COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT,
SOLIDARITY
AND
CITIZENSHIP

Functions of 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 resources

Influencer- the person with the most influence, who can lead others to achieve
a goal or accomplish a certain task
VOCABULARY LIST

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.
 a. Barangay Captain
TASK 1.
COMMUNITY NAME: ____________________
LEADERS,
COMMUNITY
BUILDERS!
 b. Social Workers
TASK 1.
COMMUNITY NAME: ____________________
LEADERS,
COMMUNITY
BUILDERS!
 c. Farmers
TASK 1.
COMMUNITY NAME: ____________________
LEADERS,
COMMUNITY
BUILDERS!
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.
The following are the aspects of community
and the factors to explore.
- Local Politics - Housing

- Demographics - Educational facilities and programs

- Geography and environmental influence - Health and Welfare Systems

- Beliefs and Attitudes - Sources of information and public

opinion
- Local economy and businesses
- Summary Assessment of Community
- Income distribution
Issues
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)
• Areas known for having their own
characteristics (ex: industrial area, blue
collar families)
• Isolation from or closeness to other
communities
• History of the area

• Ethnic groups * Changes and development of the area

• Names given to various parts of the

community
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:
• Effective Communication
• Development of Social Capital Building
• Community Engagement
• Collaboration
Characteristics
of a LEADER

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
Characteristics Capital Building
of a LEADER

- developing a resilient capital

is among the most important
contributors to successful
community leadership.
 3. Community Engagement
Characteristics
of a LEADER

- it is important to encourage
young leaders to participate
so that they are ready to take
over when the time comes.
Characteristics 4. Collaboration

of a LEADER

- 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
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
PRESENTS
SOME WAYS
FOR A
COMMUNITY
TO BUILD
POWER
Task 3. This is it! The process of my
community
Conduct an interview with the people in your community.
 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