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How to Start an Active Community Group in Your Area

Active Community is a local project that aims to promote physical activity, social connection, and well-being among people of all ages and backgrounds. You can start an Active Community group in your neighborhood, workplace, school, or any other organization that you belong to.

To start an Active Community group, follow these steps:

1. Spread the word and build a list of potential members. You can use various methods to reach out to people who might be interested in joining your group, such as:

• Posting flyers on bulletin boards in public places.

• Placing free ads in the community section of local newspapers or magazines.

• Getting media coverage from local newspapers, radio, TV, or online platforms.

• Sending emails or messages to your contacts or colleagues.

2. Organize the first meeting and invite the people on your list. You can choose a suitable venue and time for your meeting, depending on the type of group you want to start:

• For a neighborhood group, you can rent a room in a church, community center, library, or any other public space that is accessible and affordable. You can ask the attendees to bring a small donation to cover the cost of the room rental.

• For a workplace, school, or organizational group, you can ask your employer, principal, or leader to provide a free room for your meeting. You can hold the meeting during lunch break or after work or school hours. This will benefit your organization as Active Community groups can improve productivity and reduce absenteeism.

During the first meeting, you can introduce the concept and benefits of Active Community, share your vision and goals for the group, and invite feedback and suggestions from the attendees. You can also plan the next steps for your group, such as setting a regular schedule, choosing activities, and assigning roles and responsibilities.

Personal Development Groups

Members of Active Community Groups are encouraged to participate in one or more Personal Development Groups. Existing community groups, such as 12-step programs and support groups, may be used. Active Community members are also encouraged to start new groups to meet their own needs and the needs of their communities. 

Personal Development Groups are created and operate independently of Active Community Groups. They can be started as a type of Social Learning Group. Different types of Social Learning Groups can also be used to achieve educational goals. For more information see our separate website on Social Learning Groups.

You Are Not Alone

When you start an Active Community Group, you will have access to support and resources from other volunteer leaders who have experience and expertise in running successful groups. You will also be able to network with other groups and learn from their best practices and challenges.

If you are interested in starting an Active Community Group, please contact us at activecommunity@ngiinsights.com for more information. 

Start an Active Community Group today!