Lesson 1: Defining Community
com·mu·ni·ty a group of people living in the same place or having a particular
characteristic in common.
A City Year, Communities are not built of friends, or of groups with similar styles and
Suzanne tastes, or even of people who like and understand each other. They are
Goldsmith built of people who feel they are part of something that is bigger than
themselves: a shared goal or enterprise, like righting a wrong, or
building a road, or raising children, or living honorably, or worshipping a
God. To build community requires only the ability to see value in others,
to look at them and see a potential partner in one’s enterprise.
Definitions of Community based on Different Perspectives
Social Science Social Science views community as composed of people
Perspective interacting with one another, sensitive to each other’s
emotions as well as interests and subjective points of
view.
Social Science is an umbrella term for various fields of
study which examine social relations and human society.
Basic Concepts from each field of the Social Sciences related to the idea of community:
Anthropology -This field examines the various aspects of humans, such as their biology,
behaviour, culture and social interaction.It may also study how people
adapt their ways of living to different environment.
Economics This field studies the production, allocation and
consumptions of good and services.
The ultimate goal of economics is to improve the lives of
people, such that their need are satisfied.
Political Science This field encompasses the various ways and means of
allocating power, influence, and decision-making
This includes types of government and managements
systems and how people in small bands or informal
groups make decision when they do not have a
recognized leader.
Psychology This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social
behaviour.This extends to interactions between people
and interpersonal relationships.
Sociology This field studies society, social order, social
interactions, and culture.It introduces the concepts of
social capital and communitarianism.
Social Capital Defined as the networks of relationships among people
who live and work in a particular society for the effective
functioning of the community
Communitarianis This explains the connection between the individual and
m community .
Institutional Institutional Perspective views the concept of
Perspective community in three dimensions.
3 DIFFERENT First,
DIMENSIONS It is an existing establishment or physical space where
members of the community go for a certain purpose.
Second,
Is the institutional community as a social model. This is
defined by networks and institutions where community
groups are formed in certain areas.
Third,
Is that the community is composed of the way people act,
interact with each other, react, and expect each other to
act and interact.
Civil Society Civil Society Perspective stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or
Perspective organization in service to society.
This considered the affective model of community since a sense of belonging is achieved due to the
collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving the humanity.
Groups of people come together regardless of location, and organize plans to render support and
assistance to society.
Local and This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members from different
Grassroots communities may involve themselves in various programs or
Perspective activities.
For local a community means it is a group of people interacting
and sharing their common interest having the same environment
but for grassroots a community it’s not just a network of
socialization but it is a relationship between people that bring each
and everyone together in a way that allow them to do things they
can’t or couldn’t done because of isolation.
Lesson 2:
Essential Aspect of a Community
Awareness of the essential aspects of a community is necessary in aiding the residents to reflect on way
to be positively involved in its improvement.
“No man is an island”.
-poet John Donne
ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY
ASPECTS FACTORS TO EXPLORE
Demographics Population size (total # of persons living in the
community
Density (ratio of people in the space they
inhabit)
Heterogeneity (to extent to which community
members have divers characteristics)
Ethnic groups in the community names given to
various parts of 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 in the area
Geography and The community’s physical environment
Environmental The community’s location and proximity to
Influences highways, bodies of water, or mountains
Existence of recreational areas
Concerns regarding environment hazards such
as pollution, power shortages, among others.
Beliefs and Attitudes Cultural values, traditions and beliefs in various
segments of the population
Spiritual and political values of the residents
Available social agencies and help they can
extend
Perceptions of residents as part of the
community
Local Politics Structure of government
Decision -making, power and control
Major issues currently in debate
Local Economy and Business, factories and othersources of
Businesses employment that characterize the community
Nature of business (own by local residents or
government)
Employment profile of residents
Adequacy of public transportation
Income Distribution Public assistance benefits available to residents
Median income level of residents
Income levels and corresponding percentage of
the population
Housing Housing conditions
Population density
Types of housing
Ownership status of houses (rental, real estate,
etc.)
Educational Facilities Education system
and Programs Extent of community support
Existence of public or private schools
Adherence to 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 (participation in competitions,
profile of graduates, training students
holistically)
Adequate preparation for adults to enter the
labor force.
Health and Welfare Adequate number of health professionals and
System specialists
Accesibility to area residents
Social service program
Respect of service providers to the needs and
values of minority of the population
Availabilityof fire and police protection
Safety of the environment
The residents’ view on public safety and justice
system
Sources of Information Presence of TV and radio station and
and Public Opinion newspapers which provide people information
and perspective on current events
Community organzations capacity to update
residents on important information
Sources of Information The capacity of the sources of information to
and Public Opinion enhance the residents’ skills to promote
positive social change
The presence of community leaders who speak
for various marginalized subgroups.
