The tools in this section address the question of "Readiness," or how prepared a group is to become involved in the constituent and community engagement process. This might mean exploring the status of the group's vision and mission, their relationship to staff, partners and constituents, and their leadership approach as part of an organizational culture conducive to social change efforts. The change agent launching this conversation about readiness might be an independent consultant, a leader or staff member within an organization or collaborative, a board member or other stakeholder. Learn more in the Readiness section of the Nonprofits Integrating Community Engagement (NICE) Guide.

What Does Social Change Look Like?

This creative exercise uses a series of images as prompts for a conversation about what group members associate with the term “social change”. (Adapted from the Visual Explorer® exercise developed by the Organizational Culture and Practice of the Board: Creating Access and Success for All.)


The 5th Discipline

In 1990, Peter Senge published “The Fifth Discipline” (later followed by “The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization” in 1994). His books pulled together his extensive research into what different organisations do to build learning capacity – and why some organisations use learning better than others. This link to the Change Forum provides a summary of the book’s content and access to the book.


Wheel of Change

Wheel of Change Planning Template is a planning tool to explore what is currently in place or will be needed to embark on a social change effort.


Luchadores para el Voto

This video shows how members of a small community used the strength of its culture to address issues of voter capacity and civic apathy.


Developing a Learning Culture in Nonprofit Organizations

How can today’s nonprofits demonstrate effective use of funds? How can they motivate employees and volunteers and combat burnout and high turnover? How can they ensure that they are performing in accordance with their mission and purpose?

Author Stephen J. Gill answers these questions and more in “Developing a Learning Culture in Nonprofit Organizations”. Filled with practical tips and tools, the book shows students and managers of human services, arts, education, civic, and environmental agencies how to implement a learning culture with individuals, teams, the organization as a whole, and the larger community.