In an era of increasing complexity, the majority of local land-use decisions in the United States are made by volunteer citizen planners. Often these elected or appointed volunteers enter their positions with a passion for their communities but without appropriate background training. The Michigan Citizen Planner Program was developed to address…

The author questions how a community measures its quality-of-life. The author's emphasis is on people and the communities goals in terms of people. Extension education must confirm dealing with people problems rather than community problems. (MS)

Technical capability, a resource needed by citizen groups, can usually be found. The uncertain political authority for decision-making given to citizen groups is a more serious problem. Local groups must learn where their project fits into the local political scheme. (EM)