COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (3)Psychological aspect (common

ties)
Ann Millennie Antoque
A community consists of people who live
I. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN closely to one another, who interact with
SOCIETY one another frequently, and who feel
A society is a social system. that they have common traits or values
that they share with one another.
It is made up of individuals and groups
that interact in a relatively stable and A community refers to an organized way
patterned manner. As a system, it of life within a geographic area, sharing
consists of subparts. A change in one a historical heritage, possessing a set of
segment will affect all other parts of the basic service institutions, participating
system. in a common life, conscious of local unity
—able to act together in solving
A society is relatively large. problems involving public interests.
The society can be regarded as the Main Types of Communities
largest and most inclusive social unit
that exists. In fact, it integrates all the (1)Geographical Community – all the
smaller social groups and units of which people in a specific village, town,
it is composed of the family, neighborhood, district, area, city,
neighborhood, communities, and others. region, state, province, nation, or
the world. It has physical
A society recruits most of its boundaries by which make it
members from within. distinct or separate, such as a
This is done through reproduction and river, street, or bridge.
socialization. Most members of any (2)Functional Community – composed
society are born to it, and who are of the people who hold common
taught the basic norms and expectations values, share some common
of such a society. function, or express some common
interest such as in education,
Society’s members share a culture. social welfare, and agriculture and
Sharing a culture gives individuals the so on.
vision and sense of purpose to sustain Functions of Community
the patterns of interaction that hold
together the society. As members of (1)A system of production,
society, individuals acquire ways of distribution, and consumption – a
thinking, feeling, and acting. Culture community must provide for the
consists largely of symbols, norms, and basic needs of its members and
values shared by the members of the their group. Food, clothing,
society. dwelling, transportation,
education, and other goods needed
A society occupies a territory. for basic existence, either by
Society is restricted to a group whose producing them or by importing
members mostly live in a specific, clearly them from outside.
defined geographic area. Human society (2)A system of socialization – a
refers to one that occupies a specific community must provide
habitat. mechanisms for the transmission
of existing knowledge, social
II. THE STUDY OF COMMUNITY values, and in dominant patterns
George Hillery defines community as of behavior to the members.
consisting of persons in social (3)A system of social control – this
interaction within a geographical area requires mechanisms through
and having one or more additional ties. which conformity to the prevailing
This includes the following: group norms are ensured
(4)A system of social participation –
(1)Territorial aspect (geography) members of a community interact
(2)Sociological aspect (social with other members
interaction) spontaneously. Often, religious
 organizations or civic associations and less personal contacts
provides a means for members of  Life is characterized by
the community to interact with one specialization
another and to renew their
commitments to community values
and norms. III. STUDY OF ORGANIZATION
(5)A system of mutual support – the
Meaning and Nature of Organization
community is always expected to
provide relief and solutions to the Organization is defined as the orderly
members’ problems. Forms of arrangement of group effort to provide
assistance usually come from unity of action in the pursuit of common
family members and kin, purpose. It is the unification of
neighbors, social welfare agencies individuals and/or groups for the
and social, civic and religious purpose of brotherhood, mutual
groups. assistance, cooperation, and capability
in dealing effectively with their common
Elements/Characteristics of a
needs or problems or for the purpose of
Community
power, self-determination, participation,
 Population aggregate preferable to and/or social transformation.
human group
People unite based on their concrete
 Delimited area
situation and problems. They organize
 Sharing of historical heritage
themselves because individual strivings
 The presence of service
are not sufficient in resolving their
instituitons
common problems and achieving their
 Participating in a common life
common objectives, while, when they are
 Consciousness of local unity
organized, they can solve many or all
 Ability to act together in solving
such problems.
civic problems
They also organize because of the need
Rural-Urban Community Interaction
or urgency to resist foreign invasion or
Pattern
intervention, economic exploitation,
RURAL human rights violation, or the like. They
 Primary contacts among the want freedom to decide for themselves.
population They want to eradicate poverty and
 Complete and solid due to people’s
other barriers to development. They
cooperation
 Gemeinschaft in nature (close want to change the social situation or
personal and family ties) social order.
 Sacred (embodying religious laws
IV. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
and doctrines)
 Homogenous in terms of population Murray Ross defines community
(similar) organization is a process of identifying
 Familiarity among the members
problems and needs, prioritizing them,
 Life is characterized by general
competence formulating solutions in solving
URBAN problems/attaining needs and
 Secondary contact among the implementing them through cooperative
population and collaborative efforts which results to
 Population is segmented due to improved capacity in community
limited and minimal personal problem-solving process and community
relationships integration.
 Gesellschaft in nature (impersonal
ties) Arthur Dunham defines CO as the
 Secular (not bound by religious process of matching needs with
rule) resources and as a conscious process of
 Population is heterogeneous in social interaction concerned with three
terms of occupation, background, types of objectives which are task goals,
attainment, and lifestyle process goals and relationship goals.
 There is an element of anonymity Perlman and Gurin on the other hand
among the people—less interaction define CO as a process of finding
solutions to social problems by Assumptions of Community
redistributing resources, functions and Organizations
decision-making power.
1. “Changes in which individuals,
Integrating Ross, Dunham’s, Perlman groups and communities determine
and Gurin’s foregoing definitions with their own destiny in a democratic
other concepts, community organization process have a better chance of
has therefore been defined “as a method enduring than changes that are
of social work that uses the conscious imposed.”
process of social interaction of meeting
 This means that the people should
any or all of the following objectives:
undergo the process of identifying
1. The meeting of broad needs and their own problems and needs;
bringing about and maintaining analyze and solve them by
adjustment between needs and participating in the problem-
resources in a community. solving and decision-making
process so that the changes sought
2. Helping people to deal more
for would be a felt need and the
effectively with their problems,
resultant change would endure
needs and aspirations by helping
and not just be ningas cogon.
them develop, strengthen and
maintain qualities of participation, 2. “Readiness to change is a variable
self direction, cooperation and which affects the potential and the
integration of efforts. rate of community change obtainable
at a given time.”
3. Bringing about changes in
community and group relationship in  This would entail people’s social
polices and in the distribution of preparation for change. It can be
decision-making power. brought about through
consciousness raising, education,
The Philosophy of Community
information dissemination,
Organization
demonstrations, etc.
“Acceptance of the right of the
3. “Skills in participating in democratic
community to decide what it wants
process can be taught and learned by
rather than having the organizer’s views
individuals and groups.”
imposed upon it, belief on the capacity of
the people to find richer and more  People’s involvement in problem-
satisfying ways of living if they are solving and decision-making in
helped to use the resources within their own community problems
themselves and their environment which and needs would enable them to
are and could be made available to learn how to participate in
them.” democratic processes even in a
national scale.
Values of Community Organization
4. “Society can provide ways to achieve
The values of community organization as
maximum compatibility of individual
a method of social work are:
and community interest.”
1. A commitment to democratic
 The greater good for the greatest
processes and goals.
number is the primary goal of
2. The right of a client community to every society. Thus, individual
self-determination. interests should be harmonized
with society’s primary goal
3. Belief on the capacity of people to
wherein the majority’s benefit and
change.
interests override any individual’s
4. Belief on the innate dignity of the self-interest.
individual in the community.
5. “Social welfare provisions, services
5. The commitment to seek social and programs can enhance human
justice welfare and prevent and reduce social
ills.”
  The livelihood programs as program is as broad as the social
providing capital for income horizon of the community. It
generating projects, family life avoids, at all costs, circumscribed
education, primary health care, and segmental programs which in
establishment of day care center turn would attract the support of
for preschoolers, cooperatives and only a segment of the local
recreation facilities are examples population.
of these social and human welfare
6. It recognizes that a democratic
programs designed to prevent and
society is one which responds to
reduce social ills in our society
popular pressures, and therefore
6. “Planning, coordination and realistically operates on the basis
integration of social welfare of the pressure. For the same
provisions are by individuals; social reason it does not shy away from
ills are inter-related and social involvement in matters of
welfare provisions are inter- controversy.
dependent.”
7. It concentrates on the utilization of
