Program Commitment Agreement
This is a commitment agreement between Community A, Community B, the University of
Connecticut-Extension, and the Connecticut Main Street Program.
Coordinators for Community A:
Coordinators for Community B:
UCONN-Extension Representative: Laura Brown
CT Main Street Program Representative: Susan Westa
Purpose
The First Impressions community exchange program was designed to help communities learn
about their strengths and shortcomings through the eyes of first-time visitors. First Impressions is
a structured community assessment that offers a fresh perspective on the appearance, services
and infrastructure of each community. Volunteer teams undertake unannounced visits, record
observations, and give constructive feedback to the exchange community. Team members receive
training and follow procedures and reporting guidelines using a response manual to ensure that
evaluations and final reports are thorough and uniform. These reports are often used as part of
broader community assessment or planning processes to inform community policy and action.
Outcomes
Communities will:
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develop a list of action items for community improvement
gain connections with a peer community
engage new potential leaders in community & economic development
learn about basic concepts in community place-making and development
In the long term this program may allow communities to gain efficiencies through municipal
sharing and cooperation, make improvements to their physical/built environment, or obtain
external funding.
Roles and Responsibilities
Community Coordinators, working with Visit Team members will:
 Recruit volunteers for the visiting team, ensuring an appropriate mix of team members in
terms of skills, profession, age, gender, etc .
 Determine timeframe, budget, logistics, provide refreshments, food and meeting space as
necessary, and coordinate the visit to the exchange community
 Coordinate one two-hour orientation/training with UCONN Extension/CT Main Street
Program for the Visit Team
 Agree on appropriate visit time-frame with program coordinators
 Implement the team visit to the exchange community
 Collect completed team member guide booklets with comments and photos
 Input all written data from booklets into an electronic survey provided by UCONN
 Facilitate the preparation of a written report for the exchange community
 After visit, attend an informal meeting of exchange teams
 Prepare a presentation featuring the highlights of the report
 Present the report at a public meeting in the partner community
 Host a report-back meeting to hear the exchange community’s report
 Coordinate a media communications plan and identify a media spokesperson, if necessary
 Develop an action plan based on the report
 Provide UCONN and CT Main Street program with a final copy of the report
Visiting Team members will:
 Attend 2 hour training/orientation meeting(s) in preparation for the visit
 Review the team member guide booklet prior to the visit
 Complete the team member guide booklet during the visit
 Provide the completed guide booklet with comments to the Coordinator
 Participate in the preparation of a written report for the exchange community
 Participate in an informal meeting of visit teams following the visit
 If selected, present the team’s findings to the exchange community
UCONN Extension and CT Main Street Program will:
 Respond to requests from interested communities
 Assess communities for readiness for the program
 Assist with identification of appropriate partner communities
 Identify Coordinators for each community
 Provide Coordinators with materials to introduce the program to visit team members
 Facilitate one, two-hour training for each Coordinator
 Facilitate one, two-hour orientation workshop for each Visit Team
 Provide two hours of additional technical assistance by phone if necessary
 Provide PDF copies of Member booklets and Coordinator manuals for each visit team
(Additional fees apply for paper booklet formatted materials)
 Review final reports
 Attend visits and presentations
Timing and Format
The visits will occur within the month of:
Report-back meetings will take place within the month of:
Visits will follow a one-day/two-day format and be conducted during a weekday/weekend.
Total Local Program Costs
Program costs may include food, beverages, refreshments, meeting room rental, printing
formatted booklets, data entry, report preparation and any remuneration for volunteer or staff
time . Please detail anticipated costs and sources of funding here.
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Final Reporting
Once visits have been completed, the Visit Team will prepare a written report, in a format as
agreed on by both communities for the community they visited.
The written report will be completed within four to six weeks upon completion of the community
visits. This report will include a cover letter that provides a profile of the visiting team roles/
perspectives taken, the date the visit took place, the amount of time spent in the community, a
general summary of the visit, a summary report, explanation of visiting team member
observations, photos, and contact information. Template reports are available for no charge.
Presentation
Community Coordinators or their designates will prepare and present a visual presentation
covering the highlights of the First Impressions assessment. This presentation will take place in a
public forum in the exchange community . Each Community Coordinator will be responsible for
planning and hosting the presentation by the exchange community representatives. Every effort
will be made to ensure that the presentation is well-attended, including participation by key
community leaders, if possible. Some communities also choose to host informal meetings of the
Visit Teams in addition to the presentation.
Media
Community Coordinators will jointly develop a media communications plan and media release(s)
for the project . A copy of the written report will be provided to the exchange community
coordinator prior to any communication about the report contents with the media.
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First Impressions Program Connecticut contacts
Laura Brown
Community & Economic Development Educator
University of Connecticut Extension
Fairfield County Extension Center
67 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801-3056
Direct: 203.207.0063
Main: 203-207-8440
laura.brown@uconn.edu
Susan Westa
Community Engagement Director
CT Main Street Center
c/o Eversource PO Box 270
Hartford CT 06141
860.280.2032
susan@ctmainstreet.org
The University of Connecticut is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.