How-to Guides - Community Resource Kit

Resources for setting up and running community organisations and projects.

downloads page

From this page you can download any - or all - of the new Community Resource Kit. As time passes, changes will be needed to keep it up to date. Here you will always find the latest released versions.

Downloads page

The Kit is a completely revised, expanded and updated replacement for the old Community Development Resource Kit. It is designed as a whole set of small sections, each dealing with a single task in running a community and voluntary organisation.

Available formats

The kit content is available in three formats:

Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) for best print reproduction,
Rich Text Format (.rtf) files for best accessibility and
Microsoft Word (.doc) for convenience and speed.

(Want to skip the explanation? Click on a link above to go to download section.)

The whole kit is also available in three ZIP format files, each containing all the .pdf, .rtf or .doc format files. These are linked in the corresponding section.

A full web (HTML) version will be published as soon as conversion is complete.

What is the difference?

The Acrobat version is exactly as in the printed version. It is possible to print selected pages, or to copy and paste text from Acrobat files, but not to update the document. To print it you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader, which almost all personal computer have pre-installed. Or you can download Acrobat Reader here.

The Rich Text Format (RTF) and Microsoft Word versions have exactly the same content as in the Acrobat version. The layout is simplified and some graphics are replaced by text, to reduce file size and to make them easier to use.

You can copy and paste whole sections from these versions, subject to the copyright and reproduction conditions. This is useful if you want to base a policy or checklist on one in the kit, for example. All (or almost all) word processor programmes will be able to read these formats, possibly with the loss of some formatting.

Which should I download?

For reading or printing, download the Acrobat version.

For editing, or for use with speech software, choose RTF or Word - whichever usually works best with your software.

Read the Download Help page for more on download formats, and link to free document reader and Un-Zip software.

Can I get a printed copy? Or copies of a section?

Printed copies will be distributed to libraries, CABs, Volunteer Centres, Community Law Offices, sector 'peak' organisations such as ANGOA, NZFVWO, community development offices of Internal Affairs and Family And Community Services etc.

The intention is that at these places you will be be able to look through the kit and copy sections that you need. There may be a charge for this. Printed copies are not being distributed to individual organisations or individuals.