Community Engagement

Community Engagement The Foundation and the Focus Community Engagement Table of Contents Introduction 1 Community Engagement Pre-Vital Signs • A ssessing the need for Vital Signs in your community 2 • Building community buy-in 2 Community Engagement – Vital Signs Program Implementation 1. General Engagement 3 2. Specific Engagement 4 3. Grading 5 4. Launch. [...] While we drew upon the practice of all community foundations that have undertaken Vital Signs in past years and appreciate their examples and resources, a special thank you goes to the British Columbia community foundations that participated in Vital Signs in 2009 and 2011 and whose experience informed this project: • Central Okanagan Community Foundation • Community Foundation of the North Okanag [...] COPYRIGHT 2012 Community Engagement Introduction One of the key functions of the Vital Signs program is to report to the community how it is doing across a spectrum of issues the community thinks is important. [...] The community foundation’s role is to both listen to the community and to report back, thus consultation and ongoing dialogue with the community is essential. [...] Bringing others into the discussion of a potential Vital Signs project early on is essential in ensuring a wide range of perspectives, proper focus, and community acceptance of Vital Signs and the leadership of the community foundation.