Community Organization and Development

A. Definition of Terms: Goals in Organizing the Community

(Norman,1998)
Community is a dynamic entity
composed of people living in a given 1. People’s empowerment
territory who share common culture, 2. Building organization
needs, aspirations, resources, lifestyle, 3. Building alliances/coalitions
and the like bounded by feeling of 4. Popular democracy
belongingness and interacting with one 5. Social transformation
another in consonance with its structure 6. Leaders in development
and institution to achieve common goals.
(Norman, 1998) C. Steps in Organizing the
Community
Community organization is a
process forged along people’s Entry in the Community
empowerment and the essential  Gather basic information about
formation of a self-reliant organization the place such as culture.
that will facilitate development in a Practices, and the lifestyle of the
sustainable manner. As a process, it people.
involves a series of interrelated activities  Do not regard yourself as
aimed to unify the people into an superior of different from the
organization. It also involves people’s people in the community.
participation in all stages of the  Dress simply as possible and act
organizing process. Lastly, it manifest the as naturally as you can as you
people’s collective will to participate, enter the community.
voice out and be heard, and to decide as a  Do not appear as a savior or
unified group. someone who will solve people’s
problems.
Community development is an  Remember that development
intermittent process of social action of must be for the people and from
the people of a community in organizing the people.
themselves for democratic planning and
action on common problems and solving Integration with the People
the felt needs of the society.  Integrate yourself with the people
by living with them, eating their
food, doing their chores, and
B. Community Organizing slowly learning their way of life.
  Gradually join their small group  Educate and convince them that
so you can continue to expand they can be potential leaders to
your knowledge about the represent the group.
conditions of the community.
 Slowly start working in the Core Group Formation
community. Begin to realize the  Form a core group consisting og
hardships and the problems that the identified potential leaders.
the people are facing. Realizing  Each core group is expected to
that their problems are also your represent its organization.
problems, you have to learn the
way how the people feel about Setting Up and Developing the
these problems. Organizational Structure
 At this stage, the people are now
Community Study or Situation ready to set up their organization.
Analysis  They will elect their own leaders
 You have entered the community, through the democratic or
now you are with the people. participatory process of slection
 You are now with the people, not or rotation.
alone by yourself.
 Facilitate people’s participation Strengthening the Organization
in analyzing their situation and  Do everything in your capacity.
problems.  Give a chance for the leaders to
 Adjust the level of the study or move and work together on their
analysis to the level of the own.
community people.  Let the people learn how to
 Do not limit their participationto identify the issues and problems
merely answering the survey confronting them.
questionnaire.  Let the plan the various activities
 Raise the awareness and they can perform together for the
consciousness of the people in common good.
handling national problems.  Let them see their financial
problems and how to solve them
Identifying and Developing by coming up with income-
Potential Community Leaders generating projects.
 As early as possible, identify
potential leaders from among the D. Community Development
people who have a deep
understanding and concern in Community development is a planned
solving their problems. and organized effort to assist individuals
 Equip them with useful to acquire the attitudes, skills, knowledge,
knowledge and experiences to and general capabilities required in their
develop them into leaders. democratic participation in the effective
solution of community problems in an 1. A focus on the goals and needs of the
order of priority determined by community
increasing level of competence. 2. The encouragement of self-help
3. Technical assistance from
The Aims and Objectives of government or voluntary
Community Development organizations which may include
personnel, equipment, supplies, and
The aim of community development is money
community action. In reality, the primary 4. Integration of various specialties
object of community development is to such as agriculture, animal industry.
promote, sustain, support, and maintain public health, education, home
community action. economics, and work
5. Felt needs of the people in the
Major Purposes of Community community.
Development
 To help people employ the right G. Four General Phases of Basic
methods to organize self-help Community
initiatives.
 To develop techniques relevant to the Development/Organization Work
situation for socio-economic and (Andres, 1994)
cultural progress. 1. Issues/problem identification and
information dissemination
E. Principles of Development
This is the phases where real needs
1) Development should focus on are distinguished from felt needs,
people’s participation. problems are defined and analyze;
2) Development should be attuned to relationships are developed; rapports is
the demands of the people. established, and face-toface interaction
3) .Development should be based on a with people is made. In this phase,
theory that is tested, validated and opinion are elicit and information is
relevant. disseminated.
4) Development should be integrated in
approach. 2. Mobilization of people/community
5) Development should lead to the
empowerment of people. In this phase, people are
6) Development should sustain the stimulated to come together to discuss
natural environment as a socio- problems, to set objectives, and plan and
economic base. implement action. Potential leaders are
identified and committee is stimulated.
F. Five Elements of Community
Development 3. Organization
 This is the combination of J. Strategic Planning
constructive forces of men and materials,
machinery and money, so that thse may All leaders plan and think about
work together in an orderly way, to turn what the organization should be doing
out finished good for profit, or render and how objectives might be achieved.
services to the community. Planning contributes to strategic
management in several ways. (Thompson,
4. Education 1997)
This is the phase where the
members of the community are educated 1) Planning systen represents analytical
to assume responsibility for their strategy creation and can be lead to
organization and to acquire the an intent.
organizational skills and techniques 2) Planning system provides a useful
essential to organization maintenance. framework for managing the
organization’s strategic resources.
H. Qualifications of a Community 3) The primary benefit of planning is
Development Worker(Andres, that it forces peple to think.
1994) 4) Planning is one aspect of strategic
creation.
1) Has demonstrated potentials for 5) Planning is the process of translating
community development work. goals/objectives into specific
2) Has demonstrated professonal activities to meet community needs
commitment, direction, motivation or solve community problems.
and maturity as mannifested in work
history.  How much? (quality of resources);
3) Is willing to understnd and respect  Of what? (Programs, project,
the values and culture of people. service);
4) Has genuine intention of sharing  For whom? (target
whatsoever goods he/she has with beneficiaries/clients?);
fellowmen.  Why? (to achieve what goals);
 For how much? (the social and
I. Guidelines for Community economic costs) and
Workers  What conditions? (with what
other consequences).
1. Work with the poor and oppressed,
not for them. Seven Step of Planning
2. Development is an awakening
process. 1. Diagnosis
3. Let the people grow.  What are the problems?
4. Build up the people’s solidarity.  What are the needs?
5. Build up the people’s organization.
2. What do we want to achieve in a
particular period? This week, this
month, this year?

3. What are the possible ways of

achievimg this objective?

4. What are the advantages

anddisadvantages of each proposal?
 How much time, money, and
personal effort will be needed for
each proposal?

5. Which proposal (plan) do we accept?

 This may include several
suggestions.

6. Who will do what, when, where, and

how?

7. At what point do we need to evaluate?

 Who should be involved in the
evaluation?