Proximity, neighboring, and relationships are at the core of what we do at FCS. We think natural, unhurried relationships without an agenda are deeply important. We also believe in the power of structure and intention to move toward collective efficacy. But how do you build collective efficacy? This happens through something called relational organizing, a practice we’ll introduce today.

What Happens When a Neighborhood Lacks Social Cohesion?

It leads to an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. There’s a lack of resources – there’s no one to help for large and small needs. This level of disconnection leads to disenchantment, and we lose the ability to see the neighborhood as connected. At its worst, it has huge implications for a neighborhood’s ability to be resilient.

Our social cohesion has been fraying for decades, and the pandemic worsened the situation. In underinvested neighborhoods, this lack is particularly challenging. It makes it difficult to respond with a collective voice when changes will negatively impact neighbors.

What Happens if We Force Community Development Without Neighborhood Engagement?

It hurts rather than helps. It doesn’t offer neighbors a voice, and it reinforces passivity, complacency, and disempowerment. If you’re not investing in social cohesion, you’re addressing the problems of a disinvested neighborhood in a dehumanizing manner. Development by itself doesn’t create a thriving community.

In many cases, disinvested communities have suffered negative effects from organizations who have implemented changes without social cohesion or personal trust. This can deeply impact new initiatives in a negative way, and it requires patience and trust to overcome.

How Do We Practice Neighborliness?

First, you need to understand that this is a practiced skill. It doesn’t happen by accident. Even when you’re intentional about forming relationships with neighbors, it can take a long time.

We look at neighborhood engagement as three different systems – the nervous system, the circulatory system, and the muscular system. It’s imperative that you understand the way the neighborhood communicates within itself. Where are there blocks in the system? How has trauma impacted the various systems?

We believe that action (movement) occurs last. Just like the muscular system relies on the health of the other systems, neighborhoods need to be communicating and healthy before action steps are taken.

What is Relational Organizing?

First, it’s important to understand that relational organization is values based – not issue or events based. Though it can feel compelling to join around an individual event or issue, that doesn’t last. Instead, we need to figure out how to create space to share our values with one another and see where they overlap.

We look at relational organization in three steps:

1. Building at the ground level – meeting people one-on-one. You don’t build trust without that level of connection. This is similar to the way that the nervous system functions – it’s all about a deep level of interaction.
2. House gatherings – we start meeting together with people who share values, then we identify problems, and start brainstorming solutions. This kind of flow is much like our cardiovascular system.
3. Town hall – as you’re uncovering problems in house gatherings, you say “who do we know, and what can we do to help?” A grassroots gathering occurs so neighbors can make better decisions. This is best expressed as the muscular system – when action is being taken.

In this flow, it’s critical that you start with connection rather than action. This is pivotal in understanding where to start and what’s important to neighbors – rather than imposing your own ideas onto the neighborhood.

Is Relational Organizing Worth It?

It’s countercultural to say relationships are more important than solutions – but it makes a massive difference in the success of our neighborhood engagement. A lot of our solutions fall short unless we work to make communities whole.

At FCS, we want to create resilient structures that allow people to stay empowered over their own lives. It’s an investment in the future of a neighborhood – it’s not just about the cost as a line item in a budget. In the end, however, it does save a tremendous amount of time and resources. When you know what the neighborhood is, wants, has, and does, you can accomplish so much more.

The intangible assets – peace, safety, trust – are absolutely worth the investment.

Reach Out to Us

Learn more about how we can equip you to implement relational organizing in your neighborhood. As the training and consulting arm of Focused Community Strategies, the Lupton Center offers training for groups interested in this work. We’d love to connect with you.

If you liked this article, you’ll love the conversation that inspired it! Click here to listen to the Place Matters podcast episode it’s based on.

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