FAQs for This Community Development Approach
Who has used future search as a community development approach and strategy?
Future search has been used worldwide in hundreds of communities. People discover that future search is effective and bridges race, gender, age, class and other demographic factors.
We have previously tried to get a broad cross section of people involved in effecting change but have not been totally successful. How is your approach different?
In future search we use a systematic approach to assist the Planning Group in generating attendance. With sufficient resources and energy, this is not as difficult as people first think.
We also find that people are often more willing to commit to a longer meeting they believe will have real results, than a shorter meeting they believe may be a waste of time.
Does future search require special training or preparation by the participants?
No. People need only show up and use the skills, experience and motivation they already have. People accomplish what they already want to do and never dreamed they could.
Shouldn’t we send out an open invitation rather than inviting specific attendees?
One of the keys of future search is getting attendance from a cross section of stakeholders rather than just the usual voices. However, one option is to put out an open invitation to the entire community, setting a deadline for responding. After that deadline, the team will review the lists of attendees, identify any missing voices and invite them also. The main purpose is to get both the usual people and the not-so-usual people to the meeting.
Anything we decide can be changed or ignored by our elected officials.
It is usually the case that there are some things that come out of a future search that require involvement or commitment from elected officials (as well as some things that don’t). However, because elected officials are included as participants, they will already be part of the outcome. They will have the same buy-in and understanding as other participants and will be able to represent the outcome to their colleagues. In addition, we ask participants to choose actions they are ready, willing and able to make happen. The process is not about making recommendations to other. It is about empowerment and capacity building.
How can you guarantee action?
We have yet to work with an community or organisation that followed the conditions for success and didn’t have strong follow up action.
Having said that, it is not within our power to force people to act – we can only ensure the conditions for success and invite people to take action.
What do you mean by “community”?
Our reference to ‘community’ includes neighbourhoods, local council areas, professional networks, industry associations, cities, regions, States and even Nations. (The same principles also apply to organisations, for more on which, see our FAQs for Organisations.
The principles for effecting change are exactly the same irrespective of the nature of the ‘group’. What does differ is the manner in which the principles are applied.
Who would normally commence and drive an initiative to effect change in a community?
Anybody who has the will to do so. We have known initiatives to be commenced by government bodies (eg State or local councils), local business associations, local businesses, schools, community groups – even one or a few individual citizens.
If I wanted to commence such an initiative, how would I start?
The best starting point totally depends on your own individual circumstances. Just two ways are (1) discussions with and a meeting of community leaders, and (2) a large group community meeting to outline the idea and generate input.
Find a facilitator who has had experience facilitating with future search as a community development approach ir strategy and who is willing to invest some time in talking to you about your needs and the way forward.
Examples of the use of Future Search in communities and other sectors.