The Profile Event - Saturday
On the morning of the second day, the lead facilitator welcomes participants
back as a large group and reports back on the results of the Friday night
small group discussions. Participants are asked what key issues they
heard, which are then grouped by the lead facilitator into six to ten
broad themes. This is done by consensus of the entire group. Once completed,
people break out into small working groups for the theme of their choice.
The small groups define the problems or opportunities as they pertain
to the issue and what they hope to accomplish in the form of project
goals. Potential problems or solutions are proposed and these are rated
on an impact-feasibility basis. Three projects are selected based on
their location on the impact-feasibility grid, to bring to the entire
group.
At the end of the morning, the large group reconvenes to hear the reports
from the morning's small groups. The lead facilitator asks: "Which
project do you think we should move forward on? Which is the most important
project for our town right now?" The large group votes on projects
and the ones with the most votes are worked on in the afternoon small
groups. Participants choose the project they want to work on in the afternoon,
addressing critical steps to implementation.
The final plenary session includes a discussion on "Where do we
go from here?" What kind of communication system will exist and
can the group decide on future meetings. A member of the Steering Committee
closes the event to give the community ownership of what has occurred.
The report which is produced by UNH Cooperative Extension includes all
the information recorded throughout the one and half day event. The Steering
Committee has the responsibility for printing and distributing the report
in a timely manner. Enough copies should be produced so that everyone
who attended receives a copy and there are extras for the general public,
public library, etc.
