CWTS | 2ND SEMESTER
COMMUNITY EXPOSURE AGENCY VISITS
Nature of Community Work
What is community?
● A community is a place where one
lives, works, and plays. A community
denotes a group of people occupying a
definite territory, with families and the
neighborhood. A community is a social
group with some degree of “we feeling”,
living in a given area.
Community work is concerned with the
development and empowerment of
communities through facilitating the active
participation of people in addressing issues
that affect them collectively. They represent the
voices needs of target groups and
disadvantaged communities to policy makers at
local and national level.
Objectives of Community Work
1. Make the people aware. The main
objective of community development is
working to make the people aware of
various problems in a community. It helps
them to provide knowledge and to know
about the main causes affecting their social
life.
2. All-sided development. Community
program is interested in all aspects of of a
community. The development is necessary
in these places as a whole in education,
health, recreation and employment. It seeks
the opportunities for the better living
standard of the community people.
Development is required in all sectors of the
community.
3. Motivate people. Programs are set up for
the motivation of community people. Social
organizers are employed in various sectors
to get the community interested in working
for community welfare and betterment of
humanity.
4. Provide equality. It gives equality to all
people living in a territory, giving them equal
chances and opportunities to bring their
resources for their utility. So it provides
equality in education, health and other
facilities also.
5. Help the people to motivate
themselves. Programs are made
interesting to enable them to help each
other. It equips them to stand on their own.
They make use of their resources and make
their lives comfortable.
6. Change of thinking. One of the
objectives of community development
programs is the changing of pattern and
style of community people. It gives new
directions to change their mindset the will
benefit them.
7. Bring reforms. Such programs aim to
bring social reforms in a community. It helps
them in the eradication of social evils which
is the root that brings social disorder in their
community. So one of the of community
development is to provide them better
opportunities to solve the problematic
situation through reforms.
8. Social Justice. Social justice is another
objective of community development. It
provides justice to all types of people. There
would be no concept of rich and poor but
the programs would be for the utilization of
all.
9. Solve community problems. Different
problems faced by the community people
may be solved by such programs in the
affected areas. The community also lends a
hand to the government to help them in
their development and growth.
10. Create interest. These programs are
working to create the interest of community
welfare among the people. It mobilizes the
people to participate in the collective work
for community development.
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Characteristics of Community Work community's development. Positive and
efficient communities embrace their
1. Work together toward a common
culture by reminding members of the
goal. The most effective communities
long way the community has come.
share similar values and belief systems
that cooperate to help accomplish one 7. Promote interaction among members.
or several goals. These goals can vary Positive communities work to foster a
radically depending on the community in feeling of genuine connection among
question. members by providing plenty of
opportunities for interaction. Creating a
2. Allow for freedom of expression.
feeling of connection works to make
Central to developing a positive
members more motivated to meet their
community is comfort among citizens
obligations and work towards the
when it comes to speaking their minds
established goals of the community.
and expressing what is important to
them. Individuals who feel encouraged 8. Elect leaders that stand by
to give their input about an issue, who community values. Individuals elected
feel heard when they do speak their to leadership positions within positive
minds are more likely to feel connected communities should be fair and just in
to their community. their political focus. Their shared values
should inform the decisions they take for
3. Promote fairness. Diversity is abundant
the community. Additionally, leaders
in all communities. However, among
should also take the thoughts and
every group containing diversity, there
suggestions of the community members
are always individuals who fall in the
into account when making decisions that
minority.
will affect their lifestyles.
4. Set clear policies and obligations.
9. Prioritize effective communication.
Positive communities do not set rules.
Communication is essential for any
Instead, they work to encourage
effective community. All of the wheels
community members to fulfill their
need to be moving at the same pace for
obligations. This may include things as
the project to continue successfully.
simple as attending community
Positive leaders ensure that all
meetings or paying taxes to support the
members are aware of the projects
public school system.
currently in process, as well as what
5. Maintain sensitivity towards they can do to help those projects run
members. In addition to feeling heard, smoothly.
members of positive communities also
10. 10 Make smart decisions. Decisions
feel as though their concerns are
made by positive and encouraging
adequately addressed and that they are
communities focus primarily on the
cared for by the community. Positive
promotion of happiness among its
communities prioritize the well-being of
members. Members will inevitably
every member of the community and
disagree on some issues or values, but
address concerns in a timely and
an effective community leader
sensitive manner when they arise.
incorporates concerns from both sides
6. Celebrate community heritage. Every into the eventual decision made.
long-standing community has heritage
and traditions that have risen during the
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The Five Principles of Community
Economic Development (CED)
1. Sustainability refers to environmental,
social, cultural, financial continuity and
community well-being. CED involves
analysis and planning to implement
policies and practices that will make
communities resilient for the long-term.
2. Community-Based means an
enterprise or community-wide planning
process that is on the common interests
of the broader community as well as the
individual participants, CED facilitates
community control utilizing a grass-
roots, bottom-up process.
