Community Engagement Reviewer

Community

Has been defined from different perspectives based on researches in various fields.

Social Science Perspectives

 Social Science
An umbrella term for the various fields of study which examine social relations and
human society.

 From the social science perspective community

Described as a group of people in a particular area interacting together

Basic concepts of Social Sciences

 Anthropology
Examines the various aspects of humans, such as their biology, behavior, culture,
and social interactions.
 Economics
This field studies the production, allocation, and consumption of goods and services.
 Political Science
This field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power, influence,
and decision-making.
 Psychology
 This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior. This extends to
interactions between people and interpersonal relationships.
 Sociology
This field is the study of society, social order, social interactions and culture. It
introduces the concepts of social capital and communitarianism.

Institutional Perspective

 An existing establishment or physical space where members of the community go for

a certain purpose. (hospitals, companies, and educational institutions)
 Institutional community as a social model. This is defined by networks and
institutions where community groups are formed in certain areas such as schools,
churches, or companies, and members gather to meet their needs. ( Catholic church,
Couples for Christ, Youth Council)
 The community is composed of the ways people act, interact with each other, react,
and expect each other to act and interact. ( marriage, friendship, roles such as being
a mother or police officer, status or class)

Civil Society Perspective

 Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in a service to

society.
This perspective views society as a community of citizens linked by a common
interest and collective activity. Examples include people’s organization, civic
organizations, and social movements (redcross, Gawad kalinga, world vision)
Local and Grassroots Perspective

 Highlights volunteerism
 The community uses self-organization and encourages the local citizens to
contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and action.

Aspects of a community

 Demographics
Population size (total no. of persons living in the community)
Density (ratio of people to the space they inhabit)
Heterogeneity (the extent to which community members have diverse
characteristics)
Ethnic groups in the community
Names given to various parts of the community
Areas known for having their known 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 environmental influences
Community’s physical environment
The community's location and proximity to 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 of various segments of the population
Spiritual and political values of the residents
Available social agencies and the 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
Businesses, factories and other sources of employment that characterize the
communityNature of businesses (owned by local residents or government)
Employment profile of residents
Adequacy of public transportation
 Income distribution
Businesses, factories and other sources of employment that characterize the
community
Nature of businesses (owned by local residents or government)
Employment profile of residents
Adequacy of public transportation
  Housing
Housing conditions
Population density
Types of housing
Ownership status of houses (rental, real estate, etc)
 Educational facilities and programs
Educational system
Extent of community support
Existence of public or private schools
Adherence to intended curriculum of the Department of Education
Attention to special population and cultural differences
* ex: children with special needs
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 systems
Adequate numbers of health professionals and specialists
Accessibility to area residents
Social service programs
Respect of service providers to the needs and values of minority populations
Availability of fire and police protection
Safety of the environment
The residents' view on public safety and justice system
 Sources of information and public opinion
Prescence of TV and radio stations and newspapers which provide the people
information and perspectives on current events
Community organizations' capacity to update residents on important information
The capacity of the sources of information to enhance the residents' skills to promote
positive social change
The presence of community leaders who speak for various marginalized subgroups
 Summary assessment of community issues
Overall assessment of community's functioningDealing with social problems
* ex: youth gangs, poverty, abuse
Gaps in social, health care, and other community and educational services.

Community Engagement

Process of working together the members of a group based on geographic proximity,

special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the whole group.

It is considered a power vehicle because it can lead to environmental and

behavioral changes that will improve the health of the community and its members.

Partnerships and coalitions are involved to mobilize resources and influence

systems, change relationships among partners, and serve as catalysts for changing
policies and programs.
 The International Association for Public Participation organized important ideas to
present a community engagement continuum, displaying concepts under outreach,
consult, involve, collaborate, and shared leadership.

Understanding community dynamics and community action

The word “community” was derived from the latin word communis, which means “common”
or “shared”.

Communities may be formed in two ways:

 Geographical
The members of a community share the same geographic vicinity, such as a village,
province, or neighborhood.
 Non-Geographical
There are communities formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity, practices,
and roles in social institutions such as the home, at work, in government, society, or
the community at large.

Communities may also be divided into two levels:

 Micro level
At the micro level, a group is formed based on personal social ties. This may include
groups formed for pursuing common interests, goals, like forming a small
organization to hold a fundraising activity such as a concert.
 Macro level
At the macro level, large group affiliations are formed such as national communities,
international communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations
may develop various programs that would include different members across the
country.

TYPES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Community Action

Is any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement, and empowerment of
communities for the intention of giving services to people.

Dynamics and Processes

 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.

 Leadership
Is generally defined as the person who has the responsibility of controlling or taking
charge of a particular group. This important figure will guide the members to carry
out the plans in pursuit of the group’s objectives.
 Usually, leaders in a community are appointed based on qualifications, attitude and
most often, through the votes of the residents.
This is a democratic way to select a leader. In some traditional cultures, leadership is
hereditary or passed down from parent to child. There are also people who are
appointed leaders because of their intelligence, wealth, reputation, high status,
decision-making skills, dictation of laws and policies and connections.
 Relationship
The success of a community will be more meaningful if its members have harmonious
relationships with each other. It is vital for member of both geographical and non-
geographical communities.
In forming relationships, persons can give and receive support, encouragement,
praise and information.
This can provide feelings of belongingness and connectedness that most people see
in one way or another regardless of one’s belief system, cultural background or areas
of interest.

Social Change

Refers to changes that occur in the social order of a society.

 These changes may be related to nature, social institutions, social behavior, or social
relations.

 Social change can be driven by:

Cultural forces

Religious forces

Economic forces

Scientific forces

Technological forces

 In Sociology, it is similarly defined as the collaboration of mechanisms within the

social structure characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior,
social organizations, or value systems.

