Understand the basics of Community Needs assessment and why it is important for your organization, before you plan and deliver services.

1. Listen Better to Serve Well
Starting with Needs Assessment is
the best way to understand and serve
your community

2. Multiple Choice:
Is your community:
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A wall
A snake
A spear
A tree
A fan
A rope
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_men_and_an_elephant
We really only understand our community and
market from our own vantage point. Like the
familiar story of of the blind men trying to describe
the elephant– we can only see a part.

3. Since we don’t know, what we don’t know
It makes sense to intentionally learn more about
the values, challenges, needs and strengths
Of those we want to serve.

4. Large Corporations, Service Agencies, Hospitals,
Educators and Many Others Gather this
information, BEFORE they launch new ventures &
then annually to refine their services
When our purpose is to serve our community,
then this information gathering is called,
A Community Needs Assessment

5. Community Needs Assessment
Involves the process of identifying the people
with key information, and then gathering their
insights by interview or survey

6. Community Needs Assessment
Should focus not only on the “needs” of a
community, but also on its strengths and assets.
Communities are always comprised of both needs
and assets

7. Here’s a Shift
Like Market Research or other formal types of study,
Needs Assessment has usually been completed by
professionals for a fee.
We think listening to the story of a community is a job for
neighbors and others who want to make a difference.

8. So We Did A Switch
We took the process of needs assessment and
re-developed it for volunteers.
Now, any community organization that wants to make a
difference can complete a needs assessment first.

9. Now More Groups Can Play
If the process is volunteer friendly, then lots of
different local organizations can conduct a needs
assessment. If you are a church, nonprofit, school,
civic group or volunteer association you can do this!

10. Why Should We Do That?
If you are going to put all of the effort into a plan to
help others, shouldn’t you first understand their
values, needs and strengths?
We think that serving starts with listening.

11. And Here is a Secret
Real service is a partnership with people we want to help.
When we listen first, we let them know that we value
and respect them. And that is a very important
message.

12. Here are some more benefits
Organizations that complete needs assessments before
they plan and deliver services:
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Build more effective services
Grow local credibility
Involve recipients in planning
Connect relationally
Look more attractive to supporters

13. What’s Involved?
Good Community Needs Assessment Follows a Good Plan
 Interviews with the right people
 Questions that build insight
 Team that understands what and how to ask
 A thoughtful way to use the information that you
receive

14. We’ve Got Just the Thing
Compassion by Design Offers
Two Needs Assessment Approaches
1. Eight Step Complete Assessment
2. Five Step Rapid Assessment
And you can mix and match the steps to fit your setting.

15. Learn More
http://compassionbydesign.org
Or call us at 888-652-0119