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Compiling a Directory

There are many different ways to compile your directory, such as:

• on a word processor,
• on file cards,
• in a loose leaf folder,
• using a computer data base, or
• as a Web site.

Whichever you decide to use, you must have a consistent, logical and useful format. Perhaps the simplest form is a ring binder, with descriptive information on word processed pages. You may add plastic sleeves holding leaflets at the back. If you can write or update a community profile for an organisation or service who want a particular format, discuss this with them and your lecturer. For each agency or organisation get up to date and accurate information.

You may decide to include people in your community directory. People who might be useful informants or who provide services to community members, including community workers, recreation leaders and others. Include their position, address, phone number, and the kind of information each might have. Unless specific permission is given, leave out names, private addresses and home phone numbers, as this might breach confidentiality.

Sort or index the directory in a way that will be useful for the people who are going to use it. If you are using a computer data base, you could design search fields. Otherwise you may want to arrange organisations in alphabetical order, within sections such as:

• Learning resources
• Primary health care
• Drug and alcohol
• Community organisations
• Culture and sport
• Political
• Economic

If you work as a team, the team is encouraged to share information, but each student should compile and hand in a separate directory. It is important to acknowledge the work done by others and to indicate the proportion of the total amount of work which is your own. Design it so you can continue to update it, and use it after this assignment is finished. Do not lose the original.