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Projects: What’s the Point?


Let’s use the AI – Appreciative Inquiry, (not Alien Intelligence) point of view to jumpstart your CAPS – Community Action Projects.

Here’s a list of great questions for you to consider:

1. OVERVIEW

What is the mission – purpose – of the organization or community?
How many people belong? How many are truly active members?
Who are the most active and involved people? Internally? Externally?
Who is the change champion, sponsor that will be directly impacted? What do you believe the expectations are?

2. CHANGE AGENDA

What change does this person or organization hope for?
What is the organization’s image of an ideal future?
What results do they want to achieve?
How would you state the change agenda in inspiring language?


3. LEADERSHIP

Who are the people who must be involved in the process? What will their role be?
Who else needs to be involved in the project for it to succeed? Why are they important and what is their role?
How will you get them involved?
In what ways will leadership stay involved, informed and inspirational to others?

4. CORE TEAM

How will you make sure that each person has a voice?
What functions need to be involved to ensure success?
What are the responsibilities and roles of people on the team?
How will you communicate between meetings?

Source: Appreciative Inquiry Handbook for Leaders of Change, 2nd edition. David L. Cooperrider, Diana Whitney and Jacqueline M. Stavros