 Society can derive maximum indigenous individuals, who, if not
benefit when social welfare leaders at the beginning, can be
programs and services are developed into leaders.
integrated and coordinated among
8. It gives priority to the significance
existing welfare agencies working
of legitimate self-interest. The
in the communities since social ills
organization itself proceeds on the
are inter-related and social welfare
idea of channeling the many
provisions are inter-dependent.
diverse forces of self-interest
Principles of Community Organization within the community into a
common direction for the common
1. It is rooted in the local indigenous
good and at the same time
leadership, the local organizations
respects the autonomy of
and agencies, and, in short, the
individuals and organizations.
local people;
9. It moves towards a goal of self-
2. Its energy or driving force is
financing. This not only testifies to
generated by the self-interest of
its representatives’ character in
the local residents for the welfare
that the residents support their
of their children and themselves;
own organization financially, but
3. Its program for action develops ensures to the local council, the
hand in hand with the organization acid test of independence: “the
of the community council. The ability to pay one’s way”.
program is in actual fact that
Goals of Community Organization
series of common agreement
which results in the development Arthur Dunham have described the
of the local organization. following as the goals of community
organization:
4. It is a program arising out of the
local people, carrying with it the 1. Tasks Goals – concerned with
direct participation of practically concrete tasks to be undertaken to
all the organizations in a particular meet specific needs and people’s
area. It involves a substantial aspirations or to solve particular
degree of individual citizen problems.
participation; a constant day to
 Assessment of the community
day flow of volunteer activities and
through data gathering by use of
the daily functioning of numerous
survey, interview with families
local committees charged with
and leaders; informal
specific short-term functions.
conversation with the people,
5. It constantly emphasizes the group discussions, use of
functional relationship between statistics and studies made by
problems and therefore its
 different agencies/groups on the for decision making regarding the
community community’s problems/needs.
 To help the people analyze their
Objectives of Community Organization
expressed family and community
problems and needs as gathered 1. Removal of blocks to growth
from the survey and research
Existing blocks to growth includes the
made on the community through
following:
problem analysis and situation
analysis. a. Ignorance – Filipinos are
considered ignorant when it comes
2. Process Goals – concerned with
to significant issues and how these
the process of helping people in a
issues affect their lives, their
community or group strengthen
community and country as a whole.
their quality of participation, self-
Such ignorance can be minimized if
direction and cooperation. Its
not eradicated through continuing
concern is to help people grow and
non-formal education, consciousness
develop to prepare them for that
raising, seminars, informal
specific roles in community
education as use of indigenous
building and development.
media, film showing and
 To motivate people to be aware of participation in group discussions,
their conditions, problems/ needs, community assembly, etc.
and aspirations and be able to
b. Negative social
concretize and express them
values/patterns/attitudes as the
through the survey interview,
ningas cogon attitude, maniana
informal conversations and group
habit, bahala na, palakasan, utang
discussions.
na loob, fatalistic attitude as
 To assist the people to be aware
attributing poverty or poor health to
of the causes and effects of their
God’s will, etc.
expressed problems and needs
that would move them to correctly c. Regionalism/factionalism/as
deal with those causes and electing only candidates for
prevent the proliferation of leadership roles belonging to one’s
problems; and to attain the region or religion without
people’s needs and aspirations. considering their competence and
qualifications for the position.
3. Relationship Goals – focused in
changing certain types of d. Oppressive power structures that
relationships and decision-making take advantage of the poor and
process in a community by the weak - To get rid of oppressive
diffusing power to a wider base. power structures, the community’s
CO believes in participative problem-solving and decision-
leadership rather than in an making should be diffused to a
authoritarian leadership since wider base. The CO worker can also
people’s participation in create new centers of power where
community undertakings develops the poor and the weak are well
enlightened citizenry. represented to safeguard their own
interests.
 To engender wider cooperation
and understanding through 2. To release potentialities and bring
collaborative and joint efforts of about people’s empowerment -
the people in solving their Every individual, group or a
problems/ needs and attaining the community no matter how depressed
people’s aspirations. have potentials that can be tapped for
 To develop interrelationship/ their own development. All that need
support with one another in to be done is to provide the
dealing with their problems/needs opportunities for the tapping of said
and doing away with people’s potentials. This can be done by
dependence on authority figure involving people to participate in
community activities, group
 discussions, problem-solving and 3. To develop the ability to function
decision-making sessions. They can as an Integrated Unit.
also be given challenging roles in
There are different groups working
community building and development
independently from one another for the
starting from simple roles to the more
same target clientele and objectives.
difficult ones.
This often results to duplication of
Bringing about people’s services, competition and uneven
empowerment benefits to the intended beneficiaries.
Thus, some sectors in the community
 For people empowerment, the
become more discontented and instead
people should be given opportunities
of being grateful they regret the
to acquire new knowledge and skills
presence of such groups in their midst.
through informal education, seminars,
skill training, field exposures and on-  One of the objectives of community
the-job trainings. They should be given organizations to bring disparate
the opportunity to think through a groups together in order that they
problem and formulate plans and can integrate their programs and
decisions. They should be provided efforts so that their intended
with a good supply of reading beneficiaries may receive fair
materials where they can learn treatment and prevent their
additional knowledge and be kept discontent. Competition among the
abreast with current events, groups can also be avoided as more
significant issues in their country and beneficiaries can be served since
the outside world. The people should duplication of services can be
also be exposed to other creative prevented when separate groups
ideas, projects and a better way of life work as in integrated unit because
through exposure programs outside their services can be harmonized
their communities. All these would and rationalized when they work in
broaden their horizons, their way of collaboration with one another.
doing things for the better.
5. To encourage the full use of inner
3. To develop the capacity to manage or indigenous resources for
community life and be self-reliant. community development before
tapping outside resources.
a. Identify community’s indigenous
leaders. Formal – elected officials in  Every community needs to realize
barangay and civic organizations. that no matter how depressed they
Informal - persons to whom people are, they have their own internal
have high regard and go for advice by resources that can be tapped for
virtue of his past position, strong their development. Instead of
influence, wisdom and integrity. habitually depending on outside
resources to tap they should first
b. Organize identified leaders to form
make use of their own resources so
a Core Group. Core group will be
as not delay development efforts for
entrusted to plan for the development
their community.
of the community, solve its problems
and meet its expressed needs and
aspirations. Said group should also be
 The community should also be
made responsible in the
made to realize that their most
implementation of their own plans,
important resource is the
monitor them and regularly evaluate
people themselves who if
the results of its implementation.
properly trained, organized and
Note: The essence of Community Organizing motivated can be a potent force for
is people’s “PARTICIPATION”. It is their own development.
participation that harnesses and strengthens
the people’s capacities to determine and 6. To change/modify existing policies
realize the development agenda of their own and programs that are oppressive,
communities at the various levels, from defective or irrelevant and to
micro to macro. propose needed one.
  There are existing or proposed conducted various campaigns to achieve
laws, ordinances or policy change objectives.
guidelines which the people may
Much of the knowledge base and
find oppressive, defective or
practice of community organization in
irrelevant which need to be
the Philippines has been derived from
changed or modified as such
the experience of the United States since
laws/policies run counter to the
many of its pioneers were graduates of
welfare of the people or tend to
schools of social work there.
benefit only a privileged sector of
the population. There have been four major
periods in the development of
 The CO worker may also
community welfare organization in the
experience the need for the
United States since 1870.
passing of new laws, ordinances or
policies that would solve some i. The Charity Organization (1870-
identified problems and needs in 1917)
the course of her work with the
The first may be called the charity
people. When confronted with
organization period, because the charity
these situations, it is the CO
organization societies were the clearest
worker’s responsibility to initiate
expression of community organization
with the people’s participation the
during these years. The first city-wide
passing of these required legal
charity organization society in the
statutes and/or to change/modify
United States was established in Buffalo
existing ones as the situation
in 1877. It traced its lineage to the
demands.
London Charity Organization Society
which had been founded in 1869.

