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Dear Community Planners: <br />It's my pleasure to share with you this Community Strategic Plan Guide and Form. It was <br />produced jointly by USDA Rural Development, Denali Commission, and the Alaska Humani- <br />ties Forum. Its purpose is to assist rural Alaskan communities in managing change. <br />As we look at the past 100 years in rural Alaska, we see that providing resources, guidance, <br />and "help" to rural communities has not insured that they necessarily have become better <br />places to live. It is clear that how things are done is as important as what is done. <br />The core belief behind this planning guide and form is that when you as a community build <br />a plan yourself, based on your own community values, you have a map which helps you <br />define your future and manage change with a true sense of ownership. The challenge, after <br />the plan is completed, is to listen and to be guided by your own work. Equally important <br />is to use the power of your ownership to expect all agencies and entities of change to listen <br />and be guided by your work. It will be your responsibility to present the plan to those who <br />you expect to use it. It then becomes the outside agency's or entity's responsibility to use it <br />if they want to be effective in your community. <br />Your plan creates a framework from which you can evaluate new projects or elements of <br />change in your community. As you do that, it's important to consider the long -term costs <br />and impacts of each change based on your values and resources. Balancing who you are <br />with what you have and what you want to become is essential to the art of creating a <br />healthy community. It's my hope that the Community Strategic Plan Guide and Form helps <br />you in the process. <br />There is nothing magic about this format; use it, change it, make it fit your needs. Many <br />people from small communities to regional and state agencies and the university were <br />involved in shaping the guide and form. Their comments make it a better document. If you <br />think of ways to improve it, your thoughts are welcome. Please pass your comments on to <br />the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. <br />Best Wishes and Good Luck! <br />Dr. Sheila A. Selkregg, State Director <br />U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development <br />