stakeholders
The list below identifies stakeholders (people, organizations, businesses) in my project Gorgas Garden. These thirteen stakeholders are associated with the project, objective or problem and have something to either lose or gain through the outcome of Gorgas Garden.
stakeholder analysis diagram
This chart illustrates how various stakeholders work together or separately within Roxborough. The larger the circle is, the greater the influence of that particular stakeholder. Conversely, the smaller the circle, the less influence the organization yields. When circles overlap, this indicates that the two organizations already work together in some capacity.
analysis & reflection
Friends of Gorgas Park (FOGP) have the most influence in my project because the garden Gorgas Garden wants to revitalize is located in Gorgas Park. FOGP already has an established organizational structure and is successful in the mission they promote on their Facebook page: "to promote the use and beatification of Gorgas Park through free programming, such as concerts and festivals" (Friends of Gorgas Park Facebook, n.d.). This organization is visible in the community and is trusted and respected by residents. They also have savvy marketing skills. Promotional posters for events in the park are seen all over town, taped in the windows of local businesses, and blown-up to the size of a small billboard and displayed right by the park's welcome sign along the busy Ridge Avenue. FOGP also advertise in The Review, the local newspaper, have a website and Facebook page, and post events in the Roxborough-Manayunk Patch, our community's culture and news website. In order for FOGP to relinquish the community garden and its maintenance to Gorgas Garden, they would need to fully understand how our vision and mission are aligned with theirs. In working with them, one possible barrier to change is that might not be interested in outside help, or they might not desire a change. Despite these possible barriers, FOGP would be a tremendous asset for me in the planning and implementation of my proposed project.
The success and sustainability of Gorgas Garden is also heavily dependent on support and resources from other stakeholders such as the Roxborough Development Corporation, and the involvement, time and energy of community volunteers, parents and children. All of the thirteen stakeholders listed in the Gorgas Garden project are vested in the welfare of the community and its children. Other common threads these stakeholders share: an interest in improving our community's infrastructure, preserving our natural resources, social change and growing Roxborough's cultural and business life. Stakeholders with less influence, such as Stanley's Hardware, Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, the Farmers' Market at Gorgas Park and Weavers Way Community Programs, are included because they each have unique ways in which they can back the efforts of Gorgas Garden. Donations of materials, supplies, money and expertise are ways these stakeholders can contribute to the project.
A potential barrier to working with stakeholders is depending too greatly, or not enough, on a single contributor or organization. This can be avoided by understanding the nature of all stakeholders' levels of interest. Identifying each stakeholder's concerns will inform how Gorgas Garden will involve them in the project. Another potential barrier to working with stakeholders is gaining their trust. Keeping them informed about changes to the project, inviting their input, and transparent handling of funds will safeguard against the issue of mistrust. Involving many stakeholders would benefit Gorgas Garden because this participatory process leads to greater community support and buy-in, more ideas and problem-solving suggestions, a greater perspective on the community context and ultimately, a more effective effort (Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests, 2013). The influence of some stakeholders may be small, yet, collectively their efforts will make a positive impact on Gorgas Garden and its mission.
REFERENCES
Friends of Gorgas Park. (n.d.). Facebook. Retrieved August 1, 2014, from https://www.facebook.com/GorgasPark
Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests. (2013). Encouraging Involvement in Community Work > > Main Section. Community Tool Box. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/participation/encouraging-involvement/identify-stakeholders/main
The success and sustainability of Gorgas Garden is also heavily dependent on support and resources from other stakeholders such as the Roxborough Development Corporation, and the involvement, time and energy of community volunteers, parents and children. All of the thirteen stakeholders listed in the Gorgas Garden project are vested in the welfare of the community and its children. Other common threads these stakeholders share: an interest in improving our community's infrastructure, preserving our natural resources, social change and growing Roxborough's cultural and business life. Stakeholders with less influence, such as Stanley's Hardware, Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, the Farmers' Market at Gorgas Park and Weavers Way Community Programs, are included because they each have unique ways in which they can back the efforts of Gorgas Garden. Donations of materials, supplies, money and expertise are ways these stakeholders can contribute to the project.
A potential barrier to working with stakeholders is depending too greatly, or not enough, on a single contributor or organization. This can be avoided by understanding the nature of all stakeholders' levels of interest. Identifying each stakeholder's concerns will inform how Gorgas Garden will involve them in the project. Another potential barrier to working with stakeholders is gaining their trust. Keeping them informed about changes to the project, inviting their input, and transparent handling of funds will safeguard against the issue of mistrust. Involving many stakeholders would benefit Gorgas Garden because this participatory process leads to greater community support and buy-in, more ideas and problem-solving suggestions, a greater perspective on the community context and ultimately, a more effective effort (Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests, 2013). The influence of some stakeholders may be small, yet, collectively their efforts will make a positive impact on Gorgas Garden and its mission.
REFERENCES
Friends of Gorgas Park. (n.d.). Facebook. Retrieved August 1, 2014, from https://www.facebook.com/GorgasPark
Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests. (2013). Encouraging Involvement in Community Work > > Main Section. Community Tool Box. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/participation/encouraging-involvement/identify-stakeholders/main