UPDATE: New Main Street Community Standards
Courtesy: California Main Street and Main Street America
UPDATE: New Main Street Community Standards
By: Brooke Fox, Marketing & Communications Consultant
In August 2022, Main Street America released new materials and resources designed to help members understand MSA’s new Community Standards. The update includes the Community Evaluation Framework, Community Self-Assessment Tool (v2), and a series of mini videos illustrating the new Standards. We encourage all California Main Street communities to dedicate time with their staff, board members, and local stakeholders to explore these new Community Standards, and develop internal timelines for implementation of these Standards in 2023.
MSA’s new Community Standards for Accreditation. Courtesy: Main Street America
How To Get Started
Visit: https://www.mainstreet.org/evaluationframework
Note: Your program must have an active Main Street America membership to login and access the materials (same credentials used for accessing The Point). Questions about membership? Visit this page to learn more.
Community Evaluation Framework: Learn more about the objectives and the process of this collaborative model.
NEW Self-Assessment Tool: Download the new Self-Assessment Tool to measure your program's current alignment with Main Street America’s new Standards. The tool is useful for both Accredited and Affiliate Main Street communities.
Mini Videos: Click on the button representing each Standard to learn more and hear from MSA's Field Services staff.
SAMPLE: Mini Video for Standard 1. Courtesy Main Street America
Communities Seeking MSA Accreditation
MSA Accreditation is a collaborative process where California Main Street and Main Street America staff work hands-on with your community to move your program towards Accreditation and identify strengths, needs or barriers that might challenge the district and the program’s efforts.
Renewing Your Existing Accreditation During Transition to the New Standards
Communities and Coordinating Programs will continue to use the current criteria and process for 2022. In addition, assessment visits will include time to introduce the new Standards and discuss opportunities for incremental alignment throughout 2022.
More about the Main Street America Accreditation program
Main Street America communities use the Main Street Approach™ to guide local revitalization efforts. To measure their progress, they participate in a regular Accreditation process that requires them to meet a series of rigorous Standards. Achieving Accredited status is a mark of distinction and a powerful advocacy tool that highlights a program’s work and achievements.
In 2019, MSA embarked on an intensive evaluation and assessment of the Accreditation framework to inform how the organization might improve the Standards and streamline the process. Local programs are encouraged to learn about the new structure and to familiarize themselves with these new Standards and Indicators before the network moves to full integration by the end of 2023.
Have questions? Ready to take the next step?
Contact Amanda Elliott, Senior Program Officer and Director of California Programs
at 510-219-0481 or aelliott@savingplaces.org.