Community Organization
and
Development
A. Definition of Terms
Community is a dynamic entity.
Communication organization is a
process forged along people’s
empowerment and the essential
formation of a self-reliant
organization.
Community development is an
intermittent process of social action
of the community.
B. Community Organizing
Goals in Organizing the Community
(L.P. Norman, 1998)
1. People’s Empowerment
2. Building Organization
3. Building Alliance/Coalitions
4. Popular Democracy
5. Social Transformation
6. Leaders in Development
C. Steps in Organizing the Community
Entry in the Community
• Gather basic information about the
place.
• Do not regard yourself as superior.
• Dress simply as possible and act as
natural.
• Do not appear as a savior.
• Remember that development must be for
the people and from the people.
Integration with the People
• Integrate yourself with the people.
• Gradually join their small groups.
• Slowly start working in the
community.
Community Study or Situation
Analysis
You are with the people.
You are now with the people not
yourself.
Facilitate people’s participation.
Adjust the level of the study.
Do not limit their participation.
Raise the awareness and
consciousness of the people.
Identifying and Developing
Potential Community Leaders
Identify potential leaders
Equip them with useful knowledge and
experiences.
Educate and convince them.
Core Group Formation
Form a core group consisting of the
identified potential leaders.
Each core group is expected to
represent its organization.
Setting Up the Organization in
Developing Organizational Structure
People are now ready to set up their
organization.
They will elect their own leader through
a democratic process.
Strengthening the Organization
Do everything in your capacity.
Give chance for the leaders to move and work
together on their own.
Let the people learn how to identify the issues
and problems.
Plan the various activities they can perform.
Solve their own financial problem.
D. Community Development
Community Development is a planned
and organized effort to assist individuals
to acquire the attitudes, skills, knowledge,
and general capabilities required in their
democratic participation in the effective
solution of community problems in an
order of priority determined by increasing
level of competence.
The Aims and Objectives of
Community Development
The aim of community development is
community action. In reality the
primary object of community
development is to
a.) promote
b.) sustain
c.) support
d.) maintain community action
Major Purposes/Objectives of
Community Development
• To help people employ the right
methods to organize self-help
initiatives.
• To develop techniques relevant to the
situation for socio economic and
cultural progress.
E. Principles of Development
1. Development should focus on people’s
participation.
2. Development should be attuned to the
demands of the people.
3. Development should be based on theory.
4. Development should be integrated in
approach.
5. Development should lead to the
empowerment of people.
6. Development should sustain the natural
environment.
F. Five Elements of Community
Development
1. A focus on the goals and needs of the
community.
2. The encouragement of self-help.
3. Technical assistance from
governmental or voluntary
organizations.
4. Integration of various specialties
5. Felt needs of the people in the
community.
