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How-to tip sheets for community groups

Starting a community group? These short how-to modules could be useful. They provide practical guidance on a wide range of community organising skills. Although written for parents starting self-help groups they'll be useful for any group of people who want to work together, irrespective of the issue.

The full CLEAR manual can be downloaded here too. (1.3 Mb PDF)

Backstory: In 2009 I was asked to write a guide for parents starting self-help groups. I wrote a typical text-heavy guide and the client, Miller Pathways Communities for Children project, hated it and told me to re-write it as short easy-to-read stand-alone modules. Here's the result. It's an interesting approach well suited to people who don't have the time to read a typical manual (ie. everyone).

How to agree on your group's purpose
Download.

How to decide on group activities
Download.

How to plan activities
Download.

Useful decision-making tools
Download.

How to run great meetings
Download.

How to recruit new members
Download.

How to get members to come to meetings
Download.

How to start a partnership
Download.

How to promote your group or activity
Download.

How to get media coverage
Download.

How to involve different age groups
Download.

How to involve different cultural groups
Download.

How to evaluate activities
Download.

Financial management
Download.

How to start a committee
Download.

How to apply for a grant
Download.

Occupational Health and Safety, risk management
Download.

Child protection responsibilities
Download.