Ask an Advisor Questions

How to write an effective email to a large newspaper publication's editor to publish your own news about a good cause you'll be doing like hair donation for cancer patients.

Good day
Can you please advise how one reference when using community toolbox

I was recently elected to a local community board (non-HOA, 55+ manufactured home community) whose primary function is to plan neighborhood events and represent the neighborhood in certain interactions with the property manager. The previous board is refusing to turn over any records (they’re saying there are no records and the bank account has been closed) and telling us the bylaws are no longer valid. The community is very divided over the election but business is business. Has anyone ever dealt with this type of situation? How did you handle it?

Hello

Thank you for your modules on communication planning. Do you have any suggestions on how to practice writing a Communication plan so you feel ready and confident about preparing plans?
Where can I find startups looking for someone to help them write their (simple) communication plan to start with.
Finally, At what part of communication planning should the company use facilitation services?

Thank you for your help and suggestions
Kelly

Hello,
I am currently working in my community to address mass incarceration. Does the CTB have an outline or tool used to evaluate policy change efforts?

Thank you!

Consensus within our community serving org questions on no-vote or abstaining and change of vote after the main vote:


Hello!

Nice to meet you. Thank you for all your free resources!!

My name is Clare and I am a staff member at a non-profit in Indianapolis, IN , USA. We focus on Peace Education, with content/programing focused on Equity learning, Social Emotional Learning and Conflict Resolution, as well as Restorative Practices.
www.peacelearningcenter.org


As an org we have been looking internally to include more equitable practices, and have been working to use consensus. We are creating a handbook to help connect consensus to our internal processes and have a few questions and concerns that have come up we cannot find answers to in on-line material.

Can you help?

One question is: What role could/should no vote/abstain play in a consensus decision? How may abstains can exist without jeopardizing the proposal voted on and the group collaboration needed? Under what circumstances are abstain votes allowed?

(We have used them when staff have not been involved in the conversation enough (only work as contractors , less then part time or just started their job the day of the vote, or when a staff member did not do research/gather enough info on the different proposals that they felt unsure on their understanding of what was being discussed and suggested to vote)

Another question: What happens if someone wants to change their decision after the official vote? Is there suggestions around time frame or times when allowed, or why or why not it should be allowed?

We had one such situation recently. After our proposal stages and discussion, we took an e-mail based vote. The decision was 3 stand asides, which took us back to the need to go back to discussion. When e-mails started to come up about the time frame for changes and participation, and how to move forward, one of that stand asides asked to change to approve. Thus, the proposal was passed, after the first vote. It happened within 24 hrs I believe. I am sure this kind of situation could pop up again.

Also, do you do training on consensus with staff groups in USA?

Thank you for any ideas or suggestions you may have!

Are there recommendations on the best ways to connect with potential community partners or stakeholders for outreach activities? E-mail or phone call? I find it is difficult to reach individuals in large organizations or nonprofits at times.

I would like to open up a homeless shelter or a just a shelter to help people and I don't know what my first step would be

1 what are the most prevalent concerned that you have?
2 what do you think are the reason why the respondents have those answers?
3 as a student what programs can you recommend addressing their concerns?

Hello!

I hope this message finds you well!
My name is Arick and I'm working on special projects at the Family and Community Engagement Office in the School District of Philadelphia.
The reason I'm writing is because we are attempting to institutionalize a feedback system internally within our District regarding garnering useful feedback from families concerning District policies and procedures that are periodically due for revision. We want to provide a list of options (e.g.: send out a survey, hold a focus group, etc.) for our offices which they can choose from in order to best engage families/the public constituency within our District and thus get feedback on policies and procedures. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for how to structure the framework/system, or what options should definitely be included?

Thanks so much for all your great work!

Aloha I am interested in learning how any faith based communities are involved with community transformation, what role they play and how they assist.

Good afternoon,
My name is Maria and I'm from Portugal. I work on a project to train and integrate people with special needs into the job market.
At the moment, I have a group that is in the field of ceramics, so I need some help to think about physical adaptations to increase their autonomy in this area.
I'm looking for some kind of training to help me with this.
thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Maria Quaresma

Hello! I am working on conducting a community based needs assessment for a non-profit where minors will ideally be able to answer. However, I am unfamiliar with parental permission in this case since it does not go through IRB since there will not be a publication. The target group is LGBTQ+ folx and young people, hence the need for privacy and asking that they need.

Can you help me learn online how to do Community Development work?
I am very interested to learn all that I can to help my people and communities.

Dear Madam/Sir;
I am Molla Gojam Arjejo, male, 47, from Ethiopia, married, Christian and graduate of MA in Organizational Leadership, and 1st. Degrees in Leadership Development Studies, and in Theology and I have been working for 25 years in Church Wholistic services in different Societies and Communities under diverse traditional Leadership, Religions, clan, and ethnic groups and I am coordinating, empowering, and leading them how to work for tolerance and for communal objectives and to reach the intended goal in resolving conflicts and up warding the healthy peace building in people’s whole lives. I am serving them as the community Resource Coordinator with care, integrity, valuing their precision perceptions, advocating for their rights, and without partiality. . .
I am very happy reading your blessed ministry the “COMMUNITY TOOL BOX” and interested to contact with you and like to have an advice from you because the plan, the Community Tool Box table of contents, the objectives, the setup goal. . . are very important for to my Country Ethiopia/Community.
Therefore, as the “Community Tool Box” ministry is launched out globally, would you please be kindhearted to guide me to have your care to start the Community Tool Box in my Society and to assist my Society to test the healthy life Wholistically?
I appreciate and thanks for your guidance to change my Communities unawareness.
Honestly submitted.

Molla Gojam Arjejo
From Ethiopa