MENTOR BRIEF · DISCUSSION DRAFT
One community. A clear learning goal.
Proposed 90-day Community Stewardship demonstration for Meridian/Summit, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Prepared for mentors and prospective partners; not an approved program.
The problem we want to understand
Temporary life disruptions can make property care harder and leave neighbors disconnected. A visible yard issue may reflect missing tools, knowledge, time, or support. We want to learn whether a small, coordinated effort is useful and feasible.
The proposed response
A private help-request pathway; volunteer and skill matching; manageable service days; shared learning; small gatherings; food-sharing or garden-feasibility conversations; and practical outdoor projects. Gardening is one possible part of the model, not the whole pilot. Every activity is optional and subject to permissions, safety review, and capacity.
Days 1–30: listen and prepare
Confirm the community contact and approval path, gather voluntary baseline feedback, map interests and available skills, set service limits, and approve consent, supervision, insurance, and resource arrangements. No field work begins before readiness is agreed.
Days 31–60: a bounded demonstration
If approved, coordinate a small number of low-risk service days, learning opportunities, food-sharing or garden-planning conversations, and neighbor gatherings with resident permission and suitable supervision. Record requests considered, activities completed, volunteer participation, expenses, and lessons without publishing individual information.
Days 61–90: listen again and decide
Invite follow-up feedback using the same Community Pulse questions, review costs and operational effort, and discuss continue/change/stop with residents and reviewers. Participation is voluntary; small samples cannot establish causation.
What we would measure—not promise
Feasibility, participation, completed activities, safety concerns, volunteer experience, and changes in reported connection. Set practical targets only after capacity is known. No claim of lower dues, increased home value, guaranteed service, or prior results.
Decisions still open
Exact HOA entity and authorized contact; site/property permissions; service eligibility and scope; risk/insurance review; volunteer screening/supervision; budget; data steward and retention; garden water/soil/access; and who owns maintenance after the pilot.
What we are asking for now
First, mentor feedback on scope and readiness. Next, Clemson Extension guidance or an educational referral. Then, an exploratory HOA discussion informed by that guidance. We are not asking anyone to approve the entire program or commit funds before these questions are resolved.