How To Get Involved

Become a part of the Renaissance in Sullivan County! There are many ways to become involved. Everyone can do something.

Events Calendar

Solar Renaissance
Sullivan Renaissance partners with NYSERDA

Meet with community members to identify a project.
Start a Sullivan Renaissance beautification group in your community.
Meet with your municipality to discuss project and get their approval and buy-in.
All projects need to include young people among their volunteers. Scout, school and church groups are good places to start, as are the children of volunteers already participating.
Here are some tips for recruiting and retaining volunteers

Volunteer with an existing Sullivan Renaissance group in your community. Volunteers bring a vital community spirit to an endeavor. They are the heart of the Sullivan Renaissance program.
There is no end to the technical expertise that might be necessary for a successful project: everything from landscaping and horticulture, to building renovation and repair, to community development and planning. Then there are the organizational tasks like bookkeeping, project management, fundraising, photography and documentation. Many communities have talented individuals to meet most or all of these needs. Other communities must reach out to find some of this expertise.

Meet with your municipality to begin dialogue. Have similar dialogues with planning boards and code enforcement officers.
Many municipalities know where eyesores and safety hazards are located.
Officials may be able to identify key groups and organizations to assist.
Working with non-profit groups can open grant opportunities for a town.
A banner (with contact info) at the worksite would encourage participation.
Appoint liaison with municipality officials.

Labor & Services

Some towns provide assistance to groups
They may provide access to a free water supply for the watering of flowers.
Engage highway department in litter cleanings and mowing as needed.
May provide mulching program.
May support continued “Spring Clean-up” for large household trash items.
May help to arrange work crews, plants and other support from prisons, drug rehabs and other institutions

Financial Assistance

Ordinances & Enforcement

Towns with adopt-a-road programs have cleaner roads, particularly when they are enforced. New adopters need to be found when old ones are not maintaining their stretch of roadway.
Ask if there is a landscaping element to zoning ordinances (see maintenance clause in universal code).
Explore if there are ordinances for maintenance of property and removal of unsafe and unsightly buildings.
See if there are programs for individuals unable to clean-up their property (senior citizens, the disabled)
Work with code enforcement to cut down on future problems – Sullivan Renaissance groups could support stronger enforcement

Every organization needs money to operate, so Sullivan Renaissance provides seed grants to help communities get started. Most communities also require additional funding for their projects, which can vary in cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Many communities are experienced in obtaining the resources they need to complete their projects and have learned how to raise funds.
Here are some general fundraising tips