Community Development Proposal Paper
Due by 11:59 pm on April 14th to assignments dropbox
Students will write a 5 (ish) page paper identifying a community need and proposing a strategy to address it. The paper will consist of the following sections:
Step 1: Identify the Problem,
Step 2: Understanding the Community Context,
Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders,
Step 4: Articulate Your Mission and Vision,
Step 5: Define Your Community Consultation Plan,
Step 6: Develop Strategies
Note: The paper should be double spaced, 12 point font and outside sources should be cited (you can use any formatting style you prefer).
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first and most crucial step is identifying the problem and issues impacting the community members. (In “real life” you would conduct a community needs assessment to determine most pressing problems.) You may choose a real problem facing your community or another community. Examples include: gentrification, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, public school quality, lack of green space /parks, public transportation, affordable healthcare facilities, food deserts, etc.
Step 2: Understanding the Community Context
You can begin with a google search (for example, Nashville Gentrification) and hit the library.
Ask:
What is the history of the problem?
What are the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of people living in that area?
What social, economic and environmental challenges are the community members facing?
Are any steps or initiatives being taken to improve the current situation and help members live better lives?
Step 3: Identify the Stakeholders
The next step is to identify the stakeholders. Identify the citizens who are experiencing the issue and others who are “players” in the problem and the solution. This may be nonprofits, city governments, politicians. Who potentially gains or is hurt by the problem and solution?
Step 4: Articulate Your Mission Statement
Mission statements play a significant role and help define the purpose of the action item. This may further help in developing measurable goals for the community development program. The mission statement should outline the steps to reach the goal. These statements may serve as the roadmaps and assist with the communities’ betterment. In this section, you can identify which of the community development “approaches” you think works best for your project.
Step 6: Develop and Implement Strategies
This is where you flesh out your potential solution! Make sure you list the strategies you would want to implement to bring the changes and uplift the community members in the society.
