Objectives

Analyze the functions of communities in terms of structures, dynamics, and processes.

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In this module you will learn how to:
1. explain the dynamics of your community by recognizing the people who build the community;
2. assess the structures of your community, and
3. analyze the processes existing in your community.

Vocabulary List

Aspects of Community- these include the structure existing in your community which includes
natural environment to the institutions made by man
Community- group of people in a particular area who are interacting to one another
Community Power- the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and seek ways
to employ available resource.
Influencer- the person with the most influence, who can lead others to achieve a goal or accomplish
a certain task.
Leader- the person who has the responsibility of controlling or taking charge of a particular group
Leadership-the process and qualities of command and decisiveness with regard to the necessary
actions that ensure the welfare of the community.
Social change- the changes that occur in the social order of a society. These are related to nature,
social institutions, social behavior or social relations, cultural, religious, economics, scientific or
technological forces.

TOPIC 1: Understanding Community through its Dynamics

Leaders are important figures that will guide the members to carry out the plans in pursuit of
the group’s objectives. The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans and
better implementation of programs.

In the Philippines, the government provides several levels of leadership, from the president
and vice-president, including other government officials at the national and in the local levels such as
mayors, congressmen, and governors. They are appointed based on qualifications, attitude and most
often, through the votes of the residents. It is otherwise known as Formal Power Structure because
they are individuals from whose authority is based on formal rules appointed by the government.

There are also people who are appointed because of their ability to lead, direct or achieve
without an official leadership title. They are known as Informal Power Structure. They are popular to
others as influencers who can lead others with the most influence. Informal power comes, not from an
official position, but from the respect and appreciation one has earned from the members of a group.
This respect and appreciation allow the individual to influence his or her peers in a way that others
within the group cannot. Examples are managers, supervisors, philanthropists, businessmen,
producers and even employees who lead their group as likable and charismatic leaders.

Legal authoritative decision-makers, on the other hand, are individuals or bodies whose
authority is based on formal rules and institutions. They are appointed because of their intelligence,
reputations, decision-making, dictation from laws and policies and connections. Examples are the
appointments made by the president of the country through his/her Powers of Appointment as stated
in the constitution or with the consent of the Commission on Appointments like the heads of the
executive departments, board of members and its leaders from any national government-related
institutions, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, etc.
The aforementioned (3) power dynamics are part of individual dimensions of community
which could be:
1. Interrelationship- community leaders are with direct relation with you through familial relations,
affinities or feeling of kinship, and social network, and
2. Organization- they could be part of an institution or an association, that has a particular purpose
in our community.

Task 1. Community Leaders, Community Builders!

Can you give me the power dynamics of the following community leaders as well as their individual
dimensions and a short description of the kind of work they do in your community?
TOPIC 2: Understanding the Community through its Structures

Awareness of the essential aspects of the community is necessary in aiding the residents to
reflect on ways to be positively involved in its improvement. The poet John Donne famously said,
“No man is an island,” referring to humanity’s interconnectedness and the belief that humans are
always social beings.
Being aware of the structure of the community and exploring its aspects will help you
understand the necessary measures that should be undertaken to serve as an active member of a
community and as future leaders of the community. The following are the aspects of community and
the factors to explore.
1. Local Politics
• Structure of government
• Decision-making power and control
• Major issues currently in debate
2. Demographics
• Population size (total number of people)
• Population density (ratio of people to the space they inhabit)
• Heterogeneity (the extent to which community members have diverse characteristics)
• Ethnic groups
• Names given to various parts of the community
• Areas known for having their own characteristics (ex: industrial area, blue collar families)
• Isolation from or closeness to other communities
• History of the area * Changes and development of the area
3. Geography and environmental influence
 the community’s physical environment
 the community’s location and proximity to highways, bodies of water or mountains
* existence of recreational areas concerns regarding environment hazards such as pollution, power
shortages, among others
4. Beliefs and Attitudes
 cultural values, traditions and beliefs of various segments of the population
 spiritual and political values of the residents
 available social agencies and the help they can extend
 perceptions of residents as part of the community.
5. Local economy and businesses
• businesses, factories and other sources of employment that characterize the community
• nature of business (owned by local residents or government)
6. Income distribution
• public assistance benefits available to residents
• median income level of residents
• income levels and corresponding percentage of population.
7. Housing
• housing conditions
• population density
• types of housing
• ownership and status of houses (rental, real estate, etc)
8. Educational facilities and programs
• education system
• extent of community support
• existence of public and private schools
• adherence to intended curriculum of the Department of Education
• attention to special population (e.g., children with special needs) and to cultural differences.
• extent to which education brings out the best in the children (participation in competitions, profile
of graduates, training students holistically)
• adequate preparation for adults to enter the labor force
9. Health and Welfare Systems
• adequate numbers of health professionals and specialists
• social service programs
• respect of service providers to the needs and values of minority populations
• availability of fire and police protection
• safety of the environment
• the residents’ view on public safety and justice system.
10. Sources of information and public opinion
• presence of TV and radio stations and newspapers which provide the people information and
perspectives on current events
• community organizations’ capacity to update residents on important information
• the capacity of the sources of information to enhance the residents’ skills to promote positive
change
• the presence of community leaders who speak for various marginalized subgroups.
11. Summary Assessment of Community Issues
• overall assessment of community’s functioning
• dealing with social problems (youth gangs, poverty, abuse)
• gaps in social, health care, and other community and educational services

