|
As you gather information, it is important to hear directly from your potential stakeholders (for example: parents, children and youth, schools, police, community organizations, funders, and donors).
You can do this by having informal discussions or personal interviews with individuals representing these groups. You could host focus groups with your stakeholders to explore their views. Or, you could hold an externally facilitated community forum or town hall meeting, where all stakeholders can get together to discuss the issues. You could also request permission to present your questions at meetings or gatherings of existing groups, such as single parent support groups, youth service coalitions, school board meetings, or youth group gatherings. If this is not possible, you can send out written surveys or questionnaires to a sampling of key groups.
 By involving people, informing them of what you have discovered, and engaging them in a discussion of the needs and interests of children and young people, you will:
- How will you bring their perspectives to bear on making a sound decision about what kinds of programs for children and young people are most needed in your community?
- How will you make sure that others feel included, and do not react negatively to what you are trying to do?
- How will you expand the numbers of people on your advisory or steering committee?
- How will you build a wider group of people who support your efforts, and will be prepared to help in the future?
|