COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP REVIEWER

LESSON ONE: What is Community and Why is there a Need in Studying this?

The study of community entails us to understand our very own community life.

It gives us the idea on how to perceive reality by becoming involve in the day-to-day process which is
socialization. In the interaction process, people grasp the challenges of the contemporary community life.

Using the imaginative yet rational ideals of social sciences, we sought to investigate how socialization may
impact the dynamics within the community – whether it has imprSoved or worsened the present
condition. In this module, we are geared towards explaining the importance of studying community
dynamics and community action.

What is Community and Why is there a Need in Studying this?

Individuals having significant interaction within a specified area becomes one of the contributory factors
in forming community. The word community was derived from the Latin word communis which means
“common” or “shared”.

It may share a certain sense of place whether it is geographical area or through a virtual space.

• Geographical community is a community where members share the same geographical vicinity
such as a village, province or neighborhood.
• Non-geographical community is a community formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity,
practices, and roles in social institutions such as at home, all work, in government, society, or the
community at large.

Communication and relationships are imperative in building community. As people communicate and
interact, relationships foster. It develops pattern by which adopted in the environment.

Communities may also be in two levels:

• Micro-level community, a group is formed based on personal ties. This may include groups
formed for pursuing common interests or goals like forming a small organization to hold a fund-
raising activity such as concerts.
• At macro-level, large group affiliation is formed such as national communities, international
communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations may develop various
programs that would include different members across the country. They will work on meeting
certain objectives and expand on the aspect of community involvement.

Community Dynamics - The changes in the community brought about by social, cultural and
environmental experiences whether it is positive or negative development that impacts within the
community.

Community Action - is any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement and
empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people. There are 3-key points in
grasping the definition more meaningful:
 1. Understanding – raise an awareness about certain communal issues that needs to be addressed.
People develop the feeling of involvement once they truly comprehend the situation within. They
come together to support advocacies that will overcome community needs and difficulties.
2. Engagement – Once issues are assessed properly and people in the community understand the
needs, they work collaboratively to act on it. The main goal of engaging in the community is to
improve the partnership and coalitions among the community. It is important that engagement
occurs so that members will be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they have
created.
3. Empowerment – enable the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action to control
the situation they have in the community. This means, initiative and decisions come from internal
group organized for the benefit of everyone. It is also necessary that the community can provide
significant networks and linkages that will genuinely serve the advocacies that they have built.

LESSON TWO: Perspectives of Community

1. The Social Sciences Perspective

“Social Science” is an umbrella term for various fields of study which examines social relations and human
society. It views the community as composed of people interacting with one another, sensitive to each
other’s emotions and subjective point of view. Basically, it describes “community as a group of people in
a particular area interacting together.”

The following are disciplines in social sciences that related to the idea of community:

• Anthropology - This field examines the various aspects of humans, such as their biology, behavior,
culture and social interactions. It may also study how people adapt their ways of living to different
environments e.g, determining ways to help a community solve health related concerns. This can
be addressed by understanding the situation through interacting with the people in the
community. Connecting its history with its present condition and eventually solving the
community concern.
• Demography – This focuses on the study of population distribution.
• Economics - This field studies the production, allocation and consumption of goods and services.
In any community, one finds various forms of wealth distribution. The ultimate goal of economics
is to improve the lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied.
• Geography – this discipline focuses on the study of physical environment encompassing resources
and risks.
• History – study of past events.
• Linguistics – study of human language.
• Political Science - The field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power,
influence, decision-making. This includes types of governments and management systems, and
how people in small bands or informal groups make decisions when they do not have recognized
leaders. All communities have some forms of political system.
• Psychology - This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior. This extends to
interaction between people and interpersonal relationships. It comprises a variety of different
subfields including abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and
social psychology. Psychology in general is most often associated with the study, diagnosis and
treatment of mental illnesses.
• Sociology - This field is the study of society, social order, social interactions, and culture. It
introduces the concepts of social capital and communitarianism. Social capital is defined as the
 networks of relationship among people who live and work in a particular society for the effective
functioning of the community. The concept of communitarianism explains the connection
between the individual and the

2. Civil Society Perspective

Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in service to society. This perspective
views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity. Examples
include people’s organization, civic organization, and social movements.

This is considered the affective model of community since a sense of belonging is achieved due to the
collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving the humanity. Groups of people come together
regardless of location, and organize plans to render support and assistance to society.

Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS-CBN Foundation, Ayala Red Cross
Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines sand Caritas Manila. The human rights movement, on
the other hand, is an example of social movement.

3. Local and Grassroots Perspectives

This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of communities may involve themselves in various
programs or activities. The community uses self-organization and encourages the local citizens to
contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions.

Leaders and other members identify the sources of concerns in a local setting and determine ways to
address these problems. Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government decision-makers who
will be accountable for their actions. The community also formulates programs for others, and employs
actions according to the needs of the community.

A concrete example of this is when doctors and dentists in different communities come together to
organize medical and dental missions especially for families affected by calamities. The youth who are full
of spirit and energy are often excited to engage themselves in outdoor activities. Immersing themselves
in farming and fishing and taking part in the planting of trees and crops will serve a meaningful experience
for them.

4. Institutional perspective - The institutional perspective views the community in three different
dimensions.

LESSON THREE: Structures of Community

1. Power Structure

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.

• Formal Power Structure - Leaders who 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

2. Organization- they could be part of an institution or an association, that has a particular purpose in our
community.

Attributes of an Effective Leader

• 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.
• Social Capital Building - developing a resilient capital is among the most important contributors
to successful community leadership.
• Community Engagement - it is important to encourage young leaders to participate so that they
are ready to take over when the time comes.
• Collaboration - leaders should learn to “build bridges” and develop networks among community
leaders within the diverse fields.

2. Aspects of Community

• Local Politics - Structure of government; Decision-making power and control; Major issues
currently in debate
• 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)
• Geographics - 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
 • 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.
• Local economy and businesses - businesses, factories and other sources of employment that
characterize the community; nature of business (owned by local residents or government)
• Income distribution - public assistance benefits available to residents; median income level of
residents; income levels and corresponding percentage of population.
• Housing - housing conditions; population density; types of housing; ownership and status of
houses (rental, real estate, etc)
• Education/School - 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
• Health - 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.
• Sources of information - 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.

3. 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.

Elements of Community Power

• Civic Involvement in identifying important issues

• Citizen's voice in public prioritization and decision-making
• Developing structures or systems for shared power and decision-making
• Shared leadership/leadership development planning

LESSON FOUR: Typologies of Community

1. Formal vs. Informal Community

Formal Community
• The group is created as per official authority, fulfill certain goals or objectives
• The group possesses a systematic hierarchical structure
• The position of the member defines his/her importance in the group
• There is professional relationship among members
• The flow of communication is restricted due to the chain of command

Informal Community

•
 • The group is formed according to the likes, interests, and attitudes of the members
• The group has a loose structure, and the members join to satisfy their social needs

• Every member is important as any other member

• There is a personal relationship among members
• The flow of communication stretches in all directions

2. Rural vs. Urban Community

Rural Community

The following are the three general characteristics of rural areas:

• Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire
community, and they tend to live far apart from each other.
• The area is situated geographically distant from larger urban areas.
• Each area typically specializes in a particular form of livelihood, such as farming.

Urban Community

Characteristics of urban areas are as follows:

• There is higher population density, with more diverse subgroups (ethnic, racial, cultural,
age, sexual orientation)
• Various industries and businesses are found in the areas.
• A large portion of people lived in rented apartments or homes.
• Transportation is readily available although this may be costly
• Urban areas are highly developed with many buildings and structures
• Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas
• The large population gives rise to close interactions among many people as well as more
intense political involvement among citizens.

3. Local and Global Community

Local Community

A local community is characterized by close social integration and physical proximity. Moreover,
a local community is defined as a group of people sharing the same environment and conditions
intent, belief, resources, preferences, and needs and risks. These factors may affect the identities
of the individuals as well as the community’s degree of cohesiveness.

In addition, a local community may consist of business operators, public agency staff, residents
with interactions that may include sharing of resources, information, and assistance. Commercial
relationships may also be present between local businesses and consumers.

Global Community
The global community, on the other hand, is a system characterized by integration and interaction
between individuals and groups away from each other in time or space or both. The word “global”
refers to the nation of the world considered closely connected by modern telecommunication,
though they are economically, socially and politically independent (Sebastian, 2009, and
dictionary.com)

The domains and certain aspects of the local and global communities intertwine. Establishments,
programs, and other events that started in the local setup may eventually grow to have a global
presence, such as the Jollibee fast food chain.

Proposed plans and programs in the local community, when implemented successfully, may reach
the global community, and gain traction there as well such as outreach activities, programs during
calamities etc.

Prepared by:

JOHN CARLO C. BALTAR, RSW

Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship