Community-Based Management and
Volunteerism
What is a Community?
A community can be defined in several ways:
A group of people gathered in a geographic area with common interests, as defined by Arlien
Johnson.
People with similar interests and goals, regardless of their geographic location.
The meaning of "community" can vary depending on the objectives of a specific program.
Communities can be categorized as:
Geographical: A group of people living in the same location (e.g., a village, district, territory).
Functional: People bonded by a common cause, shared interests, or common values and
goals.
Relevant: A newer type of community, often referred to as a social movement, which arises
from the other two types. It's defined as a group seeking to change institutions for their
advantage, often focused on organizing the poor.
Elements of a Community
Demographics: Population distribution and density.
History: Past events that shaped the community's development.
Culture: The ways of living of the people.
Economy: Income levels and occupations of the people.
Structures: Physical, political, and social structures within the community.
Immersion as an Important Approach in Community
Service
Immersion is a crucial strategy in community organizing that involves understanding community
concerns, processes, dynamics, and lifestyles through direct exposure and engagement.
Why is Immersion Important?
"Experience is the best teacher." Immersion allows trainees to understand the thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors of community members based on their life circumstances.
It helps trainees realize their own fortune and their potential to improve the lives of the
marginalized and underserved.
"To whom much is given, much is required." NSTP trainees have the privilege of education
and are expected to contribute to improving the living conditions of others.
Immersion exposes trainees to different realities of life.
It is a mandate of the NSTP Act of 2001, recognizing the youth's role in nation-building and
the requirement for citizens to render personal service.
It fosters social awareness of community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Trainees are believed to possess the energy and qualities to address community dilemmas.
The youth are capable of responding to community building challenges, embodying the idea
that "The youth is the hope of the Fatherland."
What is Community Immersion?
It is an essential strategy in community organizing work.
It entails understanding community concerns, processes, dynamics, and lifestyles through
exposure and engagement.
It is distinct from actual organizing work but is a strategy within it.
It involves entering, familiarizing, and involving oneself in community development activities.
Forms of Integration in Community Immersion
Home visits
Living with selected families
Informal discussions with individuals or groups
Sharing in household and community activities (e.g., cooking, clean-up drives)
Attendance at social gatherings
Assistance in production work (e.g., selling, farming)
Whom Do You Immerse Within the Community?
Allies: This approach emphasizes people empowerment, not a "dole-out" mentality.
Include parents, youth, differently-abled constituents, professionals, members of people's
organizations, and other formal and informal groups who can be potential collaborators.
The goal is not just to serve people but to encourage their participation, following the
philosophy: "Give a man a fish and he will live for a day; teach him how to fish and he will live
for a lifetime."
Community immersion empowers people for local development.
Conditions in Community Immersion
Understanding: A full grasp of the concepts and theories behind group and community
dynamics.
Knowledge of Process: Knowing the immersion process itself is crucial.
Skills: Proficiency in facilitating interventions, planning, and managing community service
projects.
Personal Gains from Community Immersion
Opportunity to comprehend people's lives.
Gaining social acceptance.
Enhancing experiences in asset mapping.
Establishing rapport and relationships.
Developing conscientization ability.
Acquiring first-hand experiences in community work.
Learning life skills that enrich personal development.
Improved understanding of oneself in relation to others.
Fulfilling the innate intention of helping people.
The Extension Creed (by Dr. Y.C. James Yen)
Go to the people.
Live with the people.
Learn from them.
Plan with them.
Work with them.
Start with what they know.
Build on what they have.
Teach by showing, learn by doing.
Not by showcase but a pattern.
Not odds and ends but a system.
Not piecemeal but an integrated approach.
Not to conform but to transform.
Not relief but release.
Dos and Don'ts in Community Immersion
Trainees must be reserved, skilled in communication, and disciplined to respond appropriately to
diverse personalities. Prudence dictates being informed of prescriptive and proscriptive norms.
Community Needs Assessment
A social analysis or community diagnosis that serves as a concrete base for program
formulation.
Significant when conducted through integration with the people.
