Our Recipe for Community Engagement

It’s the time of year when recipes dominate the conversation. Everyone wants to know the secret to Grandma’s dressing or your auntie’s cornbread.

And while some cooks keep their recipes close to their chests, others ensure traditions and good food are passed down and shared to keep everyone fed and happy.

At SCP, we’re not cooks, but we do know an engaged community is like a great holiday meal: warm, inviting, and best enjoyed in the company of those you love.

Last month, our team gathered for a retreat and created our Recipe for Community Engagement. While it is organic and beautiful, it’s intentional and unapologetic.

As holiday celebrations begin, we’re focusing on what is true and matters: community.

Like any good recipe, this one can changed to meet the needs of your diners—in this case, your community members. Maybe you need to use less Budget or different means of Communication. Whatever your community needs, this recipe can help you set the groundwork for the work you want to do for and alongside them any time of the year.

Recipe for Community Engagement

Graphic by Alexis Bagley

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Community

  • 2 tsp. Understanding

  • 1 tbsp. Desire

  • ¼ tsp. Research

  • ½ tsp. Feedback

  • 1 tsp. Communication

  • 1 cup Connections

  • ½ to 1 cup Budget

Steps

  1. Start by combining your Community with a seasoned Understanding of it and your Desire to work with them

  2. Fold in Research about your community to know what they want and need

  3. Incorporate Feedback from your community to decide on next steps

  4. Carefully whisk in Communication to keep community members informed

  5. Cook your Connections until meaningful, then add to the mixture

  6. Sprinkle in Budget in an amount appropriate for your needs

  7. Bake until the project is ready to be shared with your community

  8. Serve and enjoy

Be sure to gather Feedback from your diners on how they want the recipe to change in the future.

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