Summary of Assessment Overall assessment of community’s functioning
of Community Issues Dealing with social problem (youth gangs,
poverty, abuse)
Gaps in social, health care, and other
community and educational services.
COMMUNITY DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES
Community - is a group of people
Dynamics – self motivated person, active person, energetic, known as dynamic
for development of the community
Community Power is the capacity of the community to exercise
control over activities and seek ways to employ
available resources to establish a stronger and
successful community.
Brgy. Chairperson
Constituents
Elite Members / adults
Financially Poor / young
How a community can 1. Civic involvement in identifying important issues
build power 2. Citizens’ voice in public prioritization and
decision-making
3. Developing structures or systems for shared
power and decision-making
4. Shared leadership. Leadership development
planning
Leadership is generally defined as the person who has the
responsibility of controlling or taking charge of
particular group. This important figure will guide
the members to carry out plans in pursuit of
group’s objective
There are components in improving leadership in a community, and these points would be very essential
to this nations’ community leaders:
Effective Communication An open line of communication is highly
recommended for leaders and their
constituents.
There should be free access to important
information concerning social issues and
public matters.
Development of Social Developing a resilient capital is among
Capital Building important contributors to successful
community leadership.
Community Engagement It is important to encourage young leaders to
participate
Train your younger generation of leaders so
that they are ready to take over when the
time comes.
Collaboration It is necessary to collaborate across and
within communities.
Leaders should learn to build “bridges” and
cooperate across communities.
Develop networks among community leaders
within diverse fields
Relationship the success of a community will be more
meaningful if its members have
harmonious relationships with each other
Social Change refers to changes that occur in the social
order of society. This changes may be
related to nature, social institutions, social
behavior, or social relations and can be
driven by cultural, religious, economics,
scientific, or technological forces
Lesson 3:
TYPOLOGIES
ty·pol·o·gy a classification according to general type, especially in
archaeology, psychology, or the social sciences.
TYPES OF COMMUNITIES
FORMAL Engage in joint activities and discussion, help each other, and
share information with other; they care about their standing
with each other
Eco village
Co housing
Co-op
Religious community
INFORMAL Consists of a set of personal relations, social networks,
common interest and emotional sources of motivation
Academic community
Local community recreation
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
URBAN Large in terms of land area and population, advance in science and
technology, with favorable physical environment and diverse
culture, and the people are engage in various occupation
RURAL Usually produce their own food for subsistence An open swath of
land that has few homes or other buildings. Population density is
low
LOCAL Characterized by close social integration and physical
proximity.
This also defined as a group of people sharing the same
environment and conditions such as intent, belief, resources,
preferences and needs and risks
GLOBAL International aggregate of nation-states. Characterized
by integration and interaction between individuals and
group away from each other in time or space or both
COMMUNITY Are various groups or subdivisions of a larger community
SECTORS divided based on characteristics such as social, political,
economic, cultural, and religious beliefs.
PRIVATE SECTOR Business that is not controlled by the government and
earn profit out of sales they make which allow the
employees to get raise in their income or extra benefit
PUBLIC SECTOR Organizations that are controlled by the government.
They offer services to everyone and do not make a profit
out of it. This sector are funded by the government
which provided by the taxes and fees of all citizens pay.
SOCIAL/VOLUNTARY Focus on helping and benefiting the public without
SECTOR thinking about making any profit out of it.
SOCIAL Is defined as physical or virtual space which members of community
SPACES visit or it is where they stay.
Lesson 4:
Understanding Community Dynamics and Action
Community the word community was derived from the latin word
“communis” which means “common” or “shared”
Communities may be formed in two ways:
GEOGRAPHICAL - members of community share the same geographic vicinity such as village,
province, or neighborhood.
NON- - communities are formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity,
GEOGRAPHICAL practices, and roles in social institutions such as at home, at work, in
government, society, or the community at large.
Communities may also divided into two levels:
Micro - a group is formed based on personal social ties. This may include groups formed for
level pursuing common interests or goals, like forming a small organization to hold a fund-
raising activity such as concert.
Macro - large group affiliations are form such as national communities, international
level communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations may develop
programs that would include different members across the country
Communities plays diverse roles regardless of its type. Some 1. community consultation
of these roles includes: 2. joint planning
3. joint design
4. joint delivery
5. implementation of community-
led activities
Types of Community Activity
What is is any activity that aims to increase the understanding,
Community engagement, and empowerment of communities for the
action? intention of giving services to people.
The ff. are considered the primary objectives that can be achieved because of community action projects