TOPIC 3: Understanding Community through its Process

A leader is an important figure in the community. Leaders must possess important characteristics
such as:

1. Effective Communication -an open communication is highly recommended for leaders and their
constituents. There should be free access to important information concerning social issues and
public matters.
2. Development of Social Capital Building - developing a resilient capital is among the most
important contributors to successful community leadership.
3. Community Engagement - it is important to encourage young leaders to participate so that they
are ready to take over when the time comes.
4. Collaboration - leaders should learn to “build bridges” and develop networks among community
leaders within the diverse fields. These major components of being a better leader will help improve
communities by effecting positive social l change, improve the relationships of their residents as well
as build community power.

Community Power is the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and seek ways
to employ available resources to establish a stronger and successful community. The diagram below
presents some ways for a community to build power.

Assessment

A. Below are statements with jumbled words based on the previous discussion. Try to remember
each concept by looking into the jumbled words. Have fun!
1. __________________ MMUNICOTY ROEWP -capacity of the community to exercise control over
activities and seek ways to employ available resources to establish a stronger and successful
community.
2. ___________________ CONMIMUTY CUSTRURET - this encompasses the various aspects in the
community which includes demographics, geography and environmental influences, beliefs and
attitudes and the likes.
3. ___________________ ABCOLLARNIOTO -one of the essential characteristics of leaders to be
developed is that they build bridges and develop networks among community leaders in the
different fields.
4. ___________________ MARFOL ROWEP EURCTURST - they are appointed based on qualifications,
attitude and most often, through the votes of the residents
5. ____________________ GANITIONROAZ - they could be part of an institution or an association
that has a particular purpose in our community.

B. Read and analyze the statements below. Write the word TRUE if statements are correct and
FALSE if it is incorrect.

___________ 6. Teachers, soldiers, and other government employees are examples of Formal Power
Structure.
___________ 7. Legal authoritative decision-makers leads their group as likable and charismatic
leaders. They are also known as influencers.
___________ 8. One factor to explore in income distribution is the public assistance benefits
available to residents.
___________ 9. Community Power will be achieved only if community leaders collaborate with each
other.
___________ 10. Effective communication is the most essential characteristic of a community
leader.

ASSIGNMENT

Me as a Future Community Leader!

Envision yourself as community leader in the future. How are you going to contribute as an
effective community leader to effect positive social change and improve your community power?
Express your thoughts by making a poster. Please be guided with the rubric below and the identified
elements that should be present. This will serve as your performance task.

Make a poster which would reflect the following elements:

a. You as one of the community leaders that show your role/work in the community
b. The power dynamics that you possess as a leader as well as your individual dimension
c. Choose at least one (1) structure you will use/improve in the future that will make a great impact
to people in the community
d. Describe yourself as a leader in maintaining relationships with people
Rubrics for the Poster