, it is good not to be too dominant as a neighbourhood connector. Focus mainly on a reactive approach and let the Hoplr neighbours help each other first to stimulate reciprocity and neighbourly help.

However, if a request for help or information remains unanswered for some time or if urgent or professional help is needed, you can intervene as a neighbourhood connector by posting a response.

For example, share the contact details of a relevant reporting point or an organisation that can help. If appropriate, you can also share your own telephone number to discuss the problem further and offer appropriate help.

4. Complete your profile

It is positive for social cohesion and trust to share some personal (but not sensitive) information. Think of interests, pets, profession,…

As a neighbourhood connector, you take on an exemplary role within the neighbourhood. By sharing a clear photo and some personal information yourself, you encourage others to do the same.

Read here which profile data you can adjust, and how: https://help.hoplr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001037352-How-can-I-edit-my-profile

5. Support neighbourhood initiatives

Take an active part in projects of neighbours or the municipality and help to bring them to the attention. Your involvement and promotion can help initiatives grow and increase their impact. Think of neighbourhood parties, joint clean-up actions and social projects that strengthen the cohesion and liveability in the neighbourhood.

Use Hoplr to make these initiatives widely visible, recruit additional participants and encourage neighbours to contribute. By stimulating interaction and collaboration via the platform, you ensure that more residents feel involved and actively participate in the implementation of these projects.

As a neighbourhood connector, you play an essential role in strengthening social cohesion and involvement in your neighbourhood. By actively participating, posting messages and supporting neighbourhood initiatives, you create a positive dynamic in which neighbours get to know each other better and together build a warm and caring community. Hoplr offers you the tools and network to maximize this impact. Take the first step today and make a difference in your neighbourhood!