The Little Field Guide for Sparking Community-Led Change - by Richard C Harwood (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Little Field Guide for Sparking Community-Led Change: 10 Essential Questions to Build Civic Confidence and Momentum

Creating change in communities is hard. Getting people and resources in motion and keeping them aligned is a big challenge. Creating something sustainable is even tougher. Generating results can be downright elusive. What are we to do? How can we get started in ways that increase the likelihood of long-term success?

If we want to spark community-led change, then how we do the work is as important as what we do. And the early steps we take matter-a lot. Drawing on over 35 years of experience leading change in communities across all 50 states and 40 countries worldwide, Harwood reveals ten essential questions that are often overlooked in community change initiatives. With inspiring stories of transformation and actionable strategies, this field guide is a must-read for those ready to step forward, meet communities where they are, and forge sustainable momentum that creates a new trajectory of hope.

Review Quotes

"This book offers a guide for how we can begin improving the places where we live. It generates a sense of hope and confidence that if we work together, if we listen to people, we can forge impactful, community-led change. Driven by the Harwood approach, people in Reading have come together to collaborate and listen to each other. Together, we can see the change that we want and need."

-David Myers, executive director, Berks Alliance

"When your heart tells you that things must change, but you scratch your head on how, Rich Harwood has the answers. For decades, I have admired how Rich puts himself into communities to listen, hear, and then propel engagement for meaningful change. It's both easy (it's about people) and hard (it's about people), but oh so worth it. Join us in adopting time-tested practices that become part of your DNA. It may be called The 'Little' Field Guide, but it is 'Ginormous' in value."

-Debra M. Jacobs, president and CEO, The Patterson Foundation

"After more than three decades of helping communities across America confront wrenching challenges, Rich Harwood knows that civic engagement is hard work-and that traditional approaches are unlikely to produce the desired results. The Little Field Guide is an easily digestible and profound resource for all of us looking to effect change in deeply divided communities. At its heart, Rich's message is about building authenticity and trust through sincere engagement-not through fancy PowerPoints or mind-numbing analysis. As a longtime practitioner of Harwood methodology, I know this latest book will be a valuable tool in driving our day-to-day efforts to create community-led change in our region."

-Larry Olmstead, president and CEO, United Way of Northern California

"Sometimes the simplest, most elegant questions hold the biggest promise for transformation. This is the essence of The Little Field Guide. This slim volume gets to the heart of the most critical factors to unleash meaningful community change."

-Jen Algire, executive vice president, Union for Reform Judaism

"Rich Harwood's The Little Field Guide for Sparking Community-Led Change is a must-read for anyone passionate about igniting hope in their community. In ten essential questions, Rich challenges changemakers to rethink how they spark and sustain momentum. This book is a call to action that shifts the focus to what really matters in our communities: people, trust, and shared purpose. Packed with wisdom from over 35 years of experience, Rich's approach is insightful, energizing, and deeply practical. If you're ready to make real change and inspire others to join you, this book will leave you motivated and inspired."

-Michael Toledo, president and CEO, Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc.

"This guide is an eye-opener to community leaders who have tried doggedly to solve daunting community problems. Through our participation in Harwood's work, we have come to realize that we need to meet people where they are, not where we wish they were. For those who wish to take the path that Rich describes, know that even if you think you are doing this work now, as most of us did, we found out that we were not getting the correct information to see successful change. This approach is hard work. But if you don't ask people what their community aspirations are and what they want for their children and their families, you will continue to offer services with the best of intentions that will likely miss the mark."

-Karen A. Rightmire, chief strategy officer, The Wyomissing Foundation