Community Strategic Visioning Programs

by Norman Walzer

Overview

Community visioning and strategic planning programs have become increasingly important in recent years as local governments in rural areas have searched for innovative ways to revitalize their local economies or manage population growth. A panel of experts describes local government programs in ten states. They also evaluate the effectiveness in reaching the vision and objective set forth in these programs. The authors examine the main components of each program and offer insights into factors contributing to its success. Major attention is paid to the need for social capital, benchmarking, and continuing support following the initial efforts. The discussion in the book includes recommendations for starting a community strategic visioning exercise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275955045
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/24/1996
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Lexile:	1330L (what's this?)

About the Author

NORMAN WALZER is Professor of Economics and Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. He is the editor or coeditor of the following titles: Rural Health Care (Praeger, 1992), Rural Community Economic Development (Praeger, 1991), and Financing Rural Health Care (Praeger, 1988).

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Rural Issues and Trends: The Role of Strategic Visioning Programs by Norman Walzer and Steven Deller
Essential Elements of Strategic Visioning by Janet Ayres
The Agency-Community Relationship in Strategic Visioning Programs: Issues and Profiles in Program Design by Harold L. Fossum
Measuring Success and Empowerment by Cornelia Butler Flora, Jan L. Flora, and Kim Wade
Preconditions for Successful Program Implementation by Michael D. Woods
The Role of Organizations in Community-Based Development by Alice Schumaker
Continuing Support Practices and Documenting Results of Community Strategic Visioning Programs by Gary P. Green and Steven Deller
Participant Evaluation of Strategic Visioning Programs by John J. Gruidl
Emerging Principles in Local and State Economic Development: A Benchmarking Tool by Lee W. Munnich, Jr.
Implementing Strategic Visioning Programs in Rural Communities by Steven Kline
Common Elements of Successful Programs by Norman Walzer
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D

Editorial Reviews

Eleven essays look at how community leaders manage change, be it in population levels, or a stagnating economy. Subjects include rural issues and trends, essential elements of strategic visioning, the agency-community relationship, issues and profiles in program design, measuring success and empowerment, preconditions for successful program implementation, the role of organizations in community-based development, continuing support practices, participant evaluation, emerging principles in local and state economic development, and common elements of successful programs. Four appendices offer two program assessment questionnaires, an evaluation of community visioning programs, and a profile of several programs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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