| MOVEMENT CATALYSTS | ||||||
| The heart of community building pumps at the local level where people get involved. They use their concern for others to reach out and use their ingenuity to create solutions that fit their situation. Fortunately a host of organizations has sprung forth to support this vast assortment of local initiatives. There are essentially 9 organizations that provide broad-based support for community building and civic renewal. There are many more specialized organizations that provide additional sources of information. The Alliance for National Renewal: was formed in 1993 as a coalition of organizations seeking to reinvigorate civic life in America. Their site lists about 300 partner organizations and includes success stories, publications to order, notices about conferences and other information on civic renewal and community building. Civic Practices Network is a pluralist and nonpartisan network of civic educators and practitioners who share a commitment to solving community problems, renewing our civic culture, and revitalizing our democratic institutions. Through their site they engage the big ideas in our democratic heritage, tell the stories of civic innovation, map innovative projects around the country, share practical wisdom, provide training manuals, "best practice" guides, and evaluative tools and help persons locate other civic assets and partners. Sustainable Communities Network: This site connects citizens with the resources they need to implement innovative processes and programs to restore the economic, environmental, and social health and vitality of their communities. It addresses issues related to: creating communities, smart growth, growing a sustainable economy, protecting natural resources, living sustainably, and governing communities. In addition it gives case studies, resources, related Web sites, links to relevant sites, events calendars, and suggested reading. The Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) is a virtual must visit site because the work of John L. McKnight and John Kretzmann has been so influential in providing a practical set of ideas to underpin community building. The institute was established in 1995 by the Community Development Program at Northwestern's Institute for Policy Research. Its purpose is to proliferate the findings of two decades of research on capacity-building community development. Numerous resources and tools for community builders are highlighted, most focusing on helping to identify, nurture, and mobilize neighborhood assets. Some are available for download, others must be ordered for purchase. For a great overview of the principles, strategies and skills that constitute effective community building see the Healthy Community Programs. COMM - ORG: is an excellent site for an extensive compilation of free resources on community organizing, popular education, and action research as well as community development and planning. COMM-ORG facilitates a conversation of scholars, community organizers, community development workers, and others. In recent years Harry Boyte of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship has promoted the concept of public work as sustained efforts by a diverse mix of ordinary people to create things of lasting public value. At this website you can learn more about the center, public work and its publications; or visit their projects, such as public achievement, Jane Addam's school for democracy, the value of citizen work, or the public work mapping project. The Sonoran Institute is dedicated to promoting community-based strategies that preserve the ecological integrity of protected lands and at the same time meet the economic aspirations of adjoining landowners and communities. I am including their Community Stewardship Exchange website here because it is well designed, includes many resources useful broadly for community building and collaboration and in depth information on conservation based community building. Grants and technical assistance can provide the needed boost to make community building effective. To track down federal resources that can assist your efforts check the Livable Communities Initiative. This site links to you to government resources in 12 areas ranging across schools, water, homeplaces, economic development, safety, farmland and other topics. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and then click on the topic area of interest on the right side. | ||||||
To explore further on community building catalysts, here are several useful sites.National Civic League | ||||||
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