On Aug. 4, communities around the country will gather at picnics, parades, block parties, and other summer events to celebrate National Night Out. Established in 1984, National Night Out got its start in the suburbs of Philadelphia when the National Association of Town Watch initiated an effort for residents to sit outside and turn on their porch lights to foster community cooperation with law enforcement and build safer neighborhoods. That first year, 2.5 million residents participated in 400 communities across 23 states.
Over 40 years later, that initial effort has expanded into a nationwide community event on the first Tuesday of August, where “millions of neighbors take part across thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide,” according to the National Night Out website. Events feature first responders, exhibits and demonstrations, and much more.
Does your community association host an event as part of National Night Out? If so, this is a timely opportunity to showcase to legislators all the great things happening in community associations. By inviting your state and federal legislators to attend National Night Out events, you highlight your community’s efforts to build safer neighborhoods and provide lawmakers with opportunities to observe the very things that make community associations preferred places to call home.
With Congress on summer recess and most state legislatures adjourned for the year, summer is the perfect time to invite legislators to events in your community such as National Night Out. Legislators often only hear complaints that amplify community challenges. When legislators see neighbors gathered in common spaces celebrating a holiday, hosting a block party, or engaged in a project to improve their community, the narrative starts to change. Legislators can see with their own eyes all the reasons why, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research, homeowners in community associations report strong feelings of community connection, positive neighbor relationships and overall well-being.
CAI’s Constituents in Your Communities program helps facilitate legislator visits to community events. Your elected representatives need to hear from constituents like you about important issues impacting those living and working in their districts. Community events are a great opportunity for your state and federal elected officials to get to know their constituents, experience their local community spirit, and learn what issues are important to communities like yours.
Learn more about Constituents in Your Communities and how you can invite legislators to National Night Out and other summer events at this link. Be sure to let CAI know if an elected official is expected to attend your community event.
Keep in mind that 2026 is an election year. With most members of Congress and state legislatures up for election in November, elected officials will be looking for opportunities to engage with constituents and voters. When you bring them into your community association, they get to connect with voters while you showcase the things that make your community special. It’s a win for everyone.
