how to / create centres / people The people who get involved in your project are its most vital resource. They will generate the vision and ideas needed to make the plan a reality. They will have (or be willing to gain) the skills and experience to get the project planning process underway. They will have (or will generate) contacts, supporters, partners, sponsors and potential users: the human network that the project needs to start up and survive. To access many funds, especially the NOF and DfEE Learning Centres funding you must show community involvement in your project planning. Involving people One way to involve people from the outset is to organise a local community meeting. Community meetings A community meeting is a good way to start a project. The purposes of the meeting may include publicising the idea and recruiting volunteers and support. A meeting is a good opportunity to: present some outline ideas discuss a starting point gain some feedback circulate a questionnaire recruit to a steering committee get people on your side explore possibilities air concerns let people have their say There will always be a few assorted Doubting Thomases, Technophobes and Trouble-makers. Their concerns are genuine: how new developments will affect them, who will pay, intrusion and noise, parking, and porn on the Internet! If you can convert them, do. There are tried and tested ways of doing this: guest speakers from other groups (who may be further along the line with experience to share), ICT demonstrations, participatory games, and visits to other projects can work wonders. If you can't convert dissenters, and they are in a small minority, it doesn't matter - accept their point of view as constructive criticism and be ready with answers for them! If the whole community is against the idea, it is a different matter - perhaps back to the drawing board. Invite a guest speaker - someone who has been through a similar project or planning process, whether as a volunteer, steering group member or as a paid consultant. Ask potential stakeholders, partners or sponsors to attend. It's a good idea to keep any Steering Group (see Legal structure) you form to a manageable number of people - say eight at most. But if you have plenty of support then an Interest Group ("Friends of Our Project") is a good idea. Keep them informed of progress and use them as an extra source of help when needed. Keep a note of any time (or other resources) that volunteers give your project. This is a vital source of match funding. how to / create centres / people