COMMUNITY IN SOCIAL PLANNING?EXAMPLE THAT THE PROFESSOR GAVE US TO THIS QUESTION:Social planning is the process by which policymakers – legislators, government agencies, planners, and, often, funders – try to solve community problems or improve conditions in the community by devising and implementing policies intended to have certain results. These policies may take the form of laws, regulations, incentives, media campaigns, programs or services, information.1. Community participation makes it more likely that you’ll come up with a policy that’s effective.2. Community participation leads to community ownership and support of whatever initiatives come out of a social planning effort.3. Policymakers – particularly elected officials – can gain politically from involving the community4. Community participation can create community relationships and partnerships among diverse groups who can then work together5. Community participation helps keep community building going over the long run6. Community participation contributes to institutionalizing the changes brought about by changes in policy.7. Community participation energizes the community to continue to change in positive directions.
