COMPASSCharting a course for the new millennium!

COMPASS Presentation

Research in Public Administration

Prof. Renee LamisJanuary 19, 2001

“Where there is no vision, the people

perish.” - Proverbs 29:18

Goals of COMPASS• To help

neighborhoods/communities identify priorities and develop visions and action plans.

• To help neighborhoods maintain community improvements.

• To help convene all of those currently working on community-building efforts.

• To build community.

Principles of Community Building

• Build on strengths of local individuals & organizations.

• Focus on specific actions and measurable results.

• Promote participation from all!• Ensure local decision-making and

ownership.• Form partnerships.

CO M PA S S Communit y Par t ner ship

COMPASS Community Partnership

“The more voices that are heard, the

stronger the organization.”- Barbara Kipper

Steps Taken• Mailed survey to random sample of 18,000

Erie County households.• Translated surveys into Spanish, Arabic,

Bosnian, Russian, Vietnamese, and Albanian.• Made surveys available in local libraries and

United Way agencies and on the Web.• Sent surveys to Associations, Businesses,

Labor, and Service Providers.• Data entered household surveys.• Trained teams of facilitators.

East BayfrontEast Erie West

Bayfront

Columbus Park N N

MillcreekMillcreek

W W MillcreekMillcreek

S S MillcreekMillcreek

City of Erie MapIroquois

Harborcreek

Northwestern

GirardFt. Le Boeuf

Fairview

General McLane

Union City

Seneca

Corry

Iroquois

McDowell

Harbor- creek

North East

Erie County School Districts

Steps TakenMobilized neighborhoods (June &

On). Formed Community Planning Teams—

organized leadership and planning groups. Identified individuals to serve as leaders

and coordinators and on data, communications, and asset collection teams.

Brainstormed which groups to get input from (community forums).

Current/Next Steps Do community forums (approx. 10-12

per neighborhood/community).Do Key Informant Survey (15 minutes).Ask residents what their vision is for the

future of their community (35 minutes).Ask them to identify their community’s

resources and assets (15 minutes).Ask them what the priorities should be

for their community (25 minutes).

Community Assets Map

Citizens’ AssociationsLocal Institutions

Churches

Cultural Groups

Block Clubs

Gifts of Individuals

Income, Resources, & Skills

YouthElderly

ArtistsLabeled

Businesses

Parks

Hospitals Colleges

Libraries

Schools

Community Forums Coming to a Neighborhood Near You!

• City Council• Chamber of

Commerce• School board

associations• PTAs• Societies,

associations, or interest groups

• Rotary• Youth Groups• Seniors

Where do we start?

• Clergy Council• Parishioners• Fire Department• Police Department• Neighborhood

Associations• Residents• Historical Society

Next StepsDo data analysis of surveys (quantitative).Tabulate all data from forums

(qualitative).Meet with Community Planning Teams. Review survey data (February/March 2001). Review information from community forums

(March/April). Begin drafting vision statements (April). Identify crucial issues and goals (April/May). Report progress to the community (May 16).

Next StepsMeet with Community Planning Teams. Identify objectives and assign desired outcomes

(Summer/Fall 2001). Identify people who will be involved in

implementation and bring them on board to help develop action steps (Summer/Fall).

Generate action plans (Winter 2001/Spring 2002). Get community input on action plans

(Spring/Summer 2002). Take action, and measure results (Fall/Winter 2002

and ongoing).

“Community building is not a

spectator sport.”

- Bruce Adams

“We are confronted by

insurmountable opportunities.”

- Pogo