Choose Strategies - What Works

With your partners:

1. Make a list of ideas for things that could be done to move each indicator in the desired direction in your community.  You might get these ideas from:
   • Each factor in your behind-the-baselines stories suggests a needed cange.
   • Each partner or possible actor; ask them what they would do to make a positive change.  You might also ask them what they can contribute to making a positive change.
   • Best practices from other places
   • Experience in your community, including both successes and failures.
   This list should include items that would cost little or no additional money, because sove very effective work (such as increasing physical activity in a workplace by encouraging workers to use the stairs instead of an elevator) does not require dollars.

2. Then rate each idea as high, medium or low on these four criteria:

   Specificity – Are who, what, when, where and how clearly stated?

   Leverage – How powerful is this idea likely to be?  Would it support or start other activities?

   Values – Is the idea consistent with community values?

   Reach – Is the idea feasible and affordable?

   It might be easier to go through this exercise in small groups and then compare their choices, rather than attempting to do it in a large group.  Small groups may come to the same or similar conclusions which then support each other, while the process might take quite some time in a larger group and be harder to manage.  At some point, the ratings for specificity, leverage, values and reach need to be critically reviewed.  This review could happen during the small group discussions or be conducted by the larger group.  (http://www.raguide.org/RA/2_12.htm)

Add items to your research and information agenda if you need more information about specific strategies.