A focus group survey of small to medium size non-profit directors conducted by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change found the following:
- Information overload causes staff to miss out on important information
- Lack systemic learning or knowledge-management process
- Lack effective data collection and outcome measurement
- Want to hear the “real story” not just success stories
- See a role for a knowledge broker who can sift and sort available information
- Of new information technologies, email is most frequently used
- Preferred way to access information through direct one-on-one contact with someone they trust
We believe the information and support provided by local PolicyOptions.org bureaus combined with the other forms of campus-outreach (e.g., direct service, training, issue forums, community-based research in the form of program evaluations, needs/asset assessments, etc.) directly respond to these challenges:
- Easy to use, comprehensive, up-to-date PolicyOptions.org websites with linked local, state, and national news & resources
- PolicyOption Issue Briefs that provide local, state, and national analysis & proposed solutions/policy options
- Organize study circles and public issue forums to bring together non-profit and government leaders, residents, and faculty and students with common interests
- Community-based research partnerships with local campus
- Capacity building training and on-going support
- Connect local nonprofit leaders via national network of local/regional campus-community partnerships
- Staff of local PolicyOption.org bureaus serve as community news & information “bureaus” provide monitor and report on local, state, and national issue activity
- Regular email news update put out by by local PolicyOption.org bureaus, encouraging information sharing and networking
- Individualized research support provided by staff and volunteers from local PolicyOption.org partnerships (esp. students and faculty doing CBR)
