Community Scan Assignment Bus 303s- Spring 2011

Please plan 3 hours for your scan. Go in groups of 2- 4 people. You will present on your scan with your group. Your Scan Paper (reflection) will be collective. Individuals will address specific sections. Indicate the author of each section. The paper should be 3-4 pages long (minimum of 250 concisely written words per person)) What is a Community Scan? A community scan is an opportunity to explore and begin to understand communities, cultures, lifestyles and economic levels and systems other than your own. Use the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit ) as your structure for writing about your observations. First just observe the community, its interactions with attention to the TBL. Explore the issues below People: cultures, social strengths, community and social equitywhat evidence do you have of the strengths of the people and groups in the community. Are they valued in the community? Are all residents included, involved and fulfilled (their potential), and able to create happy, healthy living community? Planet: Describe the environment: What natural systems exist; what is lacking, or needed; what positive attributes or advantages does the natural environment possess? Can you determine where residents get water and energy? Where does their waste go? Is there any evidence of attempts to reduce, reuse and recycle? Does pollution affect the people, or some of the people negatively? Economics: What appear to be the primary economic strengths of the community? What kinds of businesses presently exist? What other enterprises can you imagine which could possibly increase economic viability? Location for scans are limited to:

Salinas (Chose 1 area: A. East Alisal/ Market, Sanborn, Mi Pueblo, Find the Citizenship Project, schools, neighborhoods; B. Old Town-S.Main St/Courthouse/ Hartnell and neighborhoods; C. Chinatown, Natividad Hospital, Juvenile Hall, Chinatown (Soledad St), First Tee

Before the Scan: Write down what you expect? This is an exercise in unbiased observation, but also an examination of ones own judgments, assumptions, and stereotypes about a specific area. Go to google maps and explore the community, plan your trip. Also do a little prior research about the community. (see research suggestions below) During the Scan: Asset Based vs. Deficit Based Thinking: Be sure to try to understand the assets as well as the deficits of the community you observe. Think about the strengths or assets of the community? How can your discipline be of service to the local community? Drive and walk around the community that you are visiting. Note key institutions, observe the community, and engage with community members. Also note environmental conditions. Are the neighborhoods green? Clean? Is there evidence of recycling? Reuse, such as swap meets, parks? Municipal services such as water, sewage, trash, power? If you can, take photos on your scan to share with the class. Be courteous. Some people and some businesses do not want photographs taken. Scan Outline: (divide by participants, indicate author of each section) I. II. Introduction (prior knowledge and expectations) The Scan Experience- what did you do? III. People (community and social equity issues, interview at least 2 people)

Analysis

IV. Planet (environment, sustainability or environmental improvement efforts, photo one asset and one deficit) V. Profit (economic strengths, opportunities, assets, deficits) VI. General Observations, Conclusions Things to remember on your Scan: Make sure to have fun! Spend a significant amount of time (at least 3 hours) in the community, Visit multiple neighborhoods, (commercial, government/community services, residential) Step outside of your comfort zone, but be safe. Be open to new experiences, eat somewhere (not a chain) Be respectful of people in the community; talk to people, but dont be demanding. Suggested locations to visit: The City Hall- ask for the Agenda for the next city council meeting; the local library; a clinic or community service agency; a small business. Suggested interviews: Speak with different community members (long time resident-10+ years, small business owner, city employee, congress member etc.). Possible questions: What are the benefits of living in this community? What kind of jobs do people do? Does their business hire most of the local people? What do you think is the most important issue or need the community is facing? Social issues? Environmental issues? Ask something about the history of the community. Suggested Research (provide source).. Summarize and select notable data. I. Demographics of the community. Try to find more recent data than the 2000 census. a. Race/ethnicity/language breakdowns; b. Average education; c. Proportion of homeowners to renters; d. Median home price; e. Median income. Do not report all of this in your oral or written report, round off numbers. Conclusions: After getting to know the area and speaking with community members, what do you now see as the strengths or assets of the community? What are the challenges? Knowing what you know now, what ways can your discipline (business, economic development) be of service to the local community? What else did you learn while doing the scan that may not have been covered above? How did it feel to be a visitor or an outsider? If you are from the community, how did it feel to do an assignment in your community? If you were a visitor to the community how was the community similar or different from your home community? If you are from the community, what new things did you learn about your community? Outcomes addressed by this assignment (Upper Division SL): Civic Engagement; Social Justice; Multicultural Community Building Grading is based on: Evidence of good observation and involvement in the community, clear writing, thoughtful analysis, personal reflection and insight.(see syllabus for pts. for written and oral scan reports)