This handbook is a practical guide that can be used by an individual, group, or group leader in planning an active role in community development. Major topics covered are organizing the group; purpose and structure of your organization; how to identify the problem; planning an active program to solve a community problem; planning a large meeting…

Interviews with 36 members of 4 rural community betterment groups found that citizens typically learn through direct experience, vicarious experience, and guided experience. They also change their feelings and ways of thinking about groups and develop new awareness of themselves and others. (Author/SK)

This training model and accompanying a handbook (see related note) are based on the University of Georgia Rural Women Project, a two-year leadership training project which tested the model in Morgan County, Georgia, and had some success in developing effective community problem solving with the rural black community in that county. The following…