What can we do to get neighbors to commit to a neighborhood cleanup day?

[Jerry9]

I’m trying to organize a neighborhood clean-up day for our block and I’m hitting a wall trying to get people to actually commit. A few said they were interested when I mentioned it casually, but now that I’m trying to pick a date and get supplies, everyone seems to have an excuse. Has anyone else run into this when trying to rally folks for something local?

[Nora.T]

Yeah, I’ve run into that too. People say they’re in after a casual chat, and then when you try to pick a date it turns into a long list of excuses.

[Luke.B]

We slapped up a quick signup sheet and did a simple text reminder, but turnout was still only a couple of neighbors who’d said they’d help before.

[Noah32]

Maybe the real issue isn’t the date at all. Do people actually feel it’s their problem to fix, or just something to tolerate on Saturdays?

[TimothyL]

I tried one street at a time with a short window and a clear task, and it was marginally better, but you could still see a churn of I’m busy or I forgot.