Assessing community needs is a prelude to effective program offering, ensuring solutions to
local problems.
Important Things to Remember in Needs Assessment
1. Gather information about citizens' attitudes and opinions.
2. Determine how citizens rank issues, problems, and opportunities by importance or urgency.
3. Give citizens a voice in determining policies, goals, and priorities.
4. Evaluate current programs and policies.
5. Provide insights into what people are thinking.
6. Provide insights into what people truly want.
Information to Be Included in Assessing Community
Needs
Historical Development: Understanding the community's past.
Geographical and Transportation Information: Location, terrain, facilities, climate, basic food
access, and transportation networks.
Political and Legal Functions: Local governance and legal frameworks.
Demographic Data: Population characteristics (age, gender, education, etc.).
Economic Data: Income levels, employment, and household income.
Cultural Data: History of the place and people, language, peace and order situation, and
customs.
Social Data: Population size, household numbers, population distribution, health status, and
recreation.
Life Skills: Abilities and interests of community members.
Spiritual Aspect: Religious affiliation and activity.
Socio-Political Aspect: Existing or planned social programs, satisfaction with current
programs, perceived community problems, recognized leaders, and other relevant agencies
(GOs/NGOs).
Methods in Collecting Data for Community Needs
Assessment
Focused Group Discussion (FGD) with Key Informants: Engaging individuals in socially
responsible positions (educators, officials, clergy, business representatives) who can provide
valuable insights.
Community Forum/Assembly: Group events involving the entire community to allow for
expression and validation of needs. Participatory action research often uses this method.
Public Records: Utilizing census data and other public records for social and demographic
indicators.
Survey:
Asking individuals about their needs through methods like:
Mailing questionnaires.
Telephone surveys.
Distributing surveys at assemblies.
Posting questionnaires online.
Steps in Conducting Needs Assessment
1. Establish a working committee to involve citizens and develop a plan.
2. List important aspects to be assessed and identify surveyors' capabilities.
3. Identify the target population and communicate with community leaders.
4. Determine the information needed and how it will be gathered (existing records or surveys).
Community Assistance in Assessing Needs
Help identify community groups and citizens for the working committee.
Facilitate group discussions to identify issues and set priorities.
Assist in selecting survey samples and designing respondent identification systems.
Provide tested questions for the committee to choose from.
Help design processes for distributing, collecting, coding, entering, and analyzing survey data.
Provide summary reports of data.
Suggest programs for reporting results and soliciting community involvement.
Work with citizens to identify courses of action based on the gathered information.
Leadership
Introduction to Leadership
Leadership is a potent quality for success, encouraging active participation and teamwork to
achieve goals.
It is the art of influencing and directing others to achieve assigned tasks or goals, fostering
obedience, respect, loyalty, and cooperation.
Leadership can be exercised by anyone, regardless of rank, and involves guiding and directing
people's behavior.
Servant Leadership
A type of leadership characterized by servanthood, a sense of vocation, stewardship of good
citizenship, and community.
It prioritizes serving others over oneself.
In complex organizations, servant leaders synthesize and develop a sense of community,
sharing power and decision-making.
Characteristics of an Effective Team Member (Servant
Leader Qualities)
1. Listening: Seeking to understand the group's will and listening receptively.
2. Empathy: Striving to understand and empathize with others, accepting their unique spirits.
3. Healing: Possessing the potential to heal oneself and others from emotional hurts.
4. Awareness: Understanding ethics and values, viewing situations holistically.
5. Persuasion: Relying on persuasion rather than positional authority for decision-making.
6. Conceptualization: Nurturing the ability to "dream great dreams" and think beyond current
realities.
7. Foresight: Understanding past lessons to inform present decisions and anticipate future
consequences.
8. Building Community: Creating a true community among those who work together.
Qualities of Servant Leaders
1. Put others ahead of their agenda: Prioritizing others' needs and desires.
2. Possess the confidence to serve: True servanthood stems from security; insecurity can lead to
an inflated sense of self-importance.
3. Initiates service to others: Serving without compulsion, demonstrating genuine concern
without expecting return.
4. Is not position-conscious: Focusing on service rather than rank or position, recognizing the
obligation to serve.
5. Serves out of love: Fueled by love, not self-promotion, with influence stemming from the depth
of concern for others.
Styles of Leadership
Authoritarian Leadership: The leader uses rank and position, believing they are the only one
capable of directing.
Paternalistic Leadership: The leader sets an example, acting like a father figure concerned
with the welfare of their followers.
Participative Leadership: The leader involves followers in tasks but reserves the right to make
final decisions.
Laissez-faire Leadership: The leader delegates decision-making and task accomplishment to
subordinates.
Leader of the New Generation
A role model who encourages youth and fosters change in values and personality.
Considers leadership an opportunity for service.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM)
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan
(NDRRMP)
A national guide for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Aims to increase adaptive capacities and resilience of vulnerable sectors.
Optimizes disaster mitigation opportunities.
Promotes people's welfare and security through gender-responsive and rights-based
development.
Outlines activities to strengthen government and local units with stakeholders to build
disaster resilience.
Institutionalizes arrangements for reducing disaster risks, including climate risks, and
enhances preparedness and response capabilities.
Highlights the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Climate
Change Adaptation (CCA) in the development process (policy formulation, planning,
budgeting, governance, etc.).
Emphasizes the need for institutionalizing DRRM policies, structures, coordination
mechanisms, and programs with continuous budget appropriation.
Understanding Disaster Risk
Disasters pose significant threats, leading to loss of life, property, and disruption.
Effective disaster preparedness and hands-on training are vital for building resilient
communities.
Investing in preparedness protects lives, minimizes losses, and ensures a secure future.
Distress Signals
SOS (Save Our Soul): Internationally recognized distress signal (three dots, three dashes,
three dots).
Fire: Three fires in a triangle or line, approximately 100 feet apart, is an internationally
recognized distress signal.
Whistle: Three short blasts for SOS; two blasts for "Come here"; one blast can mean "Where
are you?" or be a call-back signal.
Flashlight/Mobile Phone: Flash SOS in Morse code (three short flashes, three long flashes,
three short flashes).
Torch: Signal SOS at night by covering and uncovering the light.
Parts of Your Body: Wave arms sideways and down to attract attention; stand with hands and
arms in the air if a rescue vehicle is close.
Understanding First Aid
Definition of First Aid
Measures taken immediately after an accident to prevent further harm, not to cure.
Uses available resources at the scene to provide initial care until advanced medical help
arrives.
The Three P's of First Aid
1. Preserve Life: Carry out emergency procedures (e.g., opening airway, CPR). Always prioritize
your own safety.
2. Prevent Deterioration: Stop the casualty's condition from worsening (e.g., immobilizing a
broken limb).
3. Promote Recovery: Arrange for medical help and provide simple first aid that aids long-term
healing (e.g., cooling a burn).
Characteristics of a Good First Aider
Gentle: Avoid causing pain.
Resourceful: Make the best use of available items.
Observant: Notice all signs.
Tactful: Do not alarm the victim.
Empathic: Be comforting.
Respectable: Maintain a professional and caring attitude.
Hindrances in Giving First Aid
Unfavorable surroundings.
Presence of crowds.
Pressure from the victim or relatives.
How to Deal with Injuries (Wounds)
1. Locate the wound.
2. Consider anatomical shape.
3. Identify wound size and blood outflow.
4. Stop blood outflow: Crucial as losing over 20% of total body blood can be fatal.
5. Cover the wound: Prevent bacterial entry. Use sterile cloth or disinfectant.
6. Bandage appropriately: Not too tight to obstruct circulation, not too loose to stop bleeding.
Check for pulse signs if the victim is unconscious.
Objective of First Aid for Bleeding Wounds
To simulate treatment and bandaging techniques.
To quickly stop blood outflow.
To cover the wound to prevent infection.
To apply a bandage that is neither too tight nor too loose.
