happycounts.org

THE COMMUNITY BUILDING TOOLKIT WHAT HAPPENS IF A LEVEL 9 EARTHQUAKE HITS HERE OR

OTHER DISASTER?

A tool kit for preparing your community for crisis

and building resilience

happycounts.org

How do we know we are prepared for disaster?

A group of people in the neighborhood talk to each other on a regular basis.

A self-governing group of people take care of each other when disaster hits.

A group of people support each other in small actions taken today to make their lives and neighborhood happier.

happycounts.org

Why Build Community?

Crisis: When disaster hits, do you have community to turn to?

Sense of Belonging: People who are members of groups live longer, are happier and are more active.

Community: Connection in the community is one of the areas where we are scoring lowest in the Happiness Initiative survey

happycounts.org

Step One: Convening

• Convene your neighbors: Invite people in your neighborhood to a meeting at a local café, community center or other meeting area.

Ways to reach out:• By yourself: A simple one sheet invitation you

deliver to your neighbors. • Through an organization to members of a

nonprofit, place of worship, staff etc.

happycounts.org

Convening Letter: A Draft Dear Neighbor,

What would happen to you and your family if a level 9 earthquake hit tomorrow? Are you prepared to take care of yourself and loved ones in the face of a natural or man-made disaster in our neighborhood? One of the best ways to ensure your own resilience is to be part of a community that knows each other and knows how to work together.

Join other neighbors on (date) from (start time to end time) at (place) to start building our community so we are prepared in the face of crisis. At the meeting, we will get to know each other and start the steps for creating a resilient neighborhood.

If you have questions, please email me at (email address).Name

happycounts.org

Step Two: Holding a Meeting

At the first meeting:• Start Your Asset Map: Gather names, emails and

addresses and information.• Start individual emergency preparedness education• Conduct a community building meeting

happycounts.org

Neighborhood People Asset Mapping A Neighborhood Asset Map tells lays out the assets and vulnerable.

In a crisis, self organizing groups are essential. Where these do not exist, mobsters & gangsters move in to organize.

The most vulnerable are the elderly, alter-abled and children. At the onset of a crisis the skills needed are: community organizing, rescue, mechanic, plumber, carpenter/builder, medical, caretakers, etc. In longer term, all skills are needed.

To build an asset map:• Document who lives where in a neighborhood. Include

names, skills, homes where there are vulnerable people. • Keep a paper copy as well as electronic of the document and

update it at each meeting.• Circulate the Neighborhood map to the group after each

meeting.

happycounts.org

Example of a Neighborhood People Asset Map

elderly woman

plumber

gardener

doctor

architect

artists

happycounts.org

4 principles for Community Building

1. We Connect: We talk and want to interact in other's lives in positive ways

2. Me upside down means WE: We help one another, especially when we are faced with challenges

3. We share the load and get more done: Its important to share or talents, time and energy for causes bigger than ourselves

4. We all benefit from the shared space we create: We build networks of support, meet new and interesting people, and have fun while doing it!

happycounts.org

5 questions :

1. What does community mean to you?2. Have you ever experienced this level of

community in your life before? 3. What do you feel is blocking you from

experiencing this level of community?4. What are you personally committed to

doing to experience this level of community?5. Is this something that you care about?

happycounts.org

Steps for a Conversations

• Create circles of 3-8 people.• Go through the principles.• Have groups ask the 5 questions for each

principle.• Spend equal parts time on each question.• Conclude with date for next circle and

encourage people to work together on small things to make their live and neighborhood more prepared in the short and long term.

happycounts.org

Individual Disaster PreparednessWhat to have on hand: • Flashlight and fresh batteries• Water for 2 weeks• Food for 2 weeks • Whistles • Medication • Blankets • Basic Tools

Other ways to prepare:• Fasten down large heavy objects (such as bookshelves)• Resiliency in the neighborhood: food garden and stock of seeds,

rainwater barrels, functioning bicycles and other non-oil based transportation….

Your local government probably has informative materials available online or in hard copy.

happycounts.org

Step Three: Building part of Community: Keeping Going

• Create a team of at least three advocates for your community building and disaster preparedness preparations. These are the conveners and decision makers. Expand this team when you can, and do not be discouraged as people on it come in and out.

• Hold meetings regularly (monthly, quarterly, annually) and do not give up!

happycounts.org

Other ToolkitsOU Medicine’s Communities Advancing Resilience Toolkit:http://www.oumedicine.com/googlesearch?q=communities%20advancing%20resilience%20toolkit

Community Resilience Toolkit:http://www.baylocalize.org/communities-for-resilience/program-news/toolkit-20-downloads-38-states-23-countries

Building Resilience in Local Communities:http://www.resilientcommunities.gov.au/pages/home.aspx

Exploring Resiliencehttp://www.fieryspirits.com

Community Resilience Manuel http://communityrenewal.ca/

And there are many others! There is no “prescription” for preparing for disaster in your community or building community. All is provided to help and inspire you.