At the initial stages the charity

organization movement was concerned
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY with both social casework and
ORGANIZATION community organization. Towards the
Ann Millennie Antoque end of this period, the charity
organizations tended to give more
WESTERN BEGINNINGS intensive concern to social casework and
To the extent that social work was primary leadership in community
identified with the reform movements in organization was exercised increasingly
the United States at the end of the by chests and councils.
nineteenth and early days of the The first Council of Social
twentieth centuries, its emphasis was on Agencies was organized in Pittsburgh in
what would now be recognized as 1908. The social service exchange which
community organization. Reform efforts served primarily as a central index about
were directed toward achieving change families receiving relief were transferred
in social provisions, legislation and from the charity organizations to chests
methods of rendering services to people. and councils.
They were organized in large part at the
local community level, where the early The social settlement, another
social settlements played an important pioneer organization concerned with
role. Many of the techniques that are group and recreational activities and
now employed by professional social with the welfare of the neighborhood or
workers in carrying out community local community within the large city,
organization and planning projects were came into existence during this period.
used then. The early American social The use of the survey method was
workers-reformers organized people on introduced through studies by
a house-to-house basis identified and settlements such as Hull House in
studied the dimensions of social Chicago and South End House in Boston.
problems, devised policies and program In 1912, the Russell Sage
proposals, formed pressure groups, and Foundation established a Department of
Surveys and Exhibits, which became a
center for information, advice and Massachusetts between 1912 and 1918.
assistance with surveys. In 1914, this The first “coordinating council” traces
Department conducted a comprehensive its origin to Berkeley, California, in 1919.
survey of Springfield, Illinois and By the early 1930s, the plan began to
published its report in a series of spread through California, and later
pamphlets. The survey method gradually beyond the borders of the state.
came into use by many national and
iii. Expansion and Professional
other welfare agencies.
Development (1935-1955)
ii. The Rise of Federations (1917-
The third period, from 1935 to
1935)
about 1955, was a period of expansion
In the second period of community and professional development; it was
organization, the central phenomenon marked by a recognition of the broader
was the rise and rapid growth of implications of community organization
community chests and councils of social and by an increased concern with the
agencies. Financial federation among analysis of the process and the
voluntary social welfare agencies seems development of professional skills.
to have originated in Liverpool, England
The stock market crash of 1929
about 1873. In Denver, in 1887, a
heralded the beginning of the great
“Charity Organization Society”,
depression of 1930s. One important
conducted a joint campaign that raised
development during this period was the
$21,700 for ten organizations.
greater use of the community
The Cleveland Federation for organization process in the field of
Charity and Philanthropy established in public welfare.
1903 is usually thought of as the first
The beginning of modern thinking
modern community chest, uniting the
about community welfare organization
concepts of both joint fund-raising and
dates chiefly from 1939. An exploratory
joint budgeting.
study-group project was developed
With the entry of the United States under a section of the National
into World War I in 1917, there was a Conference of Social Work in 1938-1939,
mushrooming growth of 300 to 400 “war and the activities of six local committees
chests”, or financial federations led to the Lane Report, the first
concerned wholly or partially with war cooperative and widely circulated
appeals. After the war, particularly statement regarding the nature of
during the 1920s, many war chests were generic community welfare organization.
converted into peacetime community
Community organization was
chest plan had become the established
recognized as an integral and important
pattern for financing most of the
aspect of social work education in the
important voluntary welfare agencies in
Hollis-Taylor study (1948-1951) and in
large cities. When community chests
the activities of the American
were organized in many communities
Association of Schools of Social Work
during the 1920’s, a council was often
and its successor, the Council on Social
set-up in connection with the chest, and
Work Education (1952).
an existing council was bought into close
relationship with the chest. Chests and Wayne McMillen’s Community
councils began to be thought of as parts Organization for Social Welfare,
of one movement and as allied agencies published in 1945, was the first
for joint financing, community planning, contemporary textbook on community
and coordination. organization, and was undoubtedly the
most important single contribution to
At least three types of councils
the literature of the subject up to that
originated about the time of World war I.
time. It was the first of a series of
The Cincinnati Public Health Federation,
textbooks and collections of case
established in 1917, was probably the
materials that have done much to
first independent “health council” in an
present factual material in systematic
American City. Some of the first rural
form, to clarify concepts, and to
“community councils” were organized in
stimulate thinking.
 After World War II, there was of consumers or members of lower
growth of voluntary health agencies income groups for the purpose of
carrying on independent fund-raising. developing power and bringing pressure
The problem of “multiple appeals” led in to bear on institutions, groups, and
1945 to the organization of the first individuals in order to achieve the
united fund in Detroit. The United Fund objectives of the organization.
expanded federated funding and
In general, such organizations are
financing beyond the local community
conflict-oriented, that is, they ordinarily
chest agencies and sought to include as
use conflict and confrontation as
many state and national agencies as
deliberate strategies. It may be added
possible.
that the adjective “mass” is sometimes
The publication in 1952 of more of an aspiration than a reality; the
Community Planning for Human actual number of actively involved
Services, by Bradley Buell and members is sometimes only a small
associates, is an important event from percentage of the area’s residents.
the standpoint of community welfare
Two examples of such organizations
planning. While its analysis of social
may be noted. During the depression of
welfare problems in the areas of
the 1930s, pressure groups of the
dependency, ill health, maladjustment,
unemployed were organized, and these
and recreational need was not all-
culminated in the Workers Alliance in
inclusive, it did present the clearest
1935. The tactics of this organization
picture of American social welfare
included visits to relief offices by large
problems, service functions, and service
committees, “demonstrations, hunger-
systems up to that time.
marches, work-relief strikes,” and
During the 1940s and even later, a forcible resistance to the eviction of
widespread if not the prevailing families for non-payment of rent. There
conception of community organization were clashes with the police and
focused on task goals and on bringing consequent arrests.
about maintaining an adjustment
The other example is the organization
between social welfare needs and
of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood
resources.
Council in Chicago in the late 1930s,
iv. Community Organization and under the leadership of Saul D. Alinsky, a
Social Change (1955-1970) militant social actionist. Alinsky
subsequently became executive of the
In one way or another, the
Industrial Areas Foundation, which has
outstanding events and trends in the
promoted the development of militant
development of community organization
“people’s organizations” in various
in the US since 1955 all reflect the
communities. The fullest expression of
theme of social change. Four major
Alinsky’s philosophy and methods is
intertwined themes stand out in
found in his book Reveille for Radicals.
community organization from 1955-
1979: MODELS OF
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
a. The struggle for civil rights and