Basic First Aid Techniques
Bleeding Wound Treatment on Round Body Parts
1. Determine if a pressing tool is needed.
2. Prepare a folded bandage.
3. Start binding from the wound.
4. Bind around the head in circles, crossing the bandage opposite the wound.
5. Tie the bandage in a parcel shape (not in the direction of the first binding) until reaching the
wound area, then tie with a slipknot.
6. For wounds on the chin or upper forehead, use a triangular cloth to secure the bandage.
7. Tie strings from bottom to behind the head, above the ears, with a slipknot.
8. Tie another pair of strings to the back of the head via below the ears, ensuring the binding is
not too loose or too tight.
Broken Bone (Fracture)
Definition: Injury to a bone causing cracking, breaking, or protrusion through the skin.
Common during earthquakes due to debris or being squeezed.
Types:
1. Fractured bone: A crack in the bone without a complete break.
2. Closed broken bone: The bone breaks but remains inside the body.
3. Open broken bone: The bone breaks and protrudes through the skin.
Symptoms: Bruising, swelling, extreme pain on touch or movement, change in shape,
breathing difficulties (rib fracture), leg length difference (backbone fracture), or head/neck
wounds (neck fracture).
Treatment (Fixation/Splint Bandaging): Apply two splints (wood lined with cloth/sponge)
flanking the fracture, bound with rope to support the part and prevent movement.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Definition: Medical care provided to victims of life-threatening illnesses or injuries until full
hospital care is available. Can be provided by trained personnel or qualified bystanders.
Background: Bystander CPR is vital, potentially doubling or tripling survival rates from sudden
cardiac arrest (SCA). Early resuscitation and defibrillation are critical.
ABC: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
Chain of Survival
1. Approach Safely: Assess the scene, rescuer, victim, and bystanders.
2. Check Response: Gently shake shoulders and ask, "Are you all right?". If responsive, leave as
found, find out what's wrong, and reassess regularly.
3. Shout for Help: Call for assistance.
4. Open Airway: Lay the victim down, perform a head tilt and chin lift.
5. Check Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing. Differentiate from agonal
breathing (gasping, noisy breathing that is a sign of cardiac arrest).
6. Call Emergency Number (e.g., 911).
7. Chest Compression:
Place heel of one hand in the center of the chest, other hand on top, interlock fingers.
Compress at a rate of 100 per minute to a depth of 4-5 cm.
Ensure equal compression and relaxation.
Change operators every 2 minutes if possible.
8. Rescue Breaths:
Pinch the nose, take a normal breath.
Place lips over the victim's mouth, blow until the chest rises (about 1 second).
Allow chest to fall. Repeat.
Mouth-to-Nose Breathing: Used if the mouth cannot be opened or a good seal cannot be
made.
When Can CPR Be Stopped?
The victim revives.
Trained help arrives.
The rescuer is too exhausted to continue.
The scene becomes unsafe.
A physician directs it (Do Not Resuscitate order).
Cardiac arrest lasts longer than 30 minutes.
Why CPR May Fail
Delay in starting.
Improper procedures (e.g., not pinching the nose).
No advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) follow-up or delayed defibrillation.
Improper techniques.
Terminal or unmanageable disease (e.g., massive heart attack).
Injuries Related to CPR
Rib fractures.
Lacerations.
Internal organ damage (liver, lung, spleen).
Complications of CPR
For victims experiencing vomiting/aspiration: Place them on their side, clear vomit from the
mouth, reposition, and resume CPR.
Bandaging
Importance of Bandaging
Protects wounds from contamination.
Applies pressure to control bleeding and promote clotting.
Reduces swelling.
Provides support and stability to injured areas.
Prevents further injury.
Promotes optimal wound management and healing.
Enhances patient comfort.
Definition of Bandage
A piece of material used to support a medical device (like a dressing or splint) or to support
or restrict the movement of a body part.
A piece of gauze or other material used for wrapping, binding, supporting, or immobilizing a
body part.
Definition of Bandaging
The process of covering a wound or injured part using materials like gauze, elastic knit,
flannel, or muslin.
