Conducting Community Forums: Engaging citizens, mobilizing communities
By Carol Lukas and Linda Hoskins; 128 pages; published
by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
There is something very inspiring about a group of citizens joining forces
to create positive change within their community. On the other hand, getting
those people together in the first place and motivating them to take action
can be a labour intensive and sometimes expensive undertaking for organizers.
That's why it is important to make the most of community forums, and the latest
Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide, Conducting Community Forums, shows readers
how to do just that. In it they will discover information, advice, and best
practices that will help them plan, conduct, and evaluate an effective community
forum.
The authors begin by explaining the different types of forums and offer an overview of the necessary steps that must be taken when getting started. Then they take readers through a step-by-step process, including creating an agenda, identifying resource people, handling logistics, developing publicity, and outlining a plan to evaluate the forum. Handy sidebars help smaller organizations create a 'Forum on a Shoestring', while the troubleshooting section offers suggestions for how to deal with the unexpected challenges that inevitably arise. Sample documents, reproducible worksheets, a forum checklist, and resource web sites make this a well-rounded toolkit for any community group.
Conducting Community Forums is a comprehensive, yet easy to follow
guide for anyone who is interested in creating successful community forums.
It covers all the bases and is filled with expert advice, helpful tips, and
plenty of resources to keep forum organizers on track. Any group that has
thought about holding a forum, and even those who have some experience under
their belts, will find this to be an indispensable companion throughout the
planning process and beyond.
Buy the book:
Canada: buy through Amazon.ca: CDN$30.50
International: buy through Amazon.com: US$22.00
