COMMUNITY SCAN GUIDE

HISTORY AND CULTURE  

• "Official” history?
• Informal culture —traditions, folklore, values—"the usual ways of doing things"? (see Figures 13 and 14).

 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT  

• Geographical layout, physical features (transportation, structures, etc.)?
• Population distribution—what groups live where? density? resources?
• Out of area interaction (trade, recreation, work, government) and relation-ships (family, friends, church)?
• Climate (impact on community life and activities such as farming and recreation)?

 

RESOURCES  

• People—demographic data. Current issues related to race, religion, age, ethnic group, sex roles and orientation, etc.?
• Technology—transportation, administration, communication, financial, equipment, industry?
• Natural—land, water, forests, minerals, energy sources?
• Capital. Where are financial resources? internal/external? (taxes, government resources, fund raising)?

 

POWER AND CONTROL  

• Which individuals have power? (see Figure 8) Who controls who and how?
• Which groups have power?
• Leadership patterns presently in play?
• Potential leadership for this ICC project?
• Who "votes" or influences the decision making process?
• Role of governments?
• Patronage and "rules of the game" to get things done here?
• Influence of family, schools, church, media, social agencies?

 

EDUCATION  

• Literacy and schooling? Technical and professional training?
• Formal and informal educational resources?
• Values, norms, goals and methods of educational system? How adequate and current is system for community needs?
• Who's involved? How?

 

RELIGION  

• Who's involved in what formal or informal groups or organizations?
• Culture, values, norms (usual practices of religious or spiritual groups)? Impact on community?
• Resources and activities/programs of major groups?

 

HEALTH AND WELFARE  

• Services, technology and personnel available?
• Norms and enforcement regarding health regulations?
• Use (who uses these services? access? convenience?).

 

RECREATION  

• Who's involved in what? informal or organized?
• Recreation resources (buildings, equipment, personnel, associations, leagues, links with other communities)?
• Impact on community, especially physical health and well-being?

 

COMMUNITY GROUPS  

• Information about other groups not included under above categories such as business, political, community service, ethnic or special interest groups?

Likely overall attitude to proposed intervention? To internal/external consultants?  Likely success based on previous patterns?

* Appreciation to Des Connor for stimulating this guide and helping with its content.

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... Appendix C—The Ten Most Widely Used Aids to Decision Making