CommunityStrategicPlanGuideandForm(USDA2001)

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nformal Gatherings One way to get participation in creating your plan is to think of the groups that already meet regularly in your community, such as dance groups, mushers' associations, sewing groups, school - related groups, your traditional council, church groups, regular recreational gatherings, activity groups, subsistence - related groups, and so on. Each group provides an opportunity to collect information. You can then ask questions about what is important to each group in regard to the community's values, vision, and plan. If you use an informal process, be sure to keep a list of the people who attended and write down what was discussed and what the important comments were. This is part of your public process. nforrnal Interviews You can also gain important information by meeting with people who are viewed as wise about the community, such as elders, community leaders, or other people of importance. Review the values and listen to their thoughts. Those people may raise important questions that the community may want to consider and include. Again, Tennessee )udkins, Barrow I., k f h k 'h h eep trac o w om you spea wit , w at you ask, what they say, and when the interview took place. These interviews are also part of your public process. Surveys You may want to do a survey. A survey allows you to get community input from people who were unable to attend a meeting. A survey also helps you to gather information and input on a variety of issues in a simple and standardized way. See the Appendix for an example of a survey. '451 {: LO x �L Orwr- • r L .A Public Meetings The invitation to participate in public meetings needs to go out to the entire community. Before the meeting, be sure that people who see things differently are invited. You want all viewpoints. Bringing different views together makes your plan stronger and helps create a future that belongs to the entire community. A sample invitation for a community meeting is found on the following page. Celebrate Community Involvement Door prizes and food often help increase participation. You may also want to provide child -care. Local teens could do an activity with younger children. Perhaps the children could draw what they like most about their community, make a map, or even build a miniature village or town of the future. Children may think of things that adults have not considered. 12 Community Strategic Plan Guide and Form - A Straightfoward Way to Get What You Need