Step 4: Acting on Your Plan

This is the most exciting part of the Success Cycle. When actually doing your project, you will find that there are a number of things you will have to deal with. This section reviews two of the most important aspects of actually carrying out a project.

You may need to train volunteers to make sure that they understand the goals and objectives of your project, that the information they provide to the project's audience is correct, that they have the skills necessary to perform tasks, and that they know how to handle problems. Training also builds teamwork among your volunteers and builds the skills needed for the success of your project. Use "Worksheet 4: Training Planner" to plan such details as when and where a training session will take place, the contents and procedures of a training session, and what additional materials will be needed.

Training for crime prevention programs is especially important. There are right and wrong ways to try to prevent crime. Suppose a volunteer was teaching elementary school children how to protect themselves at home alone and gave the wrong advice. That could be harmful or dangerous. Check with police, counselors, hospitals, victim services programs, and other local services for proper techniques.

Estimated Training Time for Youth Crime Prevention Projects

Project Number of
Training Hours

Community cleanup 1 - 4

Fairs and displays to educate the public 1 - 5

Vandalism prevention 2 - 3

Escort/check-in service for senior citizens 2 - 3

Shoplifting prevention education 2 - 4

Neighborhood Watch 4 - 5

School crime watch 4 - 6

Home security surveys 4 - 8

Plays and puppet programs 4 - 10

Victim/witness assistance 5 - 20

Teen court 10 - 120

Teaching child protection 16 - 20

Counseling of peers or others 20 - 30

Hotlines 20 - 30

Mediation 25 - 30

If you are doing any training, be sure each specific part of the training is planned. This will do much to ensure the success of your effort. Professional trainers know that preparation and organization are 80 percent of good training. Worksheet 4 can help you prepare and organize.

Possible resources for training include -- but aren't limited to -- law enforcement officers, victim assistance professionals, trainers from corporations, lawyers, drug abuse prevention experts, adult leaders of youth, advertising agencies, colleges and universities, community volunteer agencies, and youth.

Smart planning includes a good estimation of the time that training will take and the resources it will require. In what skills or subjects will your volunteers need training?

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How will you meet those needs?

Good leadership will keep volunteers committed and working together. Leadership is a skill. Like any other skill, it is learned, not inherited, and it takes practice. Doing a project can help you practice good leadership skills.

	Show that you care about your volunteers and fellow workers. Understand the needs of those you work with.
	Be positive and let others know you appreciate their effort.
	Use the leadership style needed at the time. Some situations require working together to reach a consensus. Other situations require a rapid decision with little chance for consulting others.
	Don't be afraid to delegate authority to others to get something done.
	Ask for help. Don't try to do it all yourself.
	Plan clear, responsible roles for volunteers.
	Initiate activities to earn publicity, good will, and more volunteers.
	Screen and carefully select volunteers.
	Provide supervision and direction.
	Monitor and evaluate those working with you. Stay in regular contact and check all benchmarks and deadlines of those working with you.

Do you know some good leaders you can interview? What strategies work for them?

What can you do to lead in the best way possible?