CoMMUNny Groups

DescRipiioN

Working with a variety of community groups is an effective way to encourage discussion of
the needs of diverse segments of the community Community groups include familiar organiza-
tions, such as the Lions, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Associations, church-spon-
sored groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, environmental groups, and Neighborhood Watch groups.
Other community groups are less-familiar organizations, such as local homeowner associa-
tions, tenant organizations, gardening clubs, arts groups, and beautification committees. While
these groups may not focus specifically on environmental or hazardous waste issues, they can
provide the site team with early insight into community dynamics. The involvement of commu-
nity groups can help the site team to reach particular segments of the population and obtain
important site-related information.

RequIrecJ Adiviiy?

No.

IVlAkiNq ii WoRk

WMen to Use

Working with community groups is most effective when a broad range of groups are con-
tacted early and kept informed and involved throughout the decision-making process. Involve-
ment of community groups is particularly useful at sites with significant environmental con-
cerns and at sites where there are diverse community perspectives. Reach out to community
groups during the community information-gathering phase; this will help you to obtain informa-
tion about community issues, concerns, needs, and outreach products to include in the Com-
munity Involvement Plan. Work with community groups before important decisions are
made, even if only a few groups are involved.

How to Use

Include research on community groups in each phase of the information-gathering process.
For instance, during Community Interviews, ask residents to identify community groups and
organizations they belong to, and which they consider to be influential in their community.
Contact community groups to learn more about their officers and activities and how you can
participate in them. Set up a table at a civic association function or make a presentation to the
PTA. Then include representatives of key community organizations in Focus Groups to gain
understanding of stakeholders' views and to gather community input on site activities. Also,
use community groups' existing communications vehicles—newsletters, bulletin boards,
meetings, and mailing lists—to disseminate information about site activities.

Tips

® Community groups can be particularly helpful in outreach to low-income and disadvan-
taged residents who can be hard to reach through traditional community involvement
channels.

® Ask where low-income and other disadvantaged residents go for information, and what
community groups they trust. Then ask people from these community groups for advice.

® Start early and build partnerships with community organizations. Ask for a meeting to
discuss the hazards faced in the community and to explain what EPA is doing.

See Com-
munity
Involvement
Plans. Tab 7

See Commu-
nity Inter-
views. Tab
5; Focus
Groups. Tab
17

Last Updated:

September 2002

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CoMMUNiiy Groups

® Be willing to take important information to the people who need it. For example, consider
holding a special meeting with disadvantaged and other hard-to-reach groups. This is
particularly important at the beginning of the process in order to build trust and encourage
active participation when crucial decisions are being made.

® Make a long-term commitment. Don't expect instant acceptance. Be patient and respect
each organization's decision-making process. Understand that you will have to build
credibility first, and that can take time.

® Use the communications networks the community already trusts. Church groups can be
very effective in reaching various groups in the community. Community health clinics,
English-As-A-Second-Language programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, senior centers, and
Head Start programs are excellent ways to reach disadvantaged and other hard-to-reach
stakeholders in many communities.

® Remember, the messenger can be as important as the message. People are more likely to
listen to people and groups they already know and trust. A flyer received from a trusted
community organization has instant credibility; the same flyer sent through the mail or
received from a stranger may not.

® Enlist help from community organizations for translations. If there is a significant foreign-
language group in the community, there probably is at least one community-based organi-
zation that works on community issues affecting these residents. Contact the group and
ask someone to provide input for, review, and help translate your materials.

ReLatecJ TooLs/Resources iN tNe TooLkii

® Communications Strategies. Tab 3

® Community Interviews. Tab 5

® Community Involvement Plans. Tab 7

® Focus Groups. Tab 17

® Technical Assistance Grants. Tab 41

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