This paper presents findings from a survey of 34 food policy councils (FPCs) in California. The survey addressed organizational structure and functions, policy priorities and achievements, and the use of research or other information. We find that most FPCs have formed in recent years, operate with small budgets and limited or no staff, and…

This article examines the involvement of civil society organizations in human rights education (HRE) in Israel. Focussing on the educational programs of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), as a qualitative instrumental case study, this article examines the conceptions of good citizenship embedded in these programs. Specifically, the…

This guide presents a flexible model for public involvement that was developed by bringing together a variety of materials and findings previously developed on public participation techniques. Many of the model's components are based on findings of a lengthier related study entitled, "Social, Environmental, and Attitudinal Factors Associated with…

The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library have compiled detailed information about its benefit book sales and presents it here as a guide for those who wish to organize sales in their own communities. The committees needed to operate the sale are listed, and the duties of the chairmen are described. Suggestions are given for collecting…

These appendices include the data upon which "Citizen Organizations: A Study of Citizen Participation in Educational Decisionmaking--Final Research Report" (UD 019 754) was based. Data are provided on the variables which shaped the character and role of community organizations concerned with the school systems and school policies of…

For the reader who wants to know in general terms about the current status of citizen participation in educational decision-making, a descriptive account of a national survey and a summary of the findings are presented. A section containing the results of an opinion portion of the survey should also be of interest to the general readers. Two…

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)

Although increasing numbers of organizations are speaking out on behalf of children, politicians need to hear first-hand from families about their concerns for their children. This book provides parents and others with skills necessary to organize effectively and speak out on issues that affect children at home, at school, and in the broader…

Since its founding in 1983, The Jefferson Foundation has engaged increasing numbers of Americans in study and discussion of the U.S. Constitution. Through participation in Jefferson Meetings on the Constitution citizens will come to a fuller understanding of how the Constitution was made, why it designed the national government the way it did, and…

The history of European immigration to the United States and the roles that white ethnic groups have played in American industrialization, urbanization, and suburbanization are discussed in this paper. Focused on is the process by which major American cities grew and changed in terms of their ethnic composition. Fluctuations in the national…

This booklet is intended to help school boards, city councils, and other governing boards establish an effective working relationship with local community councils. In the approach described in this booklet, the community council is created as a legitimate problem-solving group and works with a governing board in continuously identifying and…

This guide for the public provides information on ways to address homelessness within the context of community development. The following articles issued by the Homelessness Information Exchange are included as Sections 1, 2, and 3: (1) "The Problem of Homelessness Nationwide"; (2) "Ways You Can Help the Homeless"; and (3) "Building a Coalition in…

A vast number of different types of citizens' groups participate in the educational process with differing degrees of involvement. Besides school-oriented groups, there are child advocacy and neighborhood associations, other citizens groups that have broad concerns but are in part interested in schools, and the advisory committees created by legal…

This booklet is about what people say and do with regard to citizen participation. Explanations and key resources are provided for eleven techniques to obtain citizen participation: Alinsky Organizations, charrettes, citizen advisory committees, community audio and video access, community development corporations, community resource/information…

Participant observation and intensive interviews of fifty people from a rural midwestern community provided information on the importance of women in women's organizations and in behind-the-scenes arenas of local politics and economics. Bringing women into community studies expands the concept of community into private, familial arenas where…