What can an organizer do to ensure that dialogue participants act on their ideas? How does an organizer keep enthusiasm alive, yet provide a reality check for a newly formed action team?

Here are some first steps:

· Collect contact information of all action forum members

· Collect and organize all information about action ideas

· Assign an action team member to set up the team's first planning meeting

It's also important for the convener to have the Action Plan Template. In addition to serving as an agenda, it can help the team:

· Identify the goal

· Clarify why the group selected this action idea

· Clarify the team's level of commitment

· Guide discussion on what success would look like if they achieve their goal

· Brainstorm potential obstacles

· Discuss what further information and skill sets they need in order to move forward

· Assess what currently is happening locally to address their goal

You can download the action plan template by going to http://www.everyday-democracy.org/admin/Document.100.aspx

For example, the action idea may be to open a “Give and Take Shop,” where people donate something in good condition that they no longer need, and also are free to take something they could use. Perhaps the homeless shelter in town already does this informally. Or maybe a soup kitchen’s volunteers have expressed an interest in this as well. Inviting these groups to join the action team builds alliances and strengthens the effort.

The Action Plan Template can help steer the group away from one of the biggest pitfalls of well-intentioned community efforts: no follow-up assignments after a great session of dynamic brainstorming.

All of the questions in the Action Plan Template are vital to ensure that individuals take responsibility for moving the team closer to the shared vision of success.

Don't forget to go here to download your action plan template: http://www.everyday-democracy.org/admin/Document.100.aspx