Key Factor 6: Networking With and Support of Stakeholders

Changes in the community require the involvement and blessing of community leaders before attempting to mobilize the general public. Two issues in community readiness are involved in this issue: a belief that improvement is possible and a willingness to act.

The belief that improvement is possible may be difficult to assess from existing resources, but a careful review of local newspaper, other print media, television, and radio commentaries or news reports can suggest trends. Review explanations of substance-related problems in the news, newspaper editorials, and letters to the editor for information about public opinion trends, such as whether concern about a problem is growing, stable, or declining.

Telephone local religious leaders or program chairs of local civic clubs to ask whether recent sermons or public speakers have addressed the need for action against substance abuse. Weekly program calendars of civic and religious events in newspapers and community newsletters may provide indicators of public opinion and names of potential program supporters.

Belief that change can occur can be addressed through the use of focus groups, surveys of key leaders, and community attitudes surveys. Random samples of citizens can be approached in their homes, in group settings, on the street, or in public settings to solicit their opinions about the problem. Consult a survey research consultant when planning a survey.