Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Community Action Guide: A Framework for Addressing...

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas

Community Action Guide:

A Framework for Addressing Community Goals and Problems.


What is action planning?

A process to increase your community’s ability to:• Affect conditions and outcomes by working

together over time and across issues of interest.


What is an action plan?

An action plan outlines:• What should happen to achieve the

vision.• Desirable changes and proposed

activities.• Who will do what by when.


How does action planning help the community?

• Understand the community’s issues.• Generate action steps.• Assure inclusive and integrated participation.• Build consensus on what should be done.• Specify concrete ways to take action.


An action plan helps assure that…

• No detail is overlooked.• Proposed action steps are feasible.• Collaborators follow through with their

commitments.• Measurable activities are documented and

evaluated.


When should you utilize an action plan?

• Within the first 6-12 months of starting an initiative or organization, an action plan should be created.

• The action plan should be revisited frequently and revised to meet changing needs.


Components of an action plan framework

• Determine people and sectors of the community to involve.

• Convene a planning group.• Develop an action plan to address proposed

changes.• Review your action plan for completeness.


Components of an action plan framework (cont.)• Implement the plan.• Communicate progress.• Document progress.• Celebrate progress and revisit and revise the

action plan.


As you begin the process…

• Document information about the problem or issue with information and statistics.

• Learn more about your community.• Involve other community members.


Information to gather during listening sessions• Information about the problem or issue.• Perceived barriers or resistance to addressing the

issue.• Resources for change.• Recommended solutions and alternatives.• Current and past initiatives.


Gather data to document the problem

• What are the issues related to the problem in your community?

• What are the consequences of these issues?• Who is affected?• How are they affected?• Are these issues of widespread concern?


Data Sources

• Government records.• Hospital and police records.• Local and national agencies and organizations.• Schools and libraries.• Government websites.


Agents of Change

• Who is in a position to create or block change?• What neighborhood groups are most affected?• What individuals and groups make things happen?• Who are important contacts to reach officials,

individuals, and groups?


Reaching Consensus in Group Meetings

• Avoid “one best way” attitude.• Avoid “either/or” thinking.• Combine points of view rather than “majority

rule”.• Do not end healthy conflict prematurely.• Solve problems by all participants communicating and listening.


Approaches to Conflict Resolution

• Avoidance: Temporarily avoid the problem.• Accommodation: Ask participants to yield to the

positions of others.• Compromise: Everyone wins but also gives up

something.• Collaboration: For issues of greatest importance,

consider many possible solutions, the consequences of each, and select the alternative.


Tips for Group Facilitation• Seat participants around small tables or in

semicircles.• Ask questions frequently and use open-ended

questions.• Create opportunities for participants to work in

teams.• Give small assignments in advance.• Encourage participants to offer solutions.• Talk with quiet participants during breaks and help

them express their ideas and share their thoughts with the group.


Tips for Group Facilitation (cont.)

• Use flipcharts or overhead transparencies to record comments, but face participants while writing or ask someone else to do it.

• Suggest the “next step” if a meeting seems to be stagnating.

• Walk around to gain attention, but look directly at participants.

• Expect to make some mistakes.


Brainstorming Sessions

• Freewheeling: suggestions are called out randomly.• Round Robin: each member gives a suggestion in

turn.• Slip: each member submits a suggestion on a slip of

paper.


Rules for Brainstorming

• No critical remarks allowed—evaluation will occur later.

• Give the thought only—defense of the idea comes later.

• Give only one idea at a time.• You may add to or improve someone else’s idea.


VMOSA

Vision Mission Objective Strategies Action


Vision

Craft a vision statement that is:• Understood and shared by members of the

community.• Broad enough to include a diverse variety of

perspectives.• Inspiring and uplifting.• Easy to communicate (fits on a t-shirt!).


Mission

Craft a mission statement that is:• Concise.• Outcome-oriented.• Inclusive.


Objectives

Develop objectives that are “SMART+C”:• Specific• Measurable• Achievable• Relevant to your mission• Timed• Challenging


Strategies

Broad strategies for change include:• Advocacy• Coalition building• Community development• Education• Networking• Policy or legislative change


Sort generated ideas into categories:

• Providing information and enhancing skills.• Altering incentives and disincentives.• Modifying access, barriers, and opportunities.• Enhancing services and support.• Modifying polices and practices.


Factors to consider while developing strategies

• Population levels to be affected.• Universal versus targeted outreach.• Personal and environmental factors, which

community sectors can benefit from and contribute to efforts.

• Behavioral strategies to be used.


Each action step should outline:

• What actions or changes will occur?• Who will carry out those changes?• By when the changes will take place and for how

long?• What resources are needed to carry out proposed

changes?• Communication (who should know what?)


The best action steps are:

• Specific• Measurable• Achievable• Relevant• Timed• Challenging


Review the Action Plan for:

• Comprehensiveness• Clarity• Feasibility• Timeliness• Flexibility


Prioritizing Action Steps

• Which changes are the most important to the mission?

• Which would inspire, encourage, and build credibility?

• Which need to happen first?• Which are easier or quicker (could give the groups

member’s a sense of success)?


Communicate Progress

• Continue to hold planning group meetings.• Publicize meetings well.• Communicate with all relevant audiences.


Document Progress

• Helps clarify action steps so they are measurable.• Helps provide feedback for refinement of efforts.• Provides information about costs and effort for

tasks.


Celebrate Progress, Renew the Action Plan

Focus on small wins in order to:• Reward outcomes.• Provide multiple opportunities for celebration.• Prevent partners from getting locked into a single

course of action.• Provide a sensitive, easily monitored measure of

progress.


Action Planning Helps You…

• Understand the community’s perception of the issues and potential solutions.

• Assure inclusive and integrated participation across sections.

• Build consensus on what can and should be done.• Specify concrete ways in which members can take

action.


Action Planning Includes…

• Convening a planning group in your community that consists of:• Key officials• Grassroots leaders• Representatives of key sectors• Representatives from all parts of the community,

including diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups



• Listening to the community.• Documenting problems that affect healthy youth

development.• Identifying risk and protective factors.• Developing a framework for action.• Becoming aware of local resources and efforts.



• Refining your group’s vision, mission, objectives, and strategies.

• Refining your group’s choice of targets and agents of change.

• Determining what community sectors should be involved in the solution.

• Developing a tentative list of changes to be sought in each sector.



• Building consensus on proposed changes.• Outlining action steps for proposed changes.• Documenting progress on bringing about

community and systems change.• Renewing your group’s efforts along the way.

Date post:	21-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	jade-farmer
View:	212 times
Download:	0 times

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Community Action Guide: A Framework for Addressing...

Documents