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Module #1 – Introduction to
Community Development
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What is a Community?
Place

Population

Political system “Community” must be defined so

stakeholders can be identified and
appropriately involved in the various
Social organization stages of the community
development process.
Cultural system

Economic system
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What is Community Development?

Structural changes in a community, More community assets such

including use of resources and the as jobs, income, buildings, and
function of institutions city parks

Increased capacity of people More resources being used by

people
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What is Community Development?

Citizen participation , both
in purpose and function,
distinguishes community
A comprehensive process to manage change that involves
development from other
citizens creating a shared vision for the future
types of interventions.
Unless people buy in to
self-help and the decision-
making process is open to
all stakeholders, the
Distinguishing Characteristics process should not be
•Focuses on the whole community. designated as community
development.
•Emphasizes public participation as self-help.
•Uses participatory democracy as a model for
decision making.
•Uses a holistic approach.
• Often initiates the process using a paid
professional from outside.
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Why Practice Community Development?

Allows people to participate in a civic Can sustain community success

despite minimal problems.
dialogue. It doesn’t matter
Addresses a critical need, such as
where the community
Gives voice to ordinary citizens. safety.
is on the spectrum of
success. What Can begin the healing of a divided
Creates a common vision for the community.
matters is how
community.
engaged citizens are Decreases feeling of hopelessness
in the decision-making after years of neglectful community
Improves crisis response. building.
process.
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Framework for Community Development

ASSUMPTIONS VALUES PRINCIPLES

PRACTICE
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Community Development Assumptions

People are capable of rational behavior.

Significant behavior is learned behavior.

Significant behavior is learned through interaction over time.

People can give purposeful direction to their behavior.

People can impact their environment toward a desired future.

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Community Development Values

All people have basic dignity.
People have the right to help make decisions on issues that impact
their well-being.
Participatory democracy is the best way to conduct a community’s
civic business
People have the right to strive to create the environment they want.
People have the right to reject an externally imposed environment.
The more purposeful interaction and dialogue within a community,
the more potential for learning and development.
Implied within a process of purposeful interaction is an ever-
widening concept of community.
Every discipline and profession is a potential contributor to a
community development process

Motivation is created through interaction with the environment.

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Community Development Principles

Self-help and self-responsibility are required for successful

development.
Participation in public decision-making should be free and open to
all citizens.
Broad representation and increased breadth of perspective and
understanding are conditions conducive to effective community
development.
Methods that produce accurate information about the community
are vital to the process.
Understanding and general agreement are the basis for community
change.
All individuals have the right to be heard in open discussion, and
the responsibility to respect opposing viewpoints.
Trust is essential for effective working relationships.
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Community Development Practice

Practice

People develop the ability to The results that occur from the
collectively help themselves community development
and reduce reliance on Without process, the process.
external resources. desired outcomes may be
diminished or unrealized. Outcomes can be physical,
An orderly set of steps lead to Without successful environmental, or human
problem solving, outcomes, the process can capital; financial resources; or
be devalued or abandoned.
program planning Successful communities
social capital.
and task completion. understand the role and
contribution of each.
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Community Development Process

ORGANIZE: Establish the organizing group and develop a plan for the
process
ANALYZE: Collect and analyze data to determine community conditions
COMMUNICATE: Keep the public informed and engaged in the process
PLAN: Establish the management team to oversee the process and to create
a vision and a strategic action plan with input from all stakeholders
IMPLEMENT: Establish action teams for specific areas of the action plan to
achieve goals and objectives
The CD process provides EVALUATE: Review progress and achievements of action plan; revise as
the basic framework needed
within which the CELEBRATE: Publicly celebrate accomplishment of goals and recognize
community should work, efforts of those involved
altering details based SUSTAIN: Set new goals and objectives and begin again
upon its issues and
resources.
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A Champion Convenes the Organizing Group

Who: Champion calls a meeting of key leaders

What: Organizational meeting

When: First step in process

Why: To determine level of interest and who will commit to a

comprehensive community development plan

How: Champion organizes and chairs the meeting;

champion may continue in chair role or another leader may
assume that role
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Organizing Group Develops the Mission Statement

and Identifies Stakeholders
Who: Champion who called the meeting or a professional
community developer

What: Agenda items during organizational meeting

When: During organizational meeting

Why: To determine purpose and who should be involved

How: Leaders attending organizational meeting develop

and approve mission statement and identify stakeholders
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Organizing Group Collects and Analyzes

Information Related to Condition of Community

Consider:
How can information about the community be
gathered?
Who will gather the information?
Who will analyze the information?
How will accuracy, validity, and reliability of data be
assured?
Who will organize the information for public use?
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Organizing Group Communicates with the Public

How will the organizing group keep the public informed?
How will the organizing group seek public input?
How will organizing group members who represent specific stakeholder
groups keep their constituencies informed?
How will the media and other public outlets be involved?
How will the “hard to reach” be reached?

