Some communities allow the future to happen to them. Successful communities recognize that the future is something residents can work together on and create. These communities take the time to produce a vision of a future they desire and employ a process that helps them achieve their goals. Based on decades of hands-on experience by National Civic League staff, the Community Visioning and Strategic Planning Handbook (2000) helps communities convene diverse groups of stakeholders to envision and implement ambitious goals for the future with an inclusive process for planning and decision-making. The handbook also gives communities useful tips on action planning to implement the ambitious goals they have set for themselves.