Every week, community groups that SGP launched meet all over the Greenwood Phinney Neighborhood, from the Green Bean Coffeehouse to the Greenwood Senior Center. Each group is centered on a specific topic, bringing people together in different ways to provide places for people to talk and to build community, according to Anne Engstrom of SGP.
When the organization was first founded by Cecile and Paul Andrews as the Phinney EcoVillage, the simple goal of the group was to bring neighbors together to support each other in living a greener lifestyle. This group had large successes, including the still thriving Phinney-Greenwood Climate Change Action Now.
A couple of years ago, the Phinney EcoVillage developed into the SGP, which puts its energy into developing these community-focused groups as well as advertising and, at times, hosting larger environmental events in the neighborhood. According to Engstrom, Cecile Andrews thinks of groups that need to happen in the Greenwood-Phinney neighborhood and then brings people together.
When Andrews feels there is a certain amount of interest in any one group, SGP puts out the word out to the neighborhood and asks people to attend if they have an interest. Then SGP continues to be actively involved in the group until it becomes established.
After that, the organization takes a step back, just maintaining the schedule of the groups and allowing them to meet on their own, evolving into what those attending want. For example, Engstrom says that one group has basically evolved into a support group for Baby Boomers.
The groups have a much broader scope than just traditional environmental issues, including Democracy Conversations, Phinney Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Garden Club and even a Community Happiness circle. SGP even started a weekly coffee chat for those that simply want to socialize with their neighbors. In essence, the groups are about sustaining and building community rather than pushing an environmental agenda.
The key to creating these groups is having someone propose an idea and connecting with the neighbors to let them know about the possibility of groups. Not all groups that are launched will necessarily thrive, but as Engstrom says, organizations just have to try a variety of things and hope that something works.
With this model, those interested in building community can pick and choose how they want to get involved, focusing on a sharing of ideas.
"We are creating more community rather than having classes...more of an opportunity for people to get to know each other and support each other," says Engstrom.
To learn more about these groups or to find one that you might be interested in attending, visit Sustainable Greenwood-Phinney's website. Everyone is welcome!
To learn more about the best way to launch these groups in your own neighborhood, please contact Anne Engstrom. 