• Communications committee established

• Communications infrastructure put in place, including internet site
• CD process materials developed
• Public input acknowledged and acted upon, even if the action is only to
hold it for future consideration
• Periodic reports to the public and to financial/in-kind contributors
published
• The CD process branded through the use of logos, t-shirts, cups,
bumper stickers, etc.
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Organizing Group Expands and Develops the Community

Development Action Plan
How can the organizing group more broadly represent stakeholder groups?
What is the shared vision of stakeholders participating in the process?
What must be included in an action plan to realize this vision, including
timeline and resources needed?
Who is on the team that will oversee implementation of the action plan?

Organizing group expanded to include representatives from all stakeholder

groups
A vision statement adopted to guide action plan
Action teams representing all critical-issue areas organized
Plan management team of 7-9 people appointed by organizing group to
keep the process moving forward
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Plan Management Team Implements the

Community Development Action Plan
How will the process be monitored?
Are timelines being met?
Have new issues emerged that warrant more action teams?
How can initial momentum be sustained through early successes?
How can more volunteers be recruited?
What internal and external resources can be tapped?

Regular meetings held between organizing group and plan

management team to monitor and adjust actions
New action teams created as new issues emerge
Regular reports from action teams provided to plan
management team
Early success stories publicized to sustain momentum
Public regularly informed about progress
More resources sought to sustain the process and achieve
outcomes
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Organizing Group and Plan Management Team Evaluate the

Community Development Action Plan
How will success be evaluated?

Consider When and how often should process be evaluated?

Do any activities need to be added or eliminated?
What is going well and what needs to be improved?
What are the next steps to keep the process moving forward?

Evaluation procedures defined by organizing group and plan

management team
Do
Procedures developed to include scheduled interim evaluations
New action teams appointed as needed
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Community Celebrates Achievements of the Community

Development Action Plan
What should be celebrated?

Consider Who should be recognized?

What activities can be undertaken to celebrate?
When should celebrations occur?

Periodic public celebration events (can be public gatherings or published

information) planned by organizing group/plan management
team/communications committee

Do An annual progress report published

Volunteers from all stakeholder groups recognized, as is any progress toward
goals
Recognition materials, such as t-shirts, discount coupons, prizes, and other
creative items, provided at events
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Organizing Group Works to Sustain

the Community Development Action Plan
What new goals and objectives need to be addressed to achieve our
vision?

Consider What new citizen input needs to be considered?

Are any stakeholder groups still not participating and, if so, how can they
be enticed to become involved?
Can issues identified earlier now be addressed?
Do any changes groups or teams need to be made?
What resources are needed to continue progress long-term?
How can the process be institutionalized throughout community
organizations?

Do Effectiveness of organizational structure and leadership evaluated by

organizing group, which takes appropriate action
Resources to sustain progress sought
An action plan developed to begin the process anew
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Community Development Outcomes

Human Capital Physical Financial Environmental

Capital Capital Capital

SOCIAL CAPITAL
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Social Network Analysis and Mapping

Annie
Can represent relationships between individuals, organizations,
businesses, or other community/region entities

Connie
Jason

Larry
Peter Karen

Each dot can represent an individual and that person’s relationship

to other individuals. It can also represent relationships between
organizations or map community assets.
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Building Social Capital

Is there trust in the community?
Is there a shared vision for the community with priorities identified?
Is there a spirit of cooperation with problems and needs discussed openly?
Are people willing to accept leadership roles?
Does a well-developed communications system keep citizens informed?
Does the community have a history of working together?
What organizations or groups have strong ties to the community?
Does a sense of reciprocity exist in the community?
Are social norms and values recognized with social services that facilitate these values?
Do individual members of the community at large or in neighborhoods know one another?
Are there festivals, parades, or other public events that bring people together?
What is the level of volunteerism?
Are neighborhood organizations and citizen coalitions active?
Do people generally feel their participation in civic affairs can make a difference?
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Aspects of Development

Leadership Community Economic

Development Development Development

Holistic Approach to Development

Communities must maintain a balanced and comprehensive
strategy for development. Leadership development creates skilled
citizens with the desire to implement a community development
process that prepares a community to take advantage of economic
opportunity.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
Crisis: Worst air quality in nation
Organized: Task force of public/private/nonprofit sectors was organized to consider city’s future
Information Collection: Task forces conducted public meetings, studied successful cities, profiled
demographics of community
Development organization formed: Chattanooga Venture formed, mission developed, community
teams established
Strategic Plan: Included more than 200 programs and projects
Implementation: Outcomes achieved in all areas of community capital
Celebration: Community engaged throughout process and celebrated success.
Evaluation: Leadership evaluated progress many times and adjusted course as necessary
Sustained: Success continues through Chattanooga Venture

Lasting legacy of the process is a structure that allows people to work together to address
common problems and opportunities with interests of all stakeholders considered.
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Essence of Community Development

I think a healthy community is one where people are not just out for
themselves, and they are not just working on their individual pursuits,
but where they understand their relationship and responsibility to other
people.

Wilma Mankiller, former chief of the Cherokee Nation

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LouisianaCommunityNetwork.org