The report presents case studies of 7 community action projects which were undertaken by New York communities with populations under 10,000 and which show how local leaders can improve the quality of life in their communities. The report describes the background, initiation, expansion, implementation, consequences, and highlights of the projects, which included developing a maple festival; establishing a rural medical clinic; providing senior citizen housing; developing a complex to house senior citizens, a health care center, and a child development center; establishing an arts and crafts center; and providing a new library. The report notes that although the projects ranged from informal local efforts to formalized projects involving extensive outside assistance and funding, they had the following features in common: (1) the principal actors and beneficiaries were local people and the goals represented local interests, (2) the projects were public, (3) the projects were oriented towards solving local problems with extensive volunteer participation, and (4) the process was democratic. The report also analyzes each case study for elements central to success and presents patterns of the action process including establishing non-profit corporations for community action, using communication and publicity, fund-raising and funding, coordinating the community and forming networks, and leading the projects. (SB)