Overview of Roles
The Steering Committee
Steering Committee members will have the following responsibilities:
♦ Attend all Steering Committee meetings
♦ Work together to select the best date and location for the Forum
♦ Work together to develop budget and track expenses for Forum
♦ Work together to develop an invitation list
♦ Work together to sign, address, and mail invitations
♦ Think strategically about the best way to get colleagues, neighbors, friends, family, and other people you know to attend the Forum
♦ Call individuals and encourage them to participate in the Forum
♦ Work on specific tasks such as food, publicity, locating small-group facilitators, report creation, etc. (see "Steering Committee Job Descriptions," below)
♦ Attend small-group facilitator training (optional)
♦ Attend and participate in the Forum
♦ Attend a de-briefing session after the Forum
♦ Help in Forum Report distribution as necessary
♦ Plan follow-up gathering(s)
The Advisor / Lead Facilitator
The Advisor and Lead Facilitator, who are often the same person, may come from a local non-profit organization, regional government, the cooperative extension service of your local university or may be an independent consultant. The Advisor’s role will include the following:
♦ Present the Vision to Action process to local community leaders and residents, returning as often as needed to build a critical mass of people interested in moving forward with planning an event
♦ Advise core local organizers on the establishment of a diverse and functional Steering Committee
Community Vision to Action Forums: An Organizers’ Guide to Participatory Planning 15
♦ Attend the first few Steering Committee meetings to help establish roles and to ensure clarity about organizational tasks
♦ Attend other Steering Committee meetings upon request, including the last meeting before the event.
♦ Attend the Forum and offer logistical and other support as needed.
♦ Attend de-briefing meetings and Advise the Steering Committee about developing the report, supporting action committees and planning a follow-up event.
The Lead Facilitator’s role will include:
♦ Attend a Steering Committee meeting part way through the planning process so that the committee members can meet you, share their concerns and special considerations, ask any questions and develop a sense of mutual trust.
♦ Deliver the small group facilitator training during the week or two before the Forum.
♦ Act as Lead Facilitator for the Forum.
♦ Attend the first de-briefing meeting of the Steering Committee if requested.
The Local Participants
When we invite citizens to attend a Vision to Action Forum, here’s what we’re asking for:
♦ Attend the Vision to Action Forum on Friday evening (5:30-9:30) and all day Saturday (9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.). Bring family, friends, neighbors and colleagues if you wish!
♦ Bring your complaints and your positive comments about the community—your greatest fears and highest hopes—and be willing to share them
♦ Be courteous to other participants, and keep your mind open to new ideas
♦ You will have the opportunity to volunteer for a follow-up action committee.
Consider serving on one if one of the projects is of interest to you, but this is by no means required.