Case “Fellows” Neighborhood Association Youth Group, Shirayuridai

2017.8.5

Shirayuri district

We interviewed Hideki Soma, the representative of "Shirayuridai Neighborhood Association Youth Group Fellows", who works with about 40 volunteers to support the community with young power.

The background behind the formation of the Neighborhood Association Youth Group Fellows was formed when Mr. Soma was elected president of Neighborhood Association in his mid-30s.

The chairman's election is a lottery. To be honest, "I've hit ..." was my feelings at that time.

Mr. Soma took over the chairman's position with no experience as an officer or a group leader, and served as chairman with the help of others.

As he continued as chairman, he felt various problems such as "aging the area", "short of workers due to leaving Neighborhood Association", and "low awareness of participation in the community." Also, even if you acquire know-how as a chairman or officer, you will not be able to accumulate experience with the current system. We have come to think that a system that allows us to continue our activities even after the resignation of the chairman and officers (receiving leaders).

As an aid to the solution, we formed the "Shirayuridai Seinendan" in July 2012 with the aim of "organizing as a place where people who can actively participate in local activities and deepen exchanges."

Known as "Fellows" (meaning of friends) and is now popular as an indispensable part of the community.

We will proceed with setting up the venue by hand.

Powerful work such as tenting is the highlight of Fellows' skills

• Shortage of workers
  Aging, young people leaving the Neighborhood Association, increasing in indifferent people, and increasing number of non-member households in Neighborhood Association
  ※Percentage of 60 years or older: Approx. 40% (2 in 5)
• Difficulties of continuing event management and community activities
  Officers (group leaders) are re-elected every year (rotation system) and experience is not accumulated, so local events such as summer festivals cannot be carried out smoothly.

At the beginning of the formation, we increased the number of members by calling out single-line fishing, mainly for young and middle class members, and increased the number of members. Recently, it seems that the number of friends will increase naturally by having people who have participated in summer festivals and sports festivals to see them enjoying themselves.

Members wear matching T-shirts labeled "Fellows" and are active.

Leaving hard work is left to young people.

The age group is wide, from their 20s and 60s, and there are currently 40 members who were 14 members at the beginning.
Thirteen female members are also participating.

"Some members of the age who cannot be called young people, and if they can be involved in activities as if they are playmates across generations," Soma says with a smile.

Female members also participated, and preparations are being made in a friendly manner.

The biggest job for Fellows is transporting and setting up materials for local events.

At present, there are many hard work in local events, such as mikoshi at festivals, tent setting, and table setting. Young people who have not participated in local activities have been able to play an active role, and Neighborhood Association has been able to prepare for the event smoothly.
The name "Fellows" is said to have been given by local seniors.

When Soma was chairman, he thought it was important to create a soil where the child-rearing generation could easily participate in local events, and changed the summer festival held on Sunday was changed to Saturday. When it was held on Sunday, considering the work of the next day, I wanted to participate, but I tended to step on my feet.

In addition, the time zone was changed to evening in consultation with the children's association. By changing the holding time to Saturday evening, there is no need to worry about heat stroke and making it easier for employees to participate in the company.

Preparing Mikoshi and offerings with local seniors

As we continued the activities, some parents and children participated in festivals and events as parents and children saw the members preparing for the festival.

"I'm lonely that I can't greet each other in the community when I go back and forth between work and home. If this area becomes like a family, it can also support each other. I hope that generations who can participate in local activities only on weekends will participate in a reasonable range and work as a booster in the community, "said Soma.

Working together with many generations, including the children who will lead the next generation, foster attachment to the community, and the activities are passed down.

Mr. Inoue, Chairman of Neighborhood Association Shirayuridai (left photo) and Mr. Soma, representative of Fellows

He has been a self-government chairman for three years since 2009. As we continue our activities in Neighborhood Association, we are keenly aware of theNeighborhood Association's aging population and the shortage of workers. Formed "Shirayuridai Seinendan" to help solve this problem. As a place to participate in local activities and deepen exchanges when people can do it, they are having fun with neighbors.

Special members "Handmade Nagashi Somen"

People gather one after another at the venue, and the festival finally begins.

• Shirayuridai Neighborhood Association Summer Festival
  (Participation in planning and operation. Venue setup, operation of portable shrines, open a model shop)
• Union Neighborhood Association Sports Festival
  (Transportation of materials, construction, recruitment of competitors, participation in competitions with fewer participants)
• Union Neighborhood Association Cultural Festival
  (Material transportation, construction, support for model shops)
• Cooperation in distribution of public relations papers
  Deliver monthly public relations papers to the group leader's house
  (Sorting work is a senior citizen's association. Collaboration between youth groups and senior citizens' associations)

• Efforts to nurture drumming hands (PDF: 283KB)
• Aiming at an area of helping each other and supporting each other (PDF: 261KB)
• disaster drill of Shirayuri Union Neighborhood Association (PDF: 308KB)

Ward Administration Promotion Division Planning and Adjustment Section (3rd floor, 307)
Phone: ０４５－８００－２３３３
ＦＡＸ: ０４５－８００－２５０５