racial justice; Community Development is a
popular term most often used to denote
b. Urban decay and efforts at urban
improvement of the environment but in
development;
some UN literature, it was used to mean
c. The Economic Opportunity Program “the process by which the efforts of the
and the War on Poverty; and people themselves are united with those
of government authorities to improve the
d. The phenomenon of mass
economic, social and cultural conditions
organization of consumers and lower-
of the communities, to integrate these
income groups.
communities into the life of the nation,
In the sense in which the phrase “mass and to enable them to contribute fully to
organization” is used, it means the national progress”. The goal is
organization for relatively large numbers community competence.
 Community Development as a CO process starts at the grassroots hence
model refers to efforts to mobilize the becomes a “bottom-up” approach,
people (the victims, the unaffiliated, the instead of a “top-bottom” approach.
unorganized and the non-participating)
CD emphasizes people’s
who are affected by a community
involvement in decision-making, in the
condition, into groups and organizations
development of community plans and
to enable them to take action on those
projects, in implementation, and in the
social problems and issues which affect
sharing of benefits from such programs
them. The goal is the solution of specific
and projects. The interaction with each
community problems and needs which
other of those who participated as well
would redound to the development of the
as with organization will certainly affect
community and benefit its citizens.
their social relationship and have some
Basic Elements of Community political implications both for the local
Development community and the larger institutional
or social structure of which the
1. The community is approached as a
community is a part.
whole
The process in itself requires the
2. Activities undertaken correspond to
organization, the putting together as a
the basic needs of the community
system of individual and group
3. The educational-organization process relationships and interest, because of a
moves from an awareness of problems to collected concern to do something about
a definition of problems followed by a common problem or a need within a
study. specific geographical area or community.
It is a complex process that usually
4. Community development activities are
involve professionals and experts,
thought of in long-range terms
paraprofessionals and technicians,
5. Widespread participation and leaders and citizens in an integrated
involvement are sought with decision- problem-solving effort. In the
making taking place at the lowest level, Philippines, community development
consistent with the nature of the deals directly and primarily with
problem. barangay (neighborhood) concerns. Its
moving spirit is participation, its primary
6. The resources of both governmental
aim is social change, in people as well as
and non-governmental organizations are
structures
utilized.
2. Social Planning
7. Both professional and lay
participation are sought in community Social planning refers to “efforts
development programs. directed toward integrating the different
action systems of the community with
8. The identification, encouragement and
other system of the local community
training of local leaders is a central
and/or with extra community action
feature of community development
systems, efforts aimed at bringing about
programs.
reforms in attitudes, policies and
1. Power & Process of Locality practice of large private and public
Development agencies, including legal, functional and
operating system”. It is translating social
Community/Locality development
goals into effective programs and
may be regarded as a process of
services by an agency, group of
deliberative intervention at the
agencies, public or private in
grassroots level for the purpose of
collaborative efforts with the community.
improving the environment and the
people’s socio-political functioning. The According to Gilbert and Specht,
process focuses on people and social planning refers to the organization
organizations. It demonstrates the of a community action system composed
reversal process in that instead of the of individuals, groups or organizations to
programs or project starting from the deal with social problems found in the
top and handed down to the bottom, the community. They added that social
planning has two major interrelated interpersonal relations of
components: everything from broad economic
development programs to specific
1. The socio-political process within
redevelopment projects.
an action system including the
3. Social programming – planning
identification, recruitment, and work
the more traditional welfare
with its members and the
activities of public and private
development of organizational and
agencies and the coordination by
interpersonal relationships among
many groups.
them to facilitate their efforts.
3. Social Action
2. The technical tasks of identifying
the problem areas, analyzing causes, Social action refers to individual
formulating plans, developing or group activity designed to influence a
strategies, and mobilizing the change in social policy. Such policy may
resources necessary to effect action be formal as in law or is a written
statement by an organization or agency,
As a process, Alfred J. Kahn suggests
or it may be informal, handed down from
that social planning should contain the
generation to generation as custom or
following elements:
tradition. Social action is aimed at the
1. Research (fact-finding, projection individual, group or organization
and inventory taking) responsible for said policy. Social action
is based on the belief that it is the birth
2. Value analysis and facilitation of
right of every human being, the
expression of various positions,
responsibility and privilege to attempt to
sometimes through political
mold the environment in terms of
machinations
personal and/or societal values. In the
3. Policy formulation Philippines, social action is fast
becoming a popular activity used by the
4. Programming
poor, the oppressed and the
5. Measuring and feedback disadvantaged with the social worker
acting as an advocate, for and on their
Kahn also posited that in social planning
behalf.
what may be sought as outcome is one
or more of the following: As far as social workers are
concerned, social action is the
1. New policies (standing plans)
systematic and conscious effort exerted
2. Program and policy coordination by the worker, the leaders and
concerned individuals, groups and
3. Service integration
organizations to influence the basic
4. Innovation in programs social conditions and policies which have
given rise to social problems affecting a
5. Choice in priorities in any of the
group or a sector in the community who
foregoing or for the allocation of
is or are the immediate concern of social
services.
workers. To the direct service worker or
6. Administrative decisions the community organization practitioner,
social action may actually refer to the
As suggested by John Dickman there are
act of organizing the disadvantaged
three levels of social planning:
segment of the population sometimes in
1. Societal goals – selecting goals alliance with others to make adequate
and setting targets for their demands on the larger community or
achievement. government administration for increased
2. Testing consequences – the resources, improved conditions, or the
application of social values and status quo in accordance with human
action criteria to the assessment of rights and social justice. The aim is to
programs undertaken in pursuit of change policy or the present situation.
economic and political goals and This is how it is present in the
the testing of consequences in Philippines.
terms of inter-group or
Strategies in Social Action
 1. Social Brokerage to Increase collectively address issues and advocate
Participation – a shared problem for social change. It emphasizes
leads to the formulation of an grassroots involvement and building
informal group in their cooperative power through collaboration.
attempt to solve the problem, the
Key Principles
members learn how to meet their
needs through group processes • Empowerment - focuses on
and cooperative action. empowering community members to
take control over issues affecting
2. Integrative Mechanisms to
their lives.
Strengthen Organizations – a
loose organization working for a • Collective action - encourages
community welfare cause can be group efforts to create change,
more effective in its social action if recognizing that individuals often
other integrative efforts and have limited power but groups can
resources could reinforce its own. exert greater influence.

