Changes and development taking place within a community
Community action
Any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement, and empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people
Community
Individuals having significant interaction within a specified area
Shares a certain sense of place whether geographical or virtual
Types of community
Geographical community
Non-geographical community
Geographical community
Community where members share the same geographical vicinity such as a village, province, or neighborhood
Non-geographical community
Formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity, practices, and roles in social institutions such as home, at work, in government, society, or the community in general
Communication and relationships are imperative in building a community
Levels of community
Micro-level community
Macro-level community
Micro-level community
A group that is formed based on personal ties, such as groups formed for pursuing common interests or goals
Macro-level community
A large group affiliation such as national communities, international communities, and virtual communities
Understanding community life makes us value the things we have on a daily basis, social encounter constructs reality and affects some changes within – thus Community Dynamics
The changes in the community are brought about by social, cultural and environmental experiences whether it is positive or negative development that impacts within the community
Understanding (in community action)
Raise awareness about certain communal issues that need to be addressed
Engagement (in community action)
Work collaboratively to act on communal issues, improve partnership and coalitions among the community
Empowerment (in community action)
Enables the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action to control the situation they have in the community
The study of communityaction is imperative in the field of social sciences and other related disciplines as it lays on the foundation that individuals and families – as basic units - are embedded in different social structures that shape the behaviors in the system
Having knowledge in communityaction makes an individual understand better by being aware in the environment, having meaningful engagement, and accepting empowerment to create significant impact
Individuals and families shape the behavior in the social system
Community action is necessary in the development of communities
Community
A group of people in a particular area interacting together
Disciplines in social sciences related to the idea of community
Anthropology
Economics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Examines various aspects of humans, such as their biology, behavior, culture, and social interactions
May study how people adapt their ways of living to different environments
Economics
Studies the production, allocation and consumption of goods and services
Aims to improve the lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied
Political Science
Encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power, influence, decision-making
Includes types of governments and management systems, and how people in small bands or informal groups make decisions
Psychology
Studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior
Includes subfields like abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and social psychology
Most often associated with the study, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses
Sociology
Studies society, social order, social interactions, and culture
Introduces the concepts of social capital and communitarianism
Civil Society Perspective
Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in service to society
Views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity
Considered the affective model of community as a sense of belonging is achieved due to collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving humanity
Local and GrassrootsPerspectives
Highlights volunteerism
Community uses self-organization and encourages local citizens to contribute by taking responsibilities and actions
Leaders and members identify concerns and determine ways to address them
Doctors and dentists in different communities come together to organize medical and dental missions especially for families affected by calamities
The youth are often excited to engage themselves in outdoor activities like farming, fishing, and planting trees and crops
First Dimension:
It is an existing establishment or physical space where members of the community go for a certain purpose.
Second Dimension: It is the 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.
Third Dimension: The community is composed of the ways people act, interact with each other, react, and expect each other to act and interact.
Community power
The capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and seek ways to employ available resources to establish a stronger and successful community
Community structure
The various aspects in the community which includes demographics, geography and environmental influences, beliefs and attitudes and the likes
Leaders
Important figures in the community who must possess important characteristics
Leaders
Effective communication
Development of social capital building
Community engagement
Collaboration
Collaboration
Leaders should learn to "build bridges" and develop networks among community leaders within the diverse fields
Collaboration
One of the essential characteristics of leaders to build bridges and develop networks among community leaders in the different fields
Formal power structure
They are appointed based on qualifications, attitude and most often, through the votes of the residents