Community Assets

Use this template to help identify the assets to get you started in building and developing communities with ABCD principles and values. 

"Starting with what's strong, not with what's wrong"

Theory of Change 

We are seeing a theory of change for so many areas of our work with communities now. Not only does it set out the principles / methods of practice with communities, it helps us to showcase the evidence behind our work. Our profession is more than 'nice to have' we create cohesion and a standard of living people have a right to. 

Completing this gives you a foundation for setting out evaluation measures and mechanisms. Your enablers help plan the best context for success too. 

Stakeholder Mapping

Use this document to scan your stakeholders, the key messages you want to get to them and the communication channels to reach them. 

Engagement Team

This explains the different roles that your team take on and depending on the size of your project there might just be you completing all roles or you may be able to divide them across your teams. 

Event management document

This is an event management document which comprehensively supports you to organise events of 'mass engagement' (100+ people). 

Session Plan and Recording

This template is for smaller group work if you are facilitating a group to come together. This could be a focus group or it could be your community reps meeting with you to co-produce a project. 

It helps you to organise your activities according to the aims of your session and then reflect / record after. 

Negotiation template 

This template helps you to prepare to enter a discussion where you are seeking to secure action from others or support for your project. This maybe used at any stage of the project from planning through to advocacy. 

Basic Thematic Analysis Template

This is an excel file to help you organise your data from your engagement activities. 

You can used this if you have transcribed your audio or have taken notes / quotes from your method. You could also organise images / photos under each theme. 

You may organise the data individually at first, then sense check this with your engagement team (colleagues or stakeholders). 

You can use the same data with different research questions.

Keeping notes as to your decisions or insights as you complete this process will help when you write this up. 

Allies, Gatekeepers & Decision Makers

Allies: Support you on your mission

Gatekeepers: Give access to decision makers, provide advice on how to advocate your message and enable you to secure follow up on agreements and actions.

Decision Makers: Make decisions, spokesperson for your issue, rally support of other decision makers and secure action. 

Tips for Summary Sheets 

Key tips to create an effective summary sheet for informing meeting, groups or people you want to communicate your message to. 

Making Meetings Work 

Do more with your meetings than a talking shop. Get people engaged and motivated to take part and resognise the power of your collective members. 

Remember to engage your allies to support you to facilitate your meetings.

How to run a good meeting 

Being prepared in your meeting with your summary sheet, materials to communicate your method and a string agenda will support you to advocate the change your residents want to see.