3. Social Protests to Support • Capacity building - helps

Social Movements – this the community members develop skills,
most popular social action strategy knowledge, and resources to advocate
in our contemporary scene. In fact, for themselves and their
social action as commonly communities.
perceived is very much associated
• Social justice - aims to challenge
with this strategy. It is sometimes
and address systemic inequalities and
mislabeled as “subversion” while
oppression in society.
actually it could be called positive
activism or militant movement. It Steps in CO
therefore involves risks on the part
1. Entering the Community
of the participants in a country
that curtails freedom. This is the initial phase where the
organizer first makes contact with the
community. It involves familiarizing
THE C.O. PROCESS oneself with the area, understanding its
history, culture, and dynamics, and
Ann Millennie Antoque building trust with local residents.
STEPS IN COMMUNITY The goal is to observe, listen, and
ORGANIZING engage with community members to
learn about their needs, concerns, and
aspirations.

2. Integrating with the People

The next step is to integrate with the

local people. This means becoming an
active participant in the community’s
daily life, attending meetings, and
engaging in community events. It is
important to build trust by showing
genuine concern for the community's
well-being, and not just as an outsider
trying to impose solutions.

By integrating, the organizer becomes a

part of the social fabric and begins to
establish credibility and rapport with
community members.

3. Social Analysis
Community organizing is the process
This involves studying the social,
of bringing people together to
political, economic, and cultural
conditions that affect the community. task forces, and identifying key roles and
Through surveys, interviews, and responsibilities.
conversations, organizers gather data
At this stage, it’s essential to ensure that
about the community’s challenges and
the organization is built on a solid
resources. The analysis helps to
foundation of transparency,
understand the root causes of problems
accountability, and clear communication.
and identify potential solutions.
7. Strengthening the Organization
This step also involves identifying power
structures, key stakeholders, and The final step is to build and strengthen
existing networks in the community, so the organization so that it can sustain its
that organizers can make informed efforts and continue to grow. This
decisions on how to proceed. involves recruiting new members,
providing ongoing leadership
4. Identify and Develop Leaders
development, and ensuring the
Leadership is crucial in community organization has the resources it needs,
organizing. Identifying potential leaders including funding, staff, and materials.
who are respected by their peers and
Strengthening the organization also
who have the drive to advocate for
involves building external alliances,
change is essential. These leaders can
engaging in advocacy, and ensuring that
come from various backgrounds, such as
the community is empowered to take
youth, women, elders, etc.
action on its own. A strong, well-
The goal is to nurture and develop these organized community can then
individuals so they can take on effectively address ongoing issues and
leadership roles within the community create lasting social change.
and lead efforts to solve problems.
CO PROCESS
Leadership development often includes
providing training, resources, and A Helping Model by Marasigan et. Al,
mentorship to ensure that leaders are 1992
equipped with the skills needed to
I. Pre-Helping Phase
mobilize others and advocate effectively.
 Formulation of indices for
5. Core Group Formation
selection of areas to be
The core group is a small but committed helped;
group of community members who are
 Identification of the target
dedicated to the organizing effort. This
area/barangay/community
group works closely with the organizer
to create a vision for change and  Assignment of workers to target
determine strategies for addressing areas;
community issues.
 Establishment of initial linkages
The core group acts as the decision- between people and resources
making body that guides the direction of systems;
the organizing efforts. It is important for
 Gathering initial information about
the group to represent the diversity of
the community; and
the community, ensuring that different
voices and perspectives are heard and  Getting people’s sanction and
included. commitment.

6. Setting up the Organization II. Helping Phase

Once the core group is established, the 1. Exploration and Identification of the
next step is to formally set up the Problem
structure of the organization. This
 Gathering information on the
involves creating a mission statement,
situations and feelings of the
establishing goals and objectives, and
community
deciding on the organizational structure.
It may involve registering the  Analysis/Diagnosis
organization, setting up committees or
  Identify the problem, need, lack or We are CONNECTORS and
difficulty MOBILIZERS.
 Identify the strengths and
weakness of the community
ROLES OF C.O. WORKER
 Examine the causal relationship of
1. Enabler – enabling the community to
situations/data (cause- problem
engage in establishing goals, objectives
effect)
and setting priorities.
 Identify the problem-solving
2. Helper – helping community groups
patterns of the people
identify their problems/needs and take
 Rank the needs and problems effective action on their planned goals
and objectives to solve their problems
2. Planning the solutions
and meet their needs and aspirations.
 Agree on the goals of community
3. Guide – guiding the community
life
groups in the process through
 Identify the activities and difficulties encountered.
strategies to be done
4. Initiator – initiating action through
 Agree with the people on roles and education, demonstration, and other
responsibilities techniques and strategies.
 Identify resources which are 5. Broker – acting as broker between
needed groups, the client community and
outside resources.
 Set a time table
6. Advocate – advocating the just cause
 Formulate indices for success
of any disadvantaged groups, sector or
3. Action/Implementation community as a whole.
 Organization of community 7. Consultant – providing expert
working groups and assignment of knowledge and information to achieve
tasks and responsibilities to planned goals and objectives.
implement action plan
8. Intervenor – intervening for and on
 Implementation of action plan by behalf of the people for their
community and social worker participation and involvement in the
formulation of social welfare programs,
 Utilization of available resources
services and projects intended to benefit
and strategies;
or affect them or when their interest and
 generation and organization of welfare are in jeopardy.
resources
9. Planner – sits as planner for the
4. Evaluation social welfare/social services sector in
planning bodies as the barangay,
 Examination of results of
municipal, provincial, regional and
implementation against objectives
national development councils.
and success indicators
10. Researcher – makes research on
 Statement of findings
current problems, needs and issues as
 Documentation basis for action planning.
5. Modification, Termination or Transfer FUNCTIONS OF C.O. WOKRER
of Action
1. Fact Finding – to secure and
maintain an adequate factual basis
for sound planning.

Organizers “DO NOT DO IT”, but

“BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO DO
IT”.
2. Program Development – to initiate, overtones that is also designed to
develop new programs and services change the values, attitudes, habits and
and modify or terminate social thinking of the target audience to a
welfare programs and services that desired manner.
had become irrelevant.
5. Education and Promotion – it
3. Establishment of standards – to employs a range of educational and
establish, maintain and improve promotional ways/approaches to
social welfare standards, and to enhance people’s understanding and
increase the effectiveness, efficiency support of programs, projects and plans
and economy of operation of social for community improvement and
welfare agencies. development.

