FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNITY

In this lesson 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
resources
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.

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 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.

Civic Involvement in
identifying important
issues