Community Development & Recreation: Principles, Processes, and Indigenous Perspectives

What is community development?

A process where people take collective action to generate solutions to challenges in their community.

Core principles of community development

Participation, Empowerment, Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion, Sustainability.

What is Participation?

Everyone has a voice and can contribute meaningfully.

What is Empowerment?

Supporting communities to build confidence and skills to act on their own challenges.

What is Collaboration?

The collective—sectors working together using diverse skills, resources, and experiences.

What is Equity & Inclusion?

Ensuring all groups, especially marginalized ones, are meaningfully included.

What is Sustainability in CD?

Long-term benefits prioritized over short-term fixes.

Why is sport & recreation important in CD?

Builds social capital, supports health, promotes belonging, fosters youth development, and boosts local economy.

Recreation in the 1800s was used for

Character-building through programs like YMCA, Scouts, and Girl Guides.

What shift happened after WWII in recreation?

A consumer/activity-focused system measuring success by participation numbers.

What shift happened in the 1970s for recreation professionals?

They shifted from service providers to community developers.

What is the Elora Prescription?

A 1978 report recommending recreation pros shift to support human development and community empowerment.

Advantages of community development

Facilitates change, builds community spirit, promotes self-help, develops leadership, increases inclusion.

Disadvantages of community development

Power struggles, difficult measurement, burnout, quick fixes, high resource demands.

Four benefits of recreation

Personal, Social, Economic, Environmental.

Three core responsibilities of a CD worker

Educate & motivate action, develop local leadership, promote civic consciousness.

Four roles of a CD worker

Catalyst, Teacher, Facilitator/Administrator, Linker.

Difference between a manager and a leader

Manager handles systems (budgeting/scheduling); Leader provides vision and direction.

Ten qualities of effective leaders

Integrity, flexibility, loyalty, confidence, accountability, candor, preparedness, resourcefulness, self-discipline, patience.

What is capacity building?

Building skills and resources at the individual, organizational, and system levels.

What is a group?

People interacting for shared goals, relying on each other for success.

What are group norms?

Shared expectations for how group members behave.

What is cohesion?

Group's tendency to stick together for task and emotional satisfaction.

Four characteristics of cohesion

Dynamic, multidimensional, instrumental, affective.

Five stages of group development

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning.

What is social facilitation?

Performance improves in the presence of others.

What is social loafing?

Individuals reduce effort when working in groups.

What is groupthink?

When maintaining harmony becomes more important than realistic decision-making.

What is group polarization?

Group decisions become more extreme than individual initial opinions.

Definition of community

A group with shared identity, belonging, connection, culture, interests, or place.

Types of communities

Geographic, Interest-based, Virtual, Passion-based, Communities of Practice, Action-oriented, Shared Life Experience, Identity-based, Communities of Need.

Key characteristics of community

Identity, belonging, networks, structure, power dynamics, inclusion/exclusion.

How does sport build community?

Builds belonging, identity, integration, leadership, and economic impact.

What is Indigenization?

Integrating Indigenous knowledge, values, and worldviews into programs and systems.

Difference between reconciliation and Indigenization

Reconciliation repairs relationships; Indigenization changes structures.

TRC Calls to Action related to sport

#66 (youth reconciliation programs) and #89 (Indigenous inclusion in sport policy).

Five principles of Indigenization

Relationality, Holism, Reciprocity, Storytelling, Self-determination.

What is the Holistic Model?

An Indigenous framework including physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural development.

What is tokenism?

Performative inclusion without meaningful involvement.

Definition of monitoring

Ongoing tracking of project progress and delivery.

Definition of evaluation

Assessing project effectiveness, impacts, and outcomes using monitoring data.

What are SMART goals?

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

What is an indicator?

A measurable variable that tracks progress toward objectives.

What are Sources of Verification?

Reliable data sources proving indicators have been met.

What are assumptions?

External factors that influence success but are outside project control.

What are killer assumptions?

External conditions essential for success but unlikely to occur.

Stages of planning

Identify needs → mobilize resources → engage stakeholders → design → implement → evaluate → sustain.

Key components of successful implementation

Communication, leadership, flexibility, risk management, monitoring.

What is community ownership?

When the community takes over and sustains a program long-term.

Why is change important in CD?

Communities cannot develop without change; recreation organizations must adapt.