4. Coordination – to improve and Example includes film showing, training

facilitate interrelationships and to seminars, posters, folk media, field visits
promote coordination between and community assemblies.
organizations, groups and
6. Demonstration –illustrate ways of
individuals concerned with social
dealing with certain social problems
welfare programs and services.
which can be subsequently adopted for
5. Education – to develop better similar uses by the community and other
public understanding of social communities and organization.
welfare needs, problems,
7. Use of Group Dynamics and
resources, objectives, services,
Experiential Learning in Training –
methods and standards.
these are effective techniques in training
6. Support and Participation – to indigenous leaders who have an aversion
develop adequate public support of to lecture-type seminars. In this context,
and public participation in social it refers to planned group processes
welfare activities designed to communicate new
knowledge and ideas; to change negative
TECHNIQUES USED BY CO
values, attitudes and behavior and to
WORKER
promote/strengthen relationships among
1. Structuring – it employs the use of the target group members
suitable structures to engage in
8. Use of an Expert/Consultant –
problem-solving as councils, committees,
utilizing the knowledge and expertise of
task force, ad hoc committee, study
others, the CO worker enriches her own
groups, etc.
and wastes no time doing things through
2. Situation Analysis – it involves the the trial and-error method.
breaking up of a problem situation or
9. Formal Study – the CO worker
collection of data, exploring the content
employs this technique to influence
and examining and setting forth of the
public opinion and motivate people to
various aspects, issues and relationships
act on certain community and national
involved to gain insight and
issues wherein the results of which the
understanding the content better for
CO worker can interprets and
logical conclusions/solutions.
disseminates to the public that they
3. Problem Analysis – the process of would appropriately act on said issues or
looking into the causes of the problem problem.
and their effects on those affected by it.
10. Use of Questions in Handling
4. Role Playing and Socio-Drama – Group Discussion – as practiced and
Role Playing is acting out a situation learned from leading CO practitioners,
which would depict a problem or varied the use of questions has the following
problem and their effects designed to uses:
change the attitude and thinking of the
a. To open discussions
target audience towards the problem as
from apathy to concern. On the other b. To stimulate interest
hand, socio-drama is a dramatic
c. To provoke thinking
performance with psychological
 d. To accumulate data need, improving overall health outcomes
for mothers and children.
e. To get individual participation
QUESTIONS:
f. To develop a subject matter
1. As a CO worker what specific
g. To change the trend of discussion
role/roles would you play in this
h. To limit or terminate discussion community?

2. How would you ensure effective

communication and collaboration
across different organizations that
STRATEGIES IN CO may be involved?

Ann Millennie Antoque 3. What specific techniques would

you use to engage with community
SAMPLE CASE members who may be hesitant to
In a remote barangay in a rural participate in the CO process?
area of the Philippines, the local health 4. What techniques would you
center is understaffed, with only a 1 employ to foster long-term
untrained midwife. The nearest hospital progress and self-sufficiency in the
is several hours away by road, and the community?
transportation infrastructure is often
poor, particularly during the rainy 5. How would you involve the
season. One of the main issues in this community in decision-making and
community is maternal health. A local the planning of services to ensure
woman, Anita, who is pregnant with her that programs are responsive to
second child, has limited access to their needs?
prenatal care. Although she had regular
checkups during her first pregnancy, she
has not been able to visit the health
center for checkups due to her family's
financial struggles and the long distance
to travel.

Anita goes into labor

unexpectedly during the night, and
because of the lack of a doctor in the
health center and the inability to get to
the hospital in time, there are concerns
about complications. A CO worker,
aware of the health center's limited
resources, came to assist. She organized
a community meeting to discuss how
they can improve maternal healthcare.
The local people decide to request
support from local government agencies
to build more accessible health facilities,
as well as advocate for mobile health
clinics to visit regularly.

The local government, with the

help of NGOs and health programs,
commits to providing the barangay with
better healthcare facilities, and
volunteers and midwives are trained to
support. Through these efforts, the
community aims to reduce maternal
mortality rates and ensure that pregnant
women have access to the care they
 i. How to prepare project
proposals/feasibility studies

j. How to prepare policies and

ordinances

k. Barangay justice system

l. Local Government Code and other

pertinent laws

3. Organizing People for Specific

Tasks, Roles and Functions –
organizing people for these purposes is
the forte of CO worker. People are
organized to do specific tasks is a
strategy that facilitates the attainment of
goals and objectives since the job is
done in a more organized manner which
uses at the same time the pooled
thinking, expertise and resources of
STRATEGIES USED BY A C.O. those involved in the different organized
WORKER operational units.
Strategy refers to the procedure 4. Use of Conflict – popularized by
adopted by social workers to achieve a Alinsky. It is used in communities where
goal. It is also defined as the tactic of the people are apathetic towards their
careful planning or a method devised to pressing problems and needs when other
achieve a desired goal. strategies fail. The introduction of
1. Management of Power – the CO conflict is designed to awaken the people
worker uses this strategy by helping from their lethargy and trigger the
create new centers of power in desired action on their part to do
communities where leadership is something about their community
indifferent and ineffective. This is a problems.
process to attain people empowerment. 5. Strategies by Roland Warren –
2. Training of Leaders for their Role Roland Warren had developed a typology
Function – an effective strategy in of strategies for achieving purposive
enabling the community to be a self- change which are the following:
reliant and self-managed community. a. Collaborative Strategy – based
The leaders should therefore be trained on the assumption of consensus or
on the following leadership common values and interests
requirements: among the parties in
disagreement.
a. Management and administration
b. b. Campaign Strategy –
b. Leadership applicable when the people are not
c. Development planning, problem- in agreement on how an issue
solving and decision-making should be resolved. This strategy
employs educating, persuading
d. Interpersonal and group relationship and pressuring into agreeing with
e. Disaster preparedness and its a group’s proposed
management solution/approach to a major issue
or problem in the community.
f. Primary health care
c. c. Contest Strategy – this
g. Knowledge on the national social and strategy would apply to crystallize
economic development thrusts the issues involved and to get
h. Knowledge of internal and external majority vote/support for one of
resources the contestant’s proposal which
will be considered the
 community’s adopted decision 9. Use of Volunteers – it had been
after the voting. found as an effective strategy for lack
of manpower and resources
6. Strategies found under Social
Action Model

