Involving Local Individuals and Groups

This chapter of the book "Mobilizing Local Resources to Support Health Programs" addresses planning for the involvement of the community within project activities. It outlines suggested ways to involve community members, motivational approaches to such involvement and considerations that will affect strategies chosen.

"Involving local individuals and groups will allow your organization to more closely monitor community needs and ensure that you are responding to these needs. Involving individuals and groups will also increase their awareness of your organization's work. If they believe that you provide a worthwhile service to the community, they will be more willing to support your program and help you fulfill your mission.

"To involve the community:

• Sponsor or participate in public events.
• Educate the community.
• Market your program and its goals.

"Encourage individuals to:

• Volunteer.
• Donate space or supplies.
• Promote your program to the public.

"The more involved individuals and community groups become, the more connected the community will feel to your organization's work. This, in turn, will encourage the community to share its resources to meet program goals.

"Keep in mind the values of the community you are working with. One way to understand what is important to a community is by looking at what it is already committing resources to."