What is the progress trap?

When progress creates problems that society avoids solving due to fear of short-term loss.

Reasons people resist change

Disruption, fear of unknown, inability, selective perception, feeling threatened.

Three phases of change (Bridges)

Ending → Neutral Zone → New Beginning.

Guidelines for CD change agents

Be creative, see problems as opportunities, focus on mission, encourage diversity, build alliances, self-care.

Definition of public engagement

Involving the public in agenda-setting, decision-making, and policy development.

Definition of public relations (PR)

Managing how information about an organization is shared with the public.

Typical public engagement breakdown

50% uninterested; of the rest: 50% supportive, 25% conditional, 20% opposed, 5% never supportive.

Basic engagement methods

Town halls, open houses, surveys, focus groups, crowdsourcing.

Barriers to engagement

Time, access, awareness, distrust, lack of representation.

Best practices in public engagement

Research, one-on-one engagement, listening to opposition, creative methods, appropriate tech.

PR tactics

Media releases, press kits, events, social media, awards, storytelling.

Definition of fundraising

Seeking and gathering voluntary financial contributions.

10 guidelines for successful fundraising

Goals, action plan, schedules, committee, symbol, ask letter, resources, coordinate outreach, evaluate, recognition.

What is resource mobilization?

Securing funds, equipment, volunteers, and facilities.

What is a grant?

Money given by a government/organization for a specific purpose.

Trends in fundraising

CSR budgets, philanthropy, crowdsourcing.

Reasons fundraising campaigns fail

Poor planning, unrealistic goals, insufficient manpower, weak outreach, no contingency plan.

What is a crisis?

A major disruptive event requiring urgent community response.

Theme: Resilience

Ability to adapt well under challenging circumstances.

Transition Town Movement

Grassroots sustainability movement reducing fossil fuel dependence and strengthening local systems.

Housing First

CD model providing immediate permanent housing with wraparound supports.

Social isolation crisis

Loneliness posing health risks equal to smoking 15 cigarettes/day.

Harm reduction

Approach prioritizing safety, dignity, and empowerment for people who use drugs.

Disability inclusion during crises

Ensuring vulnerable populations receive dignity, access, and support.

Learn (in CD)

Measuring change, gathering feedback, identifying improvements.

Celebrate (in CD)

Recognizing milestones to maintain engagement and momentum.

Tell the Story

Communicating accomplishments using metrics, storytelling, and media.

Why tell the story?

Builds connection, memory, motivation, and supports future projects.

How to tell the story well

Simple, concrete, unexpected, emotional; highlight people and community context.

What is public engagement's role in CD?

Ensures community voices shape decisions.

What is a Case for Action?

A justification explaining why a project is necessary and why doing nothing isn't an option.

What is re-localization (Transition Towns)?

Supporting local systems to reduce dependence on global supply chains.

Example goals of renewable energy co-ops

Lower emissions, reduce energy costs, create local jobs, empower communities.

What is a shared vision in change management?

A collectively agreed purpose that guides a change effort.

What is scarcity mentality in public engagement?

The idea that resources are limited, leading to conflict or defensiveness.

What is an ask letter?

A formal request to donors explaining needs and asking for support.

What is a campaign symbol or logo?

A visual identifier that strengthens recognition and unity in a fundraising effort.

What is selective perception (in change resistance)?

People interpret change based on their biases or fears.

What is positive visioning?

Focusing on opportunities and desired futures rather than barriers.

What is systems thinking?

Understanding how social, economic, and environmental factors are interconnected.

What is group structure?

The way roles, communication, and responsibilities are organized in a group.

What is group morale?

The emotional climate and confidence of a group.

What is a community of practice?

A group of professionals collaborating to share knowledge and build expertise.

What is a community of need?

A community formed around essential needs like food, shelter, or healthcare.

What is interest-based community?

A community formed around hobbies, skills, or shared pursuits.

What are identity-based communities?

Communities formed around shared ethnicity, religion, culture, or gender identity.

How does CD address crisis?

By mobilizing collective action, empowering communities, and building resilience.

What is public relations' purpose in CD?

Increase awareness, build trust, gain support, and share impact.

What is evaluation used for?

Assessing why impacts occurred and how programs can improve.

What are outcome indicators?

Measures that determine if expected outcomes were achieved.