Applied to an injured part or limb for immobilization, binding, and securing support.
Purpose of Bandaging
1. Fix and retain dressings or splints.
2. Support an injured part.
3. Apply pressure to stop bleeding.
4. Prevent and reduce swelling.
5. Immobilize an injured part to relieve pain.
6. Prevent wound contamination.
7. Secure splints.
8. Retain warmth.
9. Correct hemorrhage by pressure.
10. Correct deformity.
11. Absorb discharge.
12. Prevent infection and avoid further injury.
13. Restrict movement.
14. Provide physical comfort.
Common Uses of Bandages
Roller bandage: Used for hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, ears, and as a cape-line bandage for the
head.
Triangular bandage: Used for the scalp, hand, eye, cheek, chest, shoulder, elbow, knee, foot,
hip, groin, and as a sling.
Collar and cuff sling: Used to support the wrist.
Triangular sling: Used for treating collarbone fractures.
Crepe or elastic bandages: Comfortable and provide good support; used for joints, varicose
veins, and sprains.
Plaster (cast): Used for fractures in limbs or long bones.
Volunteerism
Introduction to Volunteerism
The Commission, in partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating
Agency (PNVSCA), encourages agencies to establish volunteer programs.
Volunteerism activities are encouraged beyond office hours to avoid disturbing regular
agency functions.
Volunteer programs aim to provide opportunities for employees to help the underserved and
marginalized sectors.
Projects and Activities in Volunteerism
1. Social Services: Feeding programs, medical missions, house building, prison visits, counseling,
bloodletting.
2. Technical Development: Lectures, training programs, reading and writing workshops.
3. Environment and Disaster Response: Clean-up drives, tree planting, relief and rehabilitation
work, donation drives.
4. Promotion and Advocacy: Sponsoring ordinances or bills to support volunteerism.
5. Resource Support: Fundraising and material donations in partnership with the private sector
and civil society.
Volunteerism Definition
The practice of providing time and skills for the benefit of others and causes, rather than for
financial gain.
RA 9418 (Volunteer Act of 2007): An act involving various activities undertaken for socio-
developmental, business, or corporate reasons for the public good, where monetary or other
incentives are not the primary motivators. Key aspects include free will, no financial gain, and
benefiting a third party.
Why Volunteerism?
Governments may not have all the resources for public services.
Volunteers provide services cost-efficiently.
Governance and development require greater citizen participation.
The Voluntary Sector
Includes government, academe, national development organizations, international volunteers,
corporate volunteers, and not-for-profit organizations that organize volunteers for advocacy
and action.
Elements of Volunteerism
1. Create a Plan for the Volunteer Program: Conduct a needs assessment, determine
management structure, and define volunteer roles.
2. Recruit and Place Volunteers: Write effective opportunity listings and actively recruit
volunteers.
3. Orient and Train Volunteers and Staff: Ensure everyone is on the same page regarding
organizational goals, vision, and tasks.
4. Supervise and Recognize Volunteers: Provide support, manage effectively considering
motivators, and recognize contributions (e.g., through gifts, social media mentions).
5. Evaluate Volunteer Programs: Gather feedback from volunteers and compare outcomes with
program goals to identify areas for improvement.
Core Elements of Volunteering
1. Set Goals: List personal volunteer goals and align them with an organization's mission.
2. Observe: Reflect on how volunteering makes you feel and its impact on your well-being.
3. Repeat: Continue volunteering if the experience was positive; try something new if it wasn't,
but don't give up.
Role of the Youth in Strengthening Volunteerism
Youth often engage in volunteering through peer groups, acting as brokers between
institutional initiatives and community action.
This can build ownership, leadership, and contribute to inclusive institutions.
Youth can be agents of change, influencing social norms and challenging traditional
practices.
They can serve as role models, build positive networks, and strengthen social capital.
Volunteers, including youth, address service deficits, combat violence, and strengthen social
cohesion for lasting peace.
Volunteerism can be a neutral force for positive change, uniting people and galvanizing
community participation.
