COMMUNITY CARE CHAMPIONS
Volunteer ‘champions’ trained in sustainability theory, behavior audits, facilitation, consultation, and specific behaviors such as energy and water-use efficiency, solid waste management, pollution prevention, biodiversity preservation, and responsible consumerism will branch into their neighbourhoods, groups/organizations, or businesses with specific modules of information and social marketing strategies for their particular audiences. For example, a champion belonging to a book club or church group would go armed with a list of books for members to choose from and list of potential discussion topics. Collectively, group members would decide if they wanted to focus on sustainability for 10 to 15 minutes each meeting, or devote entire meetings to sustainability training.
All participants will contribute to market research that:
- establishes benchmarks for attitudes and behavior before participation;
- identifies optimal facilitation techniques and learning situations;
- pinpoints additional ways of spreading information about sustainable behaviors; and
- records attitudes and behavior after participation.
All training and teaching materials (e.g. workbooks) will be developed with input from like-minded individuals. For example, materials for neighbourhood champions will be created based on pertinent literature reviews, input from neighbourhood association representatives and existing block parents, and feedback from social marketers who have pioneered similar programs. As ongoing education and motivation of volunteers is critical to the success of every project, volunteer champions will meet regularly for enhanced training and to brainstorm more effective ways of engaging their target audiences.
