
Livability and Sustainability Framework
Many people talk about “going green,” but how do you actually make it happen? New solutions are popping up and it is difficult to sort through the many choices available. How do you know where to turn?
The answer is often found in your own community.
The Livability Project knows how to help community stakeholders figure out what they really want to achieve and then rally them around tangible goals on the path toward sustainability. We call our approach The Livability Framework. It’s a comprehensive way of thinking about sustainability issues, formulating a plan and then achieving your community’s goals. As a Livability Project client, we take you through each of the following twelve phases of the Livability Framework.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 1. Assessing the Community
The Livability Framework starts with a Community Assessment process. This involves gathering information and analyzing the unique attributes, players and dynamics of your community. . This discovery process help you to create a plan specific to your community. Beyond identifying and recruiting champions, you will better understand your community around the following five key attributes: Leadership, Relationships, Assets, Gaps and Resources.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 2. Envisioning the Future
From your work in Module 1, Assessing the Community, you will gain a better sense of where to best focus your efforts. This next step in the Livability Framework – Envisioning the Future – will help you to refine this nascent vision. You’ll form a mission with your group, develop a project action plan, create a brand and define expectations for the project.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 3. Establishing a Sustainable Structure
Once you have completed Modules 1 and 2, you are ready to begin the process of establishing a sustainable structure, one that will enable your project goals to come to fruition and bring your community together.
This module will help you determine several operational issues such as: How will your initiative will be organized and structured? Who are the key leaders for the board and what should each contribute? What income streams are needed to sustain the organization and its programs? How can you ensure the mission is inclusive of all your different stakeholders?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 4. Building Organizational Capacity
This module will take the intentions articulated in your planning work and bring much of it to reality through the creation of working groups and the launch of the community’s initiative. You will also learn techniques for managing and facilitating working groups and for developing strategic partners and in-kind service providers. We will also provide an introduction to the importance of a developing a relationship management system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 5. Developing a Green Action Plan
At this point in the process, you will have several ideas and programs ready to begin. This module will cover the development of a green action plan, which involves identifying existing products, programs and organizations; leveraging resources and partnerships, and getting started with the real work outlined in your livability initiative’s mission and vision statement. We will help you develop a variety of programs such as:
•Recycling programs
•Cooperative procurement or. group buying for local businesses
•Urban District-wide green certification and branding
•Create more walkable spaces
•Create a biodiesel or alternative energy program
•Establish an events and seminar series
•Create demand for home and business energy audits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 6. Engaging the Entire Community
Now that your initiative is up and running, it’s time to reach out beyond your Board and volunteers to engage the entire community. This module will discuss general awareness building including public relations, competitions and events, as well as business and citizens outreach and partner and liaison programs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 7. Providing Education and Events
Education and Events are a key part of any community initiative’s mission. Events may include presentations by local experts and authors, movies, roundtable and panel discussions, workshops and ad hoc networking for community building. This module will also provide an overview of how to establish a speakers’ bureau and online education program and how to plan and manage events.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 8. Generating Multiple Income Streams
The continued success of your local sustainability initiative will be highly dependent on generating ongoing revenue. In our experience, you will want to grow your organization to be as self-sufficient as possible. Because of our unique model leveraging local business, government, and citizens groups, each of these will have a stake in the outcomes of your initiative and thus will want to share in the success and excitement of the enterprise. Your initiative has the potential to become a hub of activity focused on local economic development. Therefore, we believe some or all of the following income streams will help defray the cost of operations and pay for the program:
•Sponsorship programs;
•Government, Corporate and Foundation grants;
•Affiliate and Partner programs;
•Event fees;
•Advertising; and
•More…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 9. Creating an Online Presence
Your organization’s online presence is critical not only to its image, but to recruit volunteers and supporters and enable opportunities for others to share information and communicate. This module will cover:
•Building and maintaining your website;
•Distributing an e-newsletter;
•Pros and Cons of Blogging;
•Leveraging Social Media (FaceBook, MySpace, Linked-In, Twitter and More); and
•Online Mapping.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 10. Forming a Livability Center
Online activities and community meetings are important, but integrating the vision and programs into the fabric of your community will be accelerated with the development of a Livability Center. Part Community Center, part Sustainability Education Center, part Green Jobs Incubator and local hang-out, a Livabilty Center is a place where people can connect to advance your initiative’s agenda. This module will cover issues such as financing and sponsorship models, build-out, launch, and operation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 11. Documenting and Measuring Feedback
With all of this activity, considerable progress will be made in achieving your livability project’s goals. This module will discuss how to measure effectiveness, update and monitor plans vs. progress, and share best practices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Module 12. Celebrating Successes
Some may be tempted to dismiss this module as just the “fun stuff.” While there is a lot of fun to be had in celebrating your successes, you need to understand how to do it appropriately and how to use these celebrations as a tool for building community spirit, pride, and soliciting more participation from stakeholders.. This module will cover tactics such as Annual Reports, Leadership Awards, Volunteer Rewards Programs, and Community Celebrations.
Compiled by: Draiman
No comments:
Post a Comment