This facilitator's guide explains how to lead a series of five sessions (study circles) designed to foster public dialogue and problem solving among citizens interested in meeting the challenges of community growth and development. The document begins with an introduction to the concept of study circles that examines the following: definition of…

For almost 20 years, from 1917 to the 1930s, the traveling Chautauqua circuits and festivals brought education, inspiration, and entertainment to remote and not-so-remote communities. Now in the 1980s, emphasis is once more being placed on the value of local community life, on self-reliance and mutual help with respect to the social, cultural, and…

This planning guide explains in detail how to set up and run a consumer week program in a school or organization. It begins with 10 golden rules for an effective consumer week. A section on planning a program analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of a week-long or weekend event, discusses balancing the major event categories, and describes…

Developed as part of a project to integrate youth with disabilities into regular recreational and leisure activities, this report attempted to identify several programs and specific types of leisure activities that children, adolescents, and young adults with and without disabilities can enjoy together regardless of skill level. Case studies are…

This report represents only a sampling of the hundreds of activities that took place during National Consumers Week (NCW) 1984. It begins with a copy of the president's proclamation and the history of NCW 1984. Three sections give brief descriptions of the various activities that were sponsored by state and local agencies and organizations, by the…

This document addresses literacy partnerships and presents a guide for community organization and program development. Section 1, "Developing a Community Literacy Organization," provides a framework for planning. It covers getting started, becoming a society, building a strong board, conducting effective meetings, accessing the media,…

The emerging youth service movement has reinforced and built on the foundation of service in traditional organizations and focuses on tapping youth talent and energy. Youth service is a concept that has roots in pre-20th century American society. Service programs today increasingly include training, education, prevention, and employment…

Spurred by sagging retail trade and the need for future planning, the Fort Madison (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce initiated a community survey to determine attitudes of residents towards various community characteristics. A 7-section questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 411 area households, of which 268 or 72.2% responded. Over 75% of…

This document is designed for use by community organizers in creating, developing and maintaining an intergenerational program. Starting with a brief overview of the Maryland Intergenerational Coalition, the document describes (in short, bulleted entries) the activities and accomplishments of various intergenerational programs in Maryland, such as…

The handbook is intended for school and community programs helping learning disabled young adults make the transition from school to work. The first chapter describes development of the Transition Project by York County (Maine) and project components including referral, assessment, membership on the Transitional Pupil Evaluation Team, the…

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a private non-profit foundation supporting programs across the United States and on a limited basis internationally. The Foundation is interested and involved in improving the quality of life through community self-improvement, education, social welfare, economic development and environmental management. In…

This guide, which is addressed to community-based organizations desiring to start or expand existing adult literacy programs, deals with recruiting and training volunteer literacy tutors. Outlined in the guide are strategies for expanding community outreach efforts (identifying who needs help and where help is typically obtained, learning from…

Prepared by the office of the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, this manual describes the components and basic start-up steps of successful volunteer literacy programs. The 17 short sections provide an overview of the following topics: (1) purpose and mission; (2) determining need in your community; (3) recruiting students; (4)…