Assessing Resources E-8

Be careful with your pennies and you will have plenty of dollars.

This module can be studied on its own if you only want to learn some techniques for helping your group, organization or community identify the resources that exist within. The module, however, is a part of a sequence of steps on the program planning process. To understand this module as a part of that process you need to review (or do) modules E-4, E-5, E-6, and E-7.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this module you should be able to:

1. Describe five techniques for locating resources.
2. Select and adapt one or more of the resource assessment techniques to your group, organization or community.

TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSING RESOURCES

After you have written specific objectives for the group with which you are working (see module E-7) and before you develop a written plan, you need to make sure that you have the resources to carry out your objectives. If you do not, then the objectives may need to be rewritten or some may need to be dropped.

You may, however, have more resources available than you think. Some groups keep an inventory of resources and add to that inventory constantly.

Different organizations use different techniques to inventory resources. Examine the following examples which are described below and found on the following pages.

A. 4-H Parent Interest List - Parents are an often unused resource in youth groups. This questionnaire asks parents to check skills and resources that they are willing to share. Could your group use a "spouse" interest inventory? (See the next page)

B. Community Church Needs - This inventory is posted on the church bulletin board. The pastor reports that he is continually amazed at what he gets merely by asking.

C. Inventory Wall Chart - A civic organization in a small community uses this wall chart on a large piece of poster board to keep track of resources. Periodically, it is brought to meetings and updated (resources added or deleted).

D. Notebook of Resources - The Chamber of Commerce in a small town keeps track of resources in a notebook. The Vice President is assigned to keep the notebook current. Whenever a resource is identified, the Vice President has someone fill out the notebook form.

E. Inventory Worksheet for Committees

4-H PARENT INTEREST LIST

Please check the things you are willing to do if your 4-H club needs them.

_____ Encourage my son or daughter to participate in community, as well as project 4-H clubwork and we will participate as a family with the club as much as possible.

_____ Lend kitchen, backyard, living room or garage for an occasional meeting.

_____ Help provide light refreshments. (Your son or daughter serves them. A committee helps with clean-up.)

_____ Share a special interest or hobby with the group. Name the interest:

_____ Help in a car pool for transportation to 4-H meetings.

_____ Chaperone and/or provide transportation for a tour, picnic or party.

_____ Help telephone parents for last minute announcements.

_____ Encourage my son or daughter to start and complete projects on time. I will take an active interest in him (her) and encourage pride in his (her) own achievements.

_____ Urge my son or daughter to attend all meetings or to notify both host(ess) and leader if unable to attend.

_____ Assist 4-H project leaders. . .List:

My Hobbies:

Other volunteer interests:

4-H Committees

Exhibits

Clerical

Ticket sales

Hostessing

Program planning

4-H Camping

Fine arts

Assist at Fair

Registration

Local 4-H Committee

4-H Tours

Host 4-H member at Civic Club meetings

NAME

PHONE

ADDRESS

NAME OF SON OR DAUGHTER

COMMUNITY CHURCH NEEDS

Our church or individual members need the following items. If you can provide them, or have any suggestions, please leave your name and number.

I can provide it !! I would accept the following payment:

NEEDS                                                                           Name                                      Phone

Part-time secretary 5 hours/week

1 used refrigerator for parsonage

Babysitter for nursery on Sunday

Someone to write news releases

Someone to design posters and banners

Old bed sheets for art projects

Use of portable generator for three days

----------Questions? Check with the Secretary inside.----------

INVENTORY WALL CHART

Organization or Individual

Volunteers

Funds

Equipment

Supplies

Facilities

Expert Advice

Other  

NOTEBOOK INVENTORY FORM

 Name of Individual or Organization: Updated (Date):

Who to contact:

Resources Available:

People:

Name

Skills

Equipment

Interests 

Facilities:

Supplies:

Services:

Funds:

Others:

What do we do for them:

Comments:

Project or Activity: 

What do we need?

Who has it?

How do we get it?

Ask

Trade

Buy

Other

Questions for Discussion

1. Would any of the five examples (above) be useful to your organization?
2. Could you adapt one of these resource inventory techniques to your organization?
3. How are you going to assess resources in your organization?

EXERCISE