Executive Summary

As communities in the State of New York and around the country continue to face difficult economic, social, and structural issues, all too often community leaders feel they are on their own to find the strategies, ideas, and methods to deal with these challenges. Economic cycles and the globalization of commerce, development pressures, and changes in social, cultural and demographic trends are all parts of the problems facing communities today.

This workbook is designed for those educators, community activists or average citizens who want to play a more active role in the development, economic renewal, or planning issues affecting their communities but who feel that they don't have either the training or experience necessary to make meaningful contributions. By explaining and demonstrating basic community development concepts and visioning techniques, this workbook attempts to prepare people to both "lead" and "teach" on the local level amongst their colleagues, neighbors and peers and to be able to take a more proactive role in shaping the future of their communities.

The Role of Cooperative Extension

Communities know they must begin to assert more control over their own destiny, but often would-be community leaders and activists don't know how or where to start or who to turn to. The educators and professionals of Cornell Cooperative Extension are in a unique position to help and qualified to assist their local communities. CCE educators have always been involved in community development - but often haven't realized it. And as the new economic and social realities of this century unfold, they may find themselves playing a larger role in community activities than ever.

Format

The workbook is divided into easy to use chapters that provide a general overview of community development techniques, goals and processes; how to lead an inclusive and participative "visioning" or planning process; and various implementation and evaluative strategies to both identify successes and weaknesses and establish further goals and actions.

Each topic is clearly explained in a step-by-step format that explains what can be done, how it can be done, why it works and how and why it has worked in other communities facing similar problems or issues. Information and ideas have been incorporated from a wide variety of sources, and a list of further resources is listed at the end of the document. We invite you to use each chapter as needed; please copy and distribute material as needed in the course of your work. This "tool" will only work if you put it to use.

But most of all, thank you for embarking on this journey, thank you for working to make a difference in your community.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Moving Towards Quality Communities

Chapter 2 Community Development Overview

Chapter 3 Community Vitality

Chapter 4 Visioning

Chapter 5 Citizen Participation

Chapter 6 Facilitation

Chapter 7 Implementation Strategies

Chapter 8 Community Indicators

Appendix Additional Resources

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or additional needs.

Tim Cullenen is Extension Support Specialist at Cornell's Community and Rural Development Institute