Choosing Our Direction is a strategic planning tool for groups or organizations to become more effective by developing or redeveloping goals and objectives for their future. It helps groups identify who they are, what they currently do, what they want to do in the future, and develop a usable plan for getting there. The Choosing program is facilitated at the local level by trained facilitators (typically Penn State Cooperative Extension staff), and involves a series of four three-hour meetings.
The Citizens’ Viewpoint, a statewide survey of more than 4300 Pennsylvanians, was conducted in 2001 by Penn State University to develop information for citizens’ groups and community, county, and state leaders about what citizens think are the top priorities facing the Commonwealth today and in the years ahead. The study examined such diverse topics as the economy, environment, community services, crime, planning, education, citizen-government relations, and other issues of state and local interest.
Workshop for agency representatives who want to or who are attempting to work collaboratively to solve problems. Identifying and understanding the roadblocks or the reasons your stuck increases the likelihood of a community group dealing with the problem and ultimately achieving shared goals and outcomes. This workshop will enable the participants to learn four hands-on evaluation tools that they can use with their collaboration members to identify roadblocks and to decide an appropriate action given the situation.
Six hour training in grant writing for non-profit organizations, local government officials, and others interested in improving their grant writing skills and success rate.
A special event that serves to engage people – of all age groups– in constructive dialogue about community development issues. It is geared primarily toward youth and senior adults, two population groups with typically limited community participation opportunities. Through murals, models, photographs, theatrical displays, and other communication medium, community residents and public officials come together to share their ideas about community development. All participants get the chance to answer (and learn how others answer) the all-important question; What would you like to see in the future of your community?
