Setting up a resident’s association can make your community’s voice stronger. We are stronger together. Residents’ groups are important for asking the local government for improvements in the neighbourhood and making sure local authorities are responsible and respond to community issues.

Steps to start your resident’s group

1. Decide who can join

   • Decide if the group is open to all residents or specific groups like landowners or homeowners.
   • Think about if there will be membership fees. If so, you’ll need to register the group and set up a bank account.
   • Choose how to register the group legally. Usually, a resident’s association is set up as a non-profit organisation (NPO) or non-governmental organisation (NGO). Note that you’ll have to register your NPO or NGO with the Department of Social Development if you want to apply for funding.
   • Write a formal set of rules for your association.
   • Choose leaders to speak for the members.
   • Develop a clear purpose for the group and write the purpose down in a constitution or mission statement. Click here
   • Invite the community to join, either while setting up or after the group is ready.
   • Use flyers, local newspapers, or community WhatsApp groups to tell more people and grow the association.

2. Plan your first meeting

   • Choose a place and set a date and time for the launch.
   • Use flyers, local newspapers, or community WhatsApp groups to tell people about the date, place and time of the launch.

3. Elect office bearers

   • Decide between yourselves who will take responsibility for making sure the resident’s association is active and accountable.
   • Elect a secretary, chairperson and treasurer.

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.