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CHAPTER 5: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZINGPage 2 of 19W ELCOME TO M ODULE 5!In the previous module, you recognized some of the national issues and concerns that have been affecting our country. These are just some of the common problems that confront us every day.The Thomasian communi...

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WELCOME TO MODULE 5! In the previous module, you recognized some of the national issues and concerns that have been affecting our country. These are just some of the common problems that confront us every day. The Thomasian community is not spared of these problems. You are exposed to not just the national issues but global issues as well through our everyday encounter with life. Through the Thomasian Core Values, it was inculcated to you not to be just concerned but to respond to these problems. As a Thomasian, how do you respond to these problems? What can we do about it? How can you integrate the 3Cs in finding solutions to these problems? This module will help you in realizing how to be part of the solution and be an active participant in the development of your community. We have two lessons in Module 5. Lesson 1 will discuss what community development is all about. This lesson will help you be aware of why there is a need for community development and how to go about it. Lesson 2 will discuss how to put the theories and concepts of community development into action through community organizing. Now take a look at the objectives that I would like you to achieve at the end of module. At the end of the module you will be able to: 1. define and explain community development and community organizing; 2. understand the need of community organizing in the development of the community; 3. know and recognize the significance of empowerment and participation in community development; 4. apply the theories and principles of community organizing in your project implementation plan; 5. be aware of the importance of community development in nation building;

CHAPTER 5: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING Page 2 of 19

Lesson 1: Community Development The Vision of Community Development in the Philippin

Examine this Community Development is not a new concept in the Philippines. Take a look at this statement. Wouldn’t it be nice if this is achieved?

I hope you are keyed up to be part of the nation building. If you are ready for the lesson, continue reading In this lesson, you will be able to know what community development is all about and how essential it is in connecting the people and the nation. Check out the Vision of Community Development and take note of its highlights. Before you can go further, let me give you a background first on some important concepts by giving you some definitions. We are all part of a community. Most of us belong to more than one community, whether we are aware of it or not. For example, an individual can be part of a neighbourhood community, a religious community and a community of shared interests all at the same time. (Frank and Smith 1990) The University of Santo Tomas is an example of a strong and established educational community for higher learning. As a community we share, transmit and promote our identity to all the new Thomasians. These values are shared by all alumni, faculty members, administration and students of our almost four-century old university. Defining communities in terms of geography however is only one way of looking at them. Communities can also be defined by common cultural heritage, language, and beliefs or shared interests also

What we do now in the commU nity has a great impact in the fUTURE generation…

called

communities

of

interest.

(www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/ezec/News/CDTA_HA NDBOOK.doc,2005)

In essence, a community may be described as ―a geographical area where a group of people live in a common life linked together by factors such as religious beliefs, sexual orientation, occupation or ethnic origin, and a shared sense of identity and belongingness.‖ (Coloma and Herrera,2004)

Can you identify the other communities you belong to? How do you participate in your community?

How do you recognize a developed community? Let us now look into the definition of development...

Development is a ―gradual unfolding, a fuller working out of the details, of noted changes or growing improvement‖. Development has meant different things at different times in relation to changing circumstances and sensibilities. If you would recall the era of the Industrial Revolution, development then is closely related to increased speed, volume and size (CD Handbook,1999). Many are questioning this concept now. There was a realization that more is not always better. According to Elmer Ferrer, an expert on Community Development from the University of the Philippines, the term ―development ‖ does not necessarily mean growth, it is however about change, positive change. So what now is Community Development? Community development is culturally rooted to the life of the people. It is a planned evolution of all aspects of community well-being (economic, social, environmental and cultural). (CDTA Handbook, 2005) Community development is not a quick fix for the day-to-day operations of the community. Example: Have you participated in a gift-giving or relief operations in your community? These activities can be classified under a dole-out. Through this method we are only enabling the people to be dependent thus preventing them to help themselves.

Community development follows a planned process that is long-term and integrated. The process of developing and organizing the community is long and tedious. Every step must be carefully planned and monitored. (CDTA Handbook, 2005) You will know more about this in Lesson 2 Community Organizing.

