Mississippi State Community Action Team (MSCAT)

First Impressions

A Program for
Community Assessment and Improvement

OVERVIEW

First Impressions
  • Adapted from a program developed by: Dr. Andrew B. Lewis, Community Development Specialist, Center for Comunity Development, University of Wisconsin Extension
Mississippi's First Impressions Program
  • A Partnership between MSU Extension Service (MSU-ES) and the Mississippi State Community Action Team (MSCAT).
  • "This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA's funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis."
First Impressions
  • A structured visitation program designed to capture the observations of visitors to a community.
  • The visitors evaluate things like: curb appeal, friendliness, housing, healthcare, education, retail shopping, industry, infrastructure, religion, civic activity, recreation, tourism, etc.
How It Works
  • A "community-to-community" effort.
  • A community requests a "First Impressions" visit.
  • A "First Impressions" team is formed from volunteers in another community.
  • The team of "visitors" arrives unannounced in the host community mid-morning to begin their visit.
  • Visitors drive, walk, talk, and eat -- taking a few notes and pictures.
  • The team visits businesses, government offices, retail shops, parks, schools, etc.
  • The team chats with local residents and eats in local restaurants.
  • Observations are documented in a standardized notebook.
  • The visiting team leader collects all notebooks and picture files and submits them to MSCAT for compilation of a final report to the community.
  • The team leader works with the host community to schedule a community-wide meeting to publicly present the findings of the visit.
The "Visitors"
  • Members of the visiting team are diverse with regard to race, gender, age, and occupation.
  • In most cases team members are selected who have never visited the community - First Impressions.
MSCAT's Role
  • Work with community leaders to submit an application for a visit and manage the process.
  • Identify and coordinate partner communities.
  • Help identify and train visitation teams.
  • Compile team comments into a final report.
  • Support presentation of results at a community-wide meeting (town hall).
  • Facilitate team of visitors on reciprocal community visit.
  • Provide follow-up support, when requested, to identify available resources to help implement recommendations.
Timeline
  • Within two weeks after application is received, community is notified of acceptance.
  • Within one month of acceptance, the visiting team is identified and training and visit are scheduled.
  • Within two weeks following visit a draft of the visit results is complete and a community-wide meeting scheduled.
Community Requirements for Participation
  • Commitment to complete the project.
  • Identify a sponsoring group and team leader who works with MSCAT and the visiting team leader.
  • Plan, promote and conduct a community-wide forum to present the final report and recommendations to the community.
  • Gather a team of 6 volunteers who
    • Will reciprocate a visit to another community,
    • Participate in a two-hour training session.
  • Complete the reciprocal visit within a reasonable time period.
Why Get Involved?
  • First Impressions is designed to increase awareness of community strengths and opportunities.
  • Helps set goals and priorities for community improvement initiatives.
  • Helps identify ways to strengthen community perceptions and services.
  • Helps identify initiatives for community support agencies; civic groups; chambers; or city/county leaders.
Initiating the Process
Resource sites
Contact Information:

Virgil Culver, Director
Mississippi State Community Action Team
P.O. Box 6215
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-6703
662-325-6709 (fax)
E-mail

 
This project was initiated by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA's funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.