If ever there was a city designed for aligning its collective sensibilities, building a sense of community, and articulating its likes and dislikes, Toronto would clearly be at the top of the list.

With dozens of residents associations and neighbourhood groups, Torontonians, it seems, have lots to say. Originally established in 1957, the ABC Residents’ Association, which serves those living in the Yorkville/North Midtown area between Yonge and Avenue Road, is committed to being actively involved in municipal issues. But even older is the South Rosedale Residents’ Association, which was formed in 1931.

Throw a stone in and around the Freeman neighbourhood and you’re sure to hit a good number of community/neighbourhood groups. The Seaton Village Residents’ Association was formed to improve living conditions and to promote and express the interests of residents through municipal representation.

The Christie Pits Residents’ Association began in 2006. The Palmerston Area Residents’ Association is dedicated to preserving the distinctive character of its neighbourhood. The Annex Residents’ Association is a volunteer organization with roots dating back over 80 years.

Toronto journalist David Topping keeps track of the city’s residents’ groups at http://bit.ly/1csQRdy. His list numbers 167 neighbourhood groups, while a Toronto Star story from last September cited 500 such groups as being registered with the city.

But if these groups don’t tickle you, think about starting your own. Think your neighbourhood falls victim to too much crime? Perhaps a crime prevention group is in order. Want to ensure your community’s elderly are safe and cared for? There’s an idea that could spawn a group of caring residents.

Essentially a neighbourhood group speaks up about issues of concern to those living in the community. Its goals should be realistic and achievable, no pie-in-the sky notions as that may tend to discourage pragmatists and can take too long to accomplish.

Neighbourhood groups can be about:

• crime prevention and community safety ideas
• neighbourhood clean-ups or other improvement projects
• parks and playgrounds
• social and recreational activities and special events
• traffic
• volunteer activities
• zoning and development issues

A neighbourhood association should have some structure to ensure that things get done. A more formal group could include a board of directors with members who are elected at an annual general meeting. Typically, board meetings take place monthly and a board follows written bylaws to guide its operations.

Whether you adopt a formal or informal group, here are a few tips and suggestions to help you along the way:

• Consider inviting a community police officer to your first meeting if your group is being established to address a specific problem.
• Try to include all age groups within your community. Each has its set of particular strengths.
• Establish clear and simple communication channels, invite feedback and encourage attendance and participation at meetings.
• Remember that not everyone is comfortable speaking out or talking in public. Offer other ways to get feedback such as suggestion boxes, confidential voicemail line, email address, social media platforms or one-on-one conversations.
• Make sure that everyone feels involved and that the whole community is represented, not just the opinions of those who sit on the board.