LITTLE ROCK, AR--(Marketwire - March 22, 2011) - Community coach practitioners Ken Hubbell of Ken Hubbell and Associates, Mary Emery, Ph.D. and Becky Miles-Polka have released "The Field Guide to Community Coaching," a community development tool designed to help groups rebuild and revitalize communities by providing coaching concepts and tools as well as examples of community coaching success stories.
"The guide is designed to support the individuals, coalitions, groups and institutions that take part in shaping communities," co-author Ken Hubbell stated. Examples from rural and urban settings are included in the guide, with tips from more than a dozen experienced community coach practitioners.
"With President Obama's budget outlining new funding for community planning that leads to sustainable development, the Field Guide's tips and tools provide immediate resources that groups can use to spark new ideas to energize their communities," explained co-author Dr. Emery.
Leading national groups have noted that the President's proposed planning and sustainability funding is particularly important in today's challenging economic climate. A recent post from the American Planning Association website stated, "The President's budget recognizes that investments in planning and creating communities of lasting value are the cornerstones of restoring economic growth and creating long-term competition and prosperity."
Co-author Hubbell said the guide is built upon successful community coaching practices -- an effective process that helps open up new ideas and supports local groups creating a roadmap to sustainable communities. "Community coaching is growing in popularity because of its promising results," Hubbell said, "and because it supports the wisdom, creativity and compassion that is ever-present, though sometimes overlooked, in communities."
The "Field Guide to Community Coaching" was developed with support from the W.K. Kellogg, Annie E. Casey and Northwest Area foundations and the Kellogg Action Lab at Fieldstone Alliance.
The 108-page "Field Guide to Community Coaching" is currently available as a free e-book at www.communitycoaching.com.
For more information about community coaching, contact Ken Hubbell or Dr. Mary Emery.
