Evaluation Sourcebook (.pdf) - School of Natural Resources and ...

ASSETSNatural Resources | Social Assets | Political support | Organizational strengthsSocial assetsCOMMUNITY COHESIONA community in which residents identify with oneanother and have the ability to work together can be atremendous asset to ecosystem and community-basedproject success. Cohesion can be the product of:• shared values,• shared experiences, including past experiences ofworking together,• common racial, ethnic or religious heritage and• opportunities for community interaction anddialogue.“Cohesion” is a rather abstract notion that can be difficult to measure. Examining historicand contemporary interactions within your community is a good place to start to get asense of the ability of residents to work together. Surveys, interviews and focus groups thataddress community concerns and values can also give you a sense of the extent to whichresidents identify as a unified community.Sample evaluation questions and indicatorsX To what extent does the community have a history of working together to addressissues of common concern to the community? Number of community initiatives in the past 20 yearsNumber of hours residents volunteered in the past yearDonations to local charitiesX To what extent do forums for community dialogue and interaction exist? Number of individuals who submitted letters to the editor of the localnewspaper in the past yearNumber of community/town hall meetings on various topics over the pastyearNumber of local radio call-in showsX To what extent does the community have shared values and identity? Vote margins for elected officials and referendaParticipation in community festivals that celebrate a particular identity orheritageResponses to surveys, interviews and focus groups about feelings of kinship,attachment to geographic place, how people value the land (intrinsic,economic, etc.), etc.Ecosystem Management Initiative 160