Understanding Community Rhythms
With 20 years of experience innovating in public life and a track record of helping organizations accelerate community change, The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation (THI) is a good resource for stations interested in strengthening their engagement efforts and deepening their local significance. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, THI helps people in communities imagine and act for the public good.
Understanding Community RHythms
Have you ever wondered why a project or initiative that worked for a station in another community didn't work for yours - even if you implemented the project exactly the same, to the letter? Do you ever feel your work doesn't create the traction you want?
Communities face different challenges. To implement projects or initiatives that successfully create positive awareness and community change, public broadcasting stations have to understand that communities evolve in stages over time. When we insert a new project or initiative into a community without considering that community's stage, we often find ourselves wasting time and resources, and creating unrealistic and unattainable expectations.
The Harwood Institute has identified five stages for community life. Each stage has its own set of challenges and opportunities. If you and your station want to accelerate change in your community first you must understand the 5 Stages of Community Life.