Thus, Community Development is a process of facilitating people to actualize themselves and therefore discover their identities and possibilities and connection with each other and with the world. (Elmer Ferrer, Ph.D) Community Development is not a new concept in the Philippines. This has been rooted even before the coming of the Spaniards with early Filipinos organized into balangays, most members are related and headed by a leader. Through the years it has evolved and developed with the aid of western ideologies and teachings which are being applied based on the needs of the people in the community. Community Development is the improvement, growth and change of the geographic area and its people from ―conventional to modern ways, from crudeness to refinement, from ignorance to learning, from faultiness to virtuosity.” Now that you understand the meaning of community development, let us try to find out the Goals of Community Development. PEOPLE’S WELFARE

COMMUNITY PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION and COLLECTIVE ACTION

PEOPLE’S CAPACITY

Take note that Community Development is people-centered. According to Coloma et.al whenever we think about Community Development, we always keep in mind the people’s welfare, people’s capacity and people’s participation and collective action as goals of Community Development. (Luna, 1998)

1. People’s Welfare Community Development is for the people; thus it is very important to place their welfare above anything else. In developing a community remember the following endeavour that has to be achieved: improve the quality of life help people acquire coherence and meaning in life lead people towards achieving sustainability and self-determination. (Coloma and Herrera,2004)

2. People’s Capacity All people and communities have a certain amount of capacity. No one is without capacity but often we need to develop it. What is important to realize is that the heart of capacity building is the people . (Smith; Frank, 1990) It would take capacity to achieve a healthy community as well as good leadership, a viable plan, motivation and the support of the people from the community. Capacity is simply the ways and means needed to do what has to be done. It is much broader than simply skills, people and plans. It includes commitment, resources and all that is brought to bear on a process to make it successful. (CD Handbook, 1999) An indication that capacity is developing within a community is that people are active, interested and participating in what is going on. This is similar to you as part of a group or organization in your school or community. You are part of the discussion, there will also be questioning, challenging and debating – but you will be debating on what should be done, not complaining that nothing will ever change. More and more people will be getting involved, identifying key issues and taking action. 3. People’s Participation and Collective Involvement

Community Participation… is critical to community success Active community participation is the heart that pumps the community’s lifeblood—its citizens—into becoming an improved community.

Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.

Bordenave (1994) considers participation as a ―joint effort of people for achieving a common important objective previously defined by them.‖ Meanwhile, community participation according to Paul (1987) is ―an active process whereby beneficiaries influence the direction and

execution of the development projects rather than merely

receiving a share of the project benefits‖. ―Community participation is far more than a requirement. It is a condition for success. Studies have documented that communities that engage their citizens and partners deeply in the work of community development raise more resources, achieve more results, and develop in a more holistic and—ultimately—more beneficial way. Community participation, then is critical to community success.” (Reid, 2000) It is very important to ensure people’s active participation and involvement in the different programs within the community, build the people’s capacity and be empowered because through this, the purposes of community development become more realistic. Empowerment? Is this important? To answer this, let us check out the definition of empowerment... Empowerment refers to increasing political, social and economic strength of individuals. It often involves developing confidence in their own capacities. (Sirvent, 1984)

It is increasing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes. Central to this process are actions which both build individual and collective assets, and improve the efficiency of organizations and institutions. Empowered people have freedom of choice and action. This in turn enables them to better influence the course of their lives and the decisions which affect them. The goals of community development lead us to empowerment, thus, empowerment is most essential to community

t it!! ple are appreciably empowered and can participate in the process of development, then they can substantially enjo development!

Now that you understand the idea of empowerment, the next question is... how can we empower our fellow brothers and sisters? There are two simple answers to this question: cooperation and education. What is cooperation? How does this help in people’s empowerment? Cooperation is about taking an active part in the community of which you are an important member. It is all about voluntary association for mutual benefit. Cooperation is about the people who are affected by decisions being the people who make those decisions. Most importantly, cooperation is about having your voice heard. (Bluejay, 2005)

Another way to empower the community is through EDUCATION. Basic education not only increases a person’s economic opportunities, it also serves as a catalyst for social change. More importantly this is the key component for sustainable development. In My Pedagogic Creed, John Dewey held, among other things, that: Education is the fundamental method of social progress. Education is a regulation of the process of coming to share in the social consciousness; and that the adjustment of individual activity on the basis of this social consciousness is the only sure method of social reconstruction. Education must be conceived as a continuing reconstruction of experience; that the process and the goal of education are one and the same thing. The community’s duty to education is, therefore its paramount moral duty. Before you move on let us synthesize first the lessons you have learned so far.

This lesson on community development has taught you as to WHY community development is done. This lesson was also supported by the following concepts and experiences. We are all part of a community. We may belong to more than one community Development may mean growth and positive change. Community Development is a long-term and integrative process that involves all the resources of the community to achieve sustainable development.

Community Development is focused on improving the quality of life through utilizing the community members’ capacities and making them actively involved in the process. A developed community is generated by an empowered group of individuals. Empowerment of the people often involves developing confidence in their own capacities.

