It is difficult to find a person with these six factors to assist a group in decision making. Experience working as a resource person with similar groups, issues and situations is invaluable. Firsthand knowledge of experience of other groups with the expert may also be helpful. Extension Community Development Specialists are a good source of information on trained and experienced experts. Role of the resource person The resource person's training and experience will greatly affect what he or she thinks he or she is expected to do.
Many experts believe their role is to tell, advise, inform or give answers.
Others believe their role is to consult, to assist in consideration of the possible solutions, to give information and facts, but to leave the decision to the group. Local groups with little experience in working with resource people may expect absolute answers. Because of lack of competency regarding the complexities of the issue, local people may fear to display ignorance by asking the expert questions. Community decisions involve more than the technical aspects of the issue. The expert may not know about local customs, local needs and local ability to implement proposals.