A GUIDE TO CREATING A COMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
In 2019 the Pawling Resource Center Board engaged in rewriting its strategic plan, in order to update and re-envision the work we do and the services we provide, reevaluate community needs, and look forward to where the PRC can grow. During this process, one Board member was excited by learning more about how the PRC was started, and how it has endured since its inception in 1976, through downturns and upturns, to be the organization that exits today. A committee formed to codify what it is we do, which evolved into a “how to” for other groups and communities. This resulted in a booklet, A Guide to Creating a Community Service Center, which was distributed to surrounding communities, and is available upon request.
Hal Clark, from the PRC Board, states, Management must be focused from the start on building strong community relationships, understanding their core competencies, being creative in fundraising, and establishing easily maintainable and effective databases. Through it all, they must nurture enthusiastic volunteers committed to success.
We are not professional consultants, and cannot be part of your management development, but offer our story to help you enter this incredibly rewarding field with your eyes wide open, and able to avoid time consuming mistakes.
By writing this manual, we hope to encourage others to join the effort to help neighbors in a meaningful way, and to help you avoid wasteful learning experiences.