For almost 20 years, from 1917 to the 1930s, the traveling Chautauqua circuits and festivals brought education, inspiration, and entertainment to remote and not-so-remote communities. Now in the 1980s, emphasis is once more being placed on the value of local community life, on self-reliance and mutual help with respect to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of communities. A revised 1980s version of the Chautauqua ideal may provide one of the catalysts for this movement across Canada. This handbook is meant to be used as an aid in planning and conducting a community Chautauqua, an event that could become an annual tradition. In a narrative format, the booklet covers the following topics: the Chautauqua coordinator, the Chautauqua committee, sponsorship, program ideas, surveying the community, holding a public meeting, assigning jobs, beginning the detailed planning, planning ahead, coordinator's checklist, budgeting, concessions and vendors, charging admission, promotion and publicity, legal and administrative considerations, site management, and wrapping it all up. A contact person's name and address are given. Appendixes to the guide list resources, provide pointers on site selection, and describe a community Chautauqua example. (KC)