Coalition Building: Assessing Community Needs and Resources

Tools

Tool #1

Community Description Worksheet

This section consists of a worksheet for tools we think you will find helpful in preparing your community description. Use the information gathered in your interviews and other background work to fill out the following questionnaire. Remember -- the description you write is for you to use, so don't hesitate to adapt or alter these questions to more aptly fit your community. This worksheet is adapted from the work of David Scheie.

General Information:

1. Name of the organization/community: _____________________________________

2. Date this form was completed: ___________________________________________

3. What are the geographical boundaries for this community? _____________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. Approximate size, in numbers, of this community's population: _________________

5. Who is actively involved in this community or organization?

a. People who regularly attend meetings/events: ________________________________

b. People you consider to be "members": _____________________________________

c. How do you define a "member"? __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

d. People you consider to be "leaders": ______________________________

e. How do you define a "leader"? ___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Demographic Information:

Fill out blanks using approximate percentages:

Issues, Goals, and Strategies:

Describe the three most major areas of concern for this organization in the coming year. For each issue, list the primary goal and the strategy that is being used or will be used to approach it.

1. Issue: _______________________________________________________________

Primary goal: ____________________________________________________________

Strategy: ________________________________________________________________

2. Issue: _______________________________________________________________

Primary goal: ____________________________________________________________

Strategy: ________________________________________________________________

3. Issue: _______________________________________________________________

Primary goal: ____________________________________________________________

Strategy: ________________________________________________________________

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Checklist

Here, you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.

____You understand that a community means any group sharing locale, experience, or interest.

____You know why it is valuable to get to know the community.

____You have become familiar with the list of things you should try to find out about your community.

____You can view the community as a teacher and yourself as the student.

____You understand there isn't a cause-and-effect logic for the ways in which social interactions play themselves out.

____You've learned the rules of thumb for the ways to learn the most about the community while taking the least effort.

____You know that one reason to get to know your community is to capture unspoken rules and norms that influence people.

____You know getting to know your community helps you develop a richer understanding than you would through a survey or similar techniques.

____You know that getting to know your community is a way to get a feel for the community's attitudes and opinions when you're considering introducing an initiative.

____You know that a good reason to get to know your community is to take stock of its strengths and shortcomings.

____You understand the reasons for writing a community description.

____You know that it's helpful to write a community description is when you're new to a community or when you've been working in a community for a length of time and need to take stock.

____You know that another good time to write a community description is when you're considering introducing a new initiative.

____You know the basic tools necessary to gain an understanding of the community.

____You understand the importance of making an initial drive through the area.

____You understand the importance of making adjustments in the boundaries of your community.

____You understand the importance of a preliminary list of things to watch for.

____You understand the importance of contacting and interviewing key individuals.

____You understand the importance of visiting local hangouts.

____You understand the importance of a partner.

____You know the steps of writing your description: write an initial draft, share it with key community members, reflect on your results so far, and write your final report.

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