Community Processes, Dynamics, and Empowerment - SP 1

Paths

The channels along which the observer customarily, occasionally, or potentially moves. They may be streets, walkways, transit line, canals, railroad.

Nodes

Points the strategic in a city into which an observer can enter, and which are the intensive foci to and from which he is travelling.

Edges

The linear elements not used or considered as paths by the observer. They are the boundaries between two phase, linear breaks in continuity: shores, railroad cuts, edges of development, walls.

Landmarks

Points of reference person cannot enter into. At least one aspect of them is unique or memorable in the context they exist

Districts

Are the medium-to-large

sections of the city, conceived as having two-dimensional extent, which the observer mentally enters.

Community Dynamics

is the process of change and development within communities. It is "constantly changing." Strive to bring about positive social change through community-based programming.

Integrative Forces

Disintegrative Forces

Participative Groups and Groupism

Functions of Subgroups

Minority Groups

Gender and Empowerment

Dynamics in Community Level

Integrative Forces

Developed by Graham Douglas in 1986

Combines intuition, reasoning, and imagination to solve problems.

Helps create a holistic approach to planning, action, and evaluation.

A problem is the gap between what we have and what we want.

Graham Douglas

Who developed the integrative forces

Community Process

Community development as a process is a systematic approach to change in which each of the phases of the process may be sufficiently defined and measured in accordance with specified criteria.

Work towards goal achievement

Motivate the members

Organize meeting with the members

Organize meeting with the external agents

Liaisoning with government and others

Functions of subgroup

Disintegrative Forces

Create conflict, division, and loss of social unity.

These challenges can affect community planning and development.

Participatory and flexible governance can help address these issues.

Participative Group

Known by many names including shared leadership

Groupism

the tendency to think and act as members of a group and is the concept which makes everyone feel.

Empathy

Sympathy

Awe Feeling

Goal Achievement

Groupism makes everyone feel _____.

Subgroup

A group formed of a subset of members drawing from a larger parent group.

They are not autonomous, though members of the parent group may choose to join _____ rather than be assigned.

Membership in a _____ is ultimately controlled by the parent group and its owner.

Minority Groups

A _____ is a sociological category within a demographic who don't hold the majority of positions of social power in a society.

Subordination, Discrimination, and Injustice

Thus, gender empowerment veritably implies empowerment of women to do away with ______ done to them in male dominated society.

Community Empowerment

People are more likely to act when they feel motivated and in control.

Having control gives people as sense of freedom and satisfaction.

People feel that their actions are meaningful and valuable.

Empowerment encourages people to take action and make decisions.

Empowerment

_____ often is what prompts things to get done in the first place.

There needs to be a reason for people to want to improve things in their community for themselves and others; it can't just be a facet of social or public duty.

Personal Action

The Development of Small Interest Groups

Community Organizations

Partnerships

Social and Political Action

Community Empowerment as a Five-Point Continuum (Labonte, 1990) Elements

Personal Action

Begins when people feel powerless or unable to influence change.

This feeling can motivate them to take action.

By joining small community or interest groups, people can:

1. Identify problems.

2. Understand issues.

3. Take action to create change.

4. Through participation, individuals gain confidence, voice, and power.

The Development of Small Interest Groups

The beginning of people working together to address a common issue.

Helps individuals develop skills and confidence.

Builds stronger social support and networks.

Encourages connection, cooperation, and social cohesion within the community.

Health promoters can help guide and support this process.

Community Organization

_____ focus on wider community issues and their root causes.

They help connect people to resources and opportunities.

Examples: faith groups, youth groups, community councils, cooperatives, associations.

Partnerships

Build stronger social networks among organizations.

Help groups share and access limited resources.

Encourage greater participation and cooperation.

Allow organizations to address broader community issues.

Strengthen their voice through networking and advocacy.

Social and Political Action

Individuals move from personal action to collective action.

Communities work together to address the root causes of problems.

Empowerment means gaining the power to influence social, political, and economic change.

This may involve challenging existing power structures and those who already hold influence.