Youth volunteering can question conflict and hate mechanisms.
Access to volunteering opportunities can be gendered and influenced by socio-economic
factors; therefore, trust-building requires careful consideration of activities and volunteer
profiles.
The Importance of Volunteerism for Youth
1. Develop Transferable Skills: Practice collaboration, problem-solving, leadership,
communication, and time management skills, which are valuable for academics, careers, and
personal lives.
2. Reinforce Social Capital: Build relationships, strengthen support networks, foster trust, and a
sense of community.
3. Make Real Change: Confront challenges, employ innovative thinking, and see the impact of
their efforts, developing a civic identity as leaders and change-makers.
4. Facilitate Respect: Develop self-awareness and empathy by prioritizing others' needs, learning
to value themselves and understand others.
5. Support Academic Success: Service-learning can lead to higher scores in academic subjects,
deeper cognitive engagement, and increased motivation to learn.
Benefits of Volunteering
Helps make a difference.
Brings a sense of fulfillment.
Provides an escape from daily routines.
Allows for travel.
Creates opportunities to meet new people.
Helps develop valuable skills.
Contributes to higher self-esteem and resilience.
Improves academic performance and strengthens resumes.
Reduces stress, combats depression, keeps mentally stimulated, and provides a sense of
purpose.
Connects you to others and your community.
Is good for your mind and body.
Helps you stay physically healthy (lower mortality rate, better coping, reduced risk of certain
diseases).
Can advance your career by providing experience and networking opportunities.
Brings fun and fulfillment to life.
National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC)
Introduction to the NSRC
A vital component of the NSTP in the Philippines.
Aims to mobilize and organize volunteers for civic welfare, disaster response, and community
service.
Focuses on graduates of the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training
Service (LTS) components of NSTP.
Categories of the NSRC
Community-Based NSRC Reservists Units (CBNRUS): Organized at barangay, municipal, city,
and provincial levels, composed of CWTS/LTS graduates residing in those areas.
School-Based NSRC Reservists Units (SBNRUS): Organized by higher education and
technical-vocational institutions, composed of CWTS/LTS graduates still enrolled in those
institutions.
Objectives of the NSRC
Knowledge Acquisition: Educating participants on NSRC organization and mobilization.
Community Engagement: Encouraging involvement in community projects to foster
volunteerism and civic responsibility.
Organizational Structure: Establishing a defined structure with clear duties and
responsibilities for effective participation.
Legal Framework and Support
Republic Act No. 8044: Emphasizes the role of youth in nation-building and establishes youth
development programs.
Republic Act No. 9418 (Volunteerism Act of 2007): Recognizes volunteerism as a strategy for
national development and supports volunteer organizations.
Organizational Structure
NSRC Reserve Group (NRG): Composed of multiple NSRC Sections, organized at provincial or
city levels.
NSRC Reserve Section (NRS): A subordinate unit of the NRG, consisting of several teams.
NSRC Reserve Team (NRT): The smallest unit, typically composed of 8 to 12 members.
Mobilization
The process of calling NSRC reservists to action, particularly for disaster response, to ensure
effective deployment of trained volunteers.
Key Objectives of the NSRC
Knowledge and Skills Development: Providing participants with essential knowledge and
skills for NSRC organization and mobilization.
Community Involvement: Encouraging active participation in community projects to promote
civic responsibility and volunteerism.
Organizational Structure: Establishing a well-defined framework with clear duties and
responsibilities for efficient operation.
Support for National Development: Serving as a trained manpower reserve for disaster
response, civic welfare, literacy programs, and other national emergencies.
How Does the NSRC Prepare for National Emergencies?
Training Programs: Equipping members with skills in disaster preparedness, response, and
rehabilitation.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM): Serving as an auxiliary unit to local
DRRMCs, involved in planning and implementing preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Mobilization Protocols: Established protocols for rapid deployment of trained personnel
during emergencies.
Community Engagement: Actively participating in community-based projects to enhance
local resilience.
Support for National Initiatives: Aligning with national policies promoting volunteerism and
disaster response.