Lesson 2: Community Organizing I think it is quite clear to you as to WHY community development is done. Now let us try to explore the idea of HOW we can do it. To answer this question, let me introduce to you the concept of COMMUNITY ORGANIZING. Community organization is that process by which the people...organize themselves to 'take charge' of their situation and thus develop a sense of being a community together. It is a particularly effective tool for the poor and powerless as they determine for themselves the actions they will take to deal with the essential forces that are destroying their community and consequently causing them to be powerless. -Reverend Robert Linthicum, World Vision International Source: www.anivel.wordpress.com

Are you ready to take action and get others involved? What is Community Organizing? "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill Community Organizing (CO) has been defined as the application of principles and methods for effecting change in which the community groups are helped to identify the common problems or goals, mobilize resources, and in other ways develop and implement strategies for reaching the goals they have set. (Minkler, 1990) CO is a values-based process by which people - most often low- and moderate-income people previously absent from decision-making tables - are brought together in organizations to jointly act in the interest of their "communities" and the common good. Ideally,

in the participatory process of working for needed changes, people involved in CO organizations/groups learn how to take greater responsibility for the future of their communities, gain in mutual respect and achieve growth as individuals. In the Philippine setting, community organizing is seen as systematic, planned and liberating change process of transforming a community into an organized, conscious empowered, self-reliant, just and humane entity and institution. (Padilla,2004)

In a nutshell…

“Community Organizing is people working together to get things done” Si Kahn, Organizing: A Guide for Grassroots Leaders, 1981

When organizing a community it is very important that we set our goals. What is our purpose and why is there a need for community organizing? These should be the fruits of our labours in our efforts in organizing the community. What are the goals of community organizing?

People’s Empowerment. The people will become conscious that they possess power--power to assert their rights and to have a hand in decisions that will affect their lives. This will enable people to think that there are opportunities for change and development through cooperation and collective action. In a community, Improved qualityinstead of life of being ignored, denied, hidden or changed, human differences are ce -M Scott Peck, The Drum Through the Different process of community organizing people learn to secure short and long term improvements in their standards of living as soon as they receive access to their basic needs.

Leadership development and mobilization Leaders are identified and developed. They gain knowledge, skills and proper attitude required by their task in community development. Social Transformation Community organizing seeks to change the life of the community and the whole society into a democratic, self-reliant, nationalistic and selfgoverning entity that can respond to bigger concerns like environmental problems and individual needs. (Luna, 1998)

The process of community organizing is not an easy and tidy endeavour- it does not happen in neat and predictable steps, sometimes problems do exist. That is why it is important that you are guided with the following principles.

From: Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), 1982

Community Organizing principles can serve as guide to future community organizers such as yourselves. What does it take to be a good community organizer? The soul of organizing is the people. An organizer might be paid or work as a volunteer. Organizers can differ on strategy, tactics, even on what seems to be

moral values. However, all organizers believe in the people, in the ability of regular folks to guide their lives, to speak for themselves, to learn the world and how to make it better. (Dave Beckwith and Randy Stoeker) For you to be a community organizer you must have ... Imagination Sense of Humor Blurred vision of a better world An organized personality Strong ego/sense of oneself A free, open mind, and political relativity Ability to create the new out of the old ( Saul Alinsky, 1971 ) You are now equipped with the proper knowledge on the concepts and principles necessary in the development of a community. Consider always that organizing is not a struggle that happens overnight; the process is tedious so it is necessary to be emotionally prepared to meet the joys and pains in organizing. Now let me take you to a guided tour of community organizing through the Phases of Community Organizing (Source: Asst. Prof Jose Cruz III, Dir. UST-OCD, 2009)

I. Area Site Selection Communities chosen for community organizing are those that are generally described as marginalized , those that are unserved, underserved and are economically depressed. These communities are chosen based on a need, a need that the external agent (in this case the University, through the NSTP) would like to address, and may have the capacity ORGANIZERS “don’t do it” but get others “to do it” to address. Additional criteria suchORGANIZERS as are simply facilitators and implementers. location, distance and safety of the community organizer is also taken into consideration.

The general acceptance of the community to community organizing and development work also plays an important factor in the selection of the community. Let’s take the case of Sitio Mabilog and Sitio Haduan in Bamban, Tarlac. These areas are not the most accessible areas for development work. In fact students and faculty members would normally hike to get to community (Sitio Mabilog is not accessible to vehicles during the rainy season). Why of all places did the University choose these areas for our community development program? The answer is simple, there is a need. Poverty is pervasive in both communities, health and education services are inaccessible and we feel that we can contribute to changing this state. But most of all, the communities accept and are cooperative to the development efforts in the area.

II. Entry to the Community “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” so goes the cliché that probably best describes this phase. Some books also call this the integration or the immersion phase. This is when the community organizer goes to the community, lives with the people and assimilates into community life. In short, to understand the community and allow the community to know you, you must be one of them and be one with them. How can we even att...