Neighborhoods USA [NUSA] is hosting the 42nd Annual Conference on Neighborhood Concerns from Wednesday May 24, to Saturday May 27th. Eyman is a proud sponsor of NUSA Conference keynote speaker Joseph Porcelli. Porcelli functions as Nextoor’s Northeast Senior City Strategist and Professional Neighbor. His mission is to help neighbors connect the dots between need and ability through the use of Nextdoor and the Nextdoor App. He is constantly searching for new and exciting ways to bring communities together.
It Takes a Village
Porcelli stresses that the success of the tool is thanks to the efforts of volunteers who are moderating, debugging, and keeping the site running smoothly. These volunteers are working hard in their free time, after work and outside of family obligations to make their communities more cohesive. He also credits the neighbors themselves. With 140,000 neighborhoods using Nextdoor, it has an enormous capacity to bring people closer together, creating the village Americans have been missing for generations.
Happy Customers are the Best Advertisement
With 25% of the Nextdoor community using the site seeking recommendations, this can also be a prime place to have your small business seen. Organic recommendations by people who are truly satisfied with the work you do, and authentic conversations with your clients about how to better reach your desired audience are valuable assets for any small business owner.
Porcelli also works to connect city partners with the Nextdoor platform, such as police and City Works Departments. Disasters can be averted through the relationships built through this simple act of reaching out. Check out your neighborhood to find out how connected it is to your city, and how you can help advance communication!
The Human Touch
Elderly, ill, and otherwise homebound neighbors need a way to reach out to people who have the capacity to help them. Having this kind of community at their fingertips can mean the difference between independence and being forced into assisted living.
That touch of compassion and connection is imperative to the single mom who is choosing whether to wake her kids up from their nap to chase down an escaped pet, or risk having the pet picked up by Animal Control.
Neighborhood watch, multi-family garage sales, and block barbeques are easily organized on the site. Babysitters and lawn mowing services are advertised, vetted, and secured in a safe neighborhood-exclusive forum.
“This is a medium for people to share stories, and really amplify them. If something is affecting your neighbors, good or bad, it affects you. You want to know”
You may find yourself using Nextdoor to organize a community dig-outs after a signature Omaha snow storm. Helping find lost pets or keeping them safe through the pet registry saves families hassle and heartbreak. Even simply seeking recommendations for plumbing and hvac repairs and maintenance, Nextdoor keeps neighborhoods safe and connected.
Won’t You Be Our Neighbor?
If you’re interested in learning more about Porcelli’s Professional Neighboring tips, ventures, and escapades, follow the Nextdoor Blog and don’t forget to find your neighborhood on https://nextdoor.com/.
