Join us
STEP 1 - MAKE CONTACT
Our database is very secure and only accessible by specific managers who are police vetted. Your information is safe with us - not even police can access it! We will never provide your information for commercial purposes.
Send your details to our database manager and make sure you include:
Your name, and the name of any other adult in your household.
Your address - street number, name, suburb.
Your landline (if you have one), and cell phone numbers.
Your email address and any other email address for other adults in your household so you can receive our regular newsletters about what’s going on in your neighbourhood.
Or fill in the form below!
There may already be a group in your street so we’ll let them now you’re joining. You can also belong if you’re a holiday home owner or a renter. Your neighbours will look out for you.
STEP 2 - YOU COULD BE A STREET COORDINATOR!
If you’re keen - it’s not a big job and you’ll get to know your neighbours - your local area coordinator will meet with you and provide all the resources you’ll need. They will determine a practical size for your group. Once you have some neighbours signed up we’ll help organise a short get-together.
STEP 3 - HAVE A DRIVEWAY MEETING
The local Neighbourhood Support area coordinator will attend the first meeting, usually with the Community Constable. These can be in a convenient place for neighbours - inside a house, in the yard, in the garage, on the berm, in a park or in a driveway. They will explain how a Neighbourhood Support group works. and distribute information packs.
The Community Constable usually gives a run-down on crime in the area and local issues. It’s a chance to meet them for all the neighbours.
STEP 4 - FOLLOW UP
Street Coordinators need to be fairly active, have good communication skills, be confident meeting new people and can set up a group email.
What a Street Coordinator does:
Visits each house in your street group and verifies the data we already hold, and signs up new members.
Explains the benefits of free membership – police crime reports, e-newsletter etc.
Sets up an email group to help neighbours keep in touch with each other.
Keeps the list up to date, welcomes new arrivals and invites them to join.
distributes the contact list to their members and keeps it up to date.
arrange future meetings (if required). Some organise Christmas parties or summer get-togethers etc.
You don’t have to distribute the fortnightly newsletters - these are sent out to members automatically.
The Street Coordinator is crucial in keeping information up to date and in feeding information back to the community. Signs, stickers, leaflets etc are provided free. They’re our lifeline!
Could you be an Area Coordinator?
Area Coordinators are the link between Street Coordinators and Manager. You’ll keep in touch with your Street Coordinators, making sure they’re checking in with their Street Groups every few months, and updating their listings for the database. We need more Area Coordinators, especially in Tauranga City! If you’d like to do this, contact manager@wbopns.org.nz
What our Coordinators say:
Carol Trusler :
“I was pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback and 100 per cent of neighbours signing up.
“Such a great response and a fantastic way to meet my locals. It doesn’t take much time and having the group really builds the neighbourly spirit. There is already talk of a street party.”
Russ Hawkins: Fatboy Charters
“ Once you have done the initial set-up - names, addresses and emails - can be easily done in small stages. The updating of any new residents moving in is also easily done with a note or better still a quick visit/introduction with stickers etc.
“The general feedback from neighbours is very positive.”
Linda Thompson: Communications consultant
“I started my first street group years ago, and it was really easy to set up. It’s been lovely to get to know neighbours. We know we can call on each other.
“We get together occasionally, share fruit and veges and help each other out. I know I can count on them.”
Volunteer with us
We’re always looking for new Street Coordinators. Could you be one?
Contact us to see if there’s already a Neighbourhood Support group in your area. If there isn’t, we need one! Estimated time the role requires depends on how much you wish to put in – from a couple of hours a month.
It’s a voluntary role, but very rewarding.
Email: manager@wbopns.org.nz if you’re interested. Send us a short CV and your contact details.
Join us! Just fill in the form below, and we’ll add you to our database. You’ll start receiving our newsletters.