How to Create a Community Project

Community projects are wonderful and useful things. Whether it is to clean up the environment, build a park or start a crime watch program, there are basic steps to organizing a project. Follow the instructions below to get your next plan off the ground and improve your community.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tenacity and enthusiasm

1. Assess the need. What is it that your community needs? What is not being addressed?
2. Talk with other community members and do a survey. Find out what other people think about the problem you have identified. What do they think can be done to solve it?
3. Form a committee. Committees are wonderful because they provide a group of people to do the footwork. Talk with friends and neighbors to see if they want to be part of your project.
4. Brainstorm solutions. What can reasonably be done to solve the problem, or improve it? How much time and resources will be needed to accomplish it? Who’s help or permission will be required?
5. Form a plan of action. Choose the solution that the committee thinks will work best and come up with a step by step plan. Identify what needs to be done and how. Also identify how many people and how much time you will need to accomplish it.
6. Get donations from local businesses. Many businesses are willing to donate time, money or materials to help projects in their community. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and ask for help.
7. Recruit volunteers. Canvass the community and talk with people. Tell them what you are doing and why, then ask if they’ll be willing to help. Post flyers and talk with civic groups, religious institutions and schools to see if they can assist.

Tips & Warnings

• Community projects take time and effort. Don’t be disheartened if it takes people some time to get on board. If you think your project is worthwhile, chances are other people will think so too.
• Talk to as many people as possible throughout the entire process. Keep the project fresh in people’s minds.
• Try to get media coverage, as well. Even a small article in the community newspaper can make all the difference in the world.