WiserEarth Suggestions

[This is all of Section 7 in the original 161 page document “1000Communities2” (see p. 43-45)]

Suggestions for Making Best Use of the Community Visioning Initiative (CVI) Process

A.  Residents in communities carrying out Community Visioning Initiative’s are encouraged to learn about the resources available in the “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” (CTLC) closest to their home, and to use the resources as much as possible to become an informed and active participant in the CVI process.

Resources at local CTLC’s will include:

1)  information, in the form of flyers, brochures, progress reports, etc. about the CVI process in general, and about workshops, meetings, and “voting” times in particular

2)  workshops and meetings which are based initially on needs suggested by Preliminary Survey results (see Step 3 in the 15 step outline, Section 6)—and which then vary in accordance with the steps of the CVI process, and suggestions proposed to (and needs perceived by) the local CTLC Coordinator

3)  the Preliminary Survey results (a survey sent to key leaders from a significant variety of fields of activity in the community) (see Step 3 in the 15 step outline, Section 6), which will provide insight into the challenges perceived and solutions envisioned by community leaders

4)  “Final Versions Received” Notebooks—which will provide access to copies of residents “votes” on challenges perceived, solutions envisioned, etc.  Such access will also provide insight and information for residents who have not yet submitted their “votes”

5)  “Community Journals”—which will contain handwritten and signed or printed and signed entries/contributions on any aspect of the CVI process, the issues being explored by the CVI process, and/or any subject of interest to a resident of the community where the “Community Journal” is located.  Entries will be categorized according to topics, and may include comments, questions, suggestions, resource recommendations, links, etc.  There may be as many as 5 copies of a “Community Journal” in each CTLC.  [Note:  Entries in the “Community Journal” may be used as part of the evaluation process (see “Evaluating the Process”, Section 14).

6)  “Clearinghouse” information (which will accumulate) on “things people can do in the everyday circumstances of their lives” to deliberately channel time, energy, and money so that such input contributes, in every way possible, to resolving the challenges identified as priority challenges

7)  Listings of employment opportunities in the local community

B.  Residents are encouraged to participate in as many steps or parts of the CVI process as possible, and in as many ways as possible (as active participants, as volunteers, as observers, in a variety of support roles, etc.) as every positive and constructive effort will

1)  contribute to accumulating and integrating the knowledge and skill sets necessary for the highest percentage of people to act wisely in response to challenges identified as priority challenges

2)  help people to deliberately channel their time, energy, and money into the creation of “ways of earning a living” which are directly related to resolving high priority challenges

3)  assist with outreach, partnership formation, and development of service capacity for a significant number of already existing (or forming) organizations and businesses

4)  help to build a high level of consensus for specific action plans, which will help inspire additional support from people, businesses, and organizations with significant resources

C.  Residents are urged to encourage and support each other (and advocate for the welfare of the entire community) by making positive and constructive contributions to public discourse, workshop and meeting discussions, informal discussions—to any other elements of the CVI process—and to any other elements of everyday community life which may increase the greater good of the whole.

D.  Residents are specifically encouraged to “vote” (“voice their views”) submit one (1) “Final Version” document for Steps 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10.  The document should be submitted to the CTLC Coordinator during the days and hours designated for this part of the process, to facilitate the compilation and summary process.  Deadlines for such “votes” will be posted well in advance, and the compilation and summary process will be closely monitored to ensure that the process is transparent, well-documented, and fair.  (For more information about how the “voting” process will be monitored, see Section 8 “Verifying the Integrity of the ‘Voting’ Process”).

E.  Residents are specifically encouraged (by this proposal) to carefully consider the additional concept of creating a “sister community” relationship with a community in another country where there has been well-documented calls for assistance with basic human needs.  Having a “sister community” relationship of this nature as an ongoing project in a community can do much to bring compassion for our fellow human beings to the forefront, as a critical part of resolving the challenges of our times.

F.  Concluding Comments

Hopefully

                1)  by providing a well-organized CVI process, CTLC’s and ongoing workshops   and             

                2)  by encouraging formal and informal meetings between people in the

                             neighborhoods and local communities (for discussion, information

                             sharing, mutual support and encouragement, fellowship and friendship, etc.)

the results will include the building of a close-knit community of people

                with a healthy appreciation for each others strengths

and         with a well developed capacity to resolve even the most difficult challenges

                                of our times