CRMP HANDBOOK 

• Collect existing data and information about your proposed planning area. Watersheds are popular boundaries for CRMPs, but a planning area can be as large or small as you like and may not conform to watershed boundaries. Planning areas can take in more than one county and extend over several watersheds or other geographical boundaries.

• Assemble a planning committee for the meeting.

• Develop a mailing list.

• Identify your members as a start. Send letters to all agencies, interest groups and community organizations, units of government, etc., and ask for an official contact person who can be invited to the meeting. Keep an open door policy.

• Set the time and date for the meeting. Find a location which will accommodate the size of the expected group.

• Develop a meeting agenda.

• Make arrangements for a meeting facilitator. (See Appendix D.)

• Identify someone to chair the meeting.

• Create a flier that can be posted in public places within the planning area. Involve the local media by sending a news release with meeting information. Include radio, newspapers, local television, community newsletters.

• Send a letter or announcement of the first meeting four weeks in advance.

• Be prepared for audio-visual needs by having flip charts, overhead projectors, large felt markers, sign in sheet for attendees.

• Assemble handouts for meeting.

• Include information about the various groups already involved in the planning meeting, information about CRMP, etc. Gather all the information you can get your hands on. Previous studies, reports, research, etc. Ask others for information they may have. It is not necessary to include multiple copies of everything, but it is worthwhile to come to the meeting prepared to refer to historical information.

• Plan to have a recorder for the meeting to follow conversation. If this is not available, someone should be appointed to take complete and accurate notes.

California Coordinated Resource Management & Planning Council

contact: 916-447-7237, staff@carcd.org

site location: www.crmp.org/download/hb/apend-c4.html