Module 8
Interdependence: Personal and Community Development
Handouts

1. COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP THROUGH ASSESSMENT

• Ask the community their perceived needs and concerns
• This begins the mobilizing of resources within the community
• And contributes to a general awareness
  Be prepared for responses which may not be what you expect: (may not be related to alcohol and other drugs)
• Lack of youth activities
• Lack of adequate law enforcement
• Lack of jobs and opportunities for jobs
• Poverty
• Expressed problems within systems:
  
  
  • Family
  • Peers
  • School
  • Community

2. ENGAGE THE GRASSROOTS

• Actively seek all segments of the community, especially those who may not be visible and/or vocal.
• Agencies/organizations and other formal structures are important and their point of view is valid as a formal structure. Care must be taken to seek out and hear points of view from the ordinary folks.
• Be inclusive: respect the diversity and difference of all--include all members of all groups, including those with negative and suspicious attitudes.
  The result of this approach minimizes a "my/their" relationship and brings about a collaborative sense of "US."

3. SEEK LONG TERM SOLUTIONS WITH SHORT TERM STEPS TOWARD THAT SOLUTION

• Create a vision.
• Use the vision as a motivation factor.
• Create realistic and achievable goals.
• Celebrate successes!

4. VALIDATE AND SURFACE THE SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE ALREADY EXISTING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

• The role of lead agency (such as a partnership) is to facilitate the resourcefulness of the community.
• An additional role is to partner with the community to seek additional skills and resources that may exist outside the community.

5. ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING AND EVALUATING PROGRAMS

• Role of lead agency (such as a partnership) is to coordinate the community's initiatives.
• An additional role is to be available for training and technical assistance needed by the community.
  The result of this approach is that the goal is not the solution of a local problem, but the active involvement of the community in the problem solving process.

6. USE PROVEN METHODS FOR INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT

• Key community members (formal and informal leaders).
• Community forums and meetings.
• Specific community groups such as social and service clubs and other community systems (school, church, etc.).
  After needs and concerns are surfaced from the community:
• Prioritize; what to focus on first.
• Study needs to determine specific goals.
• Develop plan of action to accomplish locally determined goals.
• Identify local leaders.
• Solicit community feedback.
• Publicize concerns, needs, goals, action steps, and successes.

7. MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM

• Increase involvement of more members through various methods, including:
  • Continued publicity to the entire community.
  • Open forums for the community.
  • Door to door recruitment.
  • Neighborhood meetings.
  • School events (and other formal structure events)
  • Response to crisis event.

8. PROVIDE FOR EARLY SUCCESSES

• Create opportunities for the entire community to know and feel there is accomplishment, small as it may be.

9. INVOLVE COMMUNITY IN DECISION MAKING

• Not in terms of lead agency (such as partnership) organization, policy or structure, but decisions regarding goals, action steps and activities.

10. COMMUNICATE AND LISTEN WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE FUN!

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