a. Social Brokerage – it is employed

when a problem threatens to be
explosive or disruptive and is
EMERGING PROCESS IN
diffused through the CO worker’s COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
intervention as a broker with the Ann Millennie Antoque
involvement of relevant groups
and individuals who can help EMPOWERMENT
diffuse a crisis situation and bring Empowerment is the process of
in relevant agencies and releasing the potentials of people
individuals to help the families through appropriate programs, services
deal with their anticipated and strategies. It is removing blocks that
problems and needs. It's like being deter people’s growth and development.
a connector who facilitates It is accessing them for the
interactions and opportunities enhancement of their highest
between different groups. capabilities that they would be freed
b. Use of Integrative Mechanisms from the fetters of poverty, ignorance,
to Strengthen Organization – it oppression, social injustice and fear to
employs the integration of other stand up for their rights and pursuits for
groups’ efforts and support to happiness as a member of a free and just
strengthen the cause of a society.
particular community group. Sources of Power
c. Social Protests to Support
Social Movements – commonly 1) Freedom
used as a strategy in influencing 2) Knowledge and wisdom
change or modification of policies
and services deemed irrelevant, 3) Mental and moral efficacy
inadequate or disadvantageous to 4) Capability for leadership roles
the greater sector of society. It is
also used to pressure the removal 5) Ability to act or produce an effect
of officials perceived as 6) Prestige and wealth
incompetent, immoral and corrupt
or simply indifferent to the plight 7) Possession of authority and control
and welfare of some sectors of over others
society 8) Physical might as controlling a
7. Lobbying – interest groups attend group of armed persons
committee meetings of the legislative How can people be empowered?
bodies and the legislative sessions
itself to show support of or protests  People should be given
against the passage of certain bills or opportunities to acquire the
some of its offending provisions. It other positive sources of power
consists of presenting a position such as freedom, knowledge and
paper to the deliberating committee wisdom, mental and moral
where their stand is detailed in a efficacy, capabilities for
concise manner. leadership roles and abilities to
achieve their goals and dreams.
8. Use of Field Trips – the CO
worker employs this strategy for fast-  They should be assisted to
track learning designed for realize their highest potentials
indigenous leaders’ training for as active and contributing
community development and members of society
leadership roles. The process of people empowerment is
long and tedious especially for people
living in third world countries who have community-driven development (CDD)
long been endured in a life of oppression approach, a globally recognized strategy
and resignation. These make them for achieving service delivery, poverty
vulnerable to injustice and exploitation. reduction, and good governance
outcomes. Started in 2003, it scale-up to
But once empowered, they would be a
National Community Driven
potent force for the country’s
Development Program (NCDDP) was
development and progress as they
approved on 18 January 2013.
achieve for themselves a better life and
higher socio-economic goals.  The development objective of
Kalahi-CIDSS is to have
Suggested processes for people’s
barangays/communities of
empowerment
targeted municipalities become
1) Identify the blocks that hinder empowered to achieve improved
people’s growth and development. access to services and to
participate in more inclusive local
2) Removal of the blocks to growth
planning, budgeting, and
and development.
implementation.
3) Releasing the potentials of people.
 In response to a strong demand
4) Accessing the people for the from partner LGUs and
enhancement of their potentials to communities and the support of
its highest productive level. the Human Development and
Poverty Reduction Cluster
If the people’s potentials have to be
(HDPRC), the DSWD proposed to
enhanced to its highest and productive
scale up CDD into a national
level, they should be given the
program to be called National
opportunities to be more learned and
Community Driven Development
productive. Such opportunities are the
Program (NCDDP).
following:
What is community-driven development?
1) A wide latitude to make
decisions on matters that would The CDD approach ensures that
affect their interests and welfare. development priorities are addressed in
a participatory, collective, inclusive, and
2) Access to attain capability
in demand-driven way. This is done
building.
through localized decision-making
3) Access to greater economic during social preparation activities, and
resources. in the identification, development,
prioritization, establishment, and
4) Access to technological
operationalization of community
knowledge and modern
projects.
equipment to boost production.
Why is there a need for CDD?
5) Access to higher institutions of
learning with quality education  Increasing available resources for
and values inculcation. development. The annual
investment presents a huge
6) Spiritual enhancement
opportunity for addressing the
seminars.
poverty concern of a municipality.
KAPIT-BISIG LABAN SA KAHIRAPAN The grant also requires only a
COMPREHENSIVE AND minimum of 30% in equity in cash
INTEGRATED DELIVERY OF SOCIAL or in-kind contribution.
SERVICES
 Responsive community projects.
(KALAHI-CIDSS)
The program supports projects
KALAHI-CIDSS is the poverty that address the needs of the
alleviation program of the Philippine LGU’s constituents.
Government being implemented by the
 Development of volunteers who
Department of Social Welfare and
become the engines of change in
Development (DSWD). It uses the
the communities. Volunteers from
 the barangays are trained on groups are encouraged to do
organizational and technical skills independent monitoring of Kalahi-
to participate in project activities CIDSS.
and to implement a range of local
4) Community prioritization - The
services for their communities.
participating barangays are tasked
NCDDP with submitting a proposal about
their chosen projects in the MIBF.
NCDDP aims to:
The community will then evaluate
1) Empower communities by these proposals and identify which
treating them not as passive of these will be prioritized for
recipients of assistance and funding.
services but as partners in
5) Inclusive and multi-stakeholder
development.
- Everyone in the barangay is
2) Improve local governance by involved in every step of the
improving people’s engagement process of project implementation,
with and access to their LGUs, from the creation of the proposal
thereby making it more democratic to the implementation and
and participatory. management of the project.

3) Reduce poverty by implementing 6) Demand-driven - Communities

barangay-level projects that are encouraged to prioritize their
respond to the communities’ felt own needs, participate in the
needs and problems. design of their own projects, and
make decisions on how resources
NCDDP is expected to achieve the
are used. Simple. All procedures
following benefits for communities:
and components of the project are
 Better access to basic services kept simple to enable all
stakeholders to easily and
 Improve core local poverty
understand and become fully
indicators in project
involved in the Project.
municipalities.
7) Sustainable - All barangay
 Increase percentages of
projects will have viable long-term
households that report an increase
plans for operations and
in knowledge, skills, and
maintenance and sustainability.
confidence to participate
collectively in local governance
activities in project municipalities.

 Improve the attendance of

members from marginalized COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
groups in barangay assemblies AND TOOLS
GUIDING PRINCIPLES Ann Millennie Antoque

1) Localized decision-making - Assessing the community’s

Communities decide on which strengths, weaknesses, needs, and
projects will be implemented. assets is an essential first step in
planning an effective project. By taking
2) Empowering - People are time to learn about the community, the
capacitated so they will become CO worker can discover the most
better prepared in managing relevant opportunities for projects and
community issues and problems, maximize ability to make a meaningful
as well as in the planning, impact.
mobilization, implementation, and
resource management of their
projects.

3) Transparent - A multi-level
monitoring system is followed,
wherein NGOs, media, and other
A community assessment can help CO  Can involve a fairly large group of
workers get a better understanding of people at one time.
the dynamics of the community and help
 Can help identify respected
both the worker and client community
community leaders to be involved
make important decisions about service
in a project.
priorities.
 Can help discern the significance
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
of a variety of issues.
Doing an assessment also helps
 Helps explore potential solutions
you build valuable relationships and
encourages community members to Challenges with community
actively participate in making lasting meetings may include:
improvements. It’s a critical first step in
 Can be difficult to maintain an
creating trust, community ownership,
open, comfortable, relaxed
and sustainability.
environment.
Having casual conversations with
 Can be difficult to keep the
just one or two people isn’t an effective
conversation on topic.
way of finding out what a community
needs. Assessments should be  May be influenced by social
systematic, involve a wide variety of constraints, including gender
community stakeholders and disparities, power dynamics,
beneficiaries, and engage them in a cultural norms, etc.
meaningful way.
 May be dominated by one or two
Community Assessment Tools vocal participants to the exclusion
of others.
 Community Meeting
Addressing challenges in cty
A community meeting, sometimes
meetings
called a town hall or public forum, is
an informal public gathering that 1. If certain participants are
brings together members of a dominating the conversation,
community to discuss issues, voice make a point of asking others
concerns, and express preferences for their ideas.
for community priorities.
2. Watch body language and make
A facilitator leads discussions on adjustments as necessary.
issues related to the community’s Maybe the facilitator needs a
strengths and potential challenges break, or you need to stop
and encourages attendees to vocally someone from speaking too much.
participate. A quick five-minute break can help
refocus the discussion.
It is advisable to appoint a locally
respected individual or a 3. Use encouraging body language
representative from a community and tone of voice, as well as
organization to serve as the meeting words. Keep your body position
facilitator, particularly if there are open and approachable, and be
any cultural or language barriers attentive to everyone, not just
between you and the community those who are most articulate.
being served.
4. Pay attention to group
Advantages of community dynamics. Be aware of emotional
meetings include: reactions participants may have to
others’ comments, particularly if
 Gives people of diverse
they appear to be upset, hurt,
backgrounds a chance to express
angry, or defensive
their views.
5. Keep the meeting on topic. If
 Allows participants to build upon
you need to refocus the discussion,
one another’s responses.
summarize the points that have
been made and ask if anyone has
 additional thoughts about the Advantages to using surveys
original question. include:

