Arranging for Community Mobilizers

Supports

1. Identify the need for community mobilization.

• The group has identified a need for an individual or multiple individuals to serve as a community mobilizer for the initiative and be responsible for (a) building relationship with constituents and key stakeholders and (b) facilitating changes in the community.
• The group currently has an individual or multiple individuals that as a core function of their job are responsible for (a) building relationship with constituents and key stakeholders and (b) facilitating changes in the community.

Core Supports:

• Other Models for Promoting Community Health and Development
• Communities That Care
• Choosing Strategies to Promote Community Issues
• Coalition Building II: Maintaining a Coalition
• Introduction to Evaluation
• A Framework for Program Evaluation: A Gateway to Tools

2. Define the roles and responsibilities of the community mobilizer or organizer.

• The community mobilizer (or individuals serving in this capacity) has a written position description that defines the expected roles and responsibilities necessary to bring about change in the community related to the initiative’s mission.
• The community mobilizer (or individuals serving in this capacity) has the qualities, experience, knowledge, and skills appropriate for working in the target community or with the target population.
• The mobilizer (or individuals serving in this capacity) is responsible for building and enhancing relationships with the community and its partners as a function of the position.
• The mobilizer (or individuals serving in this capacity) is responsible for facilitating changes in the community.

Core Supports:

• Our Model for Community Change and Improvement
• Our Model of Practice: Building Capacity for Community Work and How to Address Them
• Working Together for Healthier Communities: A Framework for Collaboration Among Community Partnerships, Support, Organizations, and Funders
• Some Lessons Learned on Community Organization and Change
• Community Action Guide: A Framework for Addressing Community Goals and Problems
• Developing an Organizational Structure for the Initiative
• Organizational Structure: An Overview

3. Arrange for a community mobilizer.

• The group considered if the community mobilizer function is already or could be fulfilled by current staff or volunteers.
• The group has determined an appropriate arrangement for the community mobilizer position.
• An appropriate work environment and resources have been designated to support the community mobilizer(s) (or a similar position).
• The group has recruited, hired, or designated person(s) to serve as a mobilizer for the initiative.

Core Supports:

• Our Model for Community Change and Improvement
• Working Together for Healthier Communities: A Framework for Collaboration Among Community Partnerships, Support, Organizations, and Funders
• Developing an Organizational Structure for the Initiative
• Organizational Structure: An Overview
• Getting Grants and Financial Resources
• Developing a Committee to Help with Financial Sustainability

4. Assure the effective functioning of the community mobilizer.

• The group provides training, support, and feedback for the community mobilizer.
• The community mobilizer is knowledgeable of the history of the organization, community, and initiative.
• The current community mobilizer works effectively with diverse members and representatives of the targeted community/population.
• The community mobilizer has helped the group to establish or enhance relationships with key stakeholder including partners and individuals with influence, resources, and authority in the community.
• The community mobilizer has helped the group to implement activities and changes related to the initiative’s mission.
• The community mobilizer is considered a resource or asset by the target community or population.
• The community mobilizer(s) has a presence in the target community or with the target population.

Core Supports:

• Our Model for Community Change and Improvement
• Working Together for Healthier Communities: A Framework for Collaboration Among Community Partnerships, Support, Organizations, and Funders
• Developing an Organizational Structure for the Initiative
• Organizational Structure: An Overview