Introduction

Planning for the Needs Assessment

The Four-Step Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment Tools

Introduction

“Oh, no, not more work!” is often heard when someone mentions conducting a needs assessment. Yet, a needs assessment is not more work – it will actually make the work you do more targeted and effective – and that will bring you less work in the future. Why? Because a needs assessment will help to ensure that the programs and activities you conduct will match the needs of your congregation members.

A needs assessment will help you define:

• What are the specific needs of your congregation?
• What knowledge and attitudes do the members have surrounding health-related issues?
• What is the difference between what congregation members say they want vs. what they need? (For example, an elder may state that she needs grocery delivery, when in fact what she truly desires is a periodic visitor.)
• What changes do you expect to bring about?
• How can you best bring about these changes?

Think of it this way. Let’s say that you have just inherited $50,000 that you want to invest. Would you open the stock section from the daily newspaper, arbitrarily pick a few stock names, and then invest in those stocks? Or, would you call an investment counselor, and together decide and invest in the best stock options, designing a plan that is specific to your needs? Either way – you will achieve your goal of investing your inheritance. But, making methodical choices will most likely bring you the best financial security.

Just like planning for your financial future, taking the time to plan for your health-related programming will pay big dividends in the future. If you plan, carefully and cautiously, your congregation members will reap the benefit. And, so do you! Careful planning will ensure that all of your efforts bring the results you want and the congregation needs.