Full Answer Section

• One person from a civic or community group (Lion’s Club, Rotary, Senior Center volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, etc.)

Interview Guide:

1. Background Information

• Occupation:
• Years of residence in the community:
• Community involvement (beyond employment):

2. Community Perceptions

• What are the most pressing issues facing our community today? (Allow for multiple responses)
• How do you feel the community is addressing these issues? (e.g., effectively, ineffectively, not at all)
• What are the biggest challenges to addressing these issues? (e.g., lack of funding, political gridlock, lack of community engagement)

3. Personal Experiences

• Have you personally been impacted by any of these issues? If yes, please describe.
• How does your role in the community (occupation, community involvement) influence your perspective on these issues?

4. Community Solutions

• What specific actions or initiatives would you like to see the community take to address these issues?
• How can individuals like yourself contribute to finding solutions?
• What role do you think government, businesses, and community organizations should play in addressing these issues?

5. Community Strengths & Weaknesses

• What are the greatest strengths of our community? (e.g., strong sense of community, diverse population, natural resources)
• What are the greatest weaknesses of our community? (e.g., poverty, crime, lack of infrastructure)

6. Closing Remarks

• Is there anything else you would like to share about the community or the issues facing it?

Note:

• This is a semi-structured interview, allowing for flexibility and follow-up questions based on the interviewee’s responses.
• Maintain a respectful and open-minded approach throughout the interview.
• Ensure confidentiality of individual responses.
• Transcribe interviews accurately and thoroughly.
• Analyze interview data to identify common themes, divergent perspectives, and potential areas for community action.

This interview protocol provides a framework for gathering valuable insights into the community’s perspectives on local issues. By engaging with diverse voices, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the community and inform more effective community development initiatives