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discussion focus group members would be asked to prioritize individually their number • 1,2 and 3, programs and services, where the facilities should be located and what type of facilities they would be willing to support financially. Focus Group Design Seven homogeneous groups were identified as focus groups to represent a cross section of citizens residing within the City of Mounds View. Parents with Preschoolers Parents with Elementary, Middle School and High School Students Youth (to be children of parents that participated in a focus group) Service Providers within the schools and community Business Representatives Recreational users of facilities within the city. Seniors *session with the Economic Development Commission was added Identification of possible focus group participants would be random selection from data base lists that exist for each group. Ideal focus groups include participation of 8-12 members. Discussion was held regarding the minimum and maximum numbers required to have functional focus groups. The recommendation and subsequent decision was made that focus groups would be canceled if less than 5 persons were willing to participate and the maximum would be 15 participants. Focus group guidelines suggest over recruiting by at least 25% 1 , however a determination based on past recruiting for groups within the city, was to over recruit by at least 100%. A more formalized invitation would be sent to each potential participant with an letter of background information and mission of the focus groups. The invitation would extend an invitation to participate and an emphasis toward the importance of attendance along with reassurance that a decision was not already made in regard to the issue. A 4x6 invitation would be included to provide them with the meeting date, time and place. A prepaid postage RSVP postcard would also be included. A system of call back, using Community Connections Committee members, to personalize the invitation, was organized to encourage adequate participation and timely response. Invitations were to be mailed with a 1 week response time prior to the call back phone call to encourage participation. The facilitator was to prepare the mailing, the City of Mounds View was to meter the response cards and mail the invitations. RSVP cards were to be returned to the City Hall and call back phone calls were to be coordinated through the City Administrator's Office. Dates for the focus groups were set with the community and school calendars in mind to avoid conflicts that might occur for a particular group of potential participants. The determination was made to hold the focus groups for Service Providers in the early • 1 Using Focus Groups, The Management Center College of St.Thomas, 1989. 2