I always shake my head when I hear about cities, boroughs, or school districts paying a consultant to do a study. Why not save your money, roll up your sleeves, and do the work yourself? That's what they did in the Warren County community of Tidioute.

I traveled to Tidioute to personally take a look at the town’s Heart & Soul Action Plan. The study was printed and released at the end of February. What is it that makes this report different from others that usually end up on a shelf collecting dust? Research was conducted by Tidioute citizens. Surveys and interviews were conducted by Tidioute citizens. The final action plan was formulated by Tidioute citizens.

Lucinda Leonard is one of those citizens. She believes there's more excitement about an action plan when you do put it together yourself.

"It makes you want to continue to move forward with the plan that was developed and see it through,” she says.

In 2012, Tidioute Borough Council found out about a process developed by a national non-profit called Community Heart & Soul. The process was being used by communities like Tidioute that wanted to find out three things...what do people love about their town, what future do they want for their town, and how to achieve that future. Who better to do that work than the citizens who live here? Tidioute received a $37,000 grant from the non-profit to be used to gather the information.

"What we needed to do was to reach out to everyone and say 'What is it we really need to rebuild our town and are you willing to help.?” says Lucinda.

Three and a half years ago, 20 volunteers began conducting surveys at the senior citizen home and at the school. The group wanted all citizens, young and old, to be heard. The volunteers went to community events such as the Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament to talk with tourists and people who recreate in this beautiful town. The volunteers wanted their input also. Here's what they found out.

The people in Tidioute want to protect the town's natural environment. They want growth in the business district. They want a better sense of community with people knowing and helping one another. And, they want more traditions and festivals. Now it’s time to put this plan to work. Lucinda expects a lot of great things.

"I think we're going to see a whole new group of volunteers that's ready to implement it,” she says.

There are other Heart & Soul communities in this area. Youngsville and Meadville have also received grants to find out what matters most to the people that live there. There’s also a project underway in the Franklin and Oil City area of Venango County.