 Focus Group  They can be administered

remotely.
A focus group is a carefully guided
discussion used to determine a target  They can be repeated.
group’s preferences and opinions on a
 They can be completed
particular issue or idea. It can help
anonymously, encouraging candid
you determine how the stakeholders
responses.
believe community issues should be
addressed. Conducting a focus group  They’re generally inexpensive to
requires careful planning and a administer.
skilled discussion facilitator. Most
Challenges with surveys may
focus groups consist of six to 12
include:
diverse stakeholders. Participants are
asked a series of carefully worded, Identifying prospective respondents
open-ended questions on different and obtaining their personal
issues in the community. This contact information can be
approach promotes self-disclosure difficult.
among participants.
Emailed surveys are ineffective in
Advantages to using focus groups places where Internet access is
include: limited.

 They’re quick and easy to set up. Phone surveys may be subject to
sample or interviewer bias.
 Group dynamics can provide useful
information that individual data Response rates for remote surveys
collection doesn’t. are generally low compared to in-
person assessments.
 Useful for gaining insight into a
topic that’s not easily quantifiable. Written surveys are ineffective with
low-level literacy populations.
 Effective with low-level literacy
populations. Written surveys don’t allow for
follow-up questions.
Challenges with focus groups may
include: Types of survey questions

• Facilitators are susceptible to bias. 1. Multiple choice questions.

Respondents select one or more
• Discussion can be dominated or
options from a list. Multiple choice
sidetracked by a few individuals.
questions work best to use when
• Analyzing data can be time- you have a fixed number of
consuming. options.

• The information may not represent 2. Open-ended questions.

the whole community, which may Respondents answer questions in
require additional focus groups. their own words. This format can
elicit more nuanced responses, but
 Survey
survey results aren’t as easily
Surveys are a popular method for quantifiable and must be
collecting information and opinions. individually analyzed. Example:If
In the context of a community you could improve one aspect of
assessment, a survey can be an your community, what would it be
effective way to assess the and why?
community’s perceived strengths,
3. Demographic questions.
weaknesses, needs, and existing
Demographic information (e.g.,
assets. Surveys can be general or
gender, education, income level)
targeted to specific segments of a
can add context to responses that
community. Surveys can be delivered
by email, phone, or in person.
 will reveal trends within a larger o When and where do people gather,
population. and what do they do together?
Include religious, social service,
4. Rating scales. Respondents rate
sporting, entertainment, and other
their opinion of a statement or set
types of gatherings.
of statements along a range of
feelings or attitudes. o Who do you know?
 Asset Inventory o What skills do they have?
An asset inventory identifies various o What do they own?
types of resources in a community,
including its people, physical o What do they know about that
environment, institutions, services, might be taught to others?
and events. To conduct the inventory, o Is there an enterprising spirit in
participants identify people, places, your community, either in business
and things they think are valuable or civic/cultural activities?
and then document and analyze their
findings. The resulting inventory  Interview
identifies assets and can start the Interviews are one-on-one
process of exploring the conversations between a facilitator
interconnectedness of those assets (the interviewer) and a community
and how they can be used to create stakeholder (the respondent).
positive change. Interviews allow you to gain a deeper
Advantages to using an asset understanding of the respondent’s
inventory include: ideas and feelings. Unlike surveys,
interviews give the facilitator the
 Maximizes available resources freedom to veer off script and ask
 Encourages the creation of broad, follow-up questions. And unlike group
inclusive networks to affect assessments, such as community
change. discussions and focus groups, the
respondent has the facilitator’s sole
 Helps identify areas of community attention and is more likely to share
member interest personal opinions freely.
 Can be maintained, expanded, and Advantages to using interviews
used repeatedly include:
Challenges with asset inventories  It allows the facilitator to follow
may include: the flow of conversation and ask
 Data analysis can be time spontaneous questions.
consuming.  It encourages the respondent to
 Organizing assets and identifying speak freely and give spontaneous
interconnectedness can be answers.
difficult.  It is the most accurate and
 Interests, skills, and other thorough way to obtain qualitative
nonphysical assets can be easily data from your respondents.
overlooked.  It is effective with low-level
Sample Asset Inventory questions: literacy populations.

o What is special about your Challenges with interviews may

community? include:

o What products are made in your  They’re time-consuming.

community?  They reach only one respondent at
o What events take place in your a time.
community?
  Conducting a good interview  Places they’d like to add to the
requires practice and some degree community, indicated by sticky
of skill. notes or small squares of paper

 Finding willing respondents for Advantages of community

interviews can be difficult. mapping include:

 It’s a lively and engaging activity.

 It encourages participants to
discuss how they might improve
 Community Mapping
their community.
Community mapping is used to reveal
 Activity can be broken up into
different perspectives about a
multiple sessions with different
community. It requires few resources
community stakeholder groups.
and little time and can be adapted for
participants of any age or educational Challenges with community
background. In this facilitated mapping may include:
activity, individuals or groups draw a
 Analyzing results can be a difficult
map of their community, marking
process, because the information
certain points of importance and
is gathered in a visual format.
noting how often they visit these
places. A facilitator leads a discussion  Drawing conclusions from the
about the maps, while another maps and determining next steps
facilitator records the discussion. may require additional assessment
activities.
A successful community mapping
exercise will get participants to: Tips for Conducting Assessment

 Identify how they use community 1. Keep an open mind. Don’t

resources and any barriers they presume you know what the
experience in accessing these community needs.
resources.
2. Choose participants carefully.
 Compare perceptions of the Consider the makeup of the
importance of various community community and ensure that you
resources. include a diverse cross-section of
relevant groups (e.g., gender, age,
 Generate ideas for community
ethnicity, religion, income level,
improvement
vocations).
What to map?
3. Include overlooked or
 Places of residence marginalized groups. Women,
young people, the elderly, and
 Places of importance to them, such
religious or ethnic minorities are
as markets, religious centers,
often overlooked. Keep the
schools, community centers, parks,
community’s social dynamics in
businesses, fields, water sources,
mind and provide a forum where
government offices, health clinics,
they feel comfortable sharing their
police stations, and recreational
views.
areas
4. Don’t promise a project. But do
 Places where they spend the most
assure participants that you’ll let
time, using different colors to
them know what your agency’s
indicate daily, weekly, monthly, or
programs and services. Invite
yearly visits
them to take part in any future
 Places where they enjoy and don’t activities.
enjoy spending time, indicated by
different colors of markers