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THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A RESIDENT COUNCIL
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| The contents of these
diagrams comes from literature on resident councils provided by the U.S. Department of
HUD. A Resident Council is a group of tenants and neighbors who come together to
accomplish things that they cannot do alone. While Resident Councils have not been used
very much in Delaware, they are meant to give their members real representation and
decision-making power. In towns and cities across the country, resident councils serve as
governing bodies, bargaining entities, property owners and managers, providers of
necessary services, and employers of residents.
The Delaware State Wide Association of Tenants is currently helping tenants in all
three counties with the process of resident council formation. Each month the tenant
association also conducts a Saturday training for members of new councils and councils in
the process of forming.
For more information, contact the tenant association at 1 888 DEL SWAT. |
| STEP 1. FIND
OUT WHO IS INTERESTED Talk with your neighbors about needs, ideas, issues.
Form a core group to provide the first leadership.
Keep the key group together as your steering committee.
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| STEP 2. GET SUPPORT Publicize
the formation of the council.
Identify leaders and candidates.
Recruit members. Get people to join.
Develop goals, structure, and committees.
Organize the residents. |
| STEP 3.
HAVE
AN ELECTION PROCESS Have an independent third party to monitor the election process from
start to finish.
Hold a nominating meeting with the monitors present.
Nominate the slate of officers for the council.
Have a waiting period (usually 30 days) for people to make up their minds.
Agree upon a date for the election.
Hold the election, with monitors present. |
| STEP 4. PROCEED WITH
BUSINESS Announce date, time, place, & agenda for first general meeting. Post signs.
Hold regular meetings.
Secure operating needs, such as meeting space, support services, supplies.
Begin to develop policies & bylaws.
Set goals & objectives. |
STEP 5. DEVELOP THE
COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS.
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| Get training in:
" housing laws
" finances and fundraising
" recordkeeping
" organizing
" leadership
" communication
" running meetings
" housing management
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Make partnerships:
" cultivate allies
" work with management
" enlist other groups |
| STEP 6. BE RELIABLE
and ACCOUNTABLE! Follow up.
Meet regularly.
Be open and above board.
Consult with residents.
Encourage suggestions.
Listen to everyone.
Solicit opinions from those who do not participate in the Council.
Respond to comments.
Avoid "leaders" dominating.
Give public credit to those who help.
Honor all your commitments.
Document!
Keep good records.
Make requests to management in writing.
Develop a written agreement with management.
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| STEP 7. BE SUCCESSFUL Represent
the residents .Be democratic.
Adopt written procedures.
Hold regular meetings and elections.
Have a vision. Make specific goals.
Communicate and organize effectively.
Work as a team. Form cooperative relations.
Work toward strong, democratic leadership.
Get good training.
Keep ties to other groups and institutions
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| STEP 8. TAKE POWER! Power
is just the energy necessary to get the job done. Make sure you have it.
Residents have the right to organize.
Residents have the right to make decisions on their own behalf.
Residents have the right to establish a council to be their place to make decisions,
identify problems, and take action. together.
Residents have the right to have their Council officially recognized.
Residents have the right to information about and an understanding of how their housing is
managed.
Residents have the right to use their Council to make collective agreements with other
groups and individuals.
Residents have the right to hire consultants and staff to help further their interests.
Don’t be afraid of power.
Have patience.
Work hard.
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– Woody Guthrie
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