Michele Gagne

Charles French

Key community issues that New Hampshire agencies, organizations and associations identify in annual reports and plans often do not mesh with issues that citizens prioritize within their communities. In fact, citizen-based action coalitions in 35 New Hampshire communities sampled neglected to mention jobs, affordable housing, access to health care, and K-12 education as key priorities. Instead, our research indicates that community-based action coalitions focus on tangible issues that they perceive to be within their power to change for the better. Examples of tangible issues include lack of social meeting places, preservation of community character and decreased civic engagement.

Data for this presentation was taken from evaluation of a facilitated community planning process called Community Profiles. Profiles provides a method for citizens to affirm community strengths, find collaborative approaches to meet challenges, and manage change. On average, the two-day planning process engages more than 100 diverse community residents to take stock of where they are today and develop an action plan for how they want to operate in the future. Outcomes of the Community Profile include enhanced citizen participation in community events, creation of community Web sites and newsletters, and preservation of rural character and open space.

This research roundtable will introduce those interested in participatory action planning to the Community Profiles process and a variety of tools that help build the capacity of communities to engage in the planning process. Examples of tools include a steering committee packet, facilitation training, an action plan report, and a follow-up resource model.

Handout—Community Profile Action Planning: Issues and Themes from 38 New Hampshire Communities (PDF format, 146 kb)