 The roles of women today also bought changes in society in terms of leadership.
Women empowerment has also significantly contributed to society. This factor of
social change allows women to express their ideas freely and take part in the
different programs of society.

Typologies

Study of or analysis or classification based on types or categories.

Formal and Informal Communities

 Formal communities
The group is created as per official authority, to fulfill certain goals or objectives.
The group possesses a systematic hierarchical structure.
The position of a member defines their importance in the group.
 There is a professional relationship among members.
The flow of communication is restricted due to the chain of command.
e.g: A business firm

 Informal communities
The group is formed according to the likes, interests, and attitudes of the members.
The group has a loose structure, and the members join to satisfy their social needs.
Every member is as important as any other member.
There is a personal relationship among members.
The flow of communication stretches in all directions.
e.g: A group of cyclists.

Rural and Urban Communities

 Rural communities
Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire
community, and they tend to live far apart from each other. The area is situated
geographically distant from larger urban areas. Each area typically specializes in a
particular form of livelihood, such as farming.
 Urban communities
There is a higher population density, with more diverse subgroups (ethnic, racial,
cultural, age, sexual orientation) Various industries and businesses are found in the
area. A large portion of the people live in rented apartments or homes.
Transportation is readily available, although this may be costly.
Urban areas are highly developed with many buildings and structures.
Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas.
The large population give rise to close interactions among many people, as well as
more intense political involvement among citizens.

Local and Global Communities

 Local
Is characterized by close social integration and physical proximity.
Defined as a group of people sharing the same environment and conditions such as:
Intent
Belief
Resources
Preferences
Needs
Risks
A local community may consist of business operators, public agency staff, and
residents with interactions that may include sharing of resources, information, and
assistance
 Global
Is a system characterized by integration and interaction between individuals and
groups away from each other in time or space or both.
 The word “global” refers to the nations of the world considered closely connected by
modern telecommunication, though they are economically, socially, and politically
independent

Sectors

Community sectors are various groups or subdivisions of the larger community divided
based on characteristics such as social, political, economic, cultural, and religious beliefs.

Social Spaces

Is defined as a physical or virtual space which members of the community visit or where
they stay.

 Some examples of social space include the social center, online social media, or
other gathering spaces where people gather and interact.

 Some social spaces are owned by the government, such as town squares, parks, and
beaches. These spaces are generally open and accessible to people.

 Private spaces, on the other hand, are owned and regulated regularly, such as
shopping malls. These social spaces may be used by community residents for their
gatherings or simple recreation activities.

Solidarity

Solidarity is generally understood as a sense of unity among people, especially in terms of

their interests or objective, or as an expression of support sympathy.

Durkheimian solidarity

 One of the first scholars to study as a social phenomenon was Emile Durkheim. He
theorized that there are two kinds of solidarity: mechanical and organic.

 Mechanical solidarity occurs in small, homogenous societies, with shared beliefs and
values, known as their collective conscience, which give them a shared sense of
kinship and identity. This collective conscience is held sacred and takes precedence
over individual members and their respective experiences.

 Organic solidarity occurs in large, diverse, complex societies, and are the result
urbanization, industrialization, capitalism, and the division of labor. The individual
members of these societies perform highly specialized and differentiated tasks, and
their solidarity toward each other arises from their interdependence on each other.
Their differences are not only accepted, but expected and necessary; their different
functions are each integral to their society as a whole.

Solidarity in contemporary society

  Human society is constantly evolving. Much occurred since Durkheim’s days, not only
in terms of how society move and operates, but also in how we examine how society
moves and operates.

 It should be noted that the new forms or new ways of classifying solidarity listed here
are not meant to supplant Durkheim's’ categories, but rather add dimensions to how
we look at solidarity as a social phenomenon.

 Neither are theses new classifications mutually classifications mutually exclusive of

each other; they have intersections with each other, as they occasionally do with
Durkheim’s category.

Transnational solidarity

 Theorized by Carol Gould in 2007.

 This form of solidarity occurs on cross-border and transnational scales, and is

characterized by identification and empathy with other experiencing some form of
injustice or suffering. It does not require any shared sense of identity – only an
appreciation and understanding of the said suffering.

 Furthermore, those who express such solidarity may or may not take action to
address or counteract the suffering, whether out of moral obligation or an altruistic
motivation.

 Examples of this include the several billions’ worth of humanitarian aid that several
countries donated to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda.

Robust solidarity

 Ashley Taylor proposed in 2014 two new classification of solidarity – robust and
expressional solidarity.

 Robust solidarity requires four conditions – joint interest, identification with the group,
disposition to empathy, and mutual trust – and these conditions must be reciprocal
between the people in the solidarity relationship. It highly normative, meaning that
the individual members are obligated by their circumstances to act in solidarity with
the rest of the group.

 Joint interest refers to the shared goals or factors which define of bind a solidarity
group and which the group’s individual members cannot accomplish on their own.

 Identification with the group refers to the condition of an individual being committed
to a solidarity group such that the group’s flourishing is linked in the individual’s
general well-being.

 Disposition to empathy involves being affected by other’s situations – or at least

being disposed to being affected by them. This entails being willing and able to
understand the social conditions of the members of one’s solidarity group, and
understanding one’s co-members’ emotional response to those conditions.
 Mutual trust is the final condition of robust solidarity, and, like the disposition to
empathy, it is specific to the goals of the solidarity group.

Expressional solidarity
 occurs when one or more of the previously listed conditions is unidirectional or not
mutual among the members of the solidarity group.
 Examples include expressing solidarity with a group whose interests are parallel,
though not joint, with yours, or whose success is not linked to your general well-
being; or feeling empathy towards others despite not being reciprocated.