Self-Guided Course

People: The Heart of Main Street

Organization isn’t just about structure—it’s also about people: how you recruit, support, and empower them to lead and participate.

This course explores how to strengthen that human foundation by engaging volunteers, supporting leadership, and building a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Whether you're growing your volunteer base or rethinking how your team works together, you’ll find practical ways to reinforce the people-power behind your revitalization work.

Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Starting Formal Learning: 100 points

A group of about twenty people wearing matching “Made on Main Street” t-shirts stand and kneel behind a layered sign reading “Brunswick, GA” over “Made on Main Street – communities. Celebrating each other.” They’re outdoors on a street curb with event tents and a modern building behind them, and nearly everyone has arms raised in an enthusiastic gesture. — Brunswick, Georgia. Photo by Tamara Gibson Photography.

Overview

Course Outline

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Recognize the role people play in sustaining Main Street programs.
Explore strategies for recruiting, retaining, and supporting volunteers.
Identify ways to foster inclusive leadership and a culture of engagement.

Section 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Welcome
- 1.2 Course Design & Engagement
- 1.3 Meet Your Subject Matter Expert(s)
Section 2: People: The Heart of Main Street
- People: The Heart of Main Street
Section 3: Conclusion
- 3.1 Final Takeaways
- 3.2 Main Street Convo
- 3.3 Survey