COMMUNITY

DYNAMICS
AND
PROCESSES
 VOCACBULARY 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.
Leaders are important
figures 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
implementations.
2 kinds of power structure in a
community
1. Formal power structure
2. Informal Power structure
The dominant analytical
approaches in studying
community dynamics
and processes focus on
community power
relation, leaders, and
social change.
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.
2 kinds of power structure in a community

1. Formal power structure – forms the legal authoritative basis of

elected and appointed government officials of civic organizations.
They are individuals whose authority is based on formal rules
appointed by government.

2. Informal Power structure – exists alongside the formal institutional

power structure; it is harder to empirically identify, but is an equally
significant factor’s in a community’s development. They are appointed
because of their ability to lead, direct or achieve without an official
leadership title. 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.
In examining the power relations within a community,
it is necessary to investigate the critical actors, stake
holders, and the resources they control. These actors can
broadly be distinguished as legal-authoritative
decision-makers and influencers.
Legal decision-makers- are individuals or bodies
whose authority is based on formal rules and
institutions.
Ex.: City Mayors, legislative council members, barangay captains
Typically, they occupy position through legally
mandated process like elections, or through formal
political appointments.
Influencers- are individuals or groups who do not have direct au-
thority but are capable of shaping decisions
that affects the community.

Leadership – refers to the process and qualities of

command and decisiveness with regards to the
necessary actions that ensure the welfare of the community.

Community Leaders – are individuals selected,

nominated, and appointed as stewards, and champions of issues rele-
vant to a community. They have the ability to mobilized capacities to
influence critical actors and
local partners in solving problems that confront a
community.
Social Change- occurs for a numerous reasons.
-due to opposing contradicting forces within a community
- It may encompass a range of socio-civic outcomes, such as
the increase in understanding community, attitudinal
change, changes in the configuration of participation,
building of public trust, change in the policy
- Said to occur when there is an observable rise of education
and literacy in the community.
UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS
STRUCTURE
Awareness of the essential aspects of community is
necessary in aiding the residents to reflect on ways to be
positively involve in its improvement. 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 a the community
and as future leaders of a community.
ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY AND FACTORS TO
EXPLORE
1. LOCAL POLITICS
• Structure of government
• Decision making power and control
• Major issues currently in debate
ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY AND FACTORS TO EXPLORE

2. DEMOGRAPHIC
• Demographics (total number of people)
• Population density (ratio of people to the space inhabit)
• Heterogeneity (the extent to which the of the community hsve
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 high ways, bodies of water, 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 BUSINESS
-business, factories and other sources of
employment that characterize the
community
-nature of business (owned by local
residents or government)
6. INCOME DISTRIBUTION
- Public assistance available to residents
- Median income level of residents
- Income level and corresponding poppulation
7. HOUSING
-housing condition
-population density
-types of housing
-ownership and status of houses (rental, real state, etc)
8. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS
-education system
-extent of community support
-existence of public and private schools
-adherence to the 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 (participations in competitions, profile of graduates,
training of students holistically)
-adequate preparations for adults to enter the labor force
9. HEALTH WELFARE SYSTEM
- Adequate numbers of heath care
specialist
- Social service programs
- Respect of service providers to
needs and values of minorities
populations
- Availability of fire and police
protections
- Safety of the residents
- The resident’s vies of public safety
and justice system
10. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND PUBLIC
OPINION
-presence of radio and TV stations and news
papers which provide the people information
and perspective on current events
-community organization’s capacity to update
residents on important information
-the capacity of sources information to enhance
the resident’s skills to promote positive change
- The presence of community leaders who
speaks for various marginalize subgroups
11. SUMMARY ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY ISSUES
- Overall assessment of community’s functioning
- Dealing with social problems (youth gangs, poverty,
abuse)
- Gaps in social, healthcare and other community and
educational services
UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY
THROUGH ITS PROCESS
A leader is an important figure in a community. A leader must posses important
characteristics such as:

1. Effective Communication
- 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 and Capital Building

-developing a resilient capital is among the most important contributors to successful
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.
Community Power is the capacity of the community to exercise control lover
activities and seeks ways to employ available resources to establish stronger and
better community.
THANK YOU!!!