3. Participatory. Participation in CED is by
a broad and diverse range of
community/project members in terms of
class, age, culture, gender and ability,
CED invites and ensures active and
inclusive participation in planning and
implementation of strategies.
4. Asset-Based. In CED, the resources,
talents and abilities of the community
form the foundation for planning and
developing projects. CED builds on local
community resources and assets as well
as meeting needs.
5. Self-Reliance. CED reduces economic
dependence of communities by
analyzing the flow of wealth in, out and
within the community, identifying how
leaks can be plugged and establishing
trade links that benefit all partners
Difference between Community Work
and Community Development
● Community work is done by groups
that often use teams of volunteers to
make a difference. Community
development projects are broad and
require a sizable effort from all involved.
With this type of development, the focus
is placed on process more than
programs.
Importance of Community Work
Engaging in community service/work provides
students with the opportunity to become active
members of their community and has a lasting,
positive impact on society at large. Community
service or volunteerism enables students to
acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as
provide a service to those who need it most.
Principles of Community Work/Community
Development
1. Collectivity:
2. Community Empowerment:
3. Social Justice and Sustainable
Development:
4. Human Rights, Equality and Anti-
discrimination;
5. Participation.
Development of Community Work
Community development is a holistic
approach grounded in principles of
empowerment, human rights, inclusion,
social justice, self-determination and
collective action (Kenny, 2007). Community
development has an explicit focus on the
redistribution of power to address the
causes of inequality and disadvantage.
1. Participatory approach. A participatory
approach helps to secure the ownership
and commitment of the communities
involved. Active participation by local
citizens and other stakeholders aims to
enhance both the quality and relevance
of the interventions.
2. Asset-based approach community
development builds on the assets that
are found in the community and
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mobilizes individuals, associations, and 8. Rights-based approach to
institutions to come together to realize development. It is an approach to
and develop their strengths. development promoted by many
development agencies and non-
3. A community-based approach (CBA)
governmental organizations (NGOs) to
where those who are affected by an
achieve a positive transformation of
emergency are included as key partners
power relations among the various
in developing strategies related to their
development actors.
assistance and protection-is inextricably
linked to both the rights-based approach
and the survivor-centered approach.
Approaches of Community Participation
4. Area-based approach-Area
Key elements of the approaches include:
based/Settlement-based approaches
define "an area, rather than a sector or 1. Anti- or reluctant communitarians and
target group, as a primary entry point". economic conservatism:
This approach can be particularly
appropriate if residents in an affected 2. Technical-functionalist communitarians and
area face complex, inter-related and managerialism;
multisectoral needs 3. Progressive communitarians and
5. Community economic development empowerment; and
approach encourages using local 4. Radical/activist communitarians and
resources in a way that enhances transformation.
economic opportunities while improving
social conditions in a sustainable way. Approaches to Community Development. A
Often CED initiatives are implemented group of people in a community reaching a
to overcome crises, and increase decision to initiate a planned intervention to
opportunities for communities who are change their economic, social, cultural o
disadvantaged. environmental situation. Provide programs,
facilities and services to meet needs of
6. Welfare approach. The measurement residents.
of the level of protection provided by
minimum income programs has often Directive approach in community
focused on one of two dimensions: development is important since it allows
guidance of the community by experts
adequacy or coverage.
especially in areas where they are not very
7. The psychosocial approach looks at conversant. It also gives more control of the
individuals in the context of the combined development process to the initiator.
influence that psychological factors and the
surrounding social environment have on Further, directive approach in community
their physical and mental wellness and their development is important since it:
ability to function while Spiritual
1. Allows guidance of the community by
development, in essence, is to believe in
something beyond the material universe
experts especially in areas where they are not
and to develop an awareness of realities very conversant;
beyond the confines of time and space. 2. Increases chances of success of the
Spiritual development is increasingly
development intervention since it can allow for
aligning God's purposes for the world with
different contributions to be made;
our story.
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3. Gives more control of the development
process to the initiator;
4. With limited chances of drifting from the set
plan, it can cut down on the overall cost; and
5. Easier planned and follow through.
Five (5) Main Strands or Approaches in
Community Work
1. Community Action focuses on the
organization of those adversely affected by the
decisions, or non-decisions, of public and
private bodies and by more general structural
characteristics of society. The strategy aims to
promote collective action to challenge existing
socio-political and economic structures and
processes, to explore and explain power
realities of people's situations and, through this
twin pronged approach, develop both critical
perspectives of the status quo and alternative
bases of power and action.
2. Community Development emphasizes self-
help, mutual support, the building up of
neighborhood integration, the development of
neighborhood capacities for problem solving
and self-representation, and the promotion of
collective action to bring a community's
preferences to the attention of political
decision-makers.
3. Social Planning is concerned with the
assessment of community needs and problems
and the systematic planning of strategies for
meeting them. Social planning comprises the
analysis of social conditions, social policies and
agency services; the setting of goals and
priorities; the design of service programs and
the mobilization of appropriate services.
4. Community Organization involves the
collaboration of separate community or welfare
agencies with or without the additional
participation of statutory authorities, in the
promotion of joint initiatives.
5. Service Extension is a strategy which
seeks to extend agency operations and
services by making them more relevant and
accessible. This includes extending services
into the community, giving these services and
the staff who are responsible for them a
physical presence in a neighborhood.
Community Development Project,
Community Practice and Community
Building
A community is a place where people care for
each other and support the growth of families
and children. It is more than a group of people
living side by side.
Community development projects seek to
advance communities by influencing
employment, health and homelessness.
Community development is important for
securing the future of the city and its residents.
Community building is a field of practices
directed toward the creation or enhances of
community among individuals within a regional
area or with a common interest. It is sometimes
encompassed under the field of community
development.
Community-capacity building is about
promoting the 'capacity' of local communities to
develop, implement and sustain their own
solutions to problems in a way that helps them
shape and exercise control over their physical,
social, economic and cultural environments.
A community of practice (COP) is a group of
people who share a craft or a profession The
concept was first proposed by cognitive
anthropologist Jean Lave and educational
theorist Etienne Wenger in their 1991 book
Situated Learning (Lave & Wenger 1991).
Wenger the significantly expanded on the
concept in his 1998 book Communities of
Practice (Wenger 1998).
Community of practice is a group of people
who share a concern or a passion for
something they do, and learn how to do it
better as they interact regularly.
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This definition reflects the fundamentally social
nature of human learning. It is very broad. It
applies to a street gang, whose members learn
how to survive in a hostile world as well as a
group of engineers who learn how to design
better devices or a group of civil servants who
seek to improve service to citizens.
What are Communities of Practice?
1. A tribe learning to survive,
2. A band of artists seeking new forms of
expression,
3. A group of engineers working on similar
problems.
4. A clique of pupils defining their identity in the
school,
5. A network of surgeons exploring novel
techniques. 6. A gathering of first-time
managers helping each other cope.
Three Characteristics of Community
Practice which are crucial;
1. The Domain. A community of practice is not
merely a club of friends or a network of
connections between people. It has an identity
defined by a shared domain of interest.
Membership therefore implies a commitment to
the domain, and therefore a shared
competence that distinguishes members from
other people. The domain is not necessarily
something recognized as "expertise" outside
the community.
2. The Community. In pursuing their interest in
their domain, members engage in joint
activities and discussions, help each other, and
share information. They build relationships that
enable them to learn from each other; they
care about their standing with each other..
Having the same job or the same title does not
make for a community of practice unless
members interact and learn together.
3. The Practice. A community of practice is not
merely a community of interest-people who like
certain kinds of movies, for instance. Members
of a community of practice are practitioners.
They develop a shared repertoire of resources:
experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing
recurring problems-in short a shared practice.
Eight (8) Benefits of a Community of
Practice
1. Creating a support network for members.
2. Accelerating professional development
across the organization.
3. Breaking down organizational silos.
4. Sharing knowledge and building better
practice.
5. Hiring and building capability. 6. Meeting
regularly.
7. Create a community charter.
8. Let the community evolve.
Purpose of a Community of Practice
A domain of knowledge creates common
ground, inspires members to participate,
guides their learning and gives meaning to their
actions. The notion of a community creates the
social fabric for that learning. A strong
community fosters interactions and encourages
a willingness to share ideas.
Community development is a process where
community members come together to take
collective action and generate solutions to
common problems. Community development
ranges from small initiatives within a small
group to large initiatives that involve the
broader community.
Types of Community Development Projects
1. Decrease in unemployment rate projects;
2. Homelessness prevention projects;
3. Neighborhood stabilization projects;
4. Domestic violence community projects; and
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5. Cultural development programs. 3. Be deliberate in your decisions about a
community and its culture.
Activities in Community Development
Projects 4. tools and strategies that support
communities.
a. Health, nutrition and food security
5. Involve your members.
b. Education
6. Empower your members.
c. Child protection
d. Environment Local facilitators will be trained
to deliver the different programs, stimulating
employment in the region. This is a long-term
project, to be implemented over the next nine
years, including periodic evaluation involving
the people of the reached communities.
Community building is a field of practices
directed toward the creation or enhancement of
community among individuals within a regional
area or with a common need or interest. It is
often encompassed under the fields of
community organizing, community
organization, community work, and community
development.
Importance of Building a Strong Community
in Business
Communities create loyalty based on common
interests, personal passions, or even just
familiar locations. Similarly, forming a
community around your enterprise is just as
important as social bonds. People are attracted
to what you're offering (karagolding. com.,May
17, 2018).
Community building activities are group
activities that help people relax, get
comfortable, move around and become at ease
with each other. They help break down
psychological barriers between people. These
activities can even accelerate the forming
process in a group.
Best practices for building communities:
1. Be purpose-driven.
2. Keep your focus on your purpose and your
members.