Neighbor Mutual Aid Setup

Most people live within 50 feet of others and know almost none of them. A mutual aid network is not a political project or a commune -- it's a practical arrangement where nearby humans agree to share resources, watch out for each other, and coordinate during emergencies. The setup takes one afternoon of door-knocking and one sheet of paper. The payoff is knowing who has a truck when you need to move something, who's a nurse when someone falls, and who can grab your kid from school if you're stuck at work.

``agent-adaptation # Localization note - Community structures, housing types, and cultural norms around neighbor contact vary hugely - Apartment building (buzz intercom, leave flyer under doors, talk to building manager first) vs. suburban block (walk up to front doors) vs. rural (longer distances, fewer neighbors, more self-reliance) - Cultural directness norms differ: in some cultures, knocking unannounced is normal; in others, a written note first is more appropriate - Adjust for local emergency numbers (911 in US, 999 in UK, 112 in EU, 000 in Australia) - Swap local disaster types (earthquake, hurricane, tornado, bushfire, flooding) - Group purchasing sources and co-op structures vary by country CODEBLOCK0 BLOCK MAPPING EXERCISE (15 minutes) Draw a rough sketch of your block or building floor. For each unit/house: 1. Write the address or unit number 2. Write names if you know them (first name is fine) 3. Note anything you already know: - Approximate age range (young family, retired, etc.) - Pets (you'll see them outside) - Vehicles (truck owners are gold for mutual aid) - Visible skills (someone always doing yard work = gardening knowledge) DON'T OVERTHINK THIS. You're not surveilling anyone. You're just writing down what you already passively know. Target: 8-15 households for a suburban block, 6-10 for an apartment floor CODEBLOCK1 DOOR-KNOCK PROTOCOL When to go: Saturday or Sunday, 10am-12pm or 4-6pm What to bring: A one-page flyer (template below) and a pen What to wear: Normal clothes. Not a clipboard-and-lanyard vibe. OPENING SCRIPT (adjust to your personality): "Hi, I'm [name], I live at [address/unit]. I'm putting together a neighborhood contact list -- just so we know each other and can help out in emergencies or share resources. Takes about 2 minutes. Would you be interested?" IF THEY SAY YES: Walk through the 5-question survey (Step 3). Leave them the flyer. Ask for their preferred contact method. IF THEY SAY NO OR SEEM UNCOMFORTABLE: "No problem at all. Here's my number if you ever need anything." Hand them the flyer and move on. No pressure. Ever. IF NOBODY'S HOME: Leave the flyer with a handwritten note: "Hi neighbor -- I'm [name] at [address]. Putting together a block contact list for emergencies and resource sharing. Text me if you're interested: [phone number]" EXPECT: About 60-70% positive response rate. Some people will be thrilled someone finally did this. Some won't be interested. Both are fine. CODEBLOCK2 NEIGHBOR RESOURCE SURVEY (Fill out during the door-knock conversation. Keep it casual.) Name: _______________ Address/Unit: _______________ Phone: _______________ Email (optional): _______________ Preferred contact method: Text / Call / Email / Signal / WhatsApp 1. SKILLS: Do you have any medical training, mechanical skills, trade skills, or other expertise? (nurse, electrician, plumber, EMT, teacher, IT, etc.) _______________________________________________ 2. EQUIPMENT: Do you have any of these you'd be willing to lend occasionally? (Check all that apply) [ ] Truck/van/trailer [ ] Ladder (what height? ___) [ ] Power tools [ ] Generator [ ] Chainsaw [ ] First aid kit [ ] Jumper cables [ ] Snow blower [ ] Lawn mower [ ] Other: _______________ 3. EMERGENCY: Is there anyone in your household who might need extra help in an emergency? (Elderly person, infant, someone with mobility issues, medication-dependent, etc.) _______________________________________________ 4. AVAILABILITY: Would you be open to any of these? [ ] Emergency contact exchange (call me if something's wrong) [ ] Key exchange (I can check on your place when you travel) [ ] Tool/equipment lending [ ] Group purchasing (bulk food, supplies) [ ] Babysitting/childcare swap [ ] Pet care coverage (feed cat, walk dog when you're away) [ ] Seasonal help (snow removal, storm prep, yard work) 5. OTHER: Anything else you'd want from a neighborhood network? _______________________________________________ CODEBLOCK3 NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE SHEET (template) [YOUR BLOCK/BUILDING NAME] -- Emergency & Resource Contacts Last updated: [DATE] EMERGENCY CONTACTS: - Fire/Police/Ambulance: 911 - Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 - Non-emergency police: [local number] NEIGHBOR CONTACT LIST: Name | Address | Phone | Key Skills/Resources ______________|_________|______________|____________________ | | | | | | | | | (continue for all participating neighbors) SHARED RESOURCES AVAILABLE: - Truck/trailer: [Name, phone] - Generator: [Name, phone] - Ladder (extension): [Name, phone] - Medical training: [Name, phone] - Mechanical/trade skills: [Name, phone] SEASONAL COORDINATION: - Snow removal rotation: [names] - Storm prep lead: [name] - Yard waste coordination: [name] EMERGENCY PLAN: - Meeting point (if evacuation needed): [location] - Who checks on who: [Name] checks on [Name] (elderly/needs assistance) [Name] checks on [Name] PRINT THIS. Put it on your fridge. Give a copy to every participating household. CODEBLOCK4 TOOL/EQUIPMENT LENDING LIBRARY Simple system -- no apps needed: 1. Create a shared note (Google Doc, group text, or physical binder) 2. List every item available for lending and who owns it 3. Rules: - Text the owner to borrow, return within 48 hours - Return clean and in working order - If you break it, you replace it or pay for repair - No lending to non-network people without owner's OK GROUP PURCHASING Best items for bulk buying: - Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels) -- 30-40% savings - Cleaning supplies -- 25-35% savings - Non-perishable food (rice, beans, canned goods) -- 20-30% savings - Seasonal supplies (salt, firewood, garden soil) -- 20-40% savings How to run it: 1. One person places the Costco/warehouse order 2. Split cost proportionally 3. Distribute from one location (garage, lobby) 4. Rotate who places the order each month 5. Use Splitwise or Venmo to settle up BABYSITTING/CHILDCARE EXCHANGE Credit system works best: 1. Track hours with a shared spreadsheet 2. 1 hour of watching = 1 credit 3. Use credits to get coverage from another parent 4. Maximum "debt" of 5 hours before you need to give back 5. Emergency coverage (sick kid, stuck at work) doesn't cost credits 6. All participating parents meet first so kids know every adult PET CARE COVERAGE 1. Exchange house keys or provide lockbox codes 2. Each pet owner writes a one-page care sheet: - Feeding schedule, amounts, brand - Medication if any - Vet name and number - Behavioral notes (leash reactive, hides under bed, etc.) 3. Do a practice run while you're home so the pet knows the neighbor CODEBLOCK5 APARTMENT BUILDING ADAPTATION Different challenges, same concept. GETTING STARTED: - Talk to building manager first. Some buildings have rules about door-to-door contact. Get permission or at least a heads-up. - Use the mailroom, lobby, or laundry room as your "town square" - Post a flyer on the community board before knocking - Start with your floor only, then expand WHAT CHANGES: - No tool lending library (storage is the issue -- keep it small) - Package watching is the #1 easy win (accept packages for each other) - Noise coordination matters (text before a party, agree on quiet hours) - Emergency check-ins are more critical (people can be isolated for days in apartments without anyone noticing) - Shared laundry scheduling can reduce conflict - Group purchasing works great (one delivery split across units) WHAT STAYS THE SAME: - Emergency contact exchange - Skills inventory - Key exchange for emergencies - Pet care and childcare swaps - The fundamental pitch: "We live 10 feet apart. We should at least know each other's names." CODEBLOCK6 KEEPING IT ALIVE (minimal effort version) QUARTERLY: - Update the contact sheet (new neighbors, moves, changed numbers) - One casual gathering per season (doesn't have to be fancy -- front yard hangout, building lobby coffee, block party) ANNUALLY: - Refresh the resource survey (people get new tools, learn new skills) - Review and update emergency plans - Restock shared emergency supplies if applicable ONGOING: - Group text/chat for time-sensitive things (storm warning, suspicious activity, lost pet, "does anyone have a Phillips head screwdriver") - Use the network. Borrow the ladder. Ask for help moving the couch. The more people use it, the stronger it gets. - Welcome new neighbors. Knock on their door within the first month. Give them the resource sheet. This is how the network grows. WHO COORDINATES: - You started it, so you're the coordinator for now - After 6 months, ask if someone else wants to share or take over - It doesn't need a leader. It needs someone willing to send the occasional group text. CODEBLOCK7yaml mutual_aid: network_status: null block_mapped: false households_contacted: 0 households_participating: 0 contact_sheet_created: false exchanges_active: tool_lending: false group_purchasing: false childcare_swap: false pet_care: false emergency_contacts: false key_exchange: false housing_type: null last_updated: null next_gathering: null coordinator: null CODEBLOCK8yaml triggers: - name: seasonal_coordination condition: "network_status IS 'active'" schedule: "quarterly" action: "Time for a seasonal check-in with your neighborhood network. Update the contact sheet, plan a casual gathering, and coordinate any seasonal needs (storm prep, snow removal rotation, yard waste, etc.)." - name: new_neighbor_welcome condition: "network_status IS 'active' AND user_reports_new_neighbor" action: "A new neighbor moved in. Within the first two weeks, knock on their door with the resource sheet and introduce the network. First impressions set the tone -- keep it casual and low-pressure." - name: network_revival condition: "network_status IS 'active' AND last_updated > 90 days" action: "Your neighborhood network hasn't had any activity in 3 months. Send a group text with something simple -- a weather warning, a question, or an invite to a front-yard hangout. Networks stay alive through use." - name: emergency_prep_check condition: "network_status IS 'active'" schedule: "annually" action: "Annual emergency preparedness review for your neighborhood network. Refresh the resource survey, update emergency contacts, review who checks on who during emergencies, and verify everyone still has the current contact sheet." ``