The ARS Blueprint for
Achieving Regional Results

Steps to Success: A Work in Progress

The Alliance for Regional Stewardship exists to support civic activists ? change engineers -- in their regional work by identifying and teaching practices that produce results.

Based on what we?ve learned from working with over 50 regions and thousands of regional leaders in our first six years, here are some fundamental ideas about how to organize and carry out a successful effort to bring positive change to your region ? the who, what and how to move ideas into realities.  (In the spirit of continuous improvement, treat this as a working document, and contact us with your thoughts.  These ideas, and many others, are found in the ARS Monograph Series, available at no charge to members.

Who: Get Together and Get Going

Getting started is both the easiest part and the hardest part.  It?s easy because, after all, people like to come together and talk about what?s wrong, or what?s right, in their communities and regions, and to share their own vision for the future.  You don?t need anybody?s permission.  But, as we all know, talking the talk is much easier than walking the walk.  Here?s what we?ve learned that could help you get walking quickly and in the right direction.

Step Two:
What: What?s the Big Idea?

Once you have people together to consider the future, you?ll need to structure a process that builds consensus around a) the kind of region you?d like yours to become and b) what steps you can take to achieve that future.  Here?s a few more ideas.  

How: Dig In to the Hard Work of Change

Now the fun really starts.  So far, you?ve only reached the end of the beginning.  You and your community have a clearer sense of your desired future, and you?ve identified some changes that could help get you there.  The tough stuff, the work that could take years of hard work, lies ahead.  You?re going to need to tell the story, and keep telling the story to stakeholders from around the region in order to build new energy and attract leadership to the cause.  You?ll need to pick initiatives that engage leaders, and engage leadership that represents the community and spans the traditional boundaries of sectors and political jurisdictions.  You?ll need to build and follow a disciplined approach to change.  Here are a few things we?ve learned in our work that could help at this stage.

Do It All Over Again:
Repeat, Rebuild, Renew

Regions that have been at this process the longest point out that the most important part of sustaining change is actually in restarting the change process. As the flywheel starts to turn and the context changes, leaders need to recognize new gaps between current reality and desired future. Even as they recognize success, regional stewards agitate to do even better. More details

For more indepth information: Monographs

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