Chapter 4
A key component of the community development process is visioning, which is a process that
identifies the goals for the future. The visioning process emphasizes a participatory process, an
action plan that identifies specific activities and a set of goals for the future.
The visioning process begins with a small group discussion of purpose and values. Individuals
then develop an individual vision statement for the future, which can be discussed in a small
group environment. The consensus items are then discussed by the large group and themes
are identified from the lists. The group must identify priorities from the themes to begin their
action plan.
Most visioning efforts start by forming a steering group that represents a cross-section of the
community. The group is responsible for identifying some of the expected outcomes of the
process, as well as how to identify participants in the visioning process. One of the important
issues to consider is the role of the media. It is important to engage the media early and
identify a spokesperson to work with the media.
The actual visioning workshop begins with a critical question of why the community exits. This
allows participants to discuss the purpose of the community. It is also important to articulate
the values that underlie the purpose of the community. What values does the community
share?
Next, the participants discuss the ideal or desired future. This helps them identify specific
actions then enable them to achieve this goal. After specifying the specific action items, it is
important to identify what needs to happen next, who is coordinating the action, and how they
will communicate these activities to the larger group.
As the group begins its action step, it is crucial to analyze the current situation. This involves
looking at current projects and previous attempts to address the issue. What are some of the
forces that will hinder the effort and what factors might help?
Discussion Questions
Ch. 4
1. What factors influence your decision to get more involved in an issue or organization? What
factors might limit your participation?
2. Think about some organizations that you are involved in now. Does the organization
evaluate its activities? If so, how does it do it? If not, what would be some indicators of
success?
3. Public participation is at the heart of community development. Briefly define public
participation and explain how it has been used in federal and state programs over time. Why