Society and History / Science / Vocational and Applied Learning / Health and wellbeing

Working on a Community Issue: A Five Step Process

1.    Identify a current community issue. It could be a proposed development, concern about lack of services, a law and order issue or an environmental concern.

• Discuss what makes something an issue
• Brainstorm: "Issues that are of concern to me, my friends or my community"
• Reach consensus on one issue or research issues in groups
• To which goals or benchmarks does the issue relate?

2.    Researching views, policy and practice on the issue

Inquire into school and community views on the issue.

• Survey views on the issue
• Monitor the local media for current news on the issue
• Interview government departments about current policy
• Investigate local expertise on the issue
• What community consultation through Tasmania Together has taken place already on this issue?

3.    Weighing options for influencing policy and practice

Students take realistic and achievable action to influence the issue.

• Read and discuss 51 ways to make Tasmania a better place
• Discuss other ways to take action on the issue
• Weigh the options and democratically decide on a course of action

4.    Planning and taking civic action

Students work in teams to plan and take action on the issue.

• Discuss and decide what teams and resources will be needed
• Decide on what information will need to be gathered
• Decide how to communicate your message to an audience

5.    Reviewing and evaluating the project

Review the progress of the project and discuss ways to keep the process going