Steps to Consider
1. Identify potential religious leaders you know. Find out if they are interested in being allies and advocates for asset building. Share your thoughts and explore their interest. Find out whom else they would be willing to talk to (perhaps with you there as well).
2. Host an initial meeting of religious leaders who have expressed interest.
- Share basic information about Developmental Assets. You may find the following resources helpful in this process:
- A two-page introduction to asset building in congregations.
- Research exploring the connections between faith and assets.
- The presentation outlines in Get on Board! Presentations and Activities for Introducing Asset Building to Congregations
- Find out what interests them and what priorities emerge.
- Identify others who should be invited to participate (paying particular attention to religious and racial/ethnic diversity). Decide who will invite them.
- Have the group decide if it’s worth taking this further.
3. Host several planning meetings. It may take several months with several meetings of your planning group. Questions to address:
- Who will coordinate activities in the religious community?
- What kinds of activities will have the most impact starting out? For example, raising awareness in congregations; training for teams from congregations; interfaith youth events.
- Do you want to link with a sponsoring organization or network in the community?
4. Inform congregations and other stakeholders about your efforts. Depending on what you choose to do, you might consider:
- A media release
- A letter to (or, better yet, visits with) judicatory staff and other religious leaders
- Announcements to congregations (if possible, through personal visits from leadership team members).
5. Form